NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Banking

  • MIL-OSI: Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Reports 2025 First-Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ARCHBOLD, Ohio, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO) today reported financial results for the 2025 first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    2025 First Quarter Financial and Operating Highlights
    (at March 31, 2025 and on a year-over-year basis unless noted)

    • 88 consecutive quarters of profitability
    • Total interest income increased 6.1% to $41.0 million, driven by a 19-basis point improvement in the yield on earning assets and a higher average loan balance
    • Total loans increased by $40.5 million, or 1.6% to $2.58 billion
    • Total assets increased by $101.2 million, or 3.1% to $3.39 billion
    • Total deposits increased by $78.9 million, or 3.0% to $2.70 billion
    • Efficiency ratio improved to 66.79%, compared to 74.08%
    • Pre-tax, pre-provision income increased 49.6% to $9.3 million, from $6.2 million
    • Net income increased 29.7% to $7.0 million, or $0.51 per basic and diluted share
    • Asset quality remains at historically strong levels with nonperforming loans of only $4.5 million and net charge-offs to average loans of 0.01%
    • Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.44%

    Lars B. Eller, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “2025 is off to a solid start, reflecting the positive impacts our strategic priorities are having on our financial performance. Throughout the first quarter we made progress enhancing profitability, controlling growth, driving innovation, and achieving greater operational efficiency. Most importantly, our strong first-quarter results underscore the excellent execution by our team and F&M’s ongoing commitment to delivering local, personalized financial services to our communities in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.”

    Mr. Eller continued, “For the first quarter of 2025 our net interest margin grew 43-basis points year-over year to 3.03% and increased 19-basis points from the fourth quarter of 2024. This growth demonstrates the benefits of continued loan repricing, as well as our disciplined approach to new loan originations and strategic efforts underway to improve our cost of funds. Total revenue – defined by net interest income plus noninterest income – increased 16.7% year-over-year, while noninterest expense rose 5.2%. This favorable spread strengthened our efficiency ratio and drove a 49.6% increase in pre-tax, pre-provision income. As we continue to successfully execute against our 2025 strategic priorities, we expect continued year-over-year growth in net income.”

    Income Statement
    Net income for the 2025 first quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $7.0 million, compared to $5.4 million for the same period last year. Net income per basic and diluted share for the 2025 first quarter was $0.51, compared to $0.39 for the same period last year.

    Deposits
    At March 31, 2025, total deposits were $2.70 billion, an increase of 3.0% from March 31, 2024. The Company’s cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 2.76% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to 3.06% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    Mr. Eller commented, “We continue to pursue opportunities that optimize our deposit base and grow low-cost checking deposits. As a result, more expensive time-account balances have declined year-over-year by $19.5 million, while total deposits have increased by $78.9 million reflecting growth in lower cost core deposits. These trends have reduced our cost of funds, while improving our loan-to-deposit ratio.”

    Loan Portfolio and Asset Quality
    “Offices opened in 2023 continue to add new loans and new deposits at a faster pace than our legacy locations, which we believe demonstrates the need for the local community banking services F&M provides. Overall, we are experiencing stable demand across all of our markets, as a result of the addition of proven bankers to our team, our regional structure, new financial products, and growing commercial relationships. Positive demand trends allow us to control growth, expand our yield on loans, and maintain excellent asset quality. Our credit quality remains strong with nonperforming loans to total loans of just 0.17% at March 31, 2025 – the fourth quarter in a row this metric has remained below 0.20%,” continued Mr. Eller.

    Total loans, net at March 31, 2025, increased 1.6%, or by $40.5 million to $2.58 billion, compared to $2.54 billion at March 31, 2024. The year-over-year increase was driven primarily by higher agricultural, commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate loans, partially offset primarily by lower consumer, agricultural real estate, and consumer real estate loans. Compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024, total loans, net at March 31, 2025, increased by 0.8% or $20.0 million.

    F&M continues to closely monitor its loan portfolio with a particular emphasis on higher risk sectors. Nonperforming loans were $4.5 million, or 0.17% of total loans at March 31, 2025, compared to $19.4 million, or 0.76% of total loans at March 31, 2024, and $3.1 million, or 0.12% at December 31, 2024.

    F&M maintains a well-balanced, diverse and high performing CRE portfolio. CRE loans represented 51.3% of the Company’s total loan portfolio at March 31, 2025. In addition, F&M’s commercial real estate office credit exposure represented 5.4% of the Company’s total loan portfolio at March 31, 2025, with a weighted average loan-to-value of approximately 63% and an average loan of approximately $965,366.

    F&M’s CRE portfolio included the following categories at March 31, 2025:

    CRE Category

     

    Dollar
    Balance

      Percent of
    CRE
    Portfolio
    (*)
      Percent of
    Total Loan
    Portfolio
    (*)
                 
    Industrial   $ 281,484   21.2%   10.9%
    Multi-family     217,903   16.4%   8.4%
    Retail     213,281   16.1%   8.3%
    Hotels     157,139   11.8%   6.1%
    Office     139,069   10.5%   5.4%
    Gas Stations     70,983   5.3%   2.7%
    Food Service     52,827   4.0%   2.0%
    Senior Living     31,400   2.4%   1.2%
    Development     29,907   2.3%   1.2%
    Auto Dealers     27,294   2.1%   1.1%
    Other     104,411   7.9%   4.0%
    Total CRE   $ 1,325,698   100.0%   51.3%
                   

    * Numbers have been rounded

    At March 31, 2025, the Company’s allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans was 586.38%, compared to 127.28% at March 31, 2024. The allowance to total loans was 1.07% at March 31, 2025, compared to 1.05% at March 31, 2024. Including accretable yield adjustments, associated with the Company’s prior acquisitions, F&M’s allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.08% at March 31, 2025, compared to 1.11% at March 31, 2024.

    Mr. Eller concluded, “While the near-term economic environment has become more fluid, we believe F&M is in a strong position because of the platform we have built and the strategies we are pursuing to transform our business in 2025. As a result, we continue to believe 2025 will be another good year for F&M.”

    Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends
    Total stockholders’ equity increased 8.5% to $344.6 million, or $25.12 per share at March 31, 2025, from $317.7 million, or $23.22 per share at March 31, 2024. The Company had a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8.44%, compared to 8.40% at March 31, 2024.

    Tangible stockholders’ equity increased to $263.0 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $256.5 million at March 31, 2024. On a per share basis, tangible stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2025, was $19.17 per share, compared to $18.75 per share at March 31, 2024.

    For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company declared cash dividends of $0.22125 per share, representing a 0.6% increase over the same period last year. F&M is committed to returning capital to shareholders and has increased the annual cash dividend for 30 consecutive years. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the dividend payout ratio was 43.10% compared to 55.52% for the same period last year.

    About Farmers & Merchants State Bank:
    F&M Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving its communities since 1897. F&M Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services. Our locations are in Butler, Champaign, Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, and Wood counties in Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben and Wells counties. The Michigan footprint includes Oakland County, and we have Loan Production Offices in Troy, Michigan; Muncie, Indiana; and Perrysburg and Bryan, Ohio.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (“F&M”) wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    This press release includes disclosure of financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed by GAAP. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the underlying operational results and trends and Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.’s marketplace performance. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the numbers prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is included within this press release.

    FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME & COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    (Unaudited) (in thousands of dollars, except per share data)
     
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024
    Interest Income                  
    Loans, including fees $ 37,072     $ 36,663     $ 36,873     $ 36,593     $ 35,200  
    Debt securities:                  
    U.S. Treasury and government agencies   2,097       1,882       1,467       1,148       1,045  
    Municipalities   382       384       387       389       394  
    Dividends   338       367       334       327       333  
    Federal funds sold   –       24       7       7       7  
    Other   1,113       2,531       2,833       2,702       1,675  
    Total interest income   41,002       41,851       41,901       41,166       38,654  
    Interest Expense                  
    Deposits   13,988       15,749       16,947       16,488       15,279  
    Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase   271       274       277       276       284  
    Borrowed funds   2,550       2,713       2,804       2,742       2,689  
    Subordinated notes   284       285       284       285       284  
    Total interest expense   17,093       19,021       20,312       19,791       18,536  
    Net Interest Income – Before Provision for Credit Losses   23,909       22,830       21,589       21,375       20,118  
    Provision for (Recovery of) Credit Losses – Loans   811       346       282       605       (289 )
    Recovery of Credit Losses – Off Balance Sheet Exposures   (260 )     (120 )     (267 )     (18 )     (266 )
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses   23,358       22,604       21,574       20,788       20,673  
    Noninterest Income                  
    Customer service fees   381       237       300       189       598  
    Other service charges and fees   1,124       1,176       1,155       1,085       1,057  
    Interchange income   1,421       1,322       1,315       1,330       1,429  
    Loan servicing income   762       771       710       513       539  
    Net gain on sale of loans   284       223       215       314       107  
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance   244       248       265       236       216  
    Net gain (loss) on sale of other assets owned   (54 )     22       –       49       –  
    Total noninterest income   4,162       3,999       3,960       3,716       3,946  
    Noninterest Expense                  
    Salaries and wages   7,878       7,020       7,713       7,589       7,846  
    Employee benefits   2,404       2,148       2,112       2,112       2,171  
    Net occupancy expense   1,199       1,072       1,054       999       1,027  
    Furniture and equipment   1,278       1,032       1,472       1,407       1,353  
    Data processing   557       160       339       448       500  
    Franchise taxes   397       312       410       265       555  
    ATM expense   491       328       472       397       473  
    Advertising   503       498       597       519       530  
    FDIC assessment   465       505       516       507       580  
    Servicing rights amortization – net   127       244       219       187       168  
    Loan expense   228       236       244       251       229  
    Consulting fees   745       242       251       198       186  
    Professional fees   559       368       453       527       445  
    Intangible asset amortization   445       446       445       444       445  
    Other general and administrative   1,484       1,465       1,128       1,495       1,333  
    Total noninterest expense   18,760       16,076       17,425       17,345       17,841  
    Income Before Income Taxes   8,760       10,527       8,109       7,159       6,778  
    Income Taxes   1,808       2,146       1,593       1,477       1,419  
    Net Income   6,952       8,381       6,516       5,682       5,359  
    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Net of Tax):                  
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities   6,464       (7,403 )     11,664       2,531       (1,995 )
    Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on sale of available-for-sale securities   –       –       –       –       –  
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities   6,464       (7,403 )     11,664       2,531       (1,995 )
    Tax expense (benefit)   1,358       (1,554 )     2,449       531       (418 )
    Other comprehensive income (loss)   5,106       (5,849 )     9,215       2,000       (1,577 )
    Comprehensive Income $ 12,058     $ 2,532     $ 15,731     $ 7,682     $ 3,782  
    Basic Earnings Per Share $ 0.51     $ 0.61     $ 0.48     $ 0.42     $ 0.39  
    Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.51     $ 0.61     $ 0.48     $ 0.42     $ 0.39  
    Dividends Declared $ 0.22125     $ 0.22125     $ 0.22125     $ 0.22     $ 0.22  
                       
    FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited) (in thousands of dollars, except share data)
     
      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024
      (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    Assets                  
    Cash and due from banks $ 172,612     $ 174,855     $ 244,572     $ 191,785     $ 186,541  
    Federal funds sold   425       1,496       932       1,283       1,241  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   173,037       176,351       245,504       193,068       187,782  
                       
    Interest-bearing time deposits   1,992       2,482       2,727       3,221       2,735  
    Securities – available-for-sale   438,568       426,556       404,881       365,209       347,516  
    Other securities, at cost   14,062       14,400       15,028       14,721       14,744  
    Loans held for sale   2,331       2,996       1,706       1,628       2,410  
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses   2,555,552       2,536,043       2,512,852       2,534,468       2,516,687  
    Premises and equipment   33,163       33,828       33,779       34,507       35,007  
    Construction in progress   –       –       35       38       9  
    Goodwill   86,358       86,358       86,358       86,358       86,358  
    Loan servicing rights   5,805       5,656       5,644       5,504       5,555  
    Bank owned life insurance   35,116       34,872       34,624       34,359       34,123  
    Other assets   42,802       45,181       46,047       49,552       54,628  
                       
    Total Assets $ 3,388,786     $ 3,364,723     $ 3,389,185     $ 3,322,633     $ 3,287,554  
                       
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                  
    Liabilities                  
    Deposits                  
    Noninterest-bearing $ 502,318     $ 516,904     $ 481,444     $ 479,069     $ 510,731  
    Interest-bearing                  
    NOW accounts   874,881       850,462       865,617       821,145       829,236  
    Savings   696,635       671,818       661,565       673,284       635,430  
    Time   626,450       647,581       676,187       667,592       645,985  
    Total deposits   2,700,284       2,686,765       2,684,813       2,641,090       2,621,382  
                       
    Federal funds purchased and securities                  
    sold under agreements to repurchase   27,258       27,218       27,292       27,218       28,218  
    Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances   245,474       246,056       263,081       266,102       256,628  
    Subordinated notes, net of unamortized issuance costs   34,846       34,818       34,789       34,759       34,731  
    Dividend payable   2,997       2,996       2,998       2,975       2,975  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   33,326       31,659       40,832       27,825       25,930  
    Total liabilities   3,044,185       3,029,512       3,053,805       2,999,969       2,969,864  
                       
    Commitments and Contingencies                  
                       
    Stockholders’ Equity                  
    Common stock – No par value 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued                  
    14,564,425 shares 3/31/25 and 12/31/24; outstanding 13,718,336 shares 3/31/25 and 13,699,536 shares 12/31/24   135,407       135,565       135,193       135,829       135,482  
    Treasury stock – 846,089 shares 3/31/25 and 864,889 shares 12/31/24   (10,768 )     (10,985 )     (10,904 )     (11,006 )     (10,851 )
    Retained earnings   240,079       235,854       230,465       226,430       223,648  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (20,117 )     (25,223 )     (19,374 )     (28,589 )     (30,589 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   344,601       335,211       335,380       322,664       317,690  
                       
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 3,388,786     $ 3,364,723     $ 3,389,185     $ 3,322,633     $ 3,287,554  
                       
    FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    SELECT FINANCIAL DATA
                                   
        For the Three Months Ended
    Selected financial data   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024
    Return on average assets     0.85 %     0.99 %     0.78 %     0.69 %     0.66 %
    Return on average equity     8.31 %     10.00 %     7.93 %     7.13 %     6.76 %
    Yield on earning assets     5.19 %     5.20 %     5.27 %     5.22 %     5.00 %
    Cost of interest bearing liabilities     2.76 %     3.01 %     3.21 %     3.18 %     3.06 %
    Net interest spread     2.43 %     2.19 %     2.06 %     2.04 %     1.94 %
    Net interest margin     3.03 %     2.84 %     2.71 %     2.71 %     2.60 %
    Efficiency ratio     66.79 %     59.82 %     67.98 %     69.03 %     74.08 %
    Dividend payout ratio     43.10 %     35.75 %     45.99 %     52.35 %     55.52 %
    Tangible book value per share   $ 17.71     $ 17.74     $ 17.72     $ 16.79     $ 16.51  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     8.44 %     8.12 %     8.04 %     8.02 %     8.40 %
    Average shares outstanding     13,706,003       13,699,869       13,687,119       13,681,501       13,671,166  
                                   
    Loans   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024
    (Dollar amounts in thousands)                              
    Commercial real estate   $ 1,325,698     $ 1,310,811     $ 1,301,160     $ 1,303,598     $ 1,304,400  
    Agricultural real estate     215,898       216,401       220,328       222,558       227,455  
    Consumer real estate     523,383       520,114       524,055       525,902       525,178  
    Commercial and industrial     278,254       275,152       260,732       268,426       256,051  
    Agricultural     153,607       152,080       137,252       142,909       127,670  
    Consumer     60,115       63,009       67,394       70,918       74,819  
    Other     24,985       24,978       25,916       26,449       26,776  
    Less: Net deferred loan fees, costs and other (1)     (36 )     (676 )     1,499       (1,022 )     (982 )
    Total loans, net   $ 2,581,904     $ 2,561,869     $ 2,538,336     $ 2,559,738     $ 2,541,367  
                                   
                                   
    Asset quality data   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024
    (Dollar amounts in thousands)                              
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 4,494     $ 3,124     $ 2,898     $ 2,487     $ 19,391  
    90 day past due and accruing   $ –     $ –     $ –     $ –     $ –  
    Nonperforming loans   $ 4,494     $ 3,124     $ 2,898     $ 2,487     $ 19,391  
    Other real estate owned   $ –     $ –     $ –     $ –     $ –  
    Nonperforming assets   $ 4,494     $ 3,124     $ 2,898     $ 2,487     $ 19,391  
                                   
                                   
    Allowance for credit losses – loans   $ 26,352     $ 25,826     $ 25,484     $ 25,270     $ 24,680  
    Allowance for credit losses – off balance sheet credit exposures     1,281       1,541       1,661       1,928       1,946  
    Total allowance for credit losses   $ 27,633     $ 27,367     $ 27,145     $ 27,198     $ 26,626  
    Total allowance for credit losses/total loans     1.07 %     1.07 %     1.07 %     1.06 %     1.05 %
    Adjusted credit losses with accretable yield/total loans     1.08 %     1.08 %     1.10 %     1.10 %     1.11 %
    Net charge-offs:                              
    Quarter-to-date   $ 285     $ 4     $ 68     $ 15     $ 55  
    Year-to-date   $ 285     $ 142     $ 138     $ 70     $ 55  
    Net charge-offs to average loans                              
    Quarter-to-date     0.01 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
    Year-to-date     0.01 %     0.01 %     0.01 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
    Nonperforming loans/total loans     0.17 %     0.12 %     0.11 %     0.10 %     0.76 %
    Allowance for credit losses/nonperforming loans     586.38 %     826.70 %     879.37 %     1016.08 %     127.28 %
    NPA coverage ratio     586.38 %     826.70 %     879.37 %     1016.08 %     127.28 %
                                   
    (1) Includes carrying value adjustments of $1.7 million as of March 31, 2025, $1.1 million as of December 31, 2024, $3.0 million as of September 30, 2024, $612 thousand as of June 30, 2024, and $969 thousand as of March 31, 2024 related to interest rate swaps associated with fixed rate loans
                                   
    FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND RELATED YIELDS AND RATES
    (in thousands of dollars, except percentages)
                       
                           
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Interest Earning Assets: Average Balance   Interest/Dividends   Annualized
    Yield/Rate
      Average Balance   Interest/Dividends   Annualized
    Yield/Rate
    Loans $ 2,578,531   $ 37,072   5.75%   $ 2,577,114   $ 35,200   5.46%
    Taxable investment securities   458,519     2,739   2.39%     384,928     1,686   1.75%
    Tax-exempt investment securities   18,310     78   2.16%     21,109     86   2.06%
    Fed funds sold & other   105,770     1,113   4.21%     110,388     1,682   6.09%
    Total Interest Earning Assets   3,161,130   $ 41,002   5.19%     3,093,539   $ 38,654   5.00%
                           
    Nonearning Assets   166,630             159,240        
                           
    Total Assets $ 3,327,760           $ 3,252,779        
                           
    Interest Bearing Liabilities:                      
    Savings deposits $ 1,543,665   $ 8,564   2.22%   $ 1,443,530   $ 9,407   2.61%
    Other time deposits   627,498     5,424   3.46%     650,580     5,872   3.61%
    Other borrowed money   245,734     2,550   4.15%     263,280     2,689   4.09%
    Fed funds purchased & securities                      
    sold under agreement to repurchase   27,480     271   3.94%     28,458     284   3.99%
    Subordinated notes   34,828     284   3.26%     34,712     284   3.27%
    Total Interest Bearing Liabilities $ 2,479,205   $ 17,093   2.76%   $ 2,420,560   $ 18,536   3.06%
                           
    Noninterest Bearing Liabilities   509,190             514,986        
                           
    Stockholders’ Equity $ 339,365           $ 317,233        
                           
    Net Interest Income and Interest Rate Spread     $ 23,909   2.43%       $ 20,118   1.94%
                           
    Net Interest Margin         3.03%           2.60%
                           
    Yields on Tax exempt securities and the portion of the tax-exempt IDB loans included in loans have been tax adjusted based on a 21% tax rate in the charts    
                           
    FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND RELATED YIELDS AND RATES
    (in thousands of dollars, except percentages)
                                       
      For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025   For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
      As Reported   Excluding Acc/Amort Difference   As Reported   Excluding Acc/Amort Difference
      $ Yield   $ Yield   $ Yield   $ Yield   $ Yield   $ Yield
    Interest Earning Assets:                                  
    Loans $ 37,072 5.75 %   $ 36,468 5.66 %   $ 604 0.09 %   $ 35,200 5.46 %   $ 34,525 5.36 %   $ 675   0.10 %
    Taxable investment securities   2,739 2.39 %     2,739 2.39 %     – 0.00 %     1,686 1.75 %     1,686 1.75 %     –   0.00 %
    Tax-exempt investment securities   78 2.16 %     78 2.16 %     – 0.00 %     86 2.06 %     86 2.06 %     –   0.00 %
    Fed funds sold & other   1,113 4.21 %     1,113 4.21 %     – 0.00 %     1,682 6.09 %     1,682 6.09 %     –   0.00 %
    Total Interest Earning Assets   41,002 5.19 %     40,398 5.11 %     604 0.08 %     38,654 5.00 %     37,979 4.92 %     675   0.08 %
                                       
    Interest Bearing Liabilities:                                  
    Savings deposits $ 8,564 2.22 %   $ 8,564 2.22 %   $ – 0.00 %   $ 9,407 2.61 %   $ 9,407 2.61 %   $ –   0.00 %
    Other time deposits   5,424 3.46 %     5,424 3.46 %     – 0.00 %     5,872 3.61 %     5,872 3.61 %     –   0.00 %
    Other borrowed money   2,550 4.15 %     2,547 4.15 %     3 0.00 %     2,689 4.09 %     2,707 4.11 %     (18 ) -0.02 %
    Federal funds purchased and                                  
    securities sold under agreement to                                  
    repurchase   271 3.94 %     271 3.94 %     – 0.00 %     284 3.99 %     284 3.99 %     –   0.00 %
    Subordinated notes   284 3.26 %     284 3.26 %     – 0.00 %     284 3.27 %     284 3.27 %     –   0.00 %
    Total Interest Bearing Liabilities   17,093 2.76 %     17,090 2.76 %     3 -0.00 %     18,536 3.06 %     18,554 3.07 %     (18 ) -0.01 %
                                       
    Interest/Dividend income/yield   41,002 5.19 %     40,398 5.11 %     604 0.08 %     38,654 5.00 %     37,979 4.92 %     675   0.08 %
    Interest Expense / yield   17,093 2.76 %     17,090 2.76 %     3 -0.00 %     18,536 3.06 %     18,554 3.07 %     (18 ) -0.01 %
    Net Interest Spread   23,909 2.43 %     23,308 2.35 %     601 0.08 %     20,118 1.94 %     19,425 1.85 %     693   0.09 %
    Net Interest Margin   3.03 %     2.95 %     0.08 %     2.60 %     2.52 %     0.08 %
                                       
    Company Contact: Investor and Media Contact:
    Lars B. Eller
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
    (419) 446-2501
    leller@fm.bank
    Andrew M. Berger
    Managing Director
    SM Berger & Company, Inc.
    (216) 464-6400
    andrew@smberger.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Capital Bancorp, Inc. Announces Strong First Quarter Results and Successful IFH Conversion; Continued Strong Organic Loan and Deposit Growth; NIM and Fee Income Drives Robust Returns

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Net Income of $13.9 million, or $0.82 per share, and return on average assets (“ROA”) of 1.75%
      • Core net income(1) of $14.9 million, or $0.88 per share, and core ROA(1) of 1.87%
    • Book value per common share of $22.19 at March 31, 2025, increased $0.87 compared to 4Q 2024, and increased $3.51 when compared to 1Q 2024.
      • Tangible Book Value Per Share(1) of $19.81, increased 3.7% (not annualized), or $0.71(2) as compared to 4Q 2024, and increased 6.0%, or $1.13 compared to 1Q 2024
    • Return on average equity (“ROE”) of 15.56%, and return on average tangible common equity (“ROTCE”)(1) of 17.57%
      • Core ROE(1) of 16.64%, and core ROTCE(1) of 18.77%
    • Gross Loans grew $48.2 million, or 7.4% (annualized), during 1Q 2025, and growth of $713.9 million year-over-year including $340.4 million from organic growth and $373.5 million from the IFH acquisition
    • Total Deposits grew $129.4 million, or 19.0% (annualized), from 4Q 2024. Year-over-year growth of $885.6 million includes $426.7 million from organic growth, and $459.0 million from the acquisition of IFH, or 44.2% from 1Q 2024
      • Customer Deposit growth of $154.6 million, or 25.8% (annualized) from 4Q 2024, and $738.5 million year-over-year, or 40.0% from 1Q 2024, including $445.0 million of organic growth, and $293.5 million from the acquisition of IFH
    • Net Interest Income increased $1.7 million, or 3.9% (not annualized), from 4Q 2024 due to balance sheet growth and purchase accounting accretion, and increased $11.0 million, or 31.5%, year-over-year, primarily driven by strong organic growth and the acquisition of IFH.
    • Net Interest Margin (“NIM”) of 6.05% increased 18 bps compared to 4Q 2024 and decreased 19 bps compared to 1Q 2024 due to the acquisition of commercial loans from IFH, diluting the impact from OpenSky™
      • Commercial Bank NIM(1) of 4.32% increased by 33 bps and 55 bps, compared to 4Q 2024 and 1Q 2024, respectively
      • Net purchase accounting accretion of $1.5 million for 1Q 2025, increased $0.8 million compared to 4Q 2024, accounting for 20 bps of both reported NIM and Commercial Bank NIM(1)
    • Fee Revenue (noninterest income) totaled $12.5 million, or 21.4% of total revenue for 1Q 2025, an increase of $0.6 million, from 4Q 2024 and $6.6 million, from 1Q 2024
    • The allowance for credit losses to total loans (“ACL Coverage Ratio”) equaled 1.81% at March 31, 2025 down 4 bps from 4Q 2024 and up 32 bps from 1Q 2024, primarily due to of the acquisition of IFH loans. The Commercial Bank ACL Coverage Ratio(1) equaled 1.67% at March 31, 2025, compared to 1.70% at December 31, 2024.
    • Cash Dividend of $0.10 per share declared by the Board of Directors

    ________________________
    (1) As used in this press release, core net income, core ROA, core ROE, ROTCE, core ROTCE, Commercial Bank NIM, Commercial Bank ACL Coverage Ratio, and Tangible Book Value are non–U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures. These non-GAAP financial metrics exclude merger-related and other certain one-time non-reoccurring pre-tax adjustments and tax impacts of such adjustments. Reconciliations of these and other non–GAAP measures to their comparable GAAP measures are set forth in the Appendix at the end of this press release.
    (2) 4Q 2024 Tangible Book Value restated to $19.10 from previously reported amount of $18.77 due to exclusion of Loan Servicing Assets.

    ROCKVILLE, Md., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CBNK), the holding company for Capital Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $13.9 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, for 1Q 2025, compared to net income of $7.5 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for 4Q 2024, and $6.6 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for 1Q 2024. Core net income(3) for 1Q 2025 of $14.9 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, compared to $15.5 million, or $0.92 per diluted share in 4Q 2024.

    The Company also declared a cash dividend on its common stock of $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable on May 28, 2025 to shareholders of record on May 12, 2025.

    “The first quarter continues the momentum from 2024 and further demonstrates the value of the larger and more diversified franchise resulting from the acquisition of IFH,” said Ed Barry, CEO of the Company and the Bank. “I would like to thank Management and the teams across the organization for a successful integration of IFH in the first quarter. Our continued focused execution of our initiatives and growth objectives will build on a great start to 2025.”

    “Our record GAAP earnings per share for the quarter, increased net interest margin, solid loan and deposit growth, and superior return on tangible equity all confirm that we are on the right course for continued growth. We continue to benefit from our diversified earnings platform, both in terms of overall performance and risk mitigation,” said Steven J. Schwartz, Chairman of the Company. “That said, we intend to continue to monitor closely the possible impact on our businesses from emergent governmental policies, with a view towards insulating ourselves, to the extent we can, from the effects of such policies, including interest rate and price volatility and heightened economic uncertainty.”

    Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Core (Non-GAAP) Net Income
    The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s net income under GAAP to Core net income (non-GAAP) results excluding merger-related expenses and other one-time non-recurring transactions.

      First Quarter 2025   Fourth Quarter 2024
    (in thousands, except per share data) Income
    Before
    Income
    Taxes
      Income
    Tax
    Expense
      Net
    Income
      Diluted
    Earnings
    per
    Share
      Income
    Before
    Income
    Taxes
      Income
    Tax
    Expense
      Net
    Income
      Diluted
    Earnings
    per
    Share
    GAAP Net Income $ 18,297   $ 4,365   $ 13,932   $ 0.82   $ 10,776   $ 3,243   $ 7,533   $ 0.45
    Add: Merger-Related Expenses   1,266     302     964         2,615     464     2,151    
    Add: Non-recurring Equity and Debt Investment Write-Down   —     —     —         2,620     —     2,620    
    Add: Initial IFH ACL Provision   —     —     —         4,194     1,025     3,169    
    Core Net Income(1) $ 19,563   $ 4,667   $ 14,896   $ 0.88   $ 20,205   $ 4,732   $ 15,473   $ 0.92

    Note: The income tax expense reflects the non-deductibility of certain merger-related expenses.

    ________________________
    1 As used in this press release, core net income is a non-GAAP financial measure. This non-GAAP financial metric excludes merger-related and other certain one-time non-recurring pre-tax adjustments and tax impacts of such adjustments. Reconciliations of this and other non–GAAP measures to their comparable GAAP measures are set forth in the Appendix at the end of this press release.


    First Quarter 2025 Results

    Earnings Summary
    Net income of $13.9 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared to net income of $7.5 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for 4Q 2024, and $6.6 million or $0.47 per diluted share, for 1Q 2024. 1Q 2025 core net income(4) of $14.9 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, compared to 4Q 2024 of $15.5 million, or $0.92 per diluted share.

    • Net interest income of $46.0 million increased $1.7 million, or 3.9% (not annualized), compared to 4Q 2024, and increased $11.0 million, or 31.5% year-over-year.
      • Interest income of $62.8 million increased $1.1 million, or 1.7% (not annualized), over 4Q 2024, and increased $14.4 million, or 29.8%, year-over-year. The increase quarter-over-quarter was driven by increases of $1.1 million from net purchase accounting accretion, $0.7 million from interest-bearing deposits held at other financial institutions, and $0.3 million from investments held for sale, partially offset by a decrease in loan interest income of $1.1 million due to rate and portfolio mix, while the increase year-over year was primarily driven by organic growth and the acquisition of IFH.
        • Interest income included $0.4 million from net purchase accounting accretion in 1Q 2025 compared to $0.7 million from net purchase accounting amortization in 4Q 2024. There was no related purchase accounting accretion or amortization during 1Q 2024.
      • Interest expense of $16.7 million decreased $0.7 million, or 3.8% (not annualized) compared to 4Q 2024, and increased $3.4 million, or 25.1%, year-over-year. The decrease quarter-over-quarter was primarily due to a decrease in borrowed funds partially offset by lower net purchase accounting accretion, and the increase year-over-year was driven by organic growth and the acquisition of IFH.
        • Interest expense included $1.1 million from net purchase accounting accretion in 1Q 2025 compared to $1.4 million from net purchase accounting accretion in 4Q 2024. There was no related purchase accounting accretion or amortization during 1Q 2024.
    • The provision for credit losses was $2.2 million, a decrease of $5.6 million from 4Q 2024. The decrease over the prior quarter was primarily driven by the recognition of the Initial IFH ACL Provision of $4.2 million in 4Q 2024, and a $2.0 million lower provision from the commercial loan portfolio partially offset by an additional $0.6 million from OpenSky™ provision in the current quarter. Net charge-offs totaled $2.4 million, or 0.38% of portfolio loans (annualized), including $2.3 million from OpenSky™ loans. By comparison net charge-offs for 4Q 2024 totaled $2.4 million, or 0.37% of portfolio loans (annualized), including $2.1 million from OpenSky™ loans. At March 31, 2025, the ACL Coverage Ratio was 1.81%, down 4 bps from the ratio of 1.85% at December 31, 2024, due to the payoff of certain purchase credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans acquired from IFH, during the quarter. The provision for credit losses decreased $0.5 million, year-over-year (1Q 2024) primarily from lower commercial loan portfolio provision of $0.7 million, offset by slightly higher provision for OpenSky™ of $0.2 million, while the ACL Coverage Ratio increased 32 bps year-over-year driven by the acquisition of IFH.

    ________________________
    1 As used in this press release, core net income is a non-GAAP financial measure. This non-GAAP financial metric excludes merger-related and other certain one-time non-recurring pre-tax adjustments and tax impacts of such adjustments. Reconciliations of this and other non–GAAP measures to their comparable GAAP measures are set forth in the Appendix at the end of this press release.


    Earnings Summary (Continued)

    • Noninterest income of $12.5 million increased $0.6 million compared to 4Q 2024 and increased $6.6 million year-over-year primarily due to the contributions made by the businesses IFH brought to the merged entity. Core fee revenue(5) of $12.5 million decreased $2.0 million, as a result of $1.2 million lower government lending revenue, $0.8 million lower SBIC investment income, $0.5 million lower loan servicing, $0.4 million lower government loan servicing revenue (Windsor), offset by a loan termination fee of $0.7 million during 1Q 2025.
    • Noninterest expense of $38.1 million increased $0.5 million compared to 4Q 2024 and $8.6 million compared to 1Q 2024. Core noninterest expense(1) of $36.8 million increased $1.9 million compared to 4Q 2024 and $8.0 million compared to 1Q 2024. Core comparisons include:
      • Salaries and employee benefits expenses increased $1.6 million from 4Q 2024, primarily the result of $0.7 million lower deferred expenses related to loan production, $0.6 million from the seasonality of payroll related taxes, and $0.2 million in employee benefits.
      • Marketing expenses increased $0.7 million from 4Q 2024, primarily due to additional OpenSky™ advertising-related expenses due to seasonality.
      • Regulatory assessment expenses increased $0.4 million from 4Q 2024, primarily due to additional assessments from the acquisition of IFH.
      • Expense reduction of $0.8 million from 4Q 2024, includes $0.3 million from loan processing, $0.2 million from other operating, and $0.3 million from other areas.
      • Year-over-year expense growth of $8.6 million was primarily due to the acquisition of IFH.
      • Estimated total cost synergies resulting from the acquisition of IFH totaled $1.75 million in 1Q 2025, achieving the targeted savings earlier than anticipated.
    • Income tax expense of $4.4 million, or 23.9% of pre-tax income for 1Q 2025, increased $1.1 million from $3.2 million, or 30.1% of pre-tax income for 4Q 2024. The core effective income tax rate(1) for 1Q 2025 and 4Q 2024 would have been 23.7% and 22.6%, respectively.

    ________________________
    1 As used in this press release, core fee revenue, core noninterest expense, and core effective income tax rate are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial metrics exclude merger-related and other certain one-time non-recurring pre-tax adjustments and tax impacts of such adjustments. Reconciliations of these and other non–GAAP measures to their comparable GAAP measures are set forth in the Appendix at the end of this press release.


    Balance Sheet
    Total assets of $3.3 billion at March 31, 2025 increased $142.9 million, or 18.1% (annualized), from December 31, 2024. Total assets growth year-over-year of $1.0 billion, or 44.1%, included $559.4 million acquired with the IFH acquisition, net of purchase accounting, and $465.6 million of organic growth.

    • Cash and cash equivalents of $294.0 million at March 31, 2025 increased $88.7 million from December 31, 2024 due to portfolio growth, and increased $208.8 million year-over-year including $130.9 million from organic growth and $77.8 million from the acquisition of IFH.
    • Total portfolio loans of $2.68 billion at March 31, 2025 increased $48.2 million, or 7.4% (annualized), from December 31, 2024 and increased $713.9 million year-over-year including $373.5 million from the acquisition of IFH and $340.4 million of organic growth.
      • Compared to December 31, 2024, commercial and industrial loans increased $39.8 million and construction real estate loans increased $22.0 million, offset by a $9.1 million decrease in OpenSky™ loans and a $6.3 million decrease in commercial real estate loans.
      • Commercial and industrial loans, and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans totaled 37.9% of total portfolio loans at March 31, 2025, compared to 37.8% at December 31, 2024, and 29.6% at March 31, 2024.
    • Total deposits of $2.89 billion at March 31, 2025 increased $129.4 million, or 19.0% (annualized), from December 31, 2024, and increased $885.6 million, or 44.2% (annualized) from March 31, 2024. The increase quarter-over-quarter includes $95.7 million of growth in customer money market deposits, $57.6 million of growth in interest-bearing demand accounts, $1.3 million of noninterest-bearing deposits, and $0.7 million of customer time deposits, partially offset by a decrease in brokered time deposits of $25.2 million. The increase year-over-year is driven by $459.0 million from the acquisition of IFH and $426.7 million from organic growth.
      • Insured and protected deposits were approximately $2.0 billion as of March 31, 2025 representing 70.4% of the Company’s deposit portfolio.
      • Low-and-no interest bearing deposits of $1.1 billion, or 38.8% of deposits, increased $58.2 million, or 22.2% (annualized) from December 31, 2024, and increased $257.2 million, or 29.8% year-over-year, including $157.4 million of organic growth, and $91.5 million from the acquisition of IFH.
    • The average portfolio loans-to-deposit ratio was 95.15% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 99.27% from 4Q 2024, and 98.46% from 1Q 2024.
    • The investment securities portfolio continues to be classified as available-for-sale and had a fair market value of $213.5 million, or 6.4% of total assets, an effective duration of 3.0 years, with U.S. Treasury Securities representing 56% of the overall investment portfolio at March 31, 2025. The accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the investment securities portfolio decreased $2.3 million during the quarter to negative $9.2 million after-tax as of March 31, 2025, which represents 2.5% of total stockholders’ equity. The Company does not have a held-to-maturity investment securities portfolio.
    • Liquidity – The Company maintains stable and reliable sources of available borrowings, generally consistent with prior quarter. Sources of available borrowings at March 31, 2025 totaled $820.9 million, compared to $803.0 from 4Q 2024. During 1Q 2025 available collateralized lines of credit of $625.4 million, unsecured lines of credit with other banks of $76.0 million and unpledged investment securities available as collateral for potential additional borrowings of $119.5 million.
    • Capital Positions – As of March 31, 2025, the Company reported a Common Equity Tier-1 capital ratio of 13.33%, compared to 13.74% at December 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025, the Company and the Bank maintain regulatory capital ratios that exceed all capital adequacy requirements.

    Financial Metrics
    Net Interest Margin – Net interest margin of 6.05% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, increased 18 bps compared to the prior quarter, and decreased 19 bps year-over-year. Commercial Bank net interest margin(1), of 4.32% increased 33 bps compared to the prior quarter, and increased 55 bps year-over-year. Net purchase accounting accretion for 1Q 2025 was 20 bps for NIM and Commercial Bank NIM(1).

    • The average yield on interest earning assets of 8.24% increased 7 bps compared to the prior quarter, due to portfolio mix, and decreased 39 bps year-over-year primarily due to the acquisition of commercial loans diluting the impact from OpenSky™. The Commercial Bank Loan Yield(1) of 7.14% for 1Q 2025, increased 16 bps 4Q 2024, and increased 18 bps year-over-year.
    • The total cost of deposits of 2.42% for 1Q 2025 decreased 8 bps compared to the prior quarter due to rate and mix shift and decreased 22 bps year-over-year. The total cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased 9 bps quarter-over-quarter, and 54 bps year-over-year, to 3.37% for 1Q 2025 due to rate environment and product mix.
    • Net purchase accounting accretion of $1.5 million during 1Q 2025, increased $0.8 million from 4Q 2024. There was no related purchase accounting accretion or amortization during 1Q 2024.

    Efficiency Ratios – The efficiency ratio was 64.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 66.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 72.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The core efficiency ratio(6) was 62.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The core efficiency ratio(1) was 59.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and 70.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Credit Metrics and Asset Quality – The ACL Coverage Ratio equaled 1.81% at March 31, 2025, a decrease of 4 bps from December 31, 2024, and an increase of 32 bps year-over-year driven by the acquisition of IFH.

    Nonperforming assets increased 27 bps to 1.21% of total assets at March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024, and increased 59 bps year-over-year. Total nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2025 increased $10.2 million to $40.5 million compared to December 31, 2024, and increased $26.1 million year-over-year, mainly due to the acquisition of IFH. At March 31, 2025, special mention loans totaled $63.0 million, or 2.4% of total portfolio loans, compared to $60.0 million, or 2.3% of total portfolio loans, at December 31, 2024, and $27.5 million, or 1.4% of total portfolio loans, at March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025, substandard loans totaled $45.7 million, or 1.7% of total portfolio loans, compared to $48.4 million, or 1.8% of total portfolio loans, at December 31, 2024 and $14.1 million, or 0.7% of total portfolio loans, at March 31, 2024.

    ________________________
    1 As used in this press release, Commercial Bank NIM, Commercial Bank Loan Yield, and core efficiency ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial metrics exclude merger-related and other certain one-time non-recurring pre-tax adjustments and tax impacts of such adjustments. Reconciliations of these and other non–GAAP measures to their comparable GAAP measures are set forth in the Appendix at the end of this press release.

    Financial Metrics (Continued)
    Performance Ratios – ROA, ROE, ROTCE were 1.75%, 15.56%, and 17.57% respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 0.96%, 8.50%, and 9.33%(1) respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2024. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, ROA, ROE, and ROTCE were 1.15%, 10.19%, and 10.19%, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the Company did not have goodwill or other intangible assets.

    • Core ROA(2), core ROE(2), and core ROTCE(2) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were 1.87%, 16.64%, and 18.77% respectively. Core ROA(2), core ROE(2), and core ROTCE(2) for the three months ended December 31, 2024, were 1.97%, 17.46%, and 18.91%(1), respectively. Core ROA(2), core ROE(2), and core ROTCE(2) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were 1.24%, 11.03%, and 11.03%, respectively.

    Book Value and Tangible Book Value – Book value per common share of $22.19 at March 31, 2025, increased $0.87 when compared to December 31, 2024, and increased $3.51 when compared to March 31, 2024. Tangible book value per common share(2) increased $0.71(3), or 3.7%, to $19.81 at March 31, 2025 when compared to December 31, 2024, and increased $1.13, or 6.0%, when compared to March 31, 2024. Tangible book value was impacted by the purchase accounting adjustments required as part of the IFH acquisition. Therefore, tangible book value per share(1) was equal to book value per share for periods prior to 4Q 2024.

    ____________
    1 Core ROTCE and core ROTCE for the three months ended December 31, 2024 were restated to 9.33% and 18.91%, respectively, from 9.47% and 19.19%, due to exclusion of Loan Servicing Assets.
    2 As used in this press release, core ROA, core ROE, ROTCE, core ROTCE, and Tangible Book Value are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial metrics exclude merger-related and other certain one-time non-recurring pre-tax adjustments and tax impacts of such adjustments. Reconciliations of these and other non–GAAP measures to their comparable GAAP measures are set forth in the Appendix at the end of this press release.
    3 4Q 2024 Tangible Book Value restated to $19.10 from previously reported amount of $18.77 due to exclusion of Loan Servicing Assets.


    Commercial Bank
    Continued Portfolio Loan Growth – Gross portfolio loans increased $55.6 million at March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024, including $39.8 million of commercial and industrial loans, and $22.0 million of construction real estate loans. Historical gross portfolio loan balances are disclosed in the Composition of Loans table within the Historical Financial Highlights.

    Net Interest Income – Interest income of $48.2 million increased $2.1 million from the prior quarter, driven by loan growth and higher loan yields. Interest expense of $16.6 million decreased $0.6 million, resulting from a decrease in the average balance of borrowings in 1Q 2025.

    Credit Metrics – Nonperforming assets, comprised solely of nonaccrual loans, increased 27 bps to 1.21% of total assets at March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024. Total nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2025 increased to $40.5 million compared to $30.2 million at December 31, 2024.

    Classified and Criticized Loans – At March 31, 2025, special mention loans totaled $63.0 million, or 2.4% of total portfolio loans, compared to $60.0 million, or 2.3% of total portfolio loans, at December 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025, substandard loans totaled $45.7 million, or 1.7% of total portfolio loans, compared to $48.4 million, or 1.8% of total portfolio loans, at December 31, 2024.

    OpenSky™
    Accounts – During 1Q 2025, the number of credit card accounts of 563.7 thousand increased by 11.2 thousand, or 2.0% (not annualized) from December 31, 2024, and increased 36.8 thousand, or 7.0% year-over-year.

    Loan and Deposit Balances – Loan balances, net of reserves, of $118.7 million at March 31, 2025 decreased by $9.1 million, or 28.7% (annualized), compared to December 31, 2024. Corresponding deposit balances of $168.8 million at March 31, 2025 increased $2.4 million, or 6.0% (annualized), compared to December 31, 2024. Gross unsecured loan balances of $39.0 million at March 31, 2025 decreased $3.4 million, or 32.9% (annualized), compared to $42.4 million at December 31, 2024, and increased $10.5 million year-over-year.

    Revenues – Total revenue of $18.2 million decreased $1.0 million from the prior quarter. Interest income of $14.4 million decreased $1.0 million from the prior quarter. Average OpenSky™ credit card loan balances, net of reserves and deferred fees of $118.7 million for 1Q 2025, decreased $2.3 million, or 1.9% (not annualized), compared to the prior quarter. Noninterest income of $3.7 million remained generally consistent compared to the prior quarter.

    Noninterest Expense – Total noninterest expense of $13.3 million decreased $0.7 million, primarily related to advertising related expenses due to seasonality.

    OpenSky™Credit – Portfolio credit metrics continue to be generally consistent with modeled expectations during 1Q 2025. The provision for credit losses of $1.8 million increased $0.6 million when compared to the prior quarter. OpenSky’s unsecured loan product continues to be offered exclusively to current and former secured card customers in order to retain customer who have successfully improved their credit profiles. Unsecured loans have been offered by OpenSky since the fourth quarter of 2021 and have performed according to management expectations over that time period.

    Capital Bank Home Loans
    Originations of loans held for sale totaled $65.8 million during 1Q 2025, with $54.1 million of mortgage loans sold resulting in a gain on sale of loans of $1.7 million, representing a 3.07% of gain on sale as a percentage of total loans sold. Originations of loans held for sale totaled $90.0 million during 4Q 2024, with $77.4 million of mortgage loans sold resulting in a gain on sale of loans of $1.9 million, representing a 2.45% of gain on sale as a percentage of total loans sold.

    Windsor Advantage
    Gross government loan servicing revenue totaled $4.6 million, including $1.0 million of Capital Bank related servicing fees, during 1Q 2025. Gross government loan servicing revenue totaled $4.6 million, including $0.9 million of Capital Bank related servicing fees, during 4Q 2024. Windsor’s total servicing portfolio was $2.6 billion at March 31, 2025, and $2.5 billion at December 31, 2024.

    COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – Unaudited
                               
      Quarter Ended   1Q25 vs 4Q24   1Q25 vs 1Q24
    (in thousands, except per share data) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      $
    Change
      %
    Change
      $
    Change
      %
    Change
    Earnings Summary                          
    Interest income $ 62,760     $ 61,707     $ 48,369     $ 1,053     1.7 %   $ 14,391     29.8 %
    Interest expense   16,713       17,380       13,361       (667 )   (3.8 )%     3,352     25.1 %
    Net interest income   46,047       44,327       35,008       1,720     3.9 %     11,039     31.5 %
    Provision for credit losses   2,246       7,828       2,727       (5,582 )   (71.3 )%     (481 )   (17.6 )%
    Provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments   —       122       142       (122 )   (100.0 )%     (142 )   (100.0 )%
    Noninterest income   12,549       11,913       5,972       636     5.3 %     6,577     110.1 %
    Noninterest expense   38,053       37,514       29,487       539     1.4 %     8,566     29.1 %
    Income before income taxes   18,297       10,776       8,624       7,521     69.8 %     9,673     112.2 %
    Income tax expense   4,365       3,243       2,062       1,122     34.6 %     2,303     111.7 %
    Net income $ 13,932     $ 7,533     $ 6,562     $ 6,399     84.9 %   $ 7,370     112.3 %
                               
    Pre-tax pre-provision net revenue (“PPNR”) (1) $ 20,543     $ 18,726     $ 11,493     $ 1,817     9.7 %   $ 9,050     78.7 %
    Core PPNR(1) $ 21,809     $ 23,961     $ 12,205     $ (2,152 )   (9.0 )%   $ 9,604     78.7 %
                               
    Common Share Data                          
    Earnings per share – Basic $ 0.84     $ 0.45     $ 0.47     $ 0.39     86.7 %   $ 0.37     78.7 %
    Earnings per share – Diluted $ 0.82     $ 0.45     $ 0.47     $ 0.37     82.2 %   $ 0.35     74.5 %
    Core earnings per share – Diluted(1) $ 0.88     $ 0.92     $ 0.51     $ (0.04 )   (4.3 )%   $ 0.37     72.5 %
    Weighted average common shares – Basic   16,666       16,595       13,919                  
    Weighted average common shares – Diluted   16,925       16,729       13,919                  
                               
    Return Ratios                          
    Return on average assets (annualized)   1.75 %     0.96 %     1.15 %                
    Core return on average assets (annualized)(1)   1.87 %     1.97 %     1.24 %                
    Return on average equity (annualized)   15.56 %     8.50 %     10.19 %                
    Core return on average equity (annualized)(1)   16.64 %     17.46 %     11.03 %                
    Return on average tangible common equity (annualized)(1)   17.57 %     9.33 %     10.19 %                
    Core return on average tangible common equity (annualized)(1)   18.77 %     18.91 %     11.03 %                

    ______________
    (1) Refer to Appendix for reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

    COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – Unaudited (Continued)
                           
      Quarter Ended       Quarter Ended
      March 31,     December 31,   September 30,   June 30,
    (in thousands, except per share data)   2025     2024   % Change     2024     2024     2024
    Balance Sheet Highlights                      
    Assets $ 3,349,805   $ 2,324,238   44.1 %   $ 3,206,911   $ 2,560,788   $ 2,438,583
    Investment securities available-for-sale   213,452     202,254   5.5 %     223,630     208,700     207,917
    Mortgage loans held for sale   34,656     10,303   236.4 %     21,270     19,554     19,219
    Portfolio loans receivable (2)   2,678,406     1,964,525   36.3 %     2,630,163     2,107,522     2,021,588
    Allowance for credit losses   48,454     29,350   65.1 %     48,652     31,925     30,832
    Deposits   2,891,333     2,005,695   44.2 %     2,761,939     2,186,224     2,100,428
    FHLB borrowings   22,000     22,000   — %     22,000     52,000     32,000
    Other borrowed funds   12,062     12,062   — %     12,062     12,062     12,062
    Total stockholders’ equity   369,577     259,465   42.4 %     355,139     280,111     267,854
    Tangible common equity (1)   329,936     259,465   27.2 %     318,196     280,111     267,854
                           
    Common shares outstanding   16,657     13,890   19.9 %     16,663     13,918     13,910
    Book value per share $ 22.19   $ 18.68   18.8 %   $ 21.31   $ 20.13   $ 19.26
    Tangible book value per share (1) $ 19.81   $ 18.68   6.0 %   $ 19.10   $ 20.13   $ 19.26
    Dividends per share $ 0.10   $ 0.08   25.0 %   $ 0.10   $ 0.10   $ 0.08

    ______________
    (1) Refer to Appendix for reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.
    (2) Loans are reflected net of deferred fees and costs.

    Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Interest income                  
    Loans, including fees $ 58,691   $ 58,602     $ 50,047   $ 48,275   $ 45,991
    Investment securities available-for-sale   1,861     1,539       1,343     1,308     1,251
    Federal funds sold and other   2,208     1,566       1,220     1,032     1,127
    Total interest income   62,760     61,707       52,610     50,615     48,369
                       
    Interest expense                  
    Deposits   16,512     16,385       13,902     13,050     12,833
    Borrowed funds   201     995       354     508     528
    Total interest expense   16,713     17,380       14,256     13,558     13,361
                       
    Net interest income   46,047     44,327       38,354     37,057     35,008
    Provision for credit losses   2,246     7,828       3,748     3,417     2,727
    Provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments   —     122       17     104     142
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   43,801     36,377       34,589     33,536     32,139
    Noninterest income                  
    Service charges on deposits   258     241       235     200     207
    Credit card fees   3,722     3,733       4,055     4,330     3,881
    Mortgage banking revenue   1,831     1,821       1,882     1,990     1,453
    Government lending revenue   1,096     2,301       —     —     —
    Government loan servicing revenue   3,568     3,993       —     —     —
    Loan servicing rights (government guaranteed)   472     1,013       —     —     —
    Non-recurring equity and debt investment write-down   —     (2,620 )     —     —     —
    Other income   1,602     1,431       463     370     431
    Total noninterest income   12,549     11,913       6,635     6,890     5,972
    Noninterest expenses                  
    Salaries and employee benefits   18,067     16,513       13,345     13,272     12,907
    Occupancy and equipment   2,910     2,976       1,791     1,864     1,613
    Professional fees   2,112     2,150       1,980     1,769     1,947
    Data processing   7,112     7,210       6,930     6,788     6,761
    Advertising   1,779     1,032       1,223     2,072     2,032
    Loan processing   743     969       615     476     371
    Foreclosed real estate expenses, net   1     —       1     —     1
    Merger-related expenses   1,266     2,615       520     83     712
    Operational losses   903     993       1,008     782     931
    Regulatory assessment expenses   889     484       427     553     473
    Other operating   2,271     2,572       1,885     1,834     1,739
    Total noninterest expenses   38,053     37,514       29,725     29,493     29,487
    Income before income taxes   18,297     10,776       11,499     10,933     8,624
    Income tax expense   4,365     3,243       2,827     2,728     2,062
    Net income $ 13,932   $ 7,533     $ 8,672   $ 8,205   $ 6,562
     
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
      (unaudited)   (audited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)
    (in thousands, except share data) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Assets                  
    Cash and due from banks $ 27,836     $ 25,433     $ 23,462     $ 19,294     $ 12,361  
    Interest-bearing deposits at other financial institutions   266,092       179,841       133,180       117,160       72,787  
    Federal funds sold   59       58       58       57       56  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   293,987       205,332       156,700       136,511       85,204  
    Investment securities available-for-sale   213,452       223,630       208,700       207,917       202,254  
    Restricted investments   7,031       4,479       5,895       4,930       4,441  
    Loans held for sale   34,656       21,270       19,554       19,219       10,303  
    Portfolio loans receivable, net of deferred fees and costs   2,678,406       2,630,163       2,107,522       2,021,588       1,964,525  
    Less allowance for credit losses   (48,454 )     (48,652 )     (31,925 )     (30,832 )     (29,350 )
    Total portfolio loans held for investment, net   2,629,952       2,581,511       2,075,597       1,990,756       1,935,175  
    Premises and equipment, net   15,085       15,525       5,959       5,551       4,500  
    Accrued interest receivable   19,458       16,664       12,468       12,162       12,258  
    Goodwill   24,085       21,126       —       —       —  
    Intangible assets   13,861       14,072       —       —       —  
    Core deposit intangibles   1,695       1,745       —       —       —  
    Loan servicing assets   2,244       5,511       —       —       —  
    Deferred tax asset   15,902       16,670       10,748       12,150       12,311  
    Bank owned life insurance   44,335       43,956       38,779       38,414       38,062  
    Other assets   34,062       35,420       26,388       10,973       19,730  
    Total assets $ 3,349,805     $ 3,206,911     $ 2,560,788     $ 2,438,583     $ 2,324,238  
                       
    Liabilities                  
    Deposits                  
    Noninterest-bearing $ 812,224     $ 810,928     $ 718,120     $ 684,574     $ 665,812  
    Interest-bearing   2,079,109       1,951,011       1,468,104       1,415,854       1,339,883  
    Total deposits   2,891,333       2,761,939       2,186,224       2,100,428       2,005,695  
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   22,000       22,000       52,000       32,000       22,000  
    Other borrowed funds   12,062       12,062       12,062       12,062       12,062  
    Accrued interest payable   9,995       9,393       8,503       6,573       6,009  
    Other liabilities   44,838       46,378       21,888       19,666       19,007  
    Total liabilities   2,980,228       2,851,772       2,280,677       2,170,729       2,064,773  
                       
    Stockholders’ equity                  
    Common stock   167       167       139       139       139  
    Additional paid-in capital   128,692       128,598       55,585       55,005       54,229  
    Retained earnings   249,925       237,843       232,995       225,824       218,731  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (9,207 )     (11,469 )     (8,608 )     (13,114 )     (13,634 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   369,577       355,139       280,111       267,854       259,465  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,349,805     $ 3,206,911     $ 2,560,788     $ 2,438,583     $ 2,324,238  

    The following tables show the average outstanding balance of each principal category of our assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, together with the average yields on our assets and the average costs of our liabilities for the periods indicated. Such yields and costs are calculated by dividing the annualized income or expense by the average daily balances of the corresponding assets or liabilities for the same period.

      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2025
      Three Months Ended
    December 31, 2024
      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2024
      Average
    Outstanding
    Balance
      Interest
    Income/
    Expense
      Average
    Yield/
    Rate(1)
      Average
    Outstanding
    Balance
      Interest
    Income/
    Expense
      Average
    Yield/
    Rate(1)
      Average
    Outstanding
    Balance
      Interest
    Income/
    Expense
      Average
    Yield/
    Rate(1)
      (in thousands)
    Assets                                  
    Interest earning assets:                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits $ 203,053   $ 2,138   4.27 %   $ 140,206   $ 1,446   4.10 %   $ 84,531   $ 1,049   4.99 %
    Federal funds sold   58     1   6.99       58     —   —       56     1   7.18  
    Investment securities available-for-sale   235,605     1,861   3.20       236,951     1,539   2.58       233,231     1,251   2.16  
    Restricted investments   5,761     69   4.86       7,292     120   6.55       4,601     77   6.73  
    Loans held for sale   9,356     238   10.32       25,614     193   3.00       4,872     83   6.85  
    Portfolio loans receivable(2)(3)   2,634,110     58,453   9.00       2,592,960     58,409   8.96       1,927,372     45,908   9.58  
    Total interest earning assets   3,087,943     62,760   8.24       3,003,081     61,707   8.17       2,254,663     48,369   8.63  
    Noninterest earning assets   134,021             117,026             44,571        
    Total assets $ 3,221,964           $ 3,120,107           $ 2,299,234        
                                       
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                                  
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand accounts $ 242,355     368   0.62     $ 257,446     424   0.66     $ 183,217     110   0.24  
    Savings   13,204     18   0.55       13,497     20   0.59       4,841     1   0.08  
    Money market accounts   869,978     7,399   3.45       763,526     7,131   3.72       682,414     7,136   4.21  
    Time deposits   859,729     8,727   4.12       847,618     8,810   4.13       449,963     5,586   4.99  
    Borrowed funds   34,062     201   2.39       97,116     995   4.08       58,963     528   3.60  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,019,328     16,713   3.36       1,979,203     17,380   3.49       1,379,398     13,361   3.90  
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                                  
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities   56,503             58,460             23,820        
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   783,018             729,907             637,124        
    Stockholders’ equity   363,115             352,537             258,892        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,221,964           $ 3,120,107           $ 2,299,234        
                                       
    Net interest spread         4.88 %           4.68 %           4.73 %
    Net interest income     $ 46,047           $ 44,327           $ 35,008    
    Net interest margin(4)         6.05 %           5.87 %           6.24 %

    _______________
    (1)   Annualized.
    (2)   Includes nonaccrual loans.
    (3)   For the three months ended March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, collectively, Commercial Bank Loan Yield was 7.14%, 6.98% and 6.96%, respectively.
    (4)   For the three months ended March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, collectively, Commercial Bank Net Interest Margin was 4.32%, 3.99% and 3.77%, respectively.

    The Company’s reportable segments represent business units with discrete financial information whose results are regularly reviewed by management. The four segments include Commercial Banking, Capital Bank Home Loans (the Company’s mortgage loan division), OpenSky™ (the Company’s credit card division) and Windsor Advantage.

    Effective January 1, 2024, the Company allocated certain expenses previously recorded directly to the Commercial Bank segment to the other segments. These expenses are for shared services also consumed by OpenSky™, CBHL, and Windsor. The Company performs an allocation process based on several metrics the Company believes more accurately ascribe shared service overhead to each segment. The Company believes this reflects the cost of support for each segment that should be considered in assessing segment performance. Historical information has been recast to reflect financial information consistently with the 2024 presentation.

    The following schedule presents financial information for the periods indicated. Total assets are presented as of March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024.

    Segments                    
    For the three months ended March 31, 2025        
    (in thousands)   Commercial
    Bank
      CBHL   OpenSky™   Windsor
    Advantage
      Consolidated
    Interest income   $ 48,164   $ 152     $ 14,444   $ —   $ 62,760
    Interest expense     16,649     64       —     —     16,713
    Net interest income     31,515     88       14,444     —     46,047
    Provision for credit losses     446     —       1,800     —     2,246
    Net interest income after provision     31,069     88       12,644     —     43,801
    Noninterest income     2,474     1,736       3,733     4,606     12,549
    Noninterest expense(1)     18,560     2,531       13,302     3,660     38,053
    Net income (loss) before taxes   $ 14,983   $ (707 )   $ 3,075   $ 946   $ 18,297
                         
    Total assets   $ 3,192,327   $ 14,092     $ 119,636   $ 23,750   $ 3,349,805
                         
    For the three months ended December 31, 2024        
    (in thousands)   Commercial
    Bank
      CBHL   OpenSky™   Windsor
    Advantage
      Consolidated
    Interest income   $ 46,061   $ 192     $ 15,454   $ —   $ 61,707
    Interest expense     17,249     131       —     —     17,380
    Net interest income     28,812     61       15,454     —     44,327
    Provision for credit losses     6,651     —       1,177     —     7,828
    Provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments     122     —       —     —     122
    Net interest income after provision     22,039     61       14,277     —     36,377
    Noninterest income     1,928     1,676       3,743     4,566     11,913
    Noninterest expense(1)     19,872     2,377       12,595     2,670     37,514
    Net income (loss) before taxes   $ 4,095   $ (640 )   $ 5,425   $ 1,896   $ 10,776
                         
    Total assets   $ 3,033,792   $ 21,691     $ 125,913   $ 25,515   $ 3,206,911
                         
    For the three months ended March 31, 2024        
    (in thousands)   Commercial
    Bank
      CBHL   OpenSky™   Windsor
    Advantage
      Consolidated
    Interest income   $ 33,365   $ 83     $ 14,921   $ —   $ 48,369
    Interest expense     13,320     41       —     —     13,361
    Net interest income     20,045     42       14,921     —     35,008
    Provision for credit losses     1,168     —       1,559     —     2,727
    Provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments     142     —       —     —     142
    Net interest income after provision     18,735     42       13,362     —     32,139
    Noninterest income     705     1,352       3,915     —     5,972
    Noninterest expense(1)     13,783     2,105       13,599     —     29,487
    Net income (loss) before taxes   $ 5,657   $ (711 )   $ 3,678   $ —   $ 8,624
                         
    Total assets   $ 2,208,135   $ 10,785     $ 105,318   $ —   $ 2,324,238

    ________________________
    (1)  Noninterest expense includes $6.4 million, $6.3 million, and $6.1 million in data processing expense in OpenSky’s™ segment for the three months ended March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively.

    HISTORICAL FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – Unaudited
        Quarter Ended
    (in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Earnings:                    
    Net income   $ 13,932     $ 7,533     $ 8,672     $ 8,205     $ 6,562  
    Earnings per common share, diluted     0.82       0.45       0.62       0.59       0.47  
    Net interest margin     6.05 %     5.87 %     6.41 %     6.46 %     6.24 %
    Commercial Bank net interest margin(2)     4.32 %     3.99 %     4.01 %     3.90 %     3.77 %
    Return on average assets(1)     1.75 %     0.96 %     1.42 %     1.40 %     1.15 %
    Return on average equity(1)     15.56 %     8.50 %     12.59 %     12.53 %     10.19 %
    Efficiency ratio     64.94 %     66.70 %     66.07 %     67.11 %     71.95 %
                         
    Balance Sheet:                    
    Total portfolio loans receivable, net deferred fees   $ 2,678,406     $ 2,630,163     $ 2,107,522     $ 2,021,588     $ 1,964,525  
    Total deposits     2,891,333       2,761,939       2,186,224       2,100,428       2,005,695  
    Total assets     3,349,805       3,206,911       2,560,788       2,438,583       2,324,238  
    Total stockholders’ equity     369,577       355,139       280,111       267,854       259,465  
    Total average portfolio loans receivable, net deferred fees     2,634,110       2,592,960       2,053,619       1,992,630       1,927,372  
    Total average deposits     2,768,284       2,611,994       2,091,294       2,010,736       1,957,559  
    Portfolio loans-to-deposit ratio (period-end balances)     92.64 %     95.23 %     96.40 %     96.25 %     97.95 %
    Portfolio loans-to-deposit ratio (average balances)     95.15 %     99.27 %     98.20 %     99.10 %     98.46 %
                         
    Asset Quality Ratios:                    
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     1.21 %     0.94 %     0.60 %     0.58 %     0.62 %
    Nonperforming loans to total loans     1.51 %     1.15 %     0.73 %     0.70 %     0.73 %
    Net charge-offs to average portfolio loans (1)     0.38 %     0.37 %     0.51 %     0.39 %     0.41 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans     1.81 %     1.85 %     1.51 %     1.53 %     1.49 %
    Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans     119.73 %     160.88 %     206.50 %     219.40 %     204.37 %
                         
    Bank Capital Ratios:                    
    Total risk based capital ratio     13.00 %     12.79 %     13.76 %     14.51 %     14.36 %
    Tier-1 risk based capital ratio     11.75 %     11.54 %     12.50 %     13.25 %     13.10 %
    Leverage ratio     9.27 %     9.17 %     9.84 %     10.36 %     10.29 %
    Common Equity Tier-1 capital ratio     11.75 %     11.54 %     12.50 %     13.25 %     13.10 %
    Tangible common equity     8.66 %     9.31 %     9.12 %     9.53 %     9.66 %
    Holding Company Capital Ratios:                    
    Total risk based capital ratio     15.05 %     15.48 %     16.65 %     16.98 %     16.83 %
    Tier-1 risk based capital ratio     13.41 %     13.83 %     14.88 %     15.19 %     15.03 %
    Leverage ratio     10.68 %     11.07 %     11.85 %     11.93 %     11.87 %
    Common Equity Tier-1 capital ratio     13.33 %     13.74 %     14.78 %     15.08 %     14.92 %
    Tangible common equity     9.94 %     11.07 %     10.94 %     10.98 %     11.16 %

    _______________
    (1)   Annualized.
    (2)   Refer to Appendix for reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

    HISTORICAL FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – Unaudited (Continued)
        Quarter Ended
    (in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Composition of Loans:                    
    Commercial real estate, non owner-occupied   $ 484,399     $ 471,329     $ 403,487     $ 397,080     $ 377,224  
    Commercial real estate, owner-occupied     420,643       440,026       351,462       319,370       330,840  
    Residential real estate     693,597       688,552       623,684       601,312       577,112  
    Construction real estate     343,280       321,252       301,909       294,489       290,016  
    Commercial and industrial     594,331       554,550       271,811       255,686       254,577  
    Lender finance     23,165       28,574       29,546       33,294       13,484  
    Business equity lines of credit     3,468       3,090       2,663       2,989       14,768  
    Credit card, net of reserve(2)     118,709       127,766       127,098       122,217       111,898  
    Other consumer loans     2,200       2,089       2,045       1,930       738  
    Portfolio loans receivable   $ 2,683,792     $ 2,637,228     $ 2,113,705     $ 2,028,367     $ 1,970,657  
    Deferred origination fees, net     (5,386 )     (7,065 )     (6,183 )     (6,779 )     (6,132 )
    Portfolio loans receivable, net   $ 2,678,406     $ 2,630,163     $ 2,107,522     $ 2,021,588     $ 1,964,525  
                         
    Composition of Deposits:                    
    Noninterest-bearing   $ 812,224     $ 810,928     $ 718,120     $ 684,574     $ 665,812  
    Interest-bearing demand     296,455       238,881       266,493       266,070       193,963  
    Savings     12,819       13,488       3,763       4,270       4,525  
    Money markets     912,418       816,708       686,526       672,455       678,435  
    Customer time deposits     549,630       548,901       358,300       317,911       302,319  
    Brokered time deposits     307,787       333,033       153,022       155,148       160,641  
    Total deposits   $ 2,891,333     $ 2,761,939     $ 2,186,224     $ 2,100,428     $ 2,005,695  
                         
    Capital Bank Home Loan Metrics:                    
    Origination of loans held for sale   $ 65,815     $ 89,998     $ 74,690     $ 82,363     $ 52,080  
    Mortgage loans sold     54,144       77,399       67,296       66,417       40,377  
    Gain on sale of loans     1,664       1,897       1,644       1,732       1,238  
    Purchase volume as a % of originations     90.73 %     90.42 %     90.98 %     96.48 %     97.83 %
    Gain on sale as a % of loans sold(3)     3.07 %     2.45 %     2.44 %     2.61 %     3.07 %
    Mortgage commissions   $ 545     $ 620     $ 598     $ 582     $ 490  
                         
    OpenSky™Portfolio Metrics:                    
    Open customer accounts     563,718       552,566       548,952       537,734       526,950  
    Secured credit card loans, gross   $ 81,252     $ 87,226     $ 89,641     $ 90,961     $ 85,663  
    Unsecured credit card loans, gross     38,987       42,430       39,730       33,560       28,508  
    Noninterest secured credit card deposits     168,796       166,355       170,750       173,499       171,771  

    _______________
    (3)   Credit card loans are presented net of reserve for interest and fees.
    (4)   Gain on sale percentage is calculated as gain on sale of loans divided by mortgage loans sold.

    Appendix

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

    The Company has presented the following non-GAAP (U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures because it believes that these measures provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is consistent with how the Company evaluates its performance internally and these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the Company’s industry. Investors should recognize that the Company’s presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and the Company strongly encourages a review of its condensed consolidated financial statements in their entirety.

    Core Earnings Metrics Quarter Ended
    (in thousands, except per share data) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Net Income $ 13,932     $ 7,533     $ 8,672     $ 8,205     $ 6,562  
    Add: Merger-Related Expenses, net of tax   964       2,151       557       62       538  
    Add: Non-recurring equity and debt investment write-down   —       2,620       —       —       —  
    Add: IFH ACL Provision, net of tax   —       3,169       —       —       —  
    Core Net Income $ 14,896     $ 15,473     $ 9,229     $ 8,267     $ 7,100  
                       
    Weighted Average Common Shares – Diluted   16,925       16,729       13,951       13,895       13,919  
    Earnings per Share – Diluted $ 0.82     $ 0.45     $ 0.62     $ 0.59     $ 0.47  
    Core Earnings per Share – Diluted $ 0.88     $ 0.92     $ 0.66     $ 0.59     $ 0.51  
                       
    Average Assets $ 3,221,964     $ 3,120,107     $ 2,437,870     $ 2,353,868     $ 2,299,234  
    Return on Average Assets(1)   1.75 %     0.96 %     1.42 %     1.40 %     1.15 %
    Core Return on Average Assets(1)   1.87 %     1.97 %     1.51 %     1.41 %     1.24 %
                       
    Average Equity $ 363,115     $ 352,537     $ 274,087     $ 263,425     $ 258,892  
    Return on Average Equity(1)   15.56 %     8.50 %     12.59 %     12.53 %     10.19 %
    Core Return on Average Equity(1)   16.64 %     17.46 %     13.40 %     12.62 %     11.03 %
                       
    Net Interest Income (a) $ 46,047     $ 44,327     $ 38,354     $ 37,057     $ 35,008  
    Noninterest Income   12,549       11,913       6,635       6,890       5,972  
    Total Revenue $ 58,596     $ 56,240     $ 44,989     $ 43,947     $ 40,980  
    Noninterest Expense $ 38,053     $ 37,514     $ 29,725     $ 29,493     $ 29,487  
    Efficiency Ratio(2)   64.9 %     66.7 %     66.1 %     67.1 %     72.0 %
                       
    Noninterest Income $ 12,549     $ 11,913     $ 6,635     $ 6,890     $ 5,972  
    Add: Non-recurring equity and debt investment write-down   —       2,620       —       —       —  
    Core Fee Revenue (b) $ 12,549     $ 14,533     $ 6,635     $ 6,890     $ 5,972  
    Core Revenue (a) + (b) $ 58,596     $ 58,860     $ 44,989     $ 43,947     $ 40,980  
                       
    Noninterest Expense $ 38,053     $ 37,514     $ 29,725     $ 29,493     $ 29,487  
    Less: Merger-Related Expenses   1,266       2,615       520       83       712  
    Core Noninterest Expense $ 36,787     $ 34,899     $ 29,205     $ 29,410     $ 28,775  
    Core Efficiency Ratio(2)   62.8 %     59.3 %     64.9 %     66.9 %     70.2 %

    _______________
    (1)   Annualized.
    (2)   The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by total revenue (net interest income plus noninterest income).

    Commercial Bank Net Interest Margin Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Commercial Bank Net Interest Income $ 31,515     $ 28,812     $ 22,676     $ 21,223     $ 20,045  
    Average Interest Earning Assets   3,087,943       3,003,081       2,380,946       2,307,070       2,254,663  
    Less: Average Non-Commercial Bank Interest Earning Assets   128,278       133,401       129,906       119,801       116,197  
    Average Commercial Bank Interest Earning Assets $ 2,959,665     $ 2,869,680     $ 2,251,040     $ 2,187,269     $ 2,138,466  
    Commercial Bank Net Interest Margin   4.32 %     3.99 %     4.01 %     3.90 %     3.77 %
    Commercial Bank Portfolio Loans Receivable Yield Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Portfolio Loans Receivable Interest Income $ 58,453     $ 58,409     $ 49,886     $ 48,143     $ 45,908  
    Less: Credit Card Loan Income   14,148       15,022       15,137       15,205       14,457  
    Commercial Bank Portfolio Loans Receivable Interest Income $ 44,305     $ 43,387     $ 34,749     $ 32,938     $ 31,451  
    Average Portfolio Loans Receivable   2,634,110       2,592,960       2,053,619       1,992,630       1,927,372  
    Less: Average Credit Card Loans   118,723       120,993       119,458       111,288       110,483  
    Total Commercial Bank Average Portfolio Loans Receivable $ 2,515,387     $ 2,471,967     $ 1,934,161     $ 1,881,342     $ 1,816,889  
    Commercial Bank Portfolio Loans Receivable Yield   7.14 %     6.98 %     7.15 %     7.04 %     6.96 %
    Pre-tax, Pre-Provision Net Revenue (“PPNR”) Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Net Income $ 13,932   $ 7,533   $ 8,672   $ 8,205   $ 6,562
    Add: Income Tax Expense   4,365     3,243     2,827     2,728     2,062
    Add: Provision for Credit Losses   2,246     7,828     3,748     3,417     2,727
    Add: Provision for Credit Losses on Unfunded Commitments   —     122     17     104     142
    Pre-tax, Pre-Provision Net Revenue (“PPNR”) $ 20,543   $ 18,726   $ 15,264   $ 14,454   $ 11,493
    Core PPNR Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Net Income $ 13,932   $ 7,533   $ 8,672   $ 8,205   $ 6,562
    Add: Income Tax Expense   4,365     3,243     2,827     2,728     2,062
    Add: Provision for Credit Losses   2,246     7,828     3,748     3,417     2,727
    Add: Provision for Credit Losses on Unfunded Commitments   —     122     17     104     142
    Add: Merger-Related Expenses   1,266     2,615     520     83     712
    Add: Non-recurring equity and debt investment write-down   —     2,620     —     —     —
    Core PPNR $ 21,809   $ 23,961   $ 15,784   $ 14,537   $ 12,205
    Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Portfolio Loans Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Allowance for Credit Losses $ 48,454     $ 48,652     $ 31,925     $ 30,832     $ 29,350  
    Total Portfolio Loans   2,678,406       2,630,163       2,107,522       2,021,588       1,964,525  
    Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Portfolio Loans   1.81 %     1.85 %     1.51 %     1.53 %     1.49 %
    Commercial Bank Allowance for Credit Losses to Commercial Bank Portfolio Loans Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Allowance for Credit Losses $ 48,454     $ 48,652     $ 31,925     $ 30,832     $ 29,350  
    Less: Credit Card Allowance for Credit Losses   5,905       6,402       7,339       6,768       5,991  
    Commercial Bank Allowance for Credit Losses   42,549       42,250       24,586       24,064       23,359  
    Total Portfolio Loans   2,678,406       2,630,163       2,107,522       2,021,588       1,964,525  
    Less: Gross Credit Card Loans   115,991       122,928       121,718       116,180       106,572  
    Commercial Bank Portfolio Loans   2,562,415       2,507,235       1,985,804       1,905,408       1,857,953  
    Commercial Bank Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Portfolio Loans   1.67 %     1.70 %     1.24 %     1.26 %     1.26 %
    Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Total Nonperforming Assets $ 40,471     $ 30,241     $ 15,460     $ 14,053     $ 14,361  
    Total Assets   3,349,805       3,206,911       2,560,788       2,438,583       2,324,238  
    Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets   1.21 %     0.94 %     0.60 %     0.58 %     0.62 %
    Nonperforming Loans to Total Portfolio Loans Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Total Nonperforming Loans $ 40,471     $ 30,241     $ 15,460     $ 14,053     $ 14,361  
    Total Portfolio Loans   2,678,406       2,630,163       2,107,522       2,021,588       1,964,525  
    Nonperforming Loans to Total Portfolio Loans   1.51 %     1.15 %     0.73 %     0.70 %     0.73 %
    Net Charge-Offs to Average Portfolio Loans Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Total Net Charge-Offs $ 2,444     $ 2,427     $ 2,655     $ 1,935     $ 1,987  
    Total Average Portfolio Loans   2,634,110       2,592,960       2,053,619       1,992,630       1,927,372  
    Net Charge-Offs to Average Portfolio Loans, Annualized   0.38 %     0.37 %     0.51 %     0.39 %     0.41 %
    Tangible Book Value per Share Quarter Ended
    (in thousands, except share and per share data) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Total Stockholders’ Equity $ 369,577   $ 355,139   $ 280,111   $ 267,854   $ 259,465
    Less: Preferred Equity   —     —     —     —     —
    Less: Intangible Assets   39,641     36,943     —     —     —
    Tangible Common Equity $ 329,936   $ 318,196   $ 280,111   $ 267,854   $ 259,465
    Period End Shares Outstanding   16,657,168     16,662,626     13,917,891     13,910,467     13,889,563
    Tangible Book Value per Share $ 19.81   $ 19.10   $ 20.13   $ 19.26   $ 18.68
    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Net Income $ 13,932     $ 7,533     $ 8,672     $ 8,205     $ 6,562  
    Add: Intangible Amortization, Net of Tax   199       198       —       —       —  
    Net Tangible Income $ 14,131     $ 7,731     $ 8,672     $ 8,205     $ 6,562  
    Average Equity   363,115       352,537       274,087       263,425       258,892  
    Less: Average Intangible Assets   36,896       22,890       —       —       —  
    Net Average Tangible Common Equity $ 326,219     $ 329,647     $ 274,087     $ 263,425     $ 258,892  
    Return on Average Equity   15.56 %     8.50 %     12.59 %     12.53 %     10.19 %
    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity   17.57 %     9.33 %     12.59 %     12.53 %     10.19 %
    Core Return on Average Tangible Common Equity Quarter Ended
    (in thousands) March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
                       
    Net Income, as Adjusted $ 14,896     $ 15,473     $ 9,229     $ 8,267     $ 7,100  
    Add: Intangible Amortization, Net of Tax   199       198       —       —       —  
    Core Net Tangible Income $ 15,095     $ 15,671     $ 9,229     $ 8,267     $ 7,100  
    Core Return on Average Tangible Common Equity   18.77 %     18.91 %     13.40 %     12.62 %     11.03 %

    ABOUT CAPITAL BANCORP, INC.
    Capital Bancorp, Inc., Rockville, Maryland is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Maryland. Capital Bancorp has been providing financial services since 1999 and now operates bank branches in four locations in the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, other Maryland markets, one bank branch in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, one bank branch in Chicago, Illinois and one bank branch in Raleigh, North Carolina. Capital Bancorp had assets of approximately $3.3 billion at March 31, 2025 and its common stock is traded in the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CBNK.” More information can be found at the Company’s website www.CapitalBankMD.com under its investor relations page.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This earnings release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. Any statements about our management’s expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “optimistic,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this earnings release may turn out to be inaccurate. The inclusion of forward-looking information in this earnings release should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. For details on some of the factors that could affect these expectations, see risk factors and other cautionary language included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements: changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions; geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; inflation/deflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations; volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services; the impact of changes in financial services policies, laws, and regulations, including those concerning taxes, banking, securities, and insurance, and the application thereof by regulatory bodies; cybersecurity threats and the cost of defending against them, including the costs of compliance with potential legislation to combat cybersecurity at a state, national, or global level; climate change, including any enhanced regulatory, compliance, credit and reputational risks and costs; the expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the acquisition of IFH or any other acquisition the Company has made or may make might not be realized within the expected time frames or at all; the effect of acquisitions we have made or may make, including, without limitation, the failure to achieve the expected revenue growth and/or expense savings from such acquisitions, and/or the failure to effectively integrate an acquisition target into our operations; and other factors that may affect our future results.

    These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this communication, and the Company does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by law.

    FINANCIAL CONTACT: Dominic Canuso (301) 468-8848 x1403

    MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Barry (240) 283-1912

    WEB SITE: www.CapitalBankMD.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: New survey shows business outlook is weakening and uncertainty rising as the trade war bites

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Simon, Adjunct Fellow in Economics, Macquarie University

    Vivid Brands/Shutterstock

    Uncertainty is everywhere these days.

    There is even uncertainty about the uncertainty.

    The Reserve Bank of Australia, for example, noted in the minutes from its April 1 meeting:

    The most significant development in the period leading up to the meeting had been the significant rise in uncertainty about global trade policy, although the effect of this on sentiment and economic developments in Australia was not yet clear.

    A new monthly business survey, developed by a team of researchers at Macquarie University, the Business Outlook Scenarios Survey (BOSS), provides some clarity.

    A key feature of the survey, which distinguishes it from other business surveys, is its focus on uncertainty about the future, not just expectations about the most likely outcome.

    The most recent survey was conducted between April 10–17, after the announcement of the US “liberation day” tariffs on April 2. The results are concerning, but not yet alarming.

    Big rise in uncertainty

    The results suggest there has been a significant increase in business uncertainty stemming from the tariff and geopolitical tensions.



    Our survey asks roughly 500 Australian businesses about their expectations for, and perceptions of uncertainty about, key business and macroeconomic conditions.

    Running since June 2024, it tracks a sample that is representative of Australian businesses. It surveys key decision makers, such as chief financial officers and business owners, who have a detailed knowledge of their own business, and a general knowledge of the broader economy.

    The jump in uncertainty is leading to an increase in pessimistic views about businesses’ prospects. Moreover, these expectations are surrounded by elevated uncertainty.

    While this has yet to translate into plans to reduce employment and investment, businesses on average expect their costs will rise, and plan to counter the effect through increasing prices.

    More importantly, uncertainty generally leads people to defer decisions, and we see evidence of that in the April survey. Firms on average are not expecting to reduce investment or employment – but neither are they planning on increasing it.

    Inflation worries are off the boil

    When asked about the main source of uncertainty over the next 12 months, businesses used to point to inflation. In June 2024, more than 65% of businesses cited inflation as the main source of business uncertainty. While this is still a significant concern, it has fallen to 48% of respondents.

    More dramatically, however, geopolitical risk and tariffs combined were nominated by 52% of businesses in April as one of the main sources of uncertainty. This is up from about 20% of firms in June last year.

    This global uncertainty is translating into uncertainty about individual business conditions. There is an increase in the percentage of businesses that expect deteriorating conditions for their business. And there is also an increase in uncertainty about the likely outcomes for their industry conditions, product demand, and access to credit and business inputs.



    Risks for hiring and investment

    While deteriorating expectations are a source of concern, the rise in uncertainty is like a one-two punch. Businesses that are uncertain about the future will stop hiring or investing until they have a better idea of what the future holds.

    Indeed, during the Great Depression in the 1930s, uncertainty about the future exacerbated the initial downturn and helped turn it from a recession into a depression. This paralysing uncertainty is what led US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to utter the famous line “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

    While the situation in Australia is not nearly that dire, you can see the consequences of the uncertainty in businesses’ expectations for both their own businesses and the economy more generally.

    In light of the tariff tensions, the majority of businesses are adopting a “wait and see” approach and expect to keep employment and investment unchanged in the next 12 months. The majority (62%) also expect their costs will be higher and, consequently, that they will have to raise their prices.



    What it means for the RBA

    Most businesses surveyed also anticipate higher inflation and lower economic growth in Australia. That is, stagflation.



    This has important consequences for the next Reserve Bank board meeting in May.

    The March quarter consumer price index, to be released on April 30, is unlikely to show the effects of the trade tensions. But monetary policy needs to be set in a forward-looking manner. That means business expectations of higher costs, prices and inflation over the next 12 months could argue for higher interest rates than otherwise.

    Complicating the picture is the expectation of slower economic growth, which would usually argue for lower interest rates.

    On balance, the majority of businesses surveyed in April expect the Reserve Bank to lower the cash rate in response to the trade war.

    Regardless, what is undeniable is that uncertainty has increased in the last few months. And that means that policymakers need to deal with the uncertainty itself. Slightly lower interest rates or a little extra government spending cannot, of themselves, overcome the paralysing effects of uncertainty.

    As such, the Reserve Bank and the government need to talk about not just their central expectations, but their strategy for dealing with the uncertainty around those expectations.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. New survey shows business outlook is weakening and uncertainty rising as the trade war bites – https://theconversation.com/new-survey-shows-business-outlook-is-weakening-and-uncertainty-rising-as-the-trade-war-bites-255101

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Supervising Maryland Unemployment Insurance Scheme

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    Defendant obtained victim’s personal information to file false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.

    Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Tiia Woods, 47, of Jacksonville, Florida, to 74 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence is in connection with Woods’s role as an organizer of an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme. Through the conspiracy, victims lost approximately $3,296,725.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

    According to the guilty plea, beginning in June 2020, and continuing through at least May 2021, Woods engaged in a conspiracy to defraud and obtain money through materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises in connection with the UI scheme.  Woods obtained the personal identifiable information of real persons and used the information to submit false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL).

    Woods and her co-conspirators used UI benefits, which were designated to assist unemployed or underemployed people due to the COVID-19 national emergency, for their personal use. She instructed her co-conspirators Tyshawna Davis and Devante Smith via text message in furtherance of the conspiracy. Woods’s guidance included instructions on how to obtain benefits, expedite a claim, and how much Woods would keep for herself.

    Smith was previously sentenced to 54 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — a federal law enacted in March 2020 — provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized increased unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits.  UI benefits have historically been a state and federal program that provided monetary benefits to eligible workers.  The CARES Act expanded states’ ability to provide UI benefits for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including self-employed workers or independent contractors, who would not normally be eligible for UI benefits.

    The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the CARES Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

    For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DOL-OIG and FBI, along with Bank of America – Detection and Complex Investigations Fraud Rings and Analytics, for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evelyn Lombardo Cusson and Harry M. Gruber who prosecuted the federal case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: NXP Semiconductors Reports First Quarter 2025 Results, Announces Management Transition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) today reported financial results for the first quarter, which ended March 30, 2025. “NXP delivered quarterly revenue of $2.84 billion, in-line with the midpoint of guidance. NXP’s first-quarter results and guidance for the second quarter underpin a cautious optimism that NXP continues to effectively navigate through a challenging set of market conditions. We are operating in a very uncertain environment influenced by tariffs with volatile direct and indirect effects. Considering these external factors, we are redoubling our efforts to manage what is in our direct control, enabling NXP to drive solid profitability and earnings,” said Kurt Sievers, NXP President and Chief Executive Officer.

    The company announced that Mr. Sievers has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire from NXP at the end of 2025. “Kurt has been a dynamic, visionary, and highly effective CEO of NXP since May 2020,” said Julie Southern, NXP’s Chair of the Board of Directors. “He has been instrumental in leading the definition and implementation of NXP’s strategy to be the leader in intelligent systems at the edge within the Automotive and Industrial & IoT end markets. After a successful 30-year career with NXP, we are saddened to see Kurt retire. We and the entire NXP community thank him for his leadership and wish him the absolute best in his retirement.”

    Following a comprehensive and thorough succession planning process, NXP’s Board of Directors announced that it has unanimously approved Mr. Rafael Sotomayor to succeed Mr. Sievers as President, effective April 28, 2025. Messrs. Sievers and Sotomayor will work closely to orchestrate a smooth leadership transition until October 28, 2025, when Mr. Sotomayor will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. “Rafael has been an integral part of creating and shaping NXP’s strategy and enabling the company’s success. We are confident he is ideally suited to assume the role of President and CEO at NXP, and to execute the company’s vision for leadership in the intelligent systems at the edge within the Automotive and Industrial & IoT end markets,” said Ms. Southern.

    Mr. Sievers’ departure is a purely personal decision and is not related to any disagreement with the Board of Directors, or any issues relating to the strategic or financial performance of the company.

    Key Highlights for the First Quarter 2025:

    • Revenue was $2.84 billion, down 9 percent year-on-year;
    • GAAP gross margin was 55.0 percent, GAAP operating margin was 25.5 percent and GAAP diluted Net Income per Share was $1.92;
    • Non-GAAP gross margin was 56.1 percent, non-GAAP operating margin was 31.9 percent, and non-GAAP diluted Net Income per Share was $2.64;
    • Cash flow from operations was $565 million, with net capex investments of $138 million, resulting in non-GAAP free cash flow of $427 million;
    • Capital return during the quarter was $561 million, representing 131 percent of first quarter non-GAAP free cash flow. Share buybacks were $303 million and dividends paid during the quarter were $258 million. After the end of the first quarter, between March 31, 2025, and April 25, 2025, NXP executed via a 10b5-1 program additional share repurchases totaling $90 million;
    • On January 7, 2025, NXP announced the MCX L14x and MCX L25x, the first families in the ultra-low-power L Series of the MCX microcontroller portfolio. The MCX L series features a dual-core architecture with an independent ultra-low-power sense domain to enable challenging battery-limited applications, such as sensors for industrial monitoring, building management, and flow metering;
    • On January 8, 2025, Honeywell and NXP announced an expansion of its partnership that will accelerate aviation product development and chart the path for autonomous flight. The Honeywell Anthem cockpit is powered by NXP’s i.MX 8 applications processors to help improve operational efficiency, safety and unlock value for pilots and operators. This builds on the companies’ existing relationship, which is focused on helping optimize how building management systems sense and securely control energy consumption;
    • On January 15, 2025, NXP announced it has secured a €1 billion loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to advance the company’s RDI investments across its broad portfolio of semiconductor solutions. The €1 billion loan facility carries a weighted average interest rate of 4.54 percent when drawn in dollar denominated tranches, under the current market conditions and has a duration of six years;
    • On February 10, 2025, NXP announced the agreement to acquire Kinara Inc., an industry leader in high performance, energy-efficient and programmable discrete neural processing units (NPUs) to enable intelligence at the edge solutions. The all-cash transaction was valued at $307 million and is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances;
    • On March 11, 2025, NXP announced the new S32K5 family of automotive microcontrollers (MCU), the automotive industry’s first 16nm FinFET MCU with embedded magnetic RAM (MRAM). The S32K5 MCU family will extend the NXP CoreRide platform with pre-integrated zonal and electrification system solutions for scalable software-defined vehicle (SDV) architectures.

    Summary of Reported First Quarter 2025 ($ millions, unaudited) (1)

      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024 Q – Q Y – Y
    Total Revenue $ 2,835   $ 3,111   $ 3,126   -9 % -9 %
    GAAP Gross Profit $ 1,560   $ 1,678   $ 1,783   -7 % -13 %
    Gross Profit Adjustments (i) $ (31 ) $ (111 ) $ (35 )    
    Non-GAAP Gross Profit $ 1,591   $ 1,789   $ 1,818   -11 % -12 %
    GAAP Gross Margin   55.0 %   53.9 %   57.0 %    
    Non-GAAP Gross Margin   56.1 %   57.5 %   58.2 %    
    GAAP Operating Income (Loss) $ 723   $ 675   $ 856   7 % -16 %
    Operating Income Adjustments (i) $ (181 ) $ (390 ) $ (224 )    
    Non-GAAP Operating Income $ 904   $ 1,065   $ 1,080   -15 % -16 %
    GAAP Operating Margin   25.5 %   21.7 %   27.4 %    
    Non-GAAP Operating Margin   31.9 %   34.2 %   34.5 %    
    GAAP Net Income (Loss) attributable to Stockholders $ 490   $ 495   $ 639   -1 % -23 %
    Net Income Adjustments (i) $ (183 ) $ (322 ) $ (201 )    
    Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Stockholders $ 673   $ 817   $ 840   -18 % -20 %
    GAAP diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share (ii) $ 1.92   $ 1.93   $ 2.47   — % -22 %
    Non-GAAP diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share (ii) $ 2.64   $ 3.18   $ 3.24   -17 % -19 %
    Additional information          
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024 Q – Q Y – Y
    Automotive $ 1,674 $ 1,790 $ 1,804 -6 % -7 %
    Industrial & IoT $ 508 $ 516 $ 574 -2 % -11 %
    Mobile $ 338 $ 396 $ 349 -15 % -3 %
    Comm. Infra. & Other $ 315 $ 409 $ 399 -23 % -21 %
    DIO   169   151   144    
    DPO   62   65   65    
    DSO   34   30   26    
    Cash Conversion Cycle   141   116   105    
    Channel Inventory (weeks)   9   8   7    
    Gross Financial Leverage (iii) 2.4x 2.1x 1.9x    
    Net Financial Leverage (iv) 1.6x 1.5x 1.3x    
               
    1. Additional Information for the First Quarter 2025:
      1. For an explanation of GAAP to non-GAAP adjustments, please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
      2. Refer to Table 1 below for the weighted average number of diluted shares for the presented periods.
      3. Gross financial leverage is defined as gross debt divided by trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA.
      4. Net financial leverage is defined as net debt divided by trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA.
      5. Guidance for the Second Quarter 2025: ($ millions, except Per Share data) (1)

           
          GAAP   Reconciliation   non-GAAP
          Low   Mid   High       Low   Mid   High
        Total Revenue $2,800   $2,900   $3,000       $2,800   $2,900   $3,000
        Q-Q -1%   2%   6%       -1%   2%   6%
        Y-Y -10%   -7%   -4%       -10%   -7%   -4%
        Gross Profit $1,533   $1,604   $1,675   $(29)   $1,562   $1,633   $1,704
        Gross Margin 54.8%   55.3%   55.8%       55.8%   56.3%   56.8%
        Operating Income (loss) $680   $741   $802   $(182)   $862   $923   $984
        Operating Margin 24.3%   25.6%   26.7%       30.8%   31.8%   32.8%
        Financial Income (expense) $(100)   $(100)   $(100)   $(12)   $(88)   $(88)   $(88)
        Tax rate 18.5%-19.5%       17.0%-18.0%
        Equity-accounted investees $(8)   $(8)   $(8)   $(6)   $(2)   $(2)   $(2)
        Non-controlling interests $(9)   $(9)   $(9)       $(9)   $(9)   $(9)
        Shares – diluted 255.0   255.0   255.0       255.0   255.0   255.0
        Earnings Per Share – diluted $1.78   $1.97   $2.16       $2.46   $2.66   $2.86


        Note (1) Additional Information:

        1. GAAP Gross Profit is expected to include Purchase Price Accounting (“PPA”) effects, $(7) million; Share-based Compensation, $(15) million; Other Incidentals, $(7) million;
        2. GAAP Operating Income (loss) is expected to include PPA effects, $(33) million; Share-based Compensation, $(115) million; Restructuring and Other Incidentals, $(34) million;
        3. GAAP Financial Income (expense) is expected to include Other financial expense $(12) million;
        4. GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees is expected to include results relating to non-foundry equity-accounted investees $(6) million;
        5. GAAP diluted EPS is expected to include the adjustments noted above for PPA effects, Share-based Compensation, Restructuring and Other Incidentals in GAAP Operating Income (loss), the adjustment for Other financial expense, the adjustment for results relating to non-foundry equity-accounted investees and the adjustment on Tax due to the earlier mentioned adjustments.

        NXP has based the guidance included in this release on judgments and estimates that management believes are reasonable given its assessment of historical trends and other information reasonably available as of the date of this release. Please note, the guidance included in this release consists of predictions only, and is subject to a wide range of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NXP’s control. The guidance included in this release should not be regarded as representations by NXP that the estimated results will be achieved. Actual results may vary materially from the guidance we provide today. In relation to the use of non-GAAP financial information see the note regarding “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. For the factors, risks, and uncertainties to which judgments, estimates and forward-looking statements generally are subject see the note regarding “Forward-looking Statements.” We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, including the guidance set forth herein, to reflect future events or circumstances.

        Non-GAAP Financial Measures

        In managing NXP’s business on a consolidated basis, management develops an annual operating plan, which is approved by our Board of Directors, using non-GAAP financial measures, that are not in accordance with, nor an alternative to, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In measuring performance against this plan, management considers the actual or potential impacts on these non-GAAP financial measures from actions taken to reduce costs with the goal of increasing our gross margin and operating margin and when assessing appropriate levels of research and development efforts. In addition, management relies upon these non-GAAP financial measures when making decisions about product spending, administrative budgets, and other operating expenses. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of the Company’s results of operations and the factors and trends affecting NXP’s business. We believe that they enable investors to perform additional comparisons of our operating results, to assess our liquidity and capital position and to analyze financial performance excluding the effect of expenses unrelated to core operating performance, certain non-cash expenses and share-based compensation expense, which may obscure trends in NXP’s underlying performance. This information also enables investors to compare financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management.

        These non-GAAP financial measures are provided in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of these and other similar items in NXP’s non-GAAP financial results should not be interpreted as implying that these items are non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are provided in the financial statements portion of this release in a schedule entitled “Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Results (unaudited).” Please refer to the NXP Historic Financial Model file found on the Financial Information page of the Investor Relations section of our website at https://investors.nxp.com for additional information related to our rationale for using these non-GAAP financial measures, as well as the impact of these measures on the presentation of NXP’s operations.

        In addition to providing financial information on a basis consistent with GAAP, NXP also provides the following selected financial measures on a non-GAAP basis: (i) Gross profit, (ii) Gross margin, (iii) Research and development, (iv) Selling, general and administrative, (v) Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, (vi) Other income, (vii) Operating income (loss), (viii) Operating margin, (ix) Financial Income (expense), (x) Income tax benefit (provision), (xi) Results relating to non-foundry equity-accounted investees, (xii) Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders, (xiii) Earnings per Share – Diluted, (xiv) EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and trailing 12 month adjusted EBITDA, and (xv) free cash flow, trailing 12 month free cash flow and trailing 12 month free cash flow as a percent of Revenue. The non-GAAP information excludes, where applicable, the amortization of acquisition related intangible assets, the purchase accounting effect on inventory and property, plant and equipment, merger related costs (including integration costs), certain items related to divestitures, share-based compensation expense, restructuring and asset impairment charges, extinguishment of debt, foreign exchange gains and losses, income tax effect on adjustments described above and results from non-foundry equity-accounted investments.

        The difference in the benefit (provision) for income taxes between our GAAP and non-GAAP results relates to the income tax effects of the GAAP to non-GAAP adjustments that we make and the income tax effect of any discrete items that occur in the interim period. Discrete items primarily relate to unexpected tax events that may occur as these amounts cannot be forecasted (e.g., the impact of changes in tax law and/or rates, changes in estimates or resolved tax audits relating to prior year tax provisions, the excess or deficit tax effects on share-based compensation, etc.).

        Conference Call and Webcast Information

        The company will host a conference call with the financial community on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to review the first quarter 2025 results in detail.

        Interested parties may preregister to obtain a user-specific access code for the call here.

        The call will be webcast and can be accessed from the NXP Investor Relations website at www.nxp.com. A replay of the call will be available on the NXP Investor Relations website within 24 hours of the actual call.

        About NXP Semiconductors

        NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) is the trusted partner for innovative solutions in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communications infrastructure markets. NXP’s “Brighter Together” approach combines leading-edge technology with pioneering people to develop system solutions that make the connected world better, safer, and more secure. The company has operations in more than 30 countries and posted revenue of $2.84 billion in 2024. Find out more at www.nxp.com.

        Forward-looking Statements

        This document includes forward-looking statements which include statements regarding NXP’s business strategy, financial condition, results of operations, market data, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the following: market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; our ability to successfully introduce new technologies and products; the demand for the goods into which NXP’s products are incorporated; trade disputes between the U.S. and China, potential increase of barriers to international trade and resulting disruptions to NXP’s established supply chains; the impact of government actions and regulations, including restrictions on the export of US-regulated products and technology; increasing and evolving cybersecurity threats and privacy risks, including theft of sensitive or confidential data; the ability to generate sufficient cash, raise sufficient capital or refinance corporate debt at or before maturity to meet both NXP’s debt service and research and development and capital investment requirements; our ability to accurately estimate demand and match our production capacity accordingly or obtain supplies from third-party producers to meet demand; our access to production capacity from third-party outsourcing partners, and any events that might affect their business or NXP’s relationship with them; our ability to secure adequate and timely supply of equipment and materials from suppliers; our ability to avoid operational problems and product defects and, if such issues were to arise, to correct them quickly; our ability to form strategic partnerships and joint ventures and to successfully cooperate with our alliance partners; our ability to win competitive bid selection processes; our ability to develop products for use in customers’ equipment and products; the ability to successfully hire and retain key management and senior product engineers; global hostilities, including the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and resulting regional instability, sanctions and any other retaliatory measures taken against Russia and the continued hostilities and the armed conflict in the Middle East, which could adversely impact the global supply chain, disrupt our operations or negatively impact the demand for our products in our primary end markets; the ability to maintain good relationships with NXP’s suppliers; and a change in tax laws could have an effect on our estimated effective tax rate. In addition, this document contains information concerning the semiconductor industry, our end markets and business generally, which is forward-looking in nature and is based on a variety of assumptions regarding the ways in which the semiconductor industry, our end markets and business will develop. NXP has based these assumptions on information currently available, if any one or more of these assumptions turn out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from those predicted. While NXP does not know what impact any such differences may have on its business, if there are such differences, its future results of operations and its financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak to results only as of the date the statements were made. Except for any ongoing obligation to disclose material information as required by the United States federal securities laws, NXP does not have any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after we distribute this document, whether to reflect any future events or circumstances or otherwise. For a discussion of potential risks and uncertainties, please refer to the risk factors listed in our SEC filings. Copies of our SEC filings are available on our Investor Relations website, www.nxp.com/investor or from the SEC website, www.sec.gov.

        For further information, please contact:

        Investors:
        Jeff Palmer 
        jeff.palmer@nxp.com
        +1 408 205 0687
        Media:
        Paige Iven
        paige.iven@nxp.com
        +1 817 975 0602
           
        NXP-CORP


        NXP Semiconductors
        Table 1: Condensed consolidated statement of operations (unaudited)

        ($ in millions except share data) Three months ended
          March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
                   
        Revenue $ 2,835     $ 3,111     $ 3,126  
        Cost of revenue   (1,275 )     (1,433 )     (1,343 )
        Gross profit   1,560       1,678       1,783  
        Research and development   (547 )     (612 )     (564 )
        Selling, general and administrative   (281 )     (323 )     (306 )
        Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets   (27 )     (28 )     (51 )
        Total operating expenses   (855 )     (963 )     (921 )
        Other income (expense)   18       (40 )     (6 )
        Operating income (loss)   723       675       856  
        Financial income (expense):          
        Other financial income (expense)   (92 )     (91 )     (70 )
        Income (loss) before income taxes   631       584       786  
        Benefit (provision) for income taxes   (130 )     (77 )     (141 )
        Results relating to equity-accounted investees   (4 )     (2 )     (1 )
        Net income (loss)   497       505       644  
        Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests   7       10       5  
        Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders   490       495       639  
                   
        Earnings per share data:          
        Net income (loss) per common share attributable to stockholders in $
        Basic $ 1.93     $ 1.95     $ 2.49  
        Diluted $ 1.92     $ 1.93     $ 2.47  
                   
        Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period (in thousands):
        Basic   253,709       254,349       256,567  
        Diluted   255,018       256,628       258,954  
                   

        NXP Semiconductors
        Table 2: Condensed consolidated balance sheet (unaudited)

          ($ in millions) As of
            March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
        ASSETS          
        Current assets:          
          Cash and cash equivalents $         3,988           $         3,292           $         2,908        
          Short-term deposits           —                     —                     400        
          Accounts receivable, net           1,060                     1,032                     881        
          Inventories, net           2,350                     2,356                     2,102        
          Other current assets           627                     625                     603        
        Total current assets           8,025                     7,305                     6,894        
                     
        Non-current assets:          
          Deferred tax assets           1,284                     1,251                     1,048        
          Other non-current assets           1,942                     1,796                     1,290        
          Property, plant and equipment, net           3,210                     3,267                     3,304        
          Identified intangible assets, net           777                     836                     839        
          Goodwill           9,942                     9,930                     9,945        
        Total non-current assets           17,155                     17,080                     16,426        
                     
        Total assets           25,180                     24,385                     23,320        
                     
        LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
        Current liabilities:          
          Accounts payable           863                     1,017                     954        
          Restructuring liabilities-current           75                     147                     68        
          Other current liabilities           1,412                     1,434                     1,906        
          Short-term debt           1,499                     500                     —        
        Total current liabilities           3,849                     3,098                     2,928        
                     
        Non-current liabilities:          
          Long-term debt           10,226                     10,354                     10,178        
          Restructuring liabilities           4                     10                     9        
          Other non-current liabilities           1,424                     1,392                     1,055        
        Total non-current liabilities           11,654                     11,756                     11,242        
                     
          Non-controlling interests           355                     348                     321        
          Stockholders’ equity           9,322                     9,183                     8,829        
        Total equity           9,677                     9,531                     9,150        
                   
        Total liabilities and equity           25,180                     24,385                     23,320        
                     

        NXP Semiconductors
        Table 3: Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (unaudited)

        ($ in millions) Three months ended
          March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
        Cash flows from operating activities:          
        Net income (loss) $ 497     $ 505     $ 644  
        Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:          
        Depreciation and amortization   209       259       235  
        Share-based compensation   127       117       115  
        Amortization of discount (premium) on debt, net   1       1       1  
        Amortization of debt issuance costs   1       2       2  
        Net (gain) loss on sale of assets   (22 )     (1 )     (2 )
        Results relating to equity-accounted investees   4       2       1  
        (Gain) loss on equity securities, net   6       6       2  
        Deferred tax expense (benefit)   (27 )     (145 )     (64 )
        Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
        (Increase) decrease in receivables and other current assets   (29 )     (25 )     (25 )
        (Increase) decrease in inventories   6       (122 )     32  
        Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities   (110 )     16       (102 )
        (Increase) decrease in other non-current assets   (106 )     (218 )     6  
        Exchange differences   4       (1 )     3  
        Other items   4       (5 )     3  
        Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities   565       391       851  
                   
        Cash flows from investing activities:          
        Purchase of identified intangible assets   (25 )     (36 )     (32 )
        Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment   (139 )     (130 )     (226 )
        Insurance recoveries received for equipment damage   —       —       2  
        Proceeds from the disposals of property, plant and equipment   1       1       2  
        Advance payment from sale of property, plant and equipment   —       30       —  
        Proceeds of short-term deposits   —       400       9  
        Purchase of investments   (53 )     (67 )     (34 )
        Proceeds from the sale of investments   —       —       5  
        Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities   (216 )     198       (274 )
                   
        Cash flows from financing activities:          
        Repurchase of long-term debt   —       —       (1,000 )
        Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt   370       670       —  
        Cash paid for debt issuance costs   —       (1 )     —  
        Proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper notes   646       —       —  
        Repayment of commercial paper notes   (146 )     —       —  
        Dividends paid to common stockholders   (258 )     (258 )     (261 )
        Proceeds from issuance of common stock through stock plans   37       3       37  
        Purchase of treasury shares and restricted stock unit withholdings   (303 )     (455 )     (303 )
        Other, net   (1 )     —       (1 )
        Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities   345       (41 )     (1,528 )
                   
        Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash positions   2       (4 )     (3 )
        Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   696       544       (954 )
        Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   3,292       2,748       3,862  
        Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   3,988       3,292       2,908  
                   
        Net cash paid during the period for:          
        Interest   41       92       38  
        Income taxes, net of refunds   96       280       198  
        Net gain (loss) on sale of assets:          
        Cash proceeds from the sale of assets   31       1       2  
        Book value of these assets   (9 )     —       —  
        Non-cash investing activities:          
        Non-cash capital expenditures   108       161       223  
                   

        NXP Semiconductors
        Table 4: Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Results (unaudited)

        ($ in millions except share data) Three months ended
          March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
        GAAP Gross Profit $ 1,560     $ 1,678     $ 1,783  
        PPA Effects   (8 )     (11 )     (12 )
        Restructuring   (4 )     (21 )     (3 )
        Share-based compensation   (16 )     (15 )     (15 )
        Other incidentals   (3 )     (64 )     (5 )
        Non-GAAP Gross Profit $ 1,591     $ 1,789     $ 1,818  
        GAAP Gross margin   55.0 %     53.9 %     57.0 %
        Non-GAAP Gross margin   56.1 %     57.5 %     58.2 %
        GAAP Research and development $ (547 )   $ (612 )   $ (564 )
        Restructuring   (7 )     (50 )     (3 )
        Share-based compensation   (64 )     (60 )     (58 )
        Other incidentals   (1 )     (5 )     (1 )
        Non-GAAP Research and development $ (475 )   $ (497 )   $ (502 )
        GAAP Selling, general and administrative $ (281 )   $ (323 )   $ (306 )
        Restructuring   (3 )     (41 )     (1 )
        Share-based compensation   (47 )     (42 )     (42 )
        Other incidentals   (20 )     (12 )     (29 )
        Non-GAAP Selling, general and administrative $ (211 )   $ (228 )   $ (234 )
        GAAP Operating income (loss) $ 723     $ 675     $ 856  
        PPA effects   (40 )     (39 )     (63 )
        Restructuring   (14 )     (112 )     (7 )
        Share-based compensation   (127 )     (117 )     (115 )
        Other incidentals   —       (122 )     (39 )
        Non-GAAP Operating income (loss) $ 904     $ 1,065     $ 1,080  
        GAAP Operating margin   25.5 %     21.7 %     27.4 %
        Non-GAAP Operating margin   31.9 %     34.2 %     34.5 %
        GAAP Income tax benefit (provision) $ (130 )   $ (77 )   $ (141 )
        Income tax effect   13       87       30  
        Non-GAAP Income tax benefit (provision) $ (143 )   $ (164 )   $ (171 )
        GAAP Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders $ 490     $ 495     $ 639  
        PPA Effects   (40 )     (39 )     (63 )
        Restructuring   (14 )     (112 )     (7 )
        Share-based compensation   (127 )     (117 )     (115 )
        Other incidentals   —       (122 )     (39 )
        Other adjustments:          
        Adjustments to financial income (expense)   (12 )     (17 )     (6 )
        Income tax effect   13       87       30  
        Results relating to equity-accounted investees, excluding Foundry investees1   (3 )     (2 )     (1 )
        Non-GAAP Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders $ 673     $ 817     $ 840  
                   
                   
        Additional Information:          
        1. Refer to Table 7 below for further information regarding the results relating to equity-accounted investees.
                   
        GAAP net income (loss) per common share attributable to stockholders – diluted $ 1.92     $ 1.93     $ 2.47  
        PPA Effects   (0.16 )     (0.15 )     (0.24 )
        Restructuring   (0.05 )     (0.44 )     (0.03 )
        Share-based compensation   (0.50 )     (0.46 )     (0.44 )
        Other incidentals   —       (0.47 )     (0.15 )
        Other adjustments:          
        Adjustments to financial income (expense)   (0.05 )     (0.07 )     (0.02 )
        Income tax effect   0.05       0.34       0.11  
        Results relating to equity-accounted investees, excluding Foundry investees1   (0.01 )     —       —  
        Non-GAAP net income (loss) per common share attributable to stockholders – diluted $ 2.64     $ 3.18     $ 3.24  
                   
                   
        Additional Information:          
        1. Refer to Table 7 below for further information regarding the results relating to equity-accounted investees.

        NXP Semiconductors
        Table 5: Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial income (expense) (unaudited)

          ($ in millions) Three months ended
            March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
        GAAP Financial income (expense) $ (92 )   $ (91 )   $ (70 )
          Foreign exchange loss   (3 )     3       (1 )
          Other financial expense   (9 )     (20 )     (5 )
        Non-GAAP Financial income (expense) $ (80 )   $ (74 )   $ (64 )
                     

        NXP Semiconductors
        Table 6: Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Other income (expense) (unaudited)

          ($ in millions) Three months ended
            March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
        GAAP Other income (expense) $ 18     $ (40 )   $ (6 )
          PPA effects   (5 )     —       —  
          Other incidentals   24       (41 )     (4 )
        Non-GAAP Other income (expense) $ (1 )   $ 1     $ (2 )
                   

        NXP Semiconductors
        Table 7: Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees (unaudited)

          ($ in millions) Three months ended
            March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
        GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees $ (4 )   $ (2 )   $ (1 )
          Results of equity-accounted investees, excluding Foundry investees1   (3 )     (2 )     (1 )
        Non-GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees $ (1 )   $ —     $ —  
                   
        Additional Information:
        1. We adjust our results relating to equity-accounted investees for those results from investments over which NXP has significant influence, but not control, and whose business activities are not related to the core operating performance of NXP. Our equity-investments in foundry partners are part of our long-term core operating performance and accordingly those results comprise the Non-GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees.


        NXP Semiconductors

        Table 8: Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow (unaudited)

        ($ in millions) Three months ended
          March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
        GAAP Net income (loss) $ 497     $ 505     $ 644  
        Reconciling items to EBITDA (Non-GAAP)          
        Financial (income) expense   92       91       70  
        (Benefit) provision for income taxes   130       77       141  
        Depreciation and impairment   143       190       145  
        Amortization   66       69       90  
        EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 928     $ 932     $ 1,090  
        Reconciling items to adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)          
        Results of equity-accounted investees, excluding Foundry investees1   3       2       1  
        Purchase accounting effect on asset sale   5       —       —  
        Restructuring   14       112       7  
        Share-based compensation   127       117       115  
        Other incidental items2   (4 )     77       39  
        Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 1,073     $ 1,240     $ 1,252  
        Trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 4,885     $ 5,064     $ 5,395  
                   
        Additional Information:          
        1. Refer to Table 7 above for further information regarding the results relating to equity-accounted investees.
        2. Excluding from total other incidental items, charges included in depreciation, amortization or impairment reconciling items:
        – other incidental items   4       45       —  
                   
                   
                   
        ($ in millions) Three months ended
          March 30,
        2025
          December 31,
        2024
          March 31,
        2024
        Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities $ 565     $ 391     $ 851  
        Net capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment   (138 )     (99 )     (224 )
        Non-GAAP free cash flow $ 427     $ 292     $ 627  
        Trailing twelve month non-GAAP free cash flow $ 1,889     $ 2,089     $ 2,933  
        Trailing twelve month non-GAAP free cash flow as percent of Revenue   15 %     17 %     22 %
                   

      The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Two Senior Executives Join the Diginex Team to Drive Sustainable Finance Initiatives and strategic M&A

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diginex Limited (“Diginex”) (NASDAQ: DGNX), a leading impact technology company focused on solving pressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges, is thrilled to announce the appointment of two senior executives to the Diginex team. This builds off recent news of strategic alliances signed with Russell Bedford International, Forvis Mazars, and Baker Tilly Singapore, marking a significant step for Diginex to support a sustainable and innovation-driven economy.

    Dan Campion was appointed as Diginex’s Global Chief Commercial Officer. With a distinguished career in strategic leadership and business development, Mr. Campion will spearhead Diginex’s efforts to expand its ESG solutions and sustainable finance offerings, reinforcing the Diginex’s commitment to creating a more responsible and resilient global economy.  

    Mr. Campion brings a wealth of experience to Diginex, having held senior leadership roles across multiple industries, including most recently as Global Head of “Markets” Sales at S&P Global. His expertise in navigating complex markets and delivering client-focused solutions aligns seamlessly with Diginex’s mission to empower organizations with cutting-edge tools for sustainability and ethical governance. In his new role, Mr. Campion will oversee Diginex’s global commercial strategy, help to accelerate market penetration, and strengthen Diginex’s position as a trusted partner in ESG and sustainable finance.  

    Lorenzo Romano was appointed as Diginex’s Lead Strategic Advisor on M&A. Mr. Romano is a seasoned banking executive with a distinguished track record in private banking, wealth management, and strategic growth advisory. Formerly Head of Private Banking at EFG Bank, Geneva, Mr. Romano spearheaded key initiatives to elevate client experience and expand the bank’s footprint. Prior to that, Mr. Romano served as Head of Switzerland, Europe, and the Middle East at Syz Bank, where he successfully led cross-border operations and business development across multiple regions. Leveraging over two decades of leadership in the financial sector, Mr. Romano will help to identify and execute accretive transactions across the Sustainability RegTech sector as the Company pursues a strategy of growth through acquisitions to complement the organic growth of its existing product lines.

    “We are delighted to welcome both Dan Campion and Lorenzo Romano to the Diginex team,” said Miles Pelham, Chairman and Founder of Diginex. “Their deep understanding of commercial dynamics and passion for sustainable innovation makes them the ideal leaders to advance our Sustainable RegTech solutions. Their appointments mark an exciting step forward as we continue to support businesses worldwide in achieving their sustainability goals as well as look to grow through accretive M&A transactions.”  

    About Diginex Limited

    Diginex Limited (Nasdaq: DGNX; ISIN KYG286871044), headquartered in London, is a sustainable RegTech business that empowers businesses and governments to streamline ESG, climate, and supply chain data collection and reporting. The Company utilizes blockchain, AI, machine learning and data analysis technology to lead change and increase transparency in corporate regulatory reporting and sustainable finance. Diginex’s products and services solutions enable companies to collect, evaluate and share sustainability data through easy-to-use software. 

    The award-winning diginexESG platform supports 17 global frameworks, including GRI (the “Global Reporting Initiative”), SASB (the “Sustainability Accounting Standards Board”), and TCFD (the “Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures”). Clients benefit from end-to-end support, ranging from materiality assessments and data management to stakeholder engagement, report generation and an ESG Ratings Support Service.

    For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.diginex.com/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events 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 “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. The Company 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 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 and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results disclosed in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Diginex
    Investor Relations
    Email: ir@diginex.com  

    IR Contact – Europe
    Anna Höffken
    Phone: +49.40.609186.0
    Email: diginex@kirchhoff.de

    IR Contact – US
    Kincade Ayers
    Lambert by LLYC
    Phone: +1 (616) 258-5794
    Email: kincade.ayers@llyc.global

    IR Contact – Asia
    Shelly Cheng
    Strategic Public Relations Group Ltd.
    Phone: +852 2864 4857
    Email: sprg_diginex@sprg.com.hk

    The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Powell Max Limited Announces 2024 Audited Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Powell Max Limited (Nasdaq: PMAX) (the “Company” or “Powell Max”), a financial communications services provider headquartered in Hong Kong, today announced the audited financial results of the Company and its subsidiary for the financial year ended December 31, 2024.

    Overview:

    • Revenue was HK$36.5 million (US$4.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of 25.7% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Net loss was HK$18.1 million (US$2.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared with the profit for the year of HK$7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Financial Results for the year ended December 31, 2024

    Revenue. Revenue decreased by 25.7% from HK$49.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to HK$36.5 million (US$4.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was mainly due to the decrease in both the revenue from corporate financial communications services and IPO financial printing services.

    General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 1.28 times from HK$10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to HK$24.9 million (US$3.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was mainly due to the incurrence of issuance expenses (which consisted of professional fee and related expenses relating to the equity line of credit under standby equity purchase agreement entered into with YA II PN, Ltd. on November 21, 2024), an increase in professional services fees and an increase in employee benefits expense.

    Selling and distribution expenses. Selling and distribution expenses increased by 55.6% from HK$4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to HK$7.0 million (US$0.9 million) for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was mainly due to an increase in the number of staff in our sales team and an increase in other expenses on business development and marketing. In light of the reduction of capital market activities in Hong Kong, we have allocated extra resources on sales and marketing with the view to maintain our market presence.

    Net loss. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 was HK$18.1 million (US$2.3 million), as compared with the profit for the year of HK$7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Basic and diluted loss per share. Basic and diluted loss per share was HK$1.37 (US$0.18) per ordinary share for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to a basic and diluted earning per share of HK$0.56 per ordinary share for the year ended December 31, 2023.

    About Powell Max Limited

    Powell Max Limited is a financial communications services provider headquartered in Hong Kong. The Company engages in the provision of financial communications services that support capital market compliance and transaction needs for corporate clients and their advisors in Hong Kong. Its financial communications services cover a full range of financial printing, corporate reporting, communications and language support services from inception to completion, including typesetting, proofreading, translation, design, printing, electronic reporting, newspaper placement and distribution. The Company’s clients consist of domestic and international companies listed in Hong Kong, together with companies who are seeking to list in Hong Kong, as well as their advisors.

    Exchange Rate Information

    The Company is a holding company with operations conducted in Hong Kong through JAN Financial Press Limited and Miracle Media Production Limited (which was acquired after the reporting period), its direct wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. The operating subsidiaries’ reporting currency is Hong Kong dollars. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Hong Kong dollars to United States Dollars in this press release were calculated the noon middle rate of US$1 — HK$7.7677, as published in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on December 31, 2024, respectively. No representation is made that the HK$ amount represents or could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate, or at any other rate.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Words such as “will,” future,” “expects,” “believes,” and “intends,” or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Rounding Amounts and Percentages

    Certain amounts and percentages included in this press release have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this press release have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures, but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Company Info:

    Powell Max Limited
    Investor Relations
    ir@janfp.com
    (852) 2158 2888

    POWELL MAX LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARY
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
     
       
        As of December 31  
        2023     2024  
        HK$     HK$     US$  
    ASSETS                  
    Non-current assets                  
    Property, plant and equipment     5,819,230       4,253,686       547,612  
    Total non-current assets     5,819,230       4,253,686       547,612  
                             
    Current assets                        
    Trade and other receivables     13,510,032       16,096,160       2,072,191  
    Cash and bank balances     3,660,213       42,222,014       5,435,588  
    Total current assets     17,170,245       58,318,174       7,507,779  
                             
    Total assets     22,989,475       62,571,860       8,055,391  
                             
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                        
    Current liabilities                        
    Trade and other payables     27,376,032       12,990,458       1,672,368  
    Contract liabilities     1,524,761       1,310,435       168,703  
    Bank borrowings     4,767,829       3,845,863       495,110  
    Lease liabilities     3,361,230       1,376,122       177,159  
    Derivative     —       6,756,516       869,822  
    Convertible promissory notes     —       13,860,647       1,784,395  
    Total current liabilities     37,029,852       40,140,041       5,167,557  
                             
    Non-current liabilities                        
    Trade and other payables     150,000       150,000       19,311  
    Lease liabilities     1,122,591       1,014,182       130,564  
    Total non-current liabilities     1,272,591       1,164,182       149,875  
                             
    Total liabilities     38,302,443       41,304,223       5,317,432  
                             
    Equity attributable to owners of the Company                        
    Share capital     9,750       11,457       1,475  
    Accumulated losses     (15,680,728 )     (33,754,822 )     (4,345,537 )
    Reserves     358,010       55,011,002       7,082,021  
    Total equity     (15,312,968 )     21,267,637       2,737,959  
                             
    Total liabilities and equity     22,989,475       62,571,860       8,055,391  
     
    POWELL MAX LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARY
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS
    AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
     
        Year ended December 31,  
        2022     2023     2024  
        HK$     HK$     HK$     US$  
    Revenue     37,772,821       49,121,839       36,461,260       4,693,958  
    Cost of sales     (22,217,680 )     (25,238,821 )     (22,081,030 )     (2,842,673 )
    Gross profit     15,555,141       23,883,018       14,380,230       1,851,285  
                                     
    Other income and gain     1,851,815       54,116       1,952,986       251,425  
    General and administrative expenses     (10,723,611 )     (10,862,255 )     (24,854,036 )     (3,199,665 )
    Selling and distribution expenses     (5,250,421 )     (4,530,134 )     (7,049,538 )     (907,545 )
    Allowance of expected credit loss – trade receivables     (841,051 )     (914,788 )     (488,640 )     (62,908 )
                                     
    Profit/(Loss) from operations     591,873       7,629,957       (16,058,998 )     (2,067,408 )
    Finance costs     (690,476 )     (550,714 )     (2,015,096 )     (259,418 )
                                     
    (Loss)/Profit before income tax     (98,603 )     7,079,243       (18,074,094 )     (2,326,826 )
    Income tax expense     —       —       —       —  
    (Loss)/Profit for the year     (98,603 )     7,079,243       (18,074,094 )     (2,326,826 )
                                     
    Other comprehensive (loss)/income:                                
    Exchange differences on foreign currency translations     25,138       (47,378 )     48,424       6,234  
    Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year     (73,465 )     7,031,865       (18,025,670 )     (2,320,592 )
                                     
    (Loss)/Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Company                                
    Basic and diluted     (0.01 )     0.56       (1.37 )     (0.18 )
                                     
    Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                
    Basic and diluted     12,500,000       12,500,000       13,178,314       13,178,314  

    The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: RBB Bancorp Reports First Quarter 2025 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RBB Bancorp (NASDAQ:RBB) and its subsidiaries, Royal Business Bank (the “Bank”) and RBB Asset Management Company (“RAM”), collectively referred to herein as the “Company,” announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Net income totaled $2.3 million, or $0.13 diluted earnings per share
    • Return on average assets of 0.24%, compared to 0.44% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024
    • Net interest margin expanded to 2.88%, up from 2.76% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024
    • Net loans held for investment growth of $89.8 million, or 12% annualized 
    • Nonperforming assets decreased $16.5 million, or 20.3%, to $64.6 million at March 31, 2025, down from $81.0 million at December 31, 2024
    • Book value and tangible book value per share(1) increased to $28.77 and $24.63 at March 31, 2025, up from $28.66 and $24.51 at December 31, 2024 

    The Company reported net income of $2.3 million, or $0.13 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to net income of $4.4 million, or $0.25 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. First quarter of 2025 net income included $6.7 million in pre-tax provision for credit losses mostly related to reducing exposure to nonperforming loans, including higher specific reserves.

    “First quarter net income declined to $2.3 million, or 13 cents per share, as we took decisive action to address our nonperforming loans,” said David Morris, Chief Executive Officer of RBB Bancorp. “We reduced our net exposure to nonperforming loans to $51 million, including specific reserves, or 32% since year end. We remain focused on resolving our nonperforming loans as quickly as possible while minimizing the impact to earnings and capital and we think our actions in the first quarter reflect this.”

    “Our loan production was relatively strong during the first quarter driven by continued execution of our initiatives, which resulted in 12% annualized net loan growth. Our loan prospect pipeline continues to be healthy, and we anticipate loan growth to continue in the second quarter, albeit likely at a more moderate pace,” said Johnny Lee, President of RBB Bancorp and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. “While the market environment is volatile, we have not observed significant signs of financial impact to our clients at this time.”

    (1 ) Reconciliations of the non–U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) measures included at the end of this press release.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income was $26.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $26.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. The $186,000 increase was due to a $2.4 million decrease in interest expense, offset by a $2.2 million decrease in interest income. The decrease in interest income was mostly due to the impact of fewer days in the quarter of $1.2 million and lower average excess liquidity (cash and cash equivalents and investment securities) of $1.5 million. The decrease in interest expense was mostly due to the impact of lower average funding rates of $1.5 million, fewer days in the quarter of $621,000 and lower average interest-bearing liabilities of $336,000. The $1.5 million attributed to lower average funding rates included $1.8 million due to a 29 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits.

    The net interest margin (“NIM”) was 2.88% for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 12 basis points from 2.76% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The NIM expansion was due to a 17 basis point decrease in the overall cost of funds, partially offset by a 3 basis point decrease in the yield on average interest-earning assets. The yield on average interest-earning assets decreased to 5.76% for the first quarter of 2025 from 5.79% for the fourth quarter of 2024 due mainly to a decrease in the yield on average cash and cash equivalents of 32 basis points and average loans of 2 basis points, partially offset by the benefit of a change in the mix in average-earning assets. Average loans represented 84% of average interest-earning assets in the first quarter of 2025, as compared to 82% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    The average cost of funds decreased to 3.15% for the first quarter of 2025 from 3.32% for the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by a 29 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by a 38 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased to 3.77% for the first quarter of 2025 from 4.06% for the fourth quarter of 2024. During the first quarter of 2025, $150.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances with an average cost of 1.18% matured and were largely replaced with $110.0 million in FHLB advances with various terms at an average rate of 3.88%. The overall funding mix for the first quarter of 2025 remained relatively unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2024 with total deposits representing 90% of the funding mix and average noninterest-bearing deposits representing 17% of average total deposits. The all-in average spot rate for total deposits was 3.06% at March 31, 2025.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    The provision for credit losses was $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to $6.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. The first quarter of 2025 provision for credit losses was due to an increase in specific reserves of $2.8 million, net charge-offs of $2.6 million and an increase in general reserves of $1.3 million due mainly to net loan growth. The first quarter increase in specific reserves related mostly to two lending relationships. Net charge-offs included $1.4 million related to a bulk sale of $10.8 million in underperforming single-family residential (“SFR”) mortgage loans, of which $6.5 million were on nonaccrual at the end of the year, and $1.2 million related to an $8.8 million loan transferred to other real estate owned (“OREO”) and subsequently sold. Net charge-offs on an annualized basis represented 0.35% of average loans for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 0.26% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The first quarter provision also took into consideration factors such as changes in loan balances, the loan portfolio mix, the outlook for economic conditions and market interest rates, and changes in credit quality metrics, including changes in nonperforming loans, special mention and substandard loans during the period.

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $2.3 million, a decrease of $434,000 from $2.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. This decrease was mostly due to the fourth quarter of 2024 including $258,000 of income from a Bank Enterprise Award grant (included in other income) and lower net gain on sale of loans as compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $18.5 million, an increase of $873,000 from $17.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. This increase was mostly due to higher salaries and employee benefits expense of $716,000 attributed to higher payroll taxes and annual pay increases, which are typically reflected in the first quarter of the year. The annualized noninterest expenses to average assets ratio was 1.90% for the first quarter of 2025, up from 1.76% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The efficiency ratio was 65.1% for the first quarter of 2025, up from 61.5% for the fourth quarter of 2024 due mostly to higher noninterest expense.

    Income Taxes

    The effective tax rate was 28.2% for the first quarter of 2025 and 13.3% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in the effective tax rate for the first quarter was due in part to lower tax credits combined with higher estimated pre-tax net income for the full year of 2025 as compared to the prior quarter.2

    Balance Sheet

    At March 31, 2025, total assets were $4.0 billion, a $16.9 million increase compared to December 31, 2024, and a $131.4 million increase compared to March 31, 2024.

    Loan and Securities Portfolio

    Loans held for investment (“HFI”) totaled $3.1 billion as of March 31, 2025, an increase of $89.8 million, or 12% annualized, compared to December 31, 2024 and an increase of $115.7 million, or 3.8%, compared to March 31, 2024. The first quarter of 2025 net loan growth included $201 million in new production with an average yield of 6.77%. When loan sales, charge-offs, and foreclosures totaling $28.6 million are considered, the annualized first quarter net loan growth rate was 16%. The increase from December 31, 2024 was primarily due to a $51.8 million increase in SFR mortgage loans, a $44.0 million increase in commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans, a $6.0 million increase in commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans and a $3.4 million increase in Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans, partially offset by a $14.4 million decrease in construction and land development (“C&D”) loans. The loan to deposit ratio was 98.4% at March 31, 2025, compared to 97.5% at December 31, 2024 and 98.6% at March 31, 2024. 

    As of March 31, 2025, available for sale securities totaled $378.2 million, a decrease of $42.0 million from December 31, 2024, primarily related to the net decrease in short-term commercial paper of $41.4 million due to maturity and purchase activity during the first quarter of 2025. As of March 31, 2025, net unrealized losses totaled $25.0 million, a $4.2 million decrease, when compared to net unrealized losses of $29.2 million as of December 31, 2024.

    Deposits

    Total deposits were $3.1 billion as of March 31, 2025, an increase of $58.8 million, or 7.7% annualized, compared to December 31, 2024 and an increase of $114.3 million, or 3.8%, compared to March 31, 2024. The increase during the first quarter of 2025 was due to a $93.6 million increase in interest-bearing deposits, while noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $34.8 million. The increase in interest-bearing deposits included increases in non-maturity deposits of $58.2 million and time deposits of $35.5 million. Wholesale deposits totaled $158.5 million at March 31, 2025, and $147.5 million at December 31, 2024. Noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $528.2 million and represented 16.8% of total deposits at March 31, 2025 compared to $563.0 million and 18.3% at December 31, 2024.

    Credit Quality

    Nonperforming assets totaled $64.6 million, or 1.61% of total assets, at March 31, 2025, down from $81.0 million, or 2.03% of total assets, at December 31, 2024. The $16.5 million decrease in nonperforming assets was due to sales totaling $20.0 million and payoffs or paydowns of $1.8 million, partially offset by the addition of one $5.3 million CRE loan placed on nonaccrual status in the first quarter of 2025. Nonperforming assets included one $4.2 million OREO (included in “Accrued interest and other assets”) at March 31, 2025, which was a nonaccrual loan at December 31, 2024.

    Special mention loans totaled $64.3 million, or 2.05% of total loans, at March 31, 2025, down from $65.3 million, or 2.14% of total loans, at December 31, 2024. The $1.1 million decrease was primarily due to the upgrade of one $1.7 million CRE loan to a pass-rated loan, offset by the addition of one $578,000 C&I loan. All special mention loans are paying current.

    Substandard loans totaled $76.4 million at March 31, 2025, down from $100.3 million at December 31, 2024. This $24.0 million decrease was primarily due to loan sales totaling $11.7 million, transfers to OREO totaling $12.8 million, of which $8.8 million was subsequently sold during the first quarter of 2025, and payoffs and paydowns totaling $5.4 million, partially offset by the downgrade of two loans totaling $6.2 million. Of the total substandard loans at March 31, 2025, there were $16.0 million on accrual status.

    30-89 day delinquent loans, excluding nonperforming loans, totaled $5.9 million, or 0.19% of total loans, at March 31, 2025, down from $22.1 million, or 0.72% of total loans, at December 31, 2024. The $16.2 million decrease was mostly due to $16.3 million in loans returning to current status, $2.9 million in SFR mortgage loans included in the bulk sale of several underperforming SFR mortgage loans and $398,000 in paydowns and payoffs, offset by $3.5 million in new delinquent loans.3

    As of March 31, 2025, the allowance for credit losses totaled $52.6 million and was comprised of an allowance for loan losses of $51.9 million and a reserve for unfunded commitments of $629,000 (included in “Accrued interest and other liabilities”). This compares to the allowance for credit losses of $48.5 million, comprised of an allowance for loan losses of $47.7 million and a reserve for unfunded commitments of $729,000 at December 31, 2024. The $4.1 million increase in the allowance for credit losses for the first quarter of 2025 was due to a $6.7 million provision for credit losses offset by net charge-offs of $2.6 million. Net charge-offs included $1.4 million related to a bulk sale of $10.8 million in underperforming SFR mortgage loans, of which $6.5 million were on nonaccrual at the end of the year, and $1.2 million related to an $8.8 million loan transferred to OREO and subsequently sold. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans HFI increased to 1.65% at March 31, 2025, compared to 1.56% at December 31, 2024, due to an increase in specific reserves. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans HFI was 86% at March 31, 2025, an increase from 68% at December 31, 2024. 

        For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025  
    (dollars in thousands)   Allowance for
    loan losses
        Reserve for
    unfunded loan
    commitments
        Allowance for
    credit losses
     
    Beginning balance   $ 47,729     $ 729     $ 48,458  
    Provision for (reversal of) credit losses     6,846       (100 )     6,746  
    Less loans charged-off     (2,727 )     —       (2,727 )
    Recoveries on loans charged-off     84       —       84  
    Ending balance   $ 51,932     $ 629     $ 52,561  

    Shareholders’ Equity

    At March 31, 2025, total shareholders’ equity was $510.3 million, a $2.4 million increase compared to December 31, 2024, and a $3.7 million decrease compared to March 31, 2024. The increase in shareholders’ equity for the first quarter of 2025 was due to lower net unrealized losses on available for sale securities of $3.0 million, net income of $2.3 million and equity compensation activity of $43,000, offset by common stock cash dividends paid of $2.9 million. The decrease in shareholders’ equity for the last twelve months was due to common stock repurchases of $19.2 million and dividends paid of $11.6 million on common stock, offset by net income of $20.9 million, lower net unrealized losses on available for sale securities of $3.7 million, and equity compensation activity of $2.5 million. Book value per share and tangible book value per share(1) increased to $28.77 and $24.63 at March 31, 2025, up from $28.66 and $24.51 at December 31, 2024 and up from $27.67 and $23.68 at March 31, 2024.

    (1 ) Reconciliations of the non–U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) measures included at the end of this press release.

    Corporate Overview

    RBB Bancorp is a community-based financial holding company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had total assets of $4.0 billion. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Royal Business Bank, is a full service commercial bank, which provides consumer and business banking services predominately to the Asian-centric communities in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Ventura County in California, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan in New York, in Edison, New Jersey, in the Chicago neighborhoods of Chinatown and Bridgeport, Illinois, and on Oahu, Hawaii. Bank services include remote deposit, E-banking, mobile banking, commercial and investor real estate loans, business loans and lines of credit, commercial and industrial loans, SBA 7A and 504 loans, 1-4 single family residential loans, trade finance, a full range of depository account products and wealth management services. The Bank has nine branches in Los Angeles County, two branches in Ventura County, one branch in Orange County, California, one branch in Las Vegas, Nevada, three branches and one loan operation center in Brooklyn, three branches in Queens, one branch in Manhattan in New York, one branch in Edison, New Jersey, two branches in Chicago, Illinois, and one branch in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Company’s administrative and lending center is located at 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90017, and its operations center is located at 7025 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, California 90621. The Company’s website address is www.royalbusinessbankusa.com.

    Conference Call

    Management will hold a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time/2:00 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to discuss the Company’s first quarter 2025 financial results.

    To listen to the conference call, please dial 1-888-506-0062 or 1-973-528-0011, the Participant ID code is 534591, conference ID RBBQ125. A replay of the call will be made available at 1-877-481-4010 or 1-919-882-2331, the passcode is 52277, approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call and will remain available through May 13, 2025.

    The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast over the Internet; please visit our Royal Business Bank website at www.royalbusinessbankusa.com and click on the “Investors” tab to access the call from the site. This webcast will be recorded and available for replay on our website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the conference call.

    Disclosure

    This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial disclosures for tangible common equity and tangible assets and adjusted earnings. The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of such financial performance. Please refer to the tables at the end of this release for a presentation of performance ratios in accordance with GAAP and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the GAAP financial measures.

    Safe Harbor

    Certain matters set forth herein (including the exhibits hereto) constitute forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s current business plans and expectations and our future financial position and operating results. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and/or achievements to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures; the potential for additional material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting or other potential control deficiencies of which the Company is not currently aware or which have not been detected; business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, nationally and within our current and future geographic markets, including the tight labor market, ineffective management of the United States (“U.S.”) federal budget or debt or turbulence or uncertainly in domestic or foreign financial markets; the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations; adverse developments in the banking industry highlighted by high-profile bank failures and the potential impact of such developments on customer confidence, liquidity and regulatory responses to these developments; possible additional provisions for credit losses and charge-offs; credit risks of lending activities and deterioration in asset or credit quality; extensive laws and regulations and supervision that we are subject to, including potential supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities; compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other money laundering statutes and regulations; potential goodwill impairment; liquidity risk; failure to comply with debt covenants; fluctuations in interest rates; risks associated with acquisitions and the expansion of our business into new markets; inflation and deflation; real estate market conditions and the value of real estate collateral; the effects of having concentrations in our loan portfolio, including commercial real estate and the risks of geographic and industry concentrations; environmental liabilities; our ability to compete with larger competitors; our ability to retain key personnel; successful management of reputational risk; severe weather, natural disasters, earthquakes, fires, including direct and indirect costs and impacts on clients, the Company and its employees from the January 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires; or other adverse external events could harm our business; geopolitical conditions, including acts or threats of terrorism, actions taken by the U.S. or other governments in response to acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, including the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, in the Middle East, and increasing tensions between China and Taiwan, which could impact business and economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad; tariffs, trade policies, and related tensions, which could impact our clients, specific industry sectors, and/or broader economic conditions and financial market; public health crises and pandemics, and their effects on the economic and business environments in which we operate, including our credit quality and business operations, as well as the impact on general economic and financial market conditions; general economic or business conditions in Asia, and other regions where the Bank has operations; failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems; climate change, including any enhanced regulatory, compliance, credit and reputational risks and costs; cybersecurity threats and the cost of defending against them; our ability to adapt our systems to the expanding use of technology in banking; risk management processes and strategies; adverse results in legal proceedings; the impact of regulatory enforcement actions, if any; certain provisions in our charter and bylaws that may affect acquisition of the Company; changes in tax laws and regulations; the impact of governmental efforts to restructure the U.S. financial regulatory system and increased costs of compliance and other risks associated with changes in regulation, including any amendments to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; the impact of changes in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance assessment rate and the rules and regulations related to the calculation of the FDIC insurance assessments; the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices or accounting standards, as may be adopted from time-to-time by bank regulatory agencies, the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standards setters; fluctuations in the Company’s stock price; restrictions on dividends and other distributions by laws and regulations and by our regulators and our capital structure; our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, and the potential resulting dilution of interests of holders of our common stock; the soundness of other financial institutions; our ongoing relations with our various federal and state regulators, including the SEC, FDIC, FRB and California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation; our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items and all other factors set forth in the Company’s public reports, including its Annual Report as filed under Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and particularly the discussion of risk factors within that document. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by law. Any statements about future operating results, such as those concerning accretion and dilution to the Company’s earnings or shareholders, are for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts, and actual results may differ.

    RBB BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
        March 31,     December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
        2025     2024     2024     2024     2024  
    Assets                                        
    Cash and due from banks   $ 25,315     $ 27,747     $ 26,388     $ 23,313     $ 21,887  
    Interest-earning deposits with financial institutions     213,508       229,998       323,002       229,456       247,356  
    Cash and cash equivalents     238,823       257,745       349,390       252,769       269,243  
    Interest-earning time deposits with financial institutions     600       600       600       600       600  
    Investment securities available for sale     378,188       420,190       305,666       325,582       335,194  
    Investment securities held to maturity     5,188       5,191       5,195       5,200       5,204  
    Loans held for sale     655       11,250       812       3,146       3,903  
    Loans held for investment     3,143,063       3,053,230       3,091,896       3,047,712       3,027,361  
    Allowance for loan losses     (51,932 )     (47,729 )     (43,685 )     (41,741 )     (41,688 )
    Net loans held for investment     3,091,131       3,005,501       3,048,211       3,005,971       2,985,673  
    Premises and equipment, net     24,308       24,601       24,839       25,049       25,363  
    Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock     15,000       15,000       15,000       15,000       15,000  
    Cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance     60,699       60,296       59,889       59,486       59,101  
    Goodwill     71,498       71,498       71,498       71,498       71,498  
    Servicing assets     6,766       6,985       7,256       7,545       7,794  
    Core deposit intangibles     1,839       2,011       2,194       2,394       2,594  
    Right-of-use assets     26,779       28,048       29,283       30,530       31,231  
    Accrued interest and other assets     87,926       83,561       70,644       63,416       65,608  
    Total assets   $ 4,009,400     $ 3,992,477     $ 3,990,477     $ 3,868,186     $ 3,878,006  
    Liabilities and shareholders’ equity                                        
    Deposits:                                        
    Noninterest-bearing demand   $ 528,205     $ 563,012     $ 543,623     $ 542,971     $ 539,517  
    Savings, NOW and money market accounts     721,216       663,034       666,089       647,770       642,840  
    Time deposits, $250,000 and under     1,000,106       1,007,452       1,052,462       1,014,189       1,083,898  
    Time deposits, greater than $250,000     893,101       850,291       830,010       818,675       762,074  
    Total deposits     3,142,628       3,083,789       3,092,184       3,023,605       3,028,329  
    FHLB advances     160,000       200,000       200,000       150,000       150,000  
    Long-term debt, net of issuance costs     119,624       119,529       119,433       119,338       119,243  
    Subordinated debentures     15,211       15,156       15,102       15,047       14,993  
    Lease liabilities – operating leases     28,483       29,705       30,880       32,087       32,690  
    Accrued interest and other liabilities     33,148       36,421       23,150       16,818       18,765  
    Total liabilities     3,499,094       3,484,600       3,480,749       3,356,895       3,364,020  
    Shareholders’ equity:                                        
    Common stock     260,284       259,957       259,280       266,160       271,645  
    Additional paid-in capital     3,360       3,645       3,520       3,456       3,348  
    Retained earnings     263,885       264,460       262,946       262,518       259,903  
    Non-controlling interest     72       72       72       72       72  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net     (17,295 )     (20,257 )     (16,090 )     (20,915 )     (20,982 )
    Total shareholders’ equity     510,306       507,877       509,728       511,291       513,986  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 4,009,400     $ 3,992,477     $ 3,990,477     $ 3,868,186     $ 3,878,006  
     
    RBB BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands, except share and per share data) 
     
        For the Three Months Ended  
        March 31, 2025     December 31, 2024     March 31, 2024  
    Interest and dividend income:                        
    Interest and fees on loans   $ 45,621     $ 46,374     $ 45,547  
    Interest on interest-earning deposits     2,014       3,641       5,040  
    Interest on investment securities     4,136       3,962       3,611  
    Dividend income on FHLB stock     330       330       331  
    Interest on federal funds sold and other     235       248       266  
    Total interest and dividend income     52,336       54,555       54,795  
    Interest expense:                        
    Interest on savings deposits, NOW and money market accounts     4,468       4,671       4,478  
    Interest on time deposits     19,084       21,361       23,322  
    Interest on long-term debt and subordinated debentures     1,632       1,660       1,679  
    Interest on FHLB advances     989       886       439  
    Total interest expense     26,173       28,578       29,918  
    Net interest income before provision for credit losses     26,163       25,977       24,877  
    Provision for credit losses     6,746       6,000       —  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     19,417       19,977       24,877  
    Noninterest income:                        
    Service charges and fees     1,017       988       992  
    Gain on sale of loans     81       376       312  
    Loan servicing fees, net of amortization     588       492       589  
    Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance     403       407       382  
    Gain on OREO     —       —       724  
    Other income     206       466       373  
    Total noninterest income     2,295       2,729       3,372  
    Noninterest expense:                        
    Salaries and employee benefits     10,643       9,927       9,927  
    Occupancy and equipment expenses     2,407       2,403       2,443  
    Data processing     1,602       1,499       1,420  
    Legal and professional     1,515       1,355       880  
    Office expenses     408       399       356  
    Marketing and business promotion     197       251       172  
    Insurance and regulatory assessments     730       677       982  
    Core deposit premium     172       182       201  
    Other expenses     848       956       588  
    Total noninterest expense     18,522       17,649       16,969  
    Income before income taxes     3,190       5,057       11,280  
    Income tax expense     900       672       3,244  
    Net income   $ 2,290     $ 4,385     $ 8,036  
                             
    Net income per share                        
    Basic   $ 0.13     $ 0.25     $ 0.43  
    Diluted   $ 0.13     $ 0.25     $ 0.43  
    Cash dividends declared per common share   $ 0.16     $ 0.16     $ 0.16  
    Weighted-average common shares outstanding                        
    Basic     17,727,712       17,704,992       18,601,277  
    Diluted     17,770,588       17,796,840       18,666,683  
                             
    RBB BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
    AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST INCOME
    (Unaudited)
     
        For the Three Months Ended  
        March 31, 2025     December 31, 2024     March 31, 2024  
    (tax-equivalent basis,    Average     Interest     Yield /     Average     Interest     Yield /     Average     Interest     Yield /  
      dollars in thousands)   Balance     & Fees     Rate     Balance     & Fees     Rate     Balance     & Fees     Rate  
    Interest-earning assets                                                                        
    Cash and cash equivalents (1)   $ 194,236     $ 2,249       4.70 %   $ 308,455     $ 3,890       5.02 %   $ 364,979     $ 5,306       5.85 %
    FHLB Stock     15,000       330       8.92 %     15,000       330       8.75 %     15,000       331       8.88 %
    Securities                                                                        
    Available for sale (2)     390,178       4,113       4.28 %     361,253       3,939       4.34 %     320,015       3,589       4.51 %
    Held to maturity (2)     5,189       49       3.83 %     5,194       48       3.68 %     5,207       46       3.55 %
    Total loans (3)     3,079,224       45,621       6.01 %     3,059,786       46,374       6.03 %     3,018,423       45,547       6.07 %
    Total interest-earning assets     3,683,827     $ 52,362       5.76 %     3,749,688     $ 54,581       5.79 %     3,723,624     $ 54,819       5.92 %
    Total noninterest-earning assets     260,508                       244,609                       246,341                  
    Total average assets   $ 3,944,335                     $ 3,994,297                     $ 3,969,965                  
                                                                             
    Interest-bearing liabilities                                                                        
    NOW     61,222       321       2.13 %   $ 53,879     $ 254       1.88 %   $ 58,946     $ 298       2.03 %
    Money market     463,443       3,625       3.17 %     463,850       3,735       3.20 %     411,751       3,526       3.44 %
    Saving deposits     155,116       522       1.36 %     162,351       682       1.67 %     157,227       654       1.67 %
    Time deposits, $250,000 and under     989,622       10,046       4.12 %     1,034,946       11,583       4.45 %     1,175,804       13,805       4.72 %
    Time deposits, greater than $250,000     864,804       9,038       4.24 %     835,583       9,778       4.66 %     785,172       9,517       4.88 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits     2,534,207       23,552       3.77 %     2,550,609       26,032       4.06 %     2,588,900       27,800       4.32 %
    FHLB advances     176,833       989       2.27 %     200,000       886       1.76 %     150,000       439       1.18 %
    Long-term debt     119,562       1,295       4.39 %     119,466       1,295       4.31 %     119,180       1,295       4.37 %
    Subordinated debentures     15,175       337       9.01 %     15,121       365       9.60 %     14,957       384       10.33 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     2,845,777       26,173       3.73 %     2,885,196       28,578       3.94 %     2,873,037       29,918       4.19 %
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities                                                                        
    Noninterest-bearing deposits     520,145                       539,900                       528,346                  
    Other noninterest-bearing liabilities     66,151                       56,993                       55,795                  
    Total noninterest-bearing liabilities     586,296                       596,893                       584,141                  
    Shareholders’ equity     512,262                       512,208                       512,787                  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 3,944,335                     $ 3,994,297                     $ 3,969,965                  
    Net interest income / interest rate spreads           $ 26,189       2.03 %           $ 26,003       1.85 %           $ 24,901       1.73 %
    Net interest margin                     2.88 %                     2.76 %                     2.69 %
                                                                             
    Total cost of deposits   $ 3,054,352     $ 23,552       3.13 %   $ 3,090,509     $ 26,032       3.35 %   $ 3,117,246     $ 27,800       3.59 %
    Total cost of funds   $ 3,365,922     $ 26,173       3.15 %   $ 3,425,096     $ 28,578       3.32 %   $ 3,401,383     $ 29,918       3.54 %
    (1 ) Includes income and average balances for interest-earning time deposits and other miscellaneous interest-earning assets.
    (2 ) Interest income and average rates for tax-exempt securities are presented on a tax-equivalent basis.
    (3 ) Average loan balances relate to loans held for investment and loans held for sale and include nonaccrual loans. Interest income on loans includes the effects of discount accretion and net deferred loan origination fees and costs accounted for as yield adjustments.
    RBB BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
    SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
    (Unaudited)
     
        At or for the Three Months Ended  
        March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
        2025     2024     2024  
    Per share data (common stock)                        
    Book value   $ 28.77     $ 28.66     $ 27.67  
    Tangible book value (1)   $ 24.63     $ 24.51     $ 23.68  
    Performance ratios                        
    Return on average assets, annualized     0.24 %     0.44 %     0.81 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity, annualized     1.81 %     3.41 %     6.30 %
    Return on average tangible common equity, annualized (1)     2.12 %     3.98 %     7.37 %
    Noninterest income to average assets, annualized     0.24 %     0.27 %     0.34 %
    Noninterest expense to average assets, annualized     1.90 %     1.76 %     1.72 %
    Yield on average earning assets     5.76 %     5.79 %     5.92 %
    Yield on average loans     6.01 %     6.03 %     6.07 %
    Cost of average total deposits (2)     3.13 %     3.35 %     3.59 %
    Cost of average interest-bearing deposits     3.77 %     4.06 %     4.32 %
    Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities     3.73 %     3.94 %     4.19 %
    Net interest spread     2.03 %     1.85 %     1.73 %
    Net interest margin     2.88 %     2.76 %     2.69 %
    Efficiency ratio (3)     65.09 %     61.48 %     60.07 %
    Common stock dividend payout ratio     123.08 %     64.00 %     37.21 %
                             
    (1 ) Non-GAAP measure. See Non–GAAP reconciliations set forth at the end of this press release.
    (2 ) Total deposits include non-interest bearing deposits and interest-bearing deposits.
    (3 ) Ratio calculated by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income before provision for credit losses and noninterest income.
    RBB BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
    SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
        At or for the quarter ended  
        March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
        2025     2024     2024  
    Credit Quality Data:                        
    Special mention loans   $ 64,279     $ 65,329     $ 20,580  
    Special mention loans to total loans     2.05 %     2.14 %     0.68 %
    Substandard loans HFI   $ 76,372     $ 89,141     $ 57,170  
    Substandard loans HFS   $ —     $ 11,195     $ —  
    Substandard loans HFI to total loans HFI     2.43 %     2.92 %     1.89 %
    Loans 30-89 days past due, excluding nonperforming loans   $ 5,927     $ 22,086     $ 20,950  
    Loans 30-89 days past due, excluding nonperforming loans, to total loans     0.19 %     0.72 %     0.69 %
    Nonperforming loans HFI   $ 60,380     $ 69,843     $ 35,935  
    Nonperforming loans HFS   $ —     $ 11,195     $ —  
    OREO   $ 4,170     $ —     $ 1,071  
    Nonperforming assets   $ 64,550     $ 81,038     $ 37,006  
    Nonperforming loans HFI to total loans HFI     1.92 %     2.29 %     1.19 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     1.61 %     2.03 %     0.95 %
                             
    Allowance for loan losses   $ 51,932     $ 47,729     $ 41,688  
    Allowance for loan losses to total loans HFI     1.65 %     1.56 %     1.38 %
    Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans HFI     86.01 %     68.34 %     116.01 %
    Net charge-offs   $ 2,643     $ 2,006     $ 184  
    Net charge-offs to average loans     0.35 %     0.26 %     0.02 %
                             
    Capital ratios (1)                        
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (2)     11.10 %     11.08 %     11.56 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     12.07 %     11.92 %     12.16 %
    Tier 1 common capital to risk-weighted assets     17.87 %     17.94 %     19.10 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets     18.45 %     18.52 %     19.72 %
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets     24.41 %     24.49 %     25.91 %
    (1 ) March 31, 2025 capital ratios are preliminary.
    (2 ) Non-GAAP measure. See Non-GAAP reconciliations set forth at the end of this press release.
    RBB BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
    SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
    (Unaudited)
     
    Loan Portfolio Detail   As of March 31, 2025   As of December 31, 2024     As of March 31, 2024  
    (dollars in thousands)   $   %   $     %     $     %  
    Loans:                                          
    Commercial and industrial   $ 135,538   4.3 %   $ 129,585       4.2 %   $ 121,441       4.0 %
    SBA     50,651   1.6 %     47,263       1.5 %     54,677       1.8 %
    Construction and land development     158,883   5.1 %     173,290       5.7 %     198,070       6.5 %
    Commercial real estate (1)     1,245,402   39.6 %     1,201,420       39.3 %     1,178,498       38.9 %
    Single-family residential mortgages     1,545,822   49.2 %     1,494,022       48.9 %     1,463,497       48.4 %
    Other loans     6,767   0.2 %     7,650       0.4 %     11,178       0.4 %
    Total loans (2)   $ 3,143,063   100.0 %   $ 3,053,230       100.0 %   $ 3,027,361       100.0 %
    Allowance for loan losses     (51,932 )       (47,729 )             (41,688 )        
    Total loans, net   $ 3,091,131       $ 3,005,501             $ 2,985,673          
    (1 ) Includes non-farm and non-residential loans, multi-family residential loans and non-owner occupied single family residential loans.
    (2 ) Net of discounts and deferred fees and costs of $808, $488, and $474 as of March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively.
    Deposits   As of March 31, 2025   As of December 31, 2024     As of March 31, 2024  
    (dollars in thousands)   $   %   $     %     $     %  
    Deposits:                                          
    Noninterest-bearing demand   $ 528,205   16.8 %   $ 563,012       18.3 %   $ 539,517       17.8 %
    Savings, NOW and money market accounts     721,216   22.9 %     663,034       21.5 %     642,840       21.2 %
    Time deposits, $250,000 and under     863,962   27.5 %     882,438       28.6 %     901,738       29.8 %
    Time deposits, greater than $250,000     870,708   27.8 %     827,854       26.8 %     746,611       24.7 %
    Wholesale deposits (1)     158,537   5.0 %     147,451       4.8 %     197,623       6.5 %
    Total deposits   $ 3,142,628   100.0 %   $ 3,083,789       100.0 %   $ 3,028,329       100.0 %
    (1 ) Includes brokered deposits, collateralized deposits from the State of California, and deposits acquired through internet listing services.

    Non-GAAP Reconciliations

    Tangible Book Value Reconciliations

    Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP disclosure. Management measures tangible book value per share to assess the Company’s capital strength and business performance and believes this is helpful to investors as additional tools for further understanding our performance. The following is a reconciliation of tangible book value to the Company shareholders’ equity computed in accordance with GAAP, as well as a calculation of tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024.

                           
    (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)   March 31, 2025     December 31, 2024     March 31, 2024  
    Tangible common equity:                        
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 510,306     $ 507,877     $ 513,986  
    Adjustments                        
    Goodwill     (71,498 )     (71,498 )     (71,498 )
    Core deposit intangible     (1,839 )     (2,011 )     (2,594 )
    Tangible common equity   $ 436,969     $ 434,368     $ 439,894  
    Tangible assets:                        
    Total assets-GAAP   $ 4,009,400     $ 3,992,477     $ 3,878,006  
    Adjustments                        
    Goodwill     (71,498 )     (71,498 )     (71,498 )
    Core deposit intangible     (1,839 )     (2,011 )     (2,594 )
    Tangible assets   $ 3,936,063     $ 3,918,968     $ 3,803,914  
    Common shares outstanding     17,738,628       17,720,416       18,578,132  
    Common equity to assets ratio     12.73 %     12.72 %     13.25 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio     11.10 %     11.08 %     11.56 %
    Book value per share   $ 28.77     $ 28.66     $ 27.67  
    Tangible book value per share   $ 24.63     $ 24.51     $ 23.68  

    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

    Management measures return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”) to assess the Company’s capital strength and business performance and believes this is helpful to investors as an additional tool for further understanding our performance. Tangible equity excludes goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights) and is reviewed by banking and financial institution regulators when assessing a financial institution’s capital adequacy. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. The following table reconciles ROATCE to its most comparable GAAP measure:

        Three Months Ended  
    (dollars in thousands)   March 31, 2025     December 31, 2024     March 31, 2024  
    Net income available to common shareholders   $ 2,290     $ 4,385     $ 8,036  
    Average shareholders’ equity     512,262       512,208       512,787  
    Adjustments:                        
    Average goodwill     (71,498 )     (71,498 )     (71,498 )
    Average core deposit intangible     (1,951 )     (2,129 )     (2,726 )
    Adjusted average tangible common equity   $ 438,813     $ 438,581     $ 438,563  
    Return on average common equity, annualized     1.81 %     3.41 %     6.30 %
    Return on average tangible common equity, annualized     2.12 %     3.98 %     7.37 %

    The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Financial Institutions, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WARSAW, N.Y., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI) (the “Company,” “we” or “us”), parent company of Five Star Bank (the “Bank”) and Courier Capital, LLC (“Courier Capital”), today reported financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    The Company reported net income of $16.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to a net loss of $82.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and net income of $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2024. After preferred dividends, net income available to common shareholders was $16.5 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025, compared to net loss of $83.2 million, or $(5.07) per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2024, and net income of $1.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2024. The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.9 million in the current quarter, compared to a provision of $6.5 million in the linked quarter and a benefit of $5.5 million in the prior year quarter.

    First Quarter 2025 Key Results:

    • Net interest margin and net interest income expanded meaningfully in the first quarter of 2025, primarily reflecting the impact of the investment portfolio restructuring that was executed at the end of 2024. Net interest margin of 3.35% for first quarter of 2025 was up 44 and 57 basis points from the linked and year-ago quarters, respectively, while net interest income of $46.9 million for first quarter of 2025 increased $5.2 million, or 12.6%, and $6.8 million, or 16.9%, from the linked and year-ago quarters, respectively.
    • Noninterest income was $10.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to noninterest loss of $91.0 million in the linked quarter, which reflected the previously disclosed investment securities loss, and noninterest income of $10.9 million in the year-ago quarter, when the Company’s results included income from its former insurance subsidiary. First quarter 2025 noninterest income benefited from higher income from company owned life insurance (“COLI”) as a result of a surrender and redeploy strategy initiated in January 2025, in addition to higher swap fees and investment advisory income relative to comparable prior periods.
    • Noninterest expense in the first quarter of 2025 totaled $33.7 million, compared to noninterest expense including non-operating items in the linked and year-ago quarters of $59.4 million and $54.0 million, respectively.
    • Total loans were $4.55 billion at March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of $74.1 million, or 1.7%, during the quarter, and an increase of $111.2 million, or 2.5%, from one year prior, driven by both commercial business and commercial mortgage lending.
    • Total deposits were $5.37 billion at March 31, 2025, up $268.2 million, or 5.3%, from December 31, 2024, driven by seasonal public deposit inflows as well as an increase in brokered deposits, and down $23.8 million, or 0.4%, from one year prior, due in part to lower reciprocal deposits and the previously announced wind-down of the Company’s Banking-as-a-Service, or BaaS, offering.
    • The Company reported improved credit quality metrics, as measured by quarterly net charge-offs to average loans of 0.21% for the first quarter of 2025, down from both the linked and year-ago quarters.
    • In February, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 3.3% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.31 per common share, a reflection of both its ongoing commitment to building shareholder value and its confidence in the Company’s long-term sustainable growth strategy.

    “Our first quarter results were highlighted by improved earnings and profitability metrics, and reflected the full benefit of the strategic investment securities restructuring we undertook in December, as well as our team’s ability to meet the banking, credit and investment advisory needs of our customers amid a challenging environment,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Martin K. Birmingham. “Our focus on performance resulted in a more than 12% increase in net interest income from the linked quarter, as well as a 44-basis-point expansion of net interest margin, an efficiency ratio below 60% and solid return on average assets of 1.10% and return on average equity of 11.82%.

    “Our pipelines carried momentum with credit-disciplined lending heading into 2025 and supported a 1.7% quarterly increase in total loans, with stable-to-improved credit metrics for the first quarter. Amid the uncertain economic landscape, coupled with our current pipelines and discussions with customers, we believe that loan growth will be concentrated in the first half of the year.”

    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer W. Jack Plants II added, “Our successful fourth quarter public equity offering not only allowed us to restructure our investment securities portfolio to drive stronger earnings potential, evident in our first quarter results, but also provided additional dry powder that we have sought to thoughtfully deploy. To that end, earlier this month we called $10 million of fixed-to-floating sub-debt that was issued in April 2015. We also took steps to enhance noninterest revenue by restructuring a portion of our COLI portfolio into a higher-yielding credit fund, which contributed to higher COLI income in the first quarter. We continue to remain confident that our stronger capital position and improved earnings outlook position us well to drive sustainable and profitable growth, as we seek to support our customers amid a challenging operating environment and prudently manage expenses.”

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income was $46.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $5.2 million from the fourth quarter of 2024, and an increase of $6.8 million from the first quarter of 2024.

    Average interest-earning assets for the current quarter were $5.65 billion, reflecting decreases of $64.5 million from the fourth quarter of 2024 and $153.6 million from the first quarter of 2024. The linked quarter decrease was due to a $74.2 million decrease in the average balance of investment securities and a $49.8 million decrease in the average balance of Federal Reserve interest-earning cash, partially offset by a $59.5 million increase in average loans. The year-over-year decrease in average interest-earning assets was due to a $97.3 million decrease in the average balance of investment securities and an $86.3 million decrease in the average balance of Federal Reserve interest-earning cash, partially offset by a $30.0 million increase in average loans.

    Average interest-bearing liabilities for the current quarter were $4.51 billion, reflecting an increase of $31.1 million from the linked quarter and a decrease of $108.0 million from the year-ago quarter. The increase from the fourth quarter of 2024 was primarily due to a $38.7 million increase in average short-term borrowings and a $19.9 million increase in average time deposits, partially offset by a $15.6 million decrease in average savings and money market deposits and a $12.0 million decrease in average interest-bearing demand deposits. The year-over-year decrease was due to a $105.3 million decrease in average savings and money market deposits, along with an $84.2 million decrease in average borrowings and a $4.3 million decrease in average interest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by a $85.9 million increase in average time deposits. The outflow of BaaS-related deposits following the Company’s September 2024 announcement that it would wind-down its BaaS platform by mid-2025 was the primary driver of the reduction in average savings and money market deposits from the linked and year-ago periods.

    Net interest margin was 3.35% in the current quarter as compared to 2.91% in the fourth quarter of 2024, and 2.78% in the first quarter of 2024. Expansion from both the linked and prior year quarters was primarily due to an increase in the average yield on investment securities, following the previously disclosed restructuring of the available-for-sale portfolio, which supported an increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets. Margin expansion was also supported by lower cost of interest-bearing liabilities, driven by the repricing across public, non-public and reciprocal deposits.

    Noninterest Income (Loss)

    The Company reported noninterest income of $10.4 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to noninterest loss of $91.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, and noninterest income of $10.9 million in the first quarter of 2024.

    • A net loss on investment securities of $100.1 million was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024 related to the previously disclosed securities portfolio restructuring.
    • Noninterest income no longer includes contributions from the Company’s insurance agency, which generated first quarter 2024 insurance income of $2.1 million prior to its sale on April 1, 2024.
    • Investment advisory income of $2.7 million was $182 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2024 and up $155 thousand from the first quarter of 2024.
    • Income from COLI of $2.8 million was $1.4 million higher than the fourth quarter of 2024 and $1.5 million higher than the first quarter of 2024, due to the previously mentioned surrender and redeploy strategy initiated in January 2025.
    • Income from investments in limited partnerships of $415 thousand was $422 thousand lower than the fourth quarter of 2024 and $73 thousand higher than the first quarter of 2024. The Company has made several investments in limited partnerships, primarily small business investment companies, and accounts for these investments under the equity method. Income from these investments fluctuates based on the maturity and performance of the underlying investments.
    • Income from derivative instruments, net was $250 thousand in the current quarter, compared to a loss of $37 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2024, and income of $174 thousand in the first quarter of 2024. Income from derivative instruments, net is based on the number and value of interest rate swap transactions executed during the quarter combined with the impact of changes in the fair value of borrower-facing trades.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense was $33.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $59.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, and $54.0 million in the first quarter of 2024.

    • Salaries and employee benefits expense of $16.9 million was $261 thousand lower than the fourth quarter of 2024 and $442 thousand lower than the first quarter of 2024. The decrease from the linked quarter was primarily due to a $1.3 million nonrecurring settlement accounting adjustment in the Company’s pension plan recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024, while the year-over-year decrease was primarily due to the timing of the insurance subsidiary asset sale.
    • Professional services expenses of $1.7 million were $120 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2024 and $681 thousand lower than the first quarter of 2024, with the year-over-year variance primarily attributable to legal expenses incurred in the first quarter of 2024 related to the Company’s previously disclosed deposit-related fraud event.
    • Computer and data processing expense of $5.5 million was $1.1 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2024 and $101 thousand higher than the first quarter of 2024. The linked quarter variance was primarily due to nonrecurring project related expenses incurred in the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • As previously disclosed, the Company recorded a $23.0 million provision for litigation settlement in its fourth quarter 2024 financial results related to a long-standing auto lending litigation.
    • The Company recorded deposit-related recoveries of $294 thousand, primarily driven by insurance proceeds related to a past commercial deposit charged-off item, compared to charged-off items of $354 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $19.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, the majority of which related to the Company’s previously disclosed deposit-related fraud event.
    • Other expense of $3.8 million was down $484 thousand from the linked quarter, due in part to the timing of both New York State capital base tax and charitable contributions impacting the fourth quarter of 2024, while year-over-year other expense was relatively flat.

    Income Taxes

    Income tax expense was $3.7 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to a benefit of $32.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, reflective of the net loss reported in that period, and expense of $356 thousand in the first quarter of 2024. The Company also recognized federal and state tax benefits related to tax credit investments placed in service and/or amortized during the first quarter of 2025, fourth quarter of 2024, and first quarter of 2024, resulting in income tax expense reductions of $1.1 million, $1.2 million, and $785 thousand, respectively.

    The effective tax rate was 18.2% for the first quarter of 2025, -28.2% for the fourth quarter of 2024, and 18.7% for the first quarter of 2024. The effective tax rate fluctuates on a quarterly basis primarily due to the level of pre-tax (loss) earnings and may differ from statutory rates because of interest income from tax-exempt securities, earnings on COLI and the impact of tax credit investments.

    Balance Sheet and Capital Management

    Total assets were $6.34 billion at March 31, 2025, up $223.4 million from December 31, 2024, and up $41.9 million from March 31, 2024.

    Investment securities were $1.04 billion at March 31, 2025, up $13.0 million from December 31, 2024, and down $27.4 million from March 31, 2024.

    Total loans were $4.55 billion at March 31, 2025, an increase of $74.1 million, or 1.7%, from December 31, 2024, and an increase of $111.2 million, or 2.5%, from March 31, 2024.

    • Commercial business loans totaled $709.1 million, up $43.8 million, or 6.6%, from December 31, 2024, and up $1.5 million, or 0.2%, from March 31, 2024.
    • Commercial mortgage loans totaled $2.23 billion, up $28.7 million, or 1.3%, from December 31, 2024, and up $183.2 million, or 9.0%, from March 31, 2024.
    • Residential real estate loans totaled $644.0 million, down $6.2 million, or 1.0%, from December 31, 2024, and down $4.2 million, or 0.6%, from March 31, 2024.
    • Consumer indirect loans totaled $853.2 million, up $7.4 million, or 0.9%, from December 31, 2024, and down $67.3 million, or 7.3%, from March 31, 2024.

    Total deposits were $5.37 billion at March 31, 2025, up $268.2 million, or 5.3%, from December 31, 2024, and down $23.8 million, or 0.4%, from March 31, 2024. The increase from December 31, 2024 was primarily due to seasonally higher public deposit balances in addition to an increase in brokered deposits between period ends. The decrease from March 31, 2024 was driven in part by reductions in BaaS-related and reciprocal deposits. Public deposit balances represented 23% of total deposits at March 31, 2025, 20% at December 31, 2024, and 22% at March 31, 2024.

    Short-term borrowings were $55.0 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $99.0 million at December 31, 2024, and $133.0 million at March 31, 2024. Short-term borrowings and brokered deposits have historically been utilized to manage the seasonality of public deposits.

    Shareholders’ equity was $589.9 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $569.0 million at December 31, 2024, and $445.7 million at March 31, 2024. Both the linked quarter and year-over-year period end increases were primarily driven by additional paid-in-capital resulting from the common stock capital raise executed in the fourth quarter of 2024 and decreases in accumulated other comprehensive loss between period ends following the investment securities restructuring.

    Common book value per share was $28.48 at March 31, 2025, an increase of $1.00, or 3.6%, from $27.48 at December 31, 2024, and an increase of $0.74, or 2.7%, from $27.74 at March 31, 2024. Tangible common book value per share(1) was $25.46 at March 31, 2025, an increase of $1.01, or 4.1%, from $24.45 at December 31, 2024, and an increase of $2.40, or 10.4%, from $23.06 at March 31, 2024. The common equity to assets ratio was 9.03% at March 31, 2025, compared to 9.02% at December 31, 2024, and 6.80% at March 31, 2024. Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1), or the TCE ratio, was 8.15%, 8.11% and 5.72% at March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively. The year-over-year increases in both ratios were attributable to the additional capital raised in the fourth quarter and the decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company declared a common stock dividend of $0.31 per common share, an increase of $0.01, or 3.3%, over the linked and year-ago quarters. The dividend returned more than 37% of first quarter net income to common shareholders.

    The Company’s regulatory capital ratios at March 31, 2025 continued to exceed all regulatory capital requirements to be considered well capitalized.

    • Leverage Ratio was 9.24% compared to 9.15% and 8.03% at December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively.
    • Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 10.38% compared to 10.54% and 9.43% at December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively.
    • Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 10.71% compared to 10.87% and 9.76% at December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively.
    • Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 13.09% compared to 13.25% and 12.04% at December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively.

    In April 2025, the Company called $10.0 million of its $40.0 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debt that was originally issued in April 2015. These notes initially bore interest at a fixed rate of 6.00% and were scheduled to reprice at a rate equal to the then-current three-month term SOFR plus 4.20561% after the April 2025 call date. The Company’s subordinated debt is now comprised of $30.0 million of April 2015 notes, as well as the separate $35.0 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes that were issued in October 2020, which currently bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.375%, and are set to reprice at a rate of the then-current three-month term SOFR plus 4.265% beginning in October 2025. The April 2015 notes are callable on a quarterly basis going forward and the October 2020 notes become callable beginning in October 2025. The Company will continue to evaluate options relative to the subordinated debt which may include redemption in part or in full, as well as replacing or refinancing the facilities.

    Credit Quality

    Non-performing loans were $40.0 million, or 0.88% of total loans, at March 31, 2025, as compared to $41.4 million, or 0.92% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, and $26.7 million, or 0.60% of total loans, at March 31, 2024. The increase in non-performing loans from March 31, 2024 was primarily driven by one commercial loan relationship that was placed on nonaccrual during the third quarter of 2024. Net charge-offs were $2.4 million, representing 0.21% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the current quarter, as compared to $2.8 million, or an annualized 0.25% of average loans, in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $3.1 million, or an annualized 0.28%, in the first quarter of 2024.

    At March 31, 2025, the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans ratio was 1.08%, compared to 1.07% at December 31, 2024 and 0.97% at March 31, 2024.

    Provision for credit losses was $2.9 million in the current quarter, compared to a provision of $6.5 million in the linked quarter and a benefit of $5.5 million in the prior year quarter. Provision for credit losses on loans was $3.3 million in the current quarter, compared to a provision of $6.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, and a benefit of $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2024. The allowance for unfunded commitments, also included in provision for credit losses as required by the current expected credit loss standard (“CECL”), totaled a provision of $364 thousand in the first quarter of 2025, a provision of $321 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2024, and a credit of $570 thousand in the first quarter of 2024. The provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2025 was driven by a combination of factors, including the impact of loan growth and an increase in specific reserves, partially offset by modest improvement in forecasted losses and qualitative factors, primarily reflecting a reduction in consumer indirect delinquencies. Specific reserves increased by $932,000 for the first quarter, primarily driven by a $1.3 million specific reserve related to the Bank’s participation in a non-owner occupied commercial mortgage loan, which it moved to nonaccrual in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    The Company has remained strategically focused on the importance of credit discipline, allocating resources to credit and risk management functions as the loan portfolio has grown. The ratio of allowance for credit losses on loans to non-performing loans was 122% at March 31, 2025, 116% at December 31, 2024, and 161% at March 31, 2024, with the year-over-year decrease reflective of the higher level of nonperforming loans reported at March 31, 2025.

    Subsequent Events

    The Company is required, under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), to evaluate subsequent events through the filing of its consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, on Form 10-Q. As a result, the Company will continue to evaluate the impact of any subsequent events on critical accounting assumptions and estimates made as of March 31, 2025, and will adjust amounts preliminarily reported, if necessary.

    Conference Call

    The Company will host an earnings conference call and audio webcast on April 29, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be hosted by Martin K. Birmingham, President and Chief Executive Officer, and W. Jack Plants II, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The live webcast will be available in listen-only mode on the Company’s website at www.FISI-investors.com. Within the United States, listeners may also access the call by dialing 1-833-470-1428 and providing the access code 737945. The webcast replay will be available on the Company’s website for at least 30 days.

    About Financial Institutions, Inc.

    Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI) is a financial holding company with approximately $6.3 billion in assets offering banking and wealth management products and services. Its Five Star Bank subsidiary provides consumer and commercial banking and lending services to individuals, municipalities and businesses through banking locations spanning Western and Central New York and a commercial loan production office serving the Mid-Atlantic region. Courier Capital, LLC offers customized investment management, consulting and retirement plan services to individuals, businesses, institutions, foundations and retirement plans. Learn more at Five-StarBank.com and FISI-Investors.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Information

    In addition to results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures is included in Appendix A to this document.

    The Company believes that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, performance trends and financial position. Our management uses these measures for internal planning and forecasting purposes and we believe that our presentation and discussion, together with the accompanying reconciliations, allows investors, security analysts and other interested parties to view our performance and the factors and trends affecting our business in a manner similar to management. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP measures, and we strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company. Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not uniformly applied and are not audited. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve significant risks and uncertainties. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “focus,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “preliminary,” “should,” “target” or “will.” Statements herein are based on certain assumptions and analyses by the Company and factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: additional information regarding the deposit fraudulent activity; changes in interest rates; inflation; tariffs; changes in deposit flows and the cost and availability of funds; the Company’s ability to implement its strategic plan, including by expanding its commercial lending footprint and integrating its acquisitions; whether the Company experiences greater credit losses than expected; whether the Company experiences breaches of its, or third party, information systems; the attitudes and preferences of the Company’s customers; legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters, including any action described in our reports filed with the SEC, could adversely affect us and the banking industry in general; the competitive environment; fluctuations in the fair value of securities in its investment portfolio; changes in the regulatory environment and the Company’s compliance with regulatory requirements; and general economic and credit market conditions nationally and regionally; and the macroeconomic volatility related to global political unrest. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and the cautionary language and risk factors included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the SEC. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this press release.

    (1) See Appendix A — Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the computation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

    For additional information contact:
    Kate Croft
    Director of Investor and External Relations
    (716) 817-5159
    klcroft@five-starbank.com


    FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.

    Selected Financial Information (Unaudited)
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

        2025     2024  
    SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA:   March 31,     December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 167,352     $ 87,321     $ 249,569     $ 146,347     $ 237,038  
    Investment securities:                              
    Available for sale     926,992       911,105       886,816       871,635       923,761  
    Held-to-maturity, net     113,105       116,001       121,279       128,271       143,714  
    Total investment securities     1,040,097       1,027,106       1,008,095       999,906       1,067,475  
    Loans held for sale     387       2,280       2,495       2,099       504  
    Loans:                              
    Commercial business     709,101       665,321       654,519       713,947       707,564  
    Commercial mortgage–construction     566,359       582,619       533,506       518,013       528,694  
    Commercial mortgage–multifamily     475,867       470,954       467,527       463,171       453,027  
    Commercial mortgage–non-owner occupied     899,679       857,987       814,392       814,953       798,637  
    Commercial mortgage–owner occupied     286,391       288,036       290,216       289,733       264,698  
    Residential real estate loans     643,983       650,206       648,241       647,675       648,160  
    Residential real estate lines     74,769       75,552       76,203       75,510       75,668  
    Consumer indirect     853,176       845,772       874,651       894,596       920,428  
    Other consumer     43,953       42,757       43,734       43,870       45,170  
    Total loans     4,553,278       4,479,204       4,402,989       4,461,468       4,442,046  
    Allowance for credit losses – loans     48,964       48,041       44,678       43,952       43,075  
    Total loans, net     4,504,314       4,431,163       4,358,311       4,417,516       4,398,971  
    Total interest-earning assets     5,733,743       5,602,570       5,666,972       5,709,148       5,857,616  
    Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     60,651       60,758       60,867       60,979       72,287  
    Total assets     6,340,492       6,117,085       6,156,317       6,131,772       6,298,598  
    Deposits:                              
    Noninterest-bearing demand     945,182       950,351       978,660       939,346       972,801  
    Interest-bearing demand     773,475       705,195       793,996       711,580       798,831  
    Savings and money market     2,033,323       1,904,013       2,027,181       2,007,256       2,064,539  
    Time deposits     1,620,930       1,545,172       1,506,764       1,475,139       1,560,586  
    Total deposits     5,372,910       5,104,731       5,306,601       5,133,321       5,396,757  
    Short-term borrowings     55,000       99,000       55,000       202,000       133,000  
    Long-term borrowings, net     124,917       124,842       124,765       124,687       124,610  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     4,607,645       4,405,912       4,507,706       4,520,662       4,681,566  
    Shareholders’ equity     589,928       568,984       500,342       467,667       445,734  
    Common shareholders’ equity     572,643       551,699       483,050       450,375       428,442  
    Tangible common equity (1)     511,992       490,941       422,183       389,396       356,155  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   $ (41,995 )   $ (52,604 )   $ (102,029 )   $ (125,774 )   $ (126,264 )
                                   
    Common shares outstanding     20,110       20,077       15,474       15,472       15,447  
    Treasury shares     590       623       625       627       653  
    CAPITAL RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA:                              
    Leverage ratio     9.24 %     9.15 %     8.98 %     8.61 %     8.03 %
    Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio     10.38 %     10.54 %     10.28 %     10.03 %     9.43 %
    Tier 1 capital ratio     10.71 %     10.87 %     10.62 %     10.36 %     9.76 %
    Total risk-based capital ratio     13.09 %     13.25 %     12.95 %     12.65 %     12.04 %
    Common equity to assets     9.03 %     9.02 %     7.85 %     7.34 %     6.80 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)     8.15 %     8.11 %     6.93 %     6.41 %     5.72 %
                                   
    Common book value per share   $ 28.48     $ 27.48     $ 31.22     $ 29.11     $ 27.74  
    Tangible common book value per share (1)   $ 25.46     $ 24.45     $ 27.28     $ 25.17     $ 23.06  

    1. See Appendix A — Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the computation of this non-GAAP financial measure.


    FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.

    Selected Financial Information (Unaudited)
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

        2025     2024  
        First     Fourth     Third     Second     First  
    SELECTED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:   Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
    Interest income   $ 81,051     $ 78,119     $ 77,911     $ 78,788     $ 78,413  
    Interest expense     34,187       36,486       37,230       37,595       38,331  
    Net interest income     46,864       41,633       40,681       41,193       40,082  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses     2,928       6,461       3,104       2,041       (5,456 )
    Net interest income after provision (benefit) for credit losses     43,936       35,172       37,577       39,152       45,538  
    Noninterest income:                              
    Service charges on deposits     1,052       1,074       1,103       979       1,077  
    Insurance income     3       3       3       4       2,134  
    Card interchange income     1,840       2,045       1,900       2,008       1,902  
    Investment advisory     2,737       2,555       2,797       2,779       2,582  
    Company owned life insurance     2,777       1,425       1,404       1,360       1,298  
    Investments in limited partnerships     415       837       400       803       342  
    Loan servicing     123       295       88       158       175  
    Income (loss) from derivative instruments, net     250       (37 )     212       377       174  
    Net gain on sale of loans held for sale     117       186       220       124       88  
    Net loss on investment securities     –       (100,055 )     –       –       –  
    Net (loss) gain on other assets     –       (19 )     138       13,508       (13 )
    Net (loss) gain on tax credit investments     (514 )     (636 )     (170 )     406       (375 )
    Other     1,573       1,291       1,345       1,508       1,517  
    Total noninterest income (loss)     10,373       (91,036 )     9,440       24,014       10,901  
    Noninterest expense:                              
    Salaries and employee benefits     16,898       17,159       15,879       15,748       17,340  
    Occupancy and equipment     3,590       3,791       3,370       3,448       3,752  
    Professional services     1,691       1,571       1,965       1,794       2,372  
    Computer and data processing     5,487       6,608       5,353       5,342       5,386  
    Supplies and postage     578       504       519       437       475  
    FDIC assessments     1,467       1,551       1,092       1,346       1,295  
    Advertising and promotions     342       465       371       440       297  
    Amortization of intangibles     107       109       112       114       217  
    Provision for litigation settlement     –       23,022       –       –       –  
    Deposit-related charged-off items (recoveries) expense     (294 )     354       410       398       19,179  
    Restructuring charges     68       35       –       –       –  
    Other     3,751       4,235       3,398       3,953       3,700  
    Total noninterest expense     33,685       59,404       32,469       33,020       54,013  
    Income (loss) before income taxes     20,624       (115,268 )     14,548       30,146       2,426  
    Income tax expense (benefit)     3,746       (32,457 )     1,082       4,517       356  
    Net income (loss)     16,878       (82,811 )     13,466       25,629       2,070  
    Preferred stock dividends     365       365       365       364       365  
    Net income (loss) available to common shareholders   $ 16,513     $ (83,176 )   $ 13,101     $ 25,265     $ 1,705  
    FINANCIAL RATIOS:                              
    Earnings (loss) per share – basic   $ 0.82     $ (5.07 )   $ 0.85     $ 1.64     $ 0.11  
    Earnings (loss) per share – diluted   $ 0.81     $ (5.07 )   $ 0.84     $ 1.62     $ 0.11  
    Cash dividends declared on common stock   $ 0.31     $ 0.30     $ 0.30     $ 0.30     $ 0.30  
    Common dividend payout ratio     37.80 %     -5.92 %     35.29 %     18.29 %     272.73 %
    Dividend yield (annualized)     5.05 %     4.37 %     4.69 %     6.25 %     6.41 %
    Return on average assets (annualized)     1.10 %     -5.38 %     0.89 %     1.68 %     0.13 %
    Return on average equity (annualized)     11.82 %     -63.70 %     11.08 %     22.93 %     1.83 %
    Return on average common equity (annualized)     11.92 %     -66.19 %     11.18 %     23.51 %     1.57 %
    Return on average tangible common equity (annualized) (1)     13.36 %     -75.36 %     12.87 %     27.51 %     1.88 %
    Efficiency ratio (2)     58.79 %     117.13 %     64.70 %     50.58 %     105.77 %
    Effective tax rate     18.2 %     -28.2 %     7.4 %     15.0 %     18.7 %

    1. See Appendix A – Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the computation of this non-GAAP financial measure.
    2. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by net revenue, i.e., the sum of net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) and noninterest income before net gains on investment securities. This is a banking industry measure not required by GAAP.


    FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.

    Selected Financial Information (Unaudited)
    (Amounts in thousands)

        2025     2024  
        First     Fourth     Third     Second     First  
    SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES:   Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
    Federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits   $ 71,767     $ 121,530     $ 49,476     $ 134,123     $ 158,075  
    Investment securities(1)     1,085,649       1,159,863       1,147,052       1,194,808       1,182,993  
    Loans:                              
    Commercial business     677,700       658,038       673,830       704,272       722,720  
    Commercial mortgage–construction     562,724       558,200       513,768       495,177       470,115  
    Commercial mortgage–multifamily     475,262       458,691       467,801       466,501       468,028  
    Commercial mortgage–non-owner occupied     879,387       843,034       826,275       837,209       843,526  
    Commercial mortgage–owner occupied     286,526       288,502       285,061       260,495       248,172  
    Residential real estate loans     647,005       649,549       647,844       648,099       648,921  
    Residential real estate lines     74,709       76,164       75,671       75,575       76,396  
    Consumer indirect     848,282       858,854       881,133       905,056       934,380  
    Other consumer     42,230       43,333       43,789       44,552       51,535  
    Total loans     4,493,825       4,434,365       4,415,172       4,436,936       4,463,793  
    Total interest-earning assets     5,651,241       5,715,758       5,611,700       5,765,867       5,804,861  
    Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     60,717       60,824       60,936       62,893       72,409  
    Total assets     6,220,187       6,121,449       6,018,390       6,153,429       6,225,760  
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
    Interest-bearing demand     745,210       757,221       691,412       741,006       749,512  
    Savings and money market     1,976,483       1,992,059       1,938,935       2,036,772       2,081,815  
    Time deposits     1,564,987       1,545,071       1,515,745       1,505,665       1,479,133  
    Short-term borrowings     95,223       56,513       129,130       140,110       179,747  
    Long-term borrowings, net     124,871       124,795       124,717       124,640       124,562  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     4,506,774       4,475,659       4,399,939       4,548,193       4,614,769  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     926,696       947,428       952,970       950,819       962,522  
    Total deposits     5,213,376       5,241,779       5,099,062       5,234,262       5,272,982  
    Total liabilities     5,640,981       5,604,249       5,535,112       5,703,929       5,770,725  
    Shareholders’ equity     579,206       517,200       483,278       449,500       455,035  
    Common equity     561,921       499,910       465,986       432,208       437,743  
    Tangible common equity(2)     501,204       439,086       405,050       369,315       365,334  
    Common shares outstanding:                              
    Basic     20,073       16,415       15,464       15,444       15,403  
    Diluted     20,285       16,415       15,636       15,556       15,543  
    SELECTED AVERAGE YIELDS:
    (Tax equivalent basis)
                                 
    Investment securities     4.25 %     2.38 %     2.14 %     2.17 %     2.09 %
    Loans     6.20 %     6.28 %     6.42 %     6.40 %     6.33 %
    Total interest-earning assets     5.80 %     5.45 %     5.53 %     5.50 %     5.43 %
    Interest-bearing demand     1.15 %     1.34 %     1.05 %     1.18 %     1.11 %
    Savings and money market     2.75 %     2.94 %     3.07 %     3.01 %     3.08 %
    Time deposits     4.31 %     4.53 %     4.72 %     4.72 %     4.68 %
    Short-term borrowings     2.09 %     0.15 %     2.64 %     2.75 %     3.42 %
    Long-term borrowings, net     5.00 %     5.03 %     5.03 %     5.02 %     5.02 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     3.07 %     3.24 %     3.37 %     3.32 %     3.34 %
    Net interest rate spread     2.73 %     2.21 %     2.16 %     2.18 %     2.09 %
    Net interest margin     3.35 %     2.91 %     2.89 %     2.87 %     2.78 %

    1. Includes investment securities at adjusted amortized cost.
    2. See Appendix A – Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the computation of this non-GAAP financial measure.
    3. The interest on tax-exempt securities is calculated on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a Federal income tax rate of 21%.


    FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.

    Selected Financial Information (Unaudited)
    (Amounts in thousands)

        2025     2024  
        First     Fourth     Third     Second     First  
    ASSET QUALITY DATA:   Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
    Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans                              
    Beginning balance   $ 48,041     $ 44,678     $ 43,952     $ 43,075     $ 51,082  
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries):                              
    Commercial business     57       131       (3 )     7       (37 )
    Commercial mortgage–construction     –       –       –       –       –  
    Commercial mortgage–multifamily     –       –       13       –       –  
    Commercial mortgage–non-owner occupied     (1 )     (5 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )
    Commercial mortgage–owner occupied     (1 )     (1 )     (2 )     (2 )     –  
    Residential real estate loans     41       (4 )     (1 )     96       4  
    Residential real estate lines     –       –       –       –       –  
    Consumer indirect     2,149       2,557       1,553       844       2,973  
    Other consumer     124       100       106       178       182  
    Total net charge-offs (recoveries)     2,369       2,778       1,665       1,122       3,121  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses – loans     3,292       6,141       2,391       1,999       (4,886 )
    Ending balance   $ 48,964     $ 48,041     $ 44,678     $ 43,952     $ 43,075  
                                   
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (annualized):                              
    Commercial business     0.03 %     0.80 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     -0.02 %
    Commercial mortgage–construction     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
    Commercial mortgage–multifamily     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.01 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
    Commercial mortgage–non-owner occupied     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
    Commercial mortgage–owner occupied     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
    Residential real estate loans     0.03 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.06 %     0.00 %
    Residential real estate lines     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
    Consumer indirect     1.03 %     1.18 %     0.70 %     0.38 %     1.28 %
    Other consumer     1.19 %     0.91 %     0.95 %     1.62 %     1.41 %
    Total loans     0.21 %     0.25 %     0.15 %     0.10 %     0.28 %
                                   
    Supplemental information(1)                              
    Non-performing loans:                              
    Commercial business   $ 5,672     $ 5,609     $ 5,752     $ 5,680     $ 5,956  
    Commercial mortgage–construction     19,684       20,280       20,280       4,970       5,320  
    Commercial mortgage–multifamily     –       –       71       183       185  
    Commercial mortgage–non-owner occupied     4,766       4,773       4,903       4,919       4,929  
    Commercial mortgage–owner occupied     349       354       366       380       392  
    Residential real estate loans     6,035       6,918       5,790       5,961       6,797  
    Residential real estate lines     316       253       232       183       235  
    Consumer indirect     2,917       3,157       3,291       2,897       2,880  
    Other consumer     279       62       57       36       36  
    Total non-performing loans     40,018       41,406       40,742       25,209       26,730  
    Foreclosed assets     196       60       109       63       140  
    Total non-performing assets   $ 40,214     $ 41,466     $ 40,851     $ 25,272     $ 26,870  
                                   
    Total non-performing loans to total loans     0.88 %     0.92 %     0.93 %     0.57 %     0.60 %
    Total non-performing assets to total assets     0.63 %     0.68 %     0.66 %     0.41 %     0.43 %
    Allowance for credit losses – loans to total loans     1.08 %     1.07 %     1.01 %     0.99 %     0.97 %
    Allowance for credit losses – loans to non-performing loans     122 %     116 %     110 %     174 %     161 %

    1. At period end.


    FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.

    Appendix A — Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

        2025     2024  
        First     Fourth     Third     Second     First  
        Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
    Ending tangible assets:                              
    Total assets   $ 6,340,492     $ 6,117,085     $ 6,156,317     $ 6,131,772     $ 6,298,598  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     60,651       60,758       60,867       60,979       72,287  
    Tangible assets   $ 6,279,841     $ 6,056,327     $ 6,095,450     $ 6,070,793     $ 6,226,311  
                                   
    Ending tangible common equity:                              
    Common shareholders’ equity   $ 572,643     $ 551,699     $ 483,050     $ 450,375     $ 428,442  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     60,651       60,758       60,867       60,979       72,287  
    Tangible common equity   $ 511,992     $ 490,941     $ 422,183     $ 389,396     $ 356,155  
                                   
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)     8.15 %     8.11 %     6.93 %     6.41 %     5.72 %
                                   
    Common shares outstanding     20,110       20,077       15,474       15,472       15,447  
    Tangible common book value per share (2)   $ 25.46     $ 24.45     $ 27.28     $ 25.17     $ 23.06  
                                   
    Average tangible assets:                              
    Average assets   $ 6,220,187     $ 6,121,449     $ 6,018,390     $ 6,153,429     $ 6,225,760  
    Less: Average goodwill and other intangible assets, net     60,717       60,824       60,936       62,893       72,409  
    Average tangible assets   $ 6,159,470     $ 6,060,625     $ 5,957,454     $ 6,090,536     $ 6,153,351  
                                   
    Average tangible common equity:                              
    Average common equity   $ 561,921     $ 499,910     $ 465,986     $ 432,208     $ 437,743  
    Less: Average goodwill and other intangible assets, net     60,717       60,824       60,936       62,893       72,409  
    Average tangible common equity   $ 501,204     $ 439,086     $ 405,050     $ 369,315     $ 365,334  
                                   
    Net income (loss) available to common shareholders   $ 16,513     $ (83,176 )   $ 13,101     $ 25,265     $ 1,705  
    Return on average tangible common equity (3)     13.36 %     -75.36 %     12.87 %     27.51 %     1.88 %

    1. Tangible common equity divided by tangible assets.
    2. Tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding.
    3. Net income available to common shareholders (annualized) divided by average tangible common equity.

    The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Juggling dynamite? At 100 days in office, Donald Trump is no Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ronald W. Pruessen, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Toronto

    Watching United States President Donald Trump weave and chainsaw his way through the first 100 days of his second term in office, I’ve been reminded of what Anthony Eden, the United Kingdom’s foreign secretary in the 1930s and later its prime minister, once said about Franklin D. Roosevelt.

    FDR, Eden recalled in his memoirs, was “too like a conjurer, skilfully juggling balls of dynamite, whose nature he failed to understand.”

    The image fits the 47th president much better than the 32nd.

    The dynamite-wielding Trump

    Dynamite has certainly been exploding regularly since Trump took office in January. His actions include:

    • The firings (and sometimes re-hirings) of thousands of government employees.
    • The attack on government agencies doing work delegated by Congress.
    • Pardons for Jan. 6 rioters but deportations of asylum seekers and green card holders with no semblance of due process.
    • Campaigns against universities for their supposed dereliction in terms of antisemitism or extravagance in adhering to diversity, equity and inclusion principles, and towards law firms linked to earlier prosecutions of the now-resurrected president.
    • Cannonades of tariffs, tariff pauses and threats of re-imposition.



    Read more:
    How Project 2025 became the blueprint for Donald Trump’s second term


    For non-MAGA enthusiasts, it is easy to surmise — similar to Eden’s remarks on FDR — that Trump does not understand the potential damage of the dynamite he is not just juggling, but hurling.

    A case might be made that some lobs align with Trump’s personal penchant for retribution, or that the chainsaw is being wielded to make room in the federal budget for new tax cuts for the one per cent.

    But such calculations disregard deeply rooted American values like respect for the rule of law and the separation of powers.

    Trump’s actions could suggest a lust for mayhem apparently aimed at dismantling a century of efforts to shape a government that serves global security while also meeting the economic, social and health care needs of American citizens, including safety net provisions for senior citizens, children, farmers, veterans and others.

    Threats today, damage tomorrow

    His apparent fondness for dynamite is already having negative consequences, with seemingly little grasp of the likelihood of worse to come: today, he’s upending the lives of civil servants; tomorrow’s disruptions will likely include an attack on the services provided by agencies like the Social Security Administration and disruption of the flow of funds to many poor school districts.

    Today, the U.S. is struggling with a measles outbreak. But the personal beliefs of Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a notorious vaccination and public health skeptic, doesn’t bode well for a fight against a rapidly evolving avian flu threat on the near horizon.

    Today’s stock and bond market volatility creates the possibility of a trade war catastrophe and damage to economic stability as the U.S. appears poised to disregard its longtime status as the world economy’s “safe haven.”

    The current tensions in what were once ironclad partnerships with allies that include Canada, the European Union and Ukraine — along with the whiplash reversal of American-Russian dynamics — are reminiscent of the global disruption in the 1930s that featured the Great Depression and the eruption of the Second World War.

    How FDR coped with explosions around him

    If Eden’s image of FDR as a dangerous juggler of dynamite might also apply to Trump, it fails to capture the essential attributes of the 32nd president’s White House career. Eden’s ego seems to have undercut his appraisal of FDR — compounded by his own failure to understand the historical developments that profoundly weakened the British Empire and brought his own career to an end.

    There’s no question dynamite was exploding in 1933, the start of FDR’s 12 years in the White House. But the Depression and its evolving consequences, not FDR’s personal impulses and misconceptions, created a tinderbox decade.

    One of Roosevelt’s great strengths, in fact, was his ability to recognize the acute dangers emanating from a fearful cortege of flaming fuses. Another was his success in turning insights into meaningful actions.

    Roosevelt knew — far better than his predecessor, Herbert Hoover — that the onset of the Depression would require dramatic actions and fundamental reforms.

    His New Deal expanded the government’s role in stimulating the economy (for example, the Public Works Administration), regulation (the Securities Exchange Commission), social welfare initiatives (the Social Security program) and infrastructure development (for example, the Tennessee Valley Authority).

    The Depression wasn’t fully eradicated — that didn’t happen until after war broke out — but the lives of millions of Americans still improved significantly.

    Of equal importance, FDR’s creative thinking and government transformations created building blocks for further post-war reforms, including Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society efforts three decades later.




    Read more:
    The Great Society: the forgotten reform movement


    Roosevelt also knew that the devastation of the Depression and the unparalleled destruction of the Second World War required a transformation of the global arena. He believed technology — air power especially — had created an integrated world. In his January 1943 State of the Union address, he said:

    “Wars grow in size, in death and destruction, and in the inevitability of engulfing all nations, in inverse ratio to the shrinking size of the world as a result of the conquest of the air.”

    Sharing responsibilities

    FDR believed the world he worked to create would be safer and more prosperous because multilateral organizations would encourage greater emphasis on shared resources and responsibilities. The United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank took shape during FDR’s presidency — as did long-term plans for decolonization and human rights initiatives.

    Roosevelt knew too — better than many of his White House successors — that the U.S. needed to share leadership responsibilities. He believed emphatically in multilateralism, recognizing the limits of American resources and power, and the pragmatism of compromising with the priorities of others, whether they were powerful states or colonial peoples.

    His “Four Policemen” approach to maintaining peace — comprising the U.S., the U.K., the Soviet Union and China — would sometimes create unpalatable situations. He was criticized harshly, for example, for naively opening the door to Soviet domination of eastern Europe via the Yalta agreement. Nonetheless, FDR focused on efforts he believed would avert another destructive cataclysm.

    FDR was an imperfect leader in various ways — in not appreciating, for example, how global leadership could result in arrogance. He did, however, understand the explosive domestic and international developments of the 20th century and sought constructive solutions to grave challenges.

    Trump, on the contrary, is seemingly prioritizing destruction over construction. Propelled by a “move fast and break things” mantra, there’s little evidence that he understands its pain nor the damaging consequences of his impulses.

    Ronald W. Pruessen has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Juggling dynamite? At 100 days in office, Donald Trump is no Franklin D. Roosevelt – https://theconversation.com/juggling-dynamite-at-100-days-in-office-donald-trump-is-no-franklin-d-roosevelt-254773

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank signs $3.2 billion Exposure Exchange with Inter-American Development Bank

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, April 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has signed a $3.2 billion Exposure Exchange Agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), renewing a prior agreement originally executed between the two institutions in 2015. The agreement was signed in Washington DC, on the sidelines of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring meetings.

    This is the fourth exposure exchange undertaken by the African Development Bank with other Multilateral Development Banks, in the continuous pursuit of innovative ways of strengthening the capital adequacy and efficiency of Multilateral Development Banks, as well as boost their development lending capacity.

    Since 2015, the African Development Bank has used these agreements to diversify lending within its sovereign portfolio and deploy capital effectively while preserving a resilient financial base. The tool ensures the African Development Bank remains agile, well-capitalized, and committed to innovation in support of development in Africa.

    Today’s transaction follows previous successful agreements between the African Development Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Asian Development Bank. 

    The African Development Bank President Dr Akinwumi Adesina said, “This transaction underpins the African Development Bank’s forward-looking approach to capital and risk management.”

    “We are pleased to continue our positive longstanding collaboration with Inter-American Development Bank in structuring and executing innovative financial solutions to align with the G20’s call for Multilateral Development Banks to work together as a system in expanding development impact to our member countries,” said Adesina. 

    Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn pointed to the success of the first agreement signed with the African Development Bank ten years ago. He said, “This new agreement marks yet another milestone in our strong and fruitful collaboration with the African Development Bank. Thanks to this operation we’re strengthening the financial resilience, creditworthiness, and financing capacity of both of our institutions. A win-win for all, that will benefit the people of Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa”.

    Adesina added that Multilateral Development Banks should do more of such transactions because of their proven success and impact. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank launches US$3 Billion Revolving Intra-African Oil Import Financing Programme

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAIRO, Egypt, April 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    To address Africa’s persistent reliance on imported refined petroleum products, which accounted for an amount of US$30billion annually in petroleum import costs due to inadequate refining, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has launched a US$3 Billion Revolving Intra-African Oil Trade Financing Programme to finance the purchase of refined petroleum products by African and Caribbean oil buyers.

    As a revolving facility, we expect it to finance about US$10 billion to US$14 billion of Intra-African petroleum imports. This programme seeks to leverage the growing refining capacity that Afreximbank has helped establish across the continent, while aligning with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which includes facilitating intra-African trade, promoting industrialisation, and creating jobs on the continent.

    By deploying innovative trade finance and supply chain solutions tailored to key stakeholders’ needs in terms of tenure, price format and logistics requirements, this initiative supports Afreximbank’s strategic goals of advancing energy security, strengthening regional value chains, and fostering economic resilience within the continent and the Caribbean.

    Afreximbank is the largest financier of the Dangote refinery which commenced operations in January 2024 and is also supporting the financing of the 200,000 bpd Lobito Refinery development, building on the progress made on the 60,000 bpd Cabinda Refinery, which it also supported. In addition, the Bank has financed the refurbishment of the 210,000 bpd Port Harcourt Refinery, and recently approved financing in support of the development of Bua Refinery and Azikel Refinery, all in Nigeria. Through these investments, and the continual trade finance support for Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR), Cote d’Ivoire, Afreximbank is on its way to creating over 1.3 million bpd refining capacity and helping to convert the Gulf of Guinea from an exporter of crude oil into an important refining hub for the continent and the world.

    Key products to be traded under the programme are refined petroleum products including but not limited to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Jet Fuel, and Kerosene. The eligible exporters are refineries operating in Africa.

    The US$3 billion Revolving Intra-African Oil Import Financing Programme is intended to mainly provide critical trade finance to oil traders (both African and international), banks, and Governments – represented by their Ministry of Finance or Ministry of Petroleum Resources/Energy – and state-owned enterprises mandated to import refined petroleum products, who seek to source refined products from African Refineries for onward consumption within the continent and export opportunities as may be applicable. Afreximbank, affiliated trading entity ATDC Minerals (ATMIN) will also participate actively in the trading and financing activities of the leading African oil trading companies with long term relationship with Afreximbank who are also expected to support this effort.

    An approved applicant will be able to request utilization under the Global Limit within allocated sub-limits upon KYC clearance and satisfactory completion of conditions precedent as follows:

    • Issuance/Confirmation of Letters of Credit or any acceptable trade instrument with refineries in Africa as beneficiaries
    • Discounting of Letters of Credit or any acceptable trade instrument to the benefit of refineries in Africa
    • Prepayment and direct advances to eligible refineries in Africa

    Commenting on the launch, Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank, said that the programme “would galvanise efforts towards making the Gulf of Guinea a key refining hub. Whilst the programme will have a direct impact on the volume of the refined petroleum products produced and consumed in Africa, it will also have a multiplier effect on the downstream petroleum value chain as it will catalyse critical investments in shipping and marine logistics for intra and extra African trade of crude oil and refined products. The multiplier effect will also be seen in marine cargo insurance and other ancillary businesses within the sector. We want to see an increased proportion of the about 4 mbpd of crude oil produced in the Gulf of Guinea refined in Africa.”

    Also commenting on the initiative, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, said:

    “This programme is a clear demonstration of Africa’s resolve to take charge of its own energy future. We commend Afreximbank for this timely intervention, which stands to benefit African countries like Malawi by reducing import dependency, strengthening regional supply chains, and keeping more value within the continent. Most importantly, it will deliver real impact to our citizens by ensuring more stable and affordable access to refined petroleum products, which are essential to Malawians’ daily life and economic productivity.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank announces specialized African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) training to empower African businesses

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAIRO, Egypt, April 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    To enable African businesses to fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has announced a specialized training program designed to equip enterprises with a deep understanding of the agreement’s commercial implications and transformative potential.

    Scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 30 to July 2, 2025, the training program is designed to provide businesses with practical policy-relevant insights into the AfCFTA’s evolving regulatory and institutional landscape. It will help participants interpret key treaty instruments, ensuring compliance with new trade rules while enhancing their knowledge of regional integration and operational mechanisms. Additionally, the program will serve as a crucial platform for guiding both prospective and existing exporters on new trade developments, equipping them with the tools to navigate tariff and non-tariff barriers across the continent.

    Conceived and implemented by Afreximbank in collaboration with the American University in Cairo (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the training is expected to attract a diverse range of participants, including African corporates engaged in import and export activities, Trade Support Institutions such as Trade Promotion Organizations and Chambers of Commerce, Investment Promotion Agencies, Export Trading Companies, Financial Institutions, and the broader foreign trade community.

    Participants will also benefit from tailored presentations on key Afreximbank products and initiatives that support the AfCFTA’s implementation, including the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), and various trade finance solutions.

    Addressing critical knowledge gaps to unlock AfCFTA’s potential

    Reflecting on the significance of the program, Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist & Managing Director of Research at Afreximbank, emphasized that while the AfCFTA holds immense potential for Africa’s economic growth, its success hinges on the ability of businesses to fully understand and operationalize its provisions. However, limited understanding of its technical and operational aspects has prevented many businesses from fully leveraging its benefits.

    “The AfCFTA is not just a policy framework—it is a catalyst for a structural shift in Africa’s economic landscape,” said Dr. Kale. “However, many African businesses are still grappling with limited awareness of the agreement’s technical provisions, trade protocols, and strategic benefits. This knowledge deficit has constrained their ability to compete effectively, expand their market reach, and optimize value chains across the continent.”

    He further explained that without a solid grasp of the AfCFTA’s tariff schedules, rules of origin, customs cooperation, and dispute resolution mechanisms, even the most competitive enterprises risk missing out on critical growth opportunities.

    “This training is about more than compliance; it is about empowerment. It equips participants not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to develop export strategies, diversify markets, and improve competitiveness.”

    Tsotetsi Makong, Director Coordination and Programmes at the AfCFTA Secretariat, reinforced this point, stating:

    “This training program will help African businesses seeking export opportunities overcome key challenges, including understanding African markets in depth, navigating market rules and compliance requirements, and optimizing cross-border product transportation. To fully harness the AfCFTA’s potential, it is essential to address these barriers and build the capacity of African companies to transition from local production for domestic consumption to a model that supports exports across the continent and beyond.”

    He further highlighted Afreximbank’s commitment to the AfCFTA’s full implementation, stressing that by developing the necessary competencies and industrial capacity, all African nations can maximize the benefits of a single market. He called on both public and private sector stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the agreement’s operationalization to drive sustainable economic growth.

    Afreximbank’s role in advancing the AfCFTA

    As a key partner to the African Union in the implementation of the AfCFTA, Afreximbank has spearheaded multiple initiatives that enhance intra- and extra-African trade and investment. Leveraging the expertise of its Trade Intelligence Solutions Unit and Human Resources and Learning Department, the Bank serves as the anchor institution for the AfCFTA Training Program, ensuring that African businesses are well-equipped to thrive in the new trade environment. The upcoming training is the second edition and will also mark a milestone as one of the first major events hosted at the recently launched Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja. Purposely designed as a strategic hub for trade facilitation, investment promotion, and business collaboration, the AATC features state-of-the-art conference facilities, premium hospitality services, and a dynamic environment conducive to learning and networking .

    By equipping African businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the AfCFTA, Afreximbank continues to play a pivotal role in unlocking Africa’s vast trade potential and driving economic transformation across the continent.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: CrpoBase Secures US MSB License, Emerges as Fully Registered Global Compliance Digital Asset Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CrpoBase has obtained the Money Services Business (MSB) license issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, officially completing its compliance registration in the United States. This milestone signifies CrpoBase as one of the very few global cryptocurrency trading platforms with both U.S. domestic registration and licensing, further showcasing its compliance strength and regulatory transparency in the global digital asset industry.

    Compliance has become the core competitive advantage for the platform, with CrpoBase continuously deepening its global regulatory layout.

    CEO Michael Garrett of CrpoBase stated in a media interview, “We have not only established a physical entity in the United States but also chosen the ‘U.S. regulatory structure’ as the cornerstone of the exchange’s governance. This is to provide global users and institutional clients with clearer and more reliable legal and financial security.”

    As of now, CrpoBase Exchange has established comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance processes, strictly adhering to the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) 40 recommendations for combating money laundering. Through multi-layer verification mechanisms in registration, trading, withdrawals, custody, and other aspects, user data protection and risk screening are conducted to ensure that user assets are monitorable, auditable, and traceable throughout the entire process.

    Endorsed by the MSB license, CrpoBase attracts global capital and institutional trust.

    The U.S. MSB license, as one of the most authoritative financial regulatory qualifications globally, imposes strict requirements on platform asset security capabilities, risk control capabilities, anti-money laundering mechanisms, customer protection mechanisms, among others. The successful approval of CrpoBase indicates that its technical architecture, financial transparency, and compliance operations have met international financial institution standards.

    According to industry experts’ analysis, against the backdrop of tightening global compliance and stricter reviews, CrpoBase’s acquisition of the MSB qualification is equivalent to obtaining a “passport to the global institutional capital market.” This will not only help the platform expand its high-net-worth and institutional client base in more European and American regions but also lay a solid foundation for future applications for licenses in Singapore (PSA), the EU (MiCA), Japan (FSA), and other countries.

    CrpoBase Exchange: Establishing the cornerstone of compliant, secure, and international digital asset trading

    As one of the leading global digital asset platforms, CrpoBase Exchange has consistently adhered to the core development philosophy of “compliance driving growth, security empowering the ecosystem.” Based in the United States, the platform offers diverse services including spot trading, stablecoin exchanges, DeFi aggregation gateways, institutional custody, and more. It currently serves over 15 million users globally across North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other core markets.

    Looking ahead, CrpoBase will continue to expand its global compliance footprint, foster deep cooperation with international regulators, sovereign funds, major brokerage firms, and traditional financial institutions, striving to become the most trusted “compliant financial foundation” in the global Web3 infrastructure.

    Media contact 

    Contact: Sandra C. Collins 
    Company Name: CrpoBase LTD
    Website: https://trade.crpobasex.com
    Email: Sandra(at)crpobasex.com

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

    The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hardin County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>FRANKFORT, Ky. –A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Hardin County to offer in-person support to Kentucky survivors who experienced loss as the result of the April severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides. The new Disaster Recovery Center in Hardin County is located at:
     
    Kentucky State Police Post #4, 954 Cameron Ponder Drive, Elizabethtown, KY 42701 
    Working hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Saturday and 1 – 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Sunday.
    FEMA representatives can explain available assistance programs, how to apply to FEMA, and help connect survivors with resources for their recovery needs. Representatives from the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance, the Kentucky Department of Insurance and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be available at the recovery centers to assist survivors.
    Click here to find centers that are already open in Kentucky. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed. 
    To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. 
    FEMA is encouraging Kentuckians affected by the April storms to apply for federal disaster assistance as soon as possible. 
    If you are unable to visit a center, there are other ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for mobile devices or call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
    When you apply, you will need to provide:

    A current phone number where you can be contacted.
    Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
    Your Social Security Number.
    A general list of damage and losses.
    Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
    If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

    Apply Separately for Each Disaster

    When two or more disasters are declared in the same state, FEMA ensures survivors receive all eligible assistance while preventing a duplication of federal benefits. Disaster survivors affected by multiple disasters should apply with FEMA separately for each individual disaster. 
    When applying for FEMA assistance, be sure to specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number.

    DR-4860-KY for the severe storms, straight-line winds, landslides and mudslides that occurred from Feb14 – March 7. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Woodford counties may be eligible. The deadline to apply under DR-4860-KY is May 25.
    DR-4864-KY for the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred on April 2 and continuing. Homeowners and renters in the Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, McCracken, Mercer, Owen and Woodford counties may be eligible. Survivors have 60 days from the date of the presidential major disaster declaration to apply for individual assistance under DR-4864-KY. 

    Homeowners and renters in Woodford County may be eligible for federal assistance under DR-4860-KY or/and DR-4864-KY. If you had property damage or loss in Woodford County from the February severe incident, and then again from the April severe incident, you will need to complete two separate disaster assistance applications.
    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4860 and www.fema.gov/disaster/4864. Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x.com/femaregion4.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hopkins County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>FRANKFORT, Ky. –A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Hopkins County to offer in-person support to Kentucky survivors who experienced loss as the result of the April severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides. The new Disaster Recovery Center in Hopkins County is located at:
     
    Hopkins County Fairground, 605 E. Arch St., Madisonville, KY 42431 
    Working hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Saturday and 1 – 7 p.m. Central Time, Sunday.
    FEMA representatives can explain available assistance programs, how to apply to FEMA, and help connect survivors with resources for their recovery needs. Representatives from the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance, the Kentucky Department of Insurance and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be available at the recovery centers to assist survivors.
    Click here to find centers that are already open in Kentucky. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed. 
    To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. 
    FEMA is encouraging Kentuckians affected by the April storms to apply for federal disaster assistance as soon as possible. 
    If you are unable to visit a center, there are other ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for mobile devices or call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
    When you apply, you will need to provide:

    A current phone number where you can be contacted.
    Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
    Your Social Security Number.
    A general list of damage and losses.
    Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
    If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

    Apply Separately for Each Disaster

    When two or more disasters are declared in the same state, FEMA ensures survivors receive all eligible assistance while preventing a duplication of federal benefits. Disaster survivors affected by multiple disasters should apply with FEMA separately for each individual disaster. 
    When applying for FEMA assistance, be sure to specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number.

    DR-4860-KY for the severe storms, straight-line winds, landslides and mudslides that occurred from Feb14 – March 7. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Woodford counties may be eligible. The deadline to apply under DR-4860-KY is May 25.
    DR-4864-KY for the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred on April 2 and continuing. Homeowners and renters in the Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, McCracken, Mercer, Owen and Woodford counties may be eligible. Survivors have 60 days from the date of the presidential major disaster declaration to apply for individual assistance under DR-4864-KY. 

    Homeowners and renters in Woodford County may be eligible for federal assistance under DR-4860-KY or/and DR-4864-KY. If you had property damage or loss in Woodford County from the February severe incident, and then again from the April severe incident, you will need to complete two separate disaster assistance applications.
    For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4860 and www.fema.gov/disaster/4864. Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x.com/femaregion4.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Luis de Guindos: Presentation of the ECB Annual Report 2024 to the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament

    Source: European Central Bank

    Introductory remarks by Luis de Guindos, Vice-President of the ECB, at the ECON Committee of the European Parliament

    Brussels, 28 April 2025

    It is a pleasure to present the ECB’s Annual Report for 2024 to this esteemed Committee. Concurrently, we are also publishing our response to the European Parliament’s resolution on our previous Annual Report. These elements – our Annual Report, today’s discussion and our response to your resolution – are central to the ECB’s accountability to the European Parliament and highlight the open dialogue between our institutions.

    In my remarks today, I will discuss the economic and financial stability landscape and consider the challenges that lie ahead. I will share the ECB’s assessment and underline the need to invest in measures to enhance Europe’s resilience amid a volatile external environment and an uncertain outlook.

    Economic developments and monetary policy

    As highlighted in the Annual Report, economic activity in the euro area began to recover gradually in 2024. Incoming data suggest modest growth in the first quarter of 2025. However, risks have intensified amid exceptional uncertainty, largely related to trade. Euro area exporters are now facing new barriers, and tensions in financial markets and geopolitical uncertainty will likely weigh on business investment. In this environment, consumers may become cautious about the future and hold back spending.

    In the medium term, a resilient labour market, higher real incomes and the impact of our monetary policy easing should support spending. Moreover, recent policy initiatives focused on defence spending and infrastructure investment at both national and EU levels are expected to positively affect activity and strengthen long-term growth.

    Turning to inflation, headline figures fell further towards the ECB’s 2% target in 2024, supported by our then restrictive monetary policy. Looking ahead, inflation is expected to hover around our target. However, global trade disruptions are adding uncertainty to the inflation outlook. Declining energy prices, further wage moderation and a stronger euro could dampen inflation, potentially amplified by weaker demand for euro area exports and a re-routing of other countries’ exports into the euro area. Conversely, a fragmentation of global supply chains could raise import prices and hence inflation.

    Following a period of holding interest rates steady in early 2024, the ECB started reducing its key interest rates in June. So far, we have lowered the rate on the deposit facility by 175 basis points to 2.25%, in view of the disinflation process being well on track. We are determined to ensure that inflation stabilises sustainably at our 2% medium-term target. Especially given current uncertainty, we will continue to follow a data-dependent and meeting-by-meeting approach to setting the appropriate monetary policy stance, and we are not pre-committing to a particular rate path.

    Maintaining financial stability

    Let me also say a few words on financial stability in the light of recent developments.

    The recent trade policy upheaval has triggered the most significant financial market turmoil since the pandemic. While euro area banks’ valuations have also been affected, their fundamentals remain robust and they are well positioned to withstand potential shocks thanks to their sizeable capital and liquidity buffers.

    But despite the resilience of our financial sector, these developments warrant careful monitoring. Sharp adjustments in financial markets could become disorderly, particularly if they are amplified by the growing size and influence of non-bank financial institutions. In addition, trade conflicts could pose challenges for both households and corporates, translating into rising credit risk for banks and non-banks alike. Finally, a combination of weaker growth and heightened spending needs could increase pressures on government finances.

    To ensure our banking system remains resilient in this environment, we need a regulatory framework that is fit for purpose. Decisive action is required to move us closer to completing the banking union. This includes an effective crisis management and deposit insurance framework that extends to small and medium-sized banks, and progress on a European deposit insurance scheme. The recent financial market turmoil also highlights that non-banks must be subject to robust rules, and that gaps in the regulatory framework need to be closed so they are not treated differently to regular banks.

    The ECB supports efforts to simplify the regulatory framework. However, this should not be confused with deregulation. The resilience of our financial system can largely be attributed to the rules established since the global financial crisis. Financial stability is a global public good – it is in everybody’s interest and must remain the long-term goal.

    Europe’s future policy priorities

    A strong and resilient financial sector will also play a crucial role – alongside the public sector – in financing Europe’s key policy priorities as we confront a series of generational challenges.

    The defence investments foreseen in the EU will have an impact on national public finances. By spending jointly through EU-level initiatives, we can achieve greater scale, reduce costs and strengthen our strategic autonomy – all while supporting long-term growth and fiscal sustainability.

    In addition to the pressing security challenges, investing in the green transition and digital innovation remains vital to boosting Europe’s competitiveness and closing the productivity gap with our global peers.

    Finally, the evolving global landscape underscores the need to strengthen trade within the EU’s Single Market, as emphasised by the European Commission.[1] A more integrated and deeper Single Market is essential if we are to achieve the scale required for European firms to thrive and expand, thereby enhancing our resilience against external shocks. We also need to ensure that innovative firms can access the financing they need in order to grow. In this context, completing the savings and investment union is both urgent and essential.

    Conclusion

    Faced with a complex and uncertain landscape, the ECB remains firmly committed to its primary mandate of maintaining price stability. This is the most important contribution we can make towards fostering a strong and prosperous Europe.

    I know that both our institutions are united by our commitment to serve the people of Europe, within our respective mandates. Our dialogue today is testament to this.

    I now look forward to your questions.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Borrowers of loans in Swiss francs – E-000367/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Directive 93/13/EEC[1] requires Member States to ensure that consumers are not bound by unfair contract terms. I t applies to all contracts on the purchase of goods and services[2] including financial services .

    Under Directive 93 /13/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union , i t is for Greek authorities and courts to assess, based on the circumstances of each case, whether Greek banks comply with their obligations regarding the fairness and transparency of contract terms such as those exposing the borrower to a foreign exchange risk[3], and draw conclusions in each case .

    In particular, contracts continue to be binding without the unfair terms[4] unless this is impossible under national law. The practical consequences of the invalidity of a mortgage loan contract on account of unfair terms are also governed by national law, provided that it allows to restore the situation which the consumer would have been in without the contract[5].

    Finally, remedies enabling consumers to rely on the unfairness of contract terms must be available under conditions which do not hamper the obtention of the protection sought, including through interim measures[6].

    The Commission does not have powers to intervene in individual consumer disputes, to review decisions of national authorities and courts or to order the suspension of property auctioning.

    Regarding Directive 2014/17/EU[7], it introduced specific rules to protect consumers where the credit is dominated in a foreign currency (e.g. explanations for the implications to consumers, right to convert the credit agreement into an alternative currency).

    The directive only applies to mortgage credit contracts concluded as from March 2016, not offering protection for contracts prior to this date.

    • [1] Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts, OJ L 95, 21.4.1993, p. 29-34.
    • [2] See Section 5 of Commission Notice — Guidance on the interpretation and application of Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts, OJ C 323, 27.9.2019, p. 4-92, COM(2019) 5325 final. However, pursuant to Article 1(2) of Directive 93/13/EEC, the directive does not apply to contract terms that reflect national mandatory statutory provisions, which are applicable independently of the parties’ choice or which are supplementary and apply in the absence of other arrangements between the parties; see for example the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 21 December 2021 in Case C-243 /20 Trapeza Peiraios AE.
    • [3] See for example the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 10 June 2021 in Joined Cases C-776/19 to C-782/19 BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA.
    • [4] Article 6(1) of Directive 93/13/EEC.
    • [5] See for example the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 15 June 2023 in Case C-520/21 Bank M.
    • [6] See for example the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 10 September 2014 in Case C-34/13 Kušionová.
    • [7] Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property and amending Directives 2008/48/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 Text with EEA relevance, OJ L 60, 28.2.2014, p. 34-85.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Risk weights in Italian healthcare bodies – E-000877/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Ensuring the level playing both inside the single market and vis-à-vis third countries is one of the core tasks of Commission. The approach contained in Article 116 of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (Capital Requirements Regulation)[1] is in line with this objective, by granting the same prudential treatment to banks exposures that present equivalent risks.

    To achieve this objective, the Commission cannot disregard the competences — recognised by the Treaties — of Member States in setting-up and delivering their national health systems. These differ significantly in terms of governance and funding arrangements and, accordingly, credit risk profile.

    Given their knowledge of their domestic healthcare bodies and other public sector entities (PSE), national competent authorities are better suited to assess the risks which each PSE poses. As such, they are tasked by the Capital Requirements Regulation with assessing whether exposures to PSEs can be considered as bearing the same risks of exposures to the central government, regional government, or local authority of their respective Member States.

    As noted in the answer to Written Question E-002729/2024[2] from the Honourable Member, the merits of this approach have been confirmed recently by co-legislators when endorsing Regulation (EU) 2024/1623[3], which — to increase transparency of the single-market — tasks the European Banking Authority to establish and update a publicly accessible database of PSEs within the EU which are treated as the central, regional or local government of the Member State in which they are established for the purposes of prudential capital requirements.

    • [1] OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1-337.
    • [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-002729-ASW_EN.html
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2024/1623 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 as regards requirements for credit risk, credit valuation adjustment risk, operational risk, market risk and the output floor, OJ L, 2024/1623, 19.6.2024.
    Last updated: 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IEPFA Signs MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank to Enhance Investor Education through Digital outreach

    Source: Government of India

    IEPFA Signs MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank to Enhance Investor Education through Digital outreach

    MoU strengthens Strategic Partnership to step up Investor Awareness 

    Posted On: 28 APR 2025 8:25PM by PIB Delhi

     In a significant move to enhance investor education and protection, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL), one of India’s premier financial institutions. This strategic partnership aims to amplify the dissemination of critical investor awareness messages through Kotak Mahindra Bank’s extensive physical and digital network across the country.

    The collaboration will see IEPFA’s curated investor education content being prominently featured on Kotak Mahindra Bank’s ATMs, kiosks, websites, mobile apps and social media platforms. Digital banners, short films, and educational videos produced by IEPFA will be showcased to raise awareness on responsible investing, financial fraud prevention, and the protection of investor’s rights.

    This initiative is designed to be rolled out during the current financial year 2025-2026, with no financial obligation on IEPFA. The partnership leverages Kotak Mahindra Bank’s widespread domestic presence of 2000+ branches and 3000+ ATMs, ensuring impactful outreach to diverse segments of the population.

    Under the leadership of Smt. Anita Shah Akella, CEO of the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, IEPFA continues to drive innovative collaborations for financial empowerment. Smt. Samiksha Lamba, Deputy General Manager, IEPFA, and Mr. Vishal Agarwal, Senior Vice President and Head at Kotak Mahindra Bank, exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing trust in our financial ecosystem.

    Since its inception, the IEPFA has conducted several Investor Awareness Programmes aimed at increasing financial literacy and empowering investors to protect themselves from financial fraud.

    About IEPFA

    The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority, established under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, safeguards investor interests by promoting financial literacy and protecting investor rights.

    About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

    Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, one of India’s premier financial institutions, serves millions of customers through its extensive network of over 2,000 branches and 3,000 ATMs, offering innovative banking and financial solutions.

    *****

     NB/AD

     

    (Release ID: 2124989) Visitor Counter : 57

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Auction for Sale (re-issue) of (i) ‘6.64% Government Security 2027’ and (ii) ‘New Government Security 2035’

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 28 APR 2025 6:34PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government of India (GoI) has announced the sale (issue/ re-issue) of (i) “6.64% Government Security 2027” for a notified amount of ₹6,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction using multiple price method and (ii) “New Government Security 2035” for a notified amount of ₹30,000 crore (nominal) through yield based auction using multiple price method. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to ₹2,000 crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on May 02, 2025 (Friday).

    Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.

    Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber system) on May 02, 2025. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

    The result of the auctions will be announced on May 02, 2025 (Friday) and payment by successful bidders will be on May 05, 2025 (Monday).    

    The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2124932) Visitor Counter : 8

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Schumer, Sanders Statement on Reported Attorneys General Investigations into MOHELA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    April 28, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.); and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement after reports of new investigations by multiple state attorneys general and regulators into student loan mismanagement by MOHELA, one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers:

    “MOHELA’s mismanagement of Americans’ student loans has resulted in a series of abuses for hundreds of thousands of borrowers. We’ve previously urged state Attorneys General to investigate MOHELA and pursue action to the fullest extent possible under the law, and reports of these new investigations are an important step toward making right by our nation’s student loan borrowers — especially as the Trump Administration abandons and penalizes them. Americans deserve better than MOHELA’s failures.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa of the Palestinian Authority: 28 April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa of the Palestinian Authority: 28 April 2025

    The Prime Minister met with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa this afternoon in Downing Street.

    The Prime Minister met with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa this afternoon in Downing Street.

    The Prime Minister began by expressing his sincere condolences for the appalling loss of life in Gaza. He said that the UK does not support the resumption in hostilities, which are in nobody’s interests. He added that the UK will continue to press for a return to the ceasefire as a first step to a lasting peace, and reiterated that the return of humanitarian aid into Gaza is critical. 

    He also said that we must not lose sight of the situation in the West Bank, where unlawful settlement and violence is of deep concern.

    Discussing the Arab Plan for Gaza, the Prime Minister shared the UK’s support for the Palestinian Authority’s reform programme, which he said is critical. The leaders agreed that a strategic political framework will be necessary as part of the implementation of a two-state solution, and that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s governance. 

    They both agreed that the UK would continue to work closely with the Palestinian Authority and regional partners to find a constructive way forward, and deliver lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Landsbankinn hf.: S&P upgrades Landsbankinn’s credit rating to A-

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    S&P Global Ratings has today announced an upgrade of Landsbankinn’s long-term credit rating from BBB+ to A-. This is the highest the Bank’s credit rating has been since 2014, when S&P started issuing ratings for the Bank.

    This upgrade to the Bank’s credit rating is issued with reference to additional loss-absorbing capacity (ALAC). In addition, the resolution counterparty ratings (RCR) for the long and short-term are raised from A-/A-2 to A/A-1.

    The outlook of the credit rating is stable.

    In the rationale for its decision, S&P refers to Landsbankinn’s ALAC buffer following the successful build-up of senior non-preferred debt where Landsbankinn demonstrated sound market access. S&P expects Landsbankinn to maintain an ALAC ratio of above 4% and a RAC ratio of over 15% over the next two years as well as maintaining a robust credit profile, strong income generation and sound asset quality.

    Lilja Björk Einarsdóttir, CEO of Landsbankinn:

    „We are absolutely thrilled to see an upgrade in Landsbankinn’s credit rating to the A-category by S&P Global Ratings. The new rating reflects the Bank’s solid operations and sound access to domestic and international capital markets.

    Over the last few years, Landsbankinn has taken strategic steps to improve the efficiency of its capital structure as well as meet increased regulatory demands that apply to systematically important financial institutions. We have issued equity instruments that qualify as Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital and our latest issuance was a senior non-preferred bond in foreign currency. The Bank is well funded on both domestic and international markets and strongly positioned to support its customers.“

    Further information can be found in S&P’s announcement, available on the Bank’s website: https://www.landsbankinn.is/en/the-bank/investor-relations/credit-rating

    The MIL Network –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney announces launch of a task force to combat illegal debanking in the Eastern District of Virginia

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division today announced the formation of the Eastern District of Virginia Equal Access to Banking Task Force.

    The Task Force will investigate allegations of “debanking,” when banks refuse customers access to credit and other financial services based on impermissible factors under current federal and state law. This initiative will address allegations of debanking in the Commonwealth of Virginia by investigating allegations of debanking actions taken against Virginians, and if appropriate, seeking civil relief against banking institutions in federal or state court.  The Task Force is currently staffed with officials from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and the Office of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

    “Access to banking services is essential in today’s modern economy, and unlawful debanking practices prevent citizens from achieving financial security,” said U.S. Attorney Siebert. “My office, along with our partners in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, is dedicated to eliminating these unlawful actions and ensuring that all Virginians can realize their own personal American dream.”

    “All Americans have the right to fair access to banking,” said Assistant Attorney General Dhillon.  “No customer should be refused credit or other financial services for discriminatory or unlawful reasons. The Justice Department will work together with our federal and state partners to vigorously enforce these rights and protections to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “The practice of unlawful debanking undermines public trust and erodes the foundational principle of equal treatment under the law,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “When banks act without accountability, they threaten not only individual livelihoods but also the broader promise of fairness and freedom that makes Virginia, and America, strong. No American should ever be denied access to basic financial services because of their political views, religious beliefs, or lawful activities.”

    The Task Force will work in partnership with federal financial regulatory agencies to systematically address and combat unlawful debanking. As part of this effort, U.S. Attorney Siebert and Assistant Attorney General Dhillon will convene regulatory partners to bring the full power of the federal government to bear on this important issue.

    Individuals or entities who believe that they have been the victim of inappropriate debanking practices in Virginia are also encouraged to submit a complaint directly to the Task Force at  USAVAE.debanking@usdoj.gov. Complaints in other jurisdictions can be submitted to the Civil Rights Division’s complaint portal. The Task Force will investigate whether the allegations demonstrate violations of federal or state law that warrant government enforcement action and will refer matters for civil and criminal prosecution as appropriate.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Orleans Parish Man Guilty of Bank Robbery

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on April 8, 2025, JUAN K. SIMPSON (“SIMPSON”), age 30, a resident of New Orleans,  pled guilty to bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).  Sentencing is set for July 8, 2025, before  U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion.

    SIMPSON faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00,  up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

    According to court documents, on November 25, 2024, SIMPSON robbed a Capital One Bank location, in New Orleans.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks at the 2025 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development [Bilingual, as delivered; see below for All-English and All-French versions]

    Source: United Nations – English

    r. President of the General Assembly, Mr. President of ECOSOC,

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

    This year’s ECOSOC Forum comes at a pivotal time.

    We are in the final stretch of preparations for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla.

    And we face some harsh truths. 

    The harsh truth of donors pulling the plug on aid commitments and delivery at historic speed and scale.

    The harsh truth of trade barriers being erected at a dizzying pace.

    The harsh truth that the Sustainable Development Goals are dramatically off track, exacerbated by an annual financing gap of an estimated $4 trillion.

    And the harsh truth of prohibitively high borrowing costs that are draining away public investments in everything from education and health systems, to social protection, infrastructure and the energy transition.

    But there’s another, much larger — and more dangerous — truth underlying all these challenges:  
    The harsh truth that global collaboration is being actively questioned.

    Look no further than trade wars. 

    Trade — fair trade — is a prime example of the benefits of international cooperation.

    And trade barriers are a clear and present danger to the global economy and sustainable development – as demonstrated in recent sharply lower forecasts by the International Monetary Fund, UNCTAD, the World Trade Organization and many others.

    In a trade war, everybody loses — especially the most vulnerable countries and people, who are hit the hardest.

    Excellencies,

    Against this turbulent background, we cannot let our financing for development ambitions get swept away.

    With just five years to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to shift into overdrive.  

    That includes making good on the commitments countries made in the Pact for the Future in September:

    From an SDG stimulus to help countries invest in their people…

    To vital and long-awaited reforms to the global financial architecture…

    To the Pact’s clear commitments to open, fair and rules-based trade…

    To its call for an analysis of the impact of military expenditures on the achievement of the SDGs, with a final report out by September…

    To the Pact’s urging for an ambitious outcome to July’s Conference on Financing for Development.

    As you continue negotiations on the draft outcome document for Sevilla, I push for action in three key areas.

    First — on debt.

    When applied smartly and fairly, debt can be an ally of development.

    Instead, it has become a villain.

    In many developing countries, gains are getting crushed under the weight of debt service, siphoning away investments in education, health and infrastructure.

    And the problem is getting worse.

    Debt service for developing economies has soared past $1.4 trillion a year.

    Debt service now exceeds 10 per cent of government revenue in more than 50 developing countries — and more than 20 per cent in 17 countries — a clear warning sign of default.

    The Sevilla Conference should emerge with a commitment by Member States to lower the cost of borrowing, improve debt restructuring, and prevent crises from taking hold.

    This includes establishing a dedicated facility to help developing countries manage their liabilities and enhance liquidity in times of crisis.

    The G20 must also continue its work to speed up the Common Framework for Debt Treatments and expand support for countries that are currently ineligible — including middle-income countries in difficulties.

    And credit ratings agencies need to rethink ratings methodologies that drive up borrowing costs for developing countries.

    At the same time, the IMF and World Bank should push forward on reforming debt assessments to account for sustainable development investments and climate risks.

    These proposals and the many others contained in the draft outcome document provide an ambitious roadmap to help developing countries use debt in a constructive and sustainable way.

    Second — we need to unlock the full potential of our international financial institutions.

    If finance is the fuel of development, Multilateral Development Banks are its engine.

    And this engine needs revving up. 

    We will keep pushing to triple the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, making them bigger and bolder, as called for in the draft outcome document.

    This includes recapitalization, stretching their balance sheets and substantially increasing their capacity to mobilize private finance at reasonable costs for developing countries.

    We must ensure that concessional finance is deployed where it is most needed.

    And we need to see that developing countries are represented fairly — and have a voice — in the governance of these institutions they depend on.

    Troisièmement, nous devons prendre des mesures concrètes pour augmenter tous les flux de financement.

    Oui, les temps sont durs.

    Mais c’est d’autant plus dans les périodes difficiles qu’un investissement responsable et durable s’impose.

    Au niveau national, les gouvernements doivent mobiliser davantage de ressources internes et les diriger vers des systèmes essentiels tels que l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures…

    Ils doivent collaborer avec des partenaires privés pour multiplier les options de financement mixte…

    Et intensifier la lutte contre la corruption et les flux financiers illicites.

    Au niveau mondial, nous devons poursuivre nos efforts en vue d’établir un régime fiscal mondial inclusif et efficace, et veiller à ce que les règles fiscales internationales soient effectivement et équitablement appliquées.

    Les donateurs doivent tenir leurs promesses en matière d’aide publique au développement et s’assurer que ces précieuses ressources parviennent aux pays en développement.

    Pour notre part, nous donnerons aux équipes de pays des Nations Unies tous les moyens pour collaborer avec les gouvernements hôtes, afin qu’un maximum de ressources soit affecté au développement durable aux niveaux national et régional.

    Et nous saisirons toutes les occasions, y compris la COP30 au Brésil, pour demander aux dirigeants de trouver des sources innovantes de financement de l’action climatique dans les pays en développement – afin de mobiliser 1 300 milliards de dollars par an d’ici à 2035.

    Tout cela exige des efforts particuliers en terme de sources innovantes de financement.

    Excellences,

    À bien des égards, l’avenir du système multilatéral dépend du financement du développement.

    Il en va de notre conviction que le règlement des problèmes mondiaux – tels que la pauvreté, la faim et la crise climatique – demande des solutions mondiales.

    Tirons le meilleur parti de ce moment charnière, alors que nous nous préparons pour la conférence de Séville.

    Maintenons nos ambitions à la hauteur des enjeux, et agissons pour les populations et pour la planète.

    Et je vous remercie.

    ***
    [All-English]

    Mr. President of the General Assembly, Mr. President of ECOSOC,

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

    This year’s ECOSOC Forum comes at a pivotal time.

    We are in the final stretch of preparations for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla.

    And we face some harsh truths. 

    The harsh truth of donors pulling the plug on aid commitments and delivery at historic speed and scale.

    The harsh truth of trade barriers being erected at a dizzying pace.

    The harsh truth that the Sustainable Development Goals are dramatically off track, exacerbated by an annual financing gap of an estimated $4 trillion.

    And the harsh truth of prohibitively high borrowing costs that are draining away public investments in everything from education and health systems, to social protection, infrastructure and the energy transition.

    But there’s another, much larger — and more dangerous — truth underlying all these challenges:

    The harsh truth that global collaboration is being actively questioned.

    Look no further than trade wars. 

    Trade — fair trade — is a prime example of the benefits of international cooperation.

    And trade barriers are a clear and present danger to the global economy and sustainable development – as demonstrated in recent sharply lower forecasts by the International Monetary Fund, UNCTAD, the World Trade Organization and many others.

    In a trade war, everybody loses — especially the most vulnerable countries and people, who are hit the hardest.

    Excellencies,

    Against this turbulent background, we cannot let our financing for development ambitions get swept away.

    With just five years to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to shift into overdrive.  

    That includes making good on the commitments countries made in the Pact for the Future in September:

    From an SDG stimulus to help countries invest in their people…

    To vital and long-awaited reforms to the global financial architecture…

    To the Pact’s clear commitments to open, fair and rules-based trade…

    To its call for an analysis of the impact of military expenditures on the achievement of the SDGs, with a final report out by September…

    To the Pact’s urging for an ambitious outcome to July’s Conference on Financing for Development.

    As you continue negotiations on the draft outcome document for Sevilla, I push for action in three key areas.

    First — on debt.

    When applied smartly and fairly, debt can be an ally of development.

    Instead, it has become a villain.

    In many developing countries, gains are getting crushed under the weight of debt service, siphoning away investments in education, health and infrastructure.

    And the problem is getting worse.

    Debt service for developing economies has soared past $1.4 trillion a year.

    Debt service now exceeds 10 per cent of government revenue in more than 50 developing countries — and more than 20 per cent in 17 countries — a clear warning sign of default.

    The Sevilla Conference should emerge with a commitment by Member States to lower the cost of borrowing, improve debt restructuring, and prevent crises from taking hold.

    This includes establishing a dedicated facility to help developing countries manage their liabilities and enhance liquidity in times of crisis.

    The G20 must also continue its work to speed up the Common Framework for Debt Treatments and expand support for countries that are currently ineligible — including middle-income countries in difficulties.

    And credit ratings agencies need to rethink ratings methodologies that drive up borrowing costs for developing countries.

    At the same time, the IMF and World Bank should push forward on reforming debt assessments to account for sustainable development investments and climate risks.

    These proposals and the many others contained in the draft outcome document provide an ambitious roadmap to help developing countries use debt in a constructive and sustainable way.

    Second — we need to unlock the full potential of our international financial institutions.

    If finance is the fuel of development, Multilateral Development Banks are its engine.

    And this engine needs revving up. 

    We will keep pushing to triple the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, making them bigger and bolder, as called for in the draft outcome document.

    This includes recapitalization, stretching their balance sheets and substantially increasing their capacity to mobilize private finance at reasonable costs for developing countries.

    We must ensure that concessional finance is deployed where it is most needed.

    And we need to see that developing countries are represented fairly — and have a voice — in the governance of these institutions they depend on.

    And third — we need concrete action to increase all streams of finance.

    Yes, these are tough times.

    But it is in difficult periods that the imperative for responsible, sustainable investment is even more critical. 

    At the country level, governments need to strengthen the mobilization of domestic resources and channel them towards critical systems like education, health and infrastructure…

    To work with private sector partners to increase blended finance options…

    And to scale-up the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows.

    At the global level, we must keep working to shape an inclusive and effective global tax regime, and ensure that international taxation rules are applied fairly and effectively.

    Donors must keep their promises on official development assistance, and ensure those precious resources reach developing countries.  

    For our part, we will fully deploy our UN Country Teams to work with host governments to channel the maximum amount of resources towards sustainable development at the national and regional levels.
     
    And we will use every opportunity — including COP30 in Brazil — to call on leaders to identify innovative sources of climate finance for developing countries leading to the mobilization of $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. 

    All this requires a focus on innovative sources of finance.  

    Excellencies,

    In many ways, financing for development is integral to the future of the multilateral system.

    It’s about our conviction in the power of global solutions to global problems like poverty, hunger and the climate crisis.

    Let’s make the most of this critical moment as we prepare for Sevilla.

    Let’s keep our ambitions high and deliver for people and planet.

    And I thank you.

    ***
    [All-French]

    Monsieur le Président de l’Assemblée générale, Monsieur le Président de l’ECOSOC,

    Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

    Le Forum du Conseil économique et social de cette année tombe à un moment charnière.

    Les préparatifs de la quatrième Conférence internationale sur le financement du développement, qui se tiendra à Séville, entrent dans leur dernière ligne droite.

    Parallèlement, nous nous heurtons à de dures réalités :

    Des donateurs qui reviennent sur leurs engagements et renoncent à verser l’aide promise à une vitesse et à une ampleur sans précédent ;

    Des barrières commerciales qui sont érigées à un rythme effréné ;

    Des objectifs de développement durable qui sont encore bien loin d’être atteints et qui pâtissent d’un déficit de financement annuel estimé à 4 000 milliards de dollars ;

    Ou encore des coûts d’emprunt prohibitifs qui tarissent les investissements publics dans tous les domaines, de l’éducation et des systèmes de santé à la protection sociale, en passant par les infrastructures et la transition énergétique.

    Mais il y a une autre réalité – bien plus importante et bien plus dangereuse – qui est à la base de tous ces problèmes.

    Cette réalité, c’est la remise en question de la collaboration internationale.

    Inutile de chercher un exemple bien loin : prenons les guerres commerciales.

    Le commerce – un commerce équitable – illustre parfaitement les avantages de la coopération internationale.

    Les barrières commerciales constituent un danger réel et immédiat pour l’économie mondiale et le développement durable – comme le montrent les récentes prévisions en forte baisse du Fonds monétaire international, de la CNUCED, de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce et de bien d’autres organismes.

    L’Organisation mondiale du commerce prévoit déjà que le commerce international de marchandises se contractera de 0,2 % cette année – un revirement brutal par rapport à la hausse de 2,9 % enregistrée l’année dernière.

    Dans une guerre commerciale, tout le monde est perdant, en particulier les pays et les populations les plus vulnérables, qui sont les plus durement touchés.

    Excellences,

    Dans ce contexte mouvementé, nous ne pouvons laisser s’envoler nos ambitions en matière de financement du développement.

    Il ne reste que cinq ans pour atteindre les objectifs de développement durable ; il nous faut donc passer à la vitesse supérieure.

    Il faut notamment honorer les engagements pris par les pays dans le cadre du Pacte pour l’avenir en septembre :

    Du plan de relance des objectifs de développement durable, qui vise à aider les pays à investir dans leurs populations…

    Aux réformes vitales et longuement attendues de l’architecture financière mondiale…

    Aux engagements clairs pris dans le Pacte en faveur d’un commerce ouvert, équitable et régi par des règles…

    À l’analyse qui y est préconisée de l’impact des dépenses militaires sur la réalisation des objectifs de développement durable, qui fera l’objet d’un rapport final publié d’ici à septembre…

    Et au résultat ambitieux qui y est fixé pour la Conférence internationale sur le financement du développement de juillet.

    Alors que les négociations sur le projet de document final de Séville se poursuivent, j’insiste pour que des mesures soient prises dans trois domaines clés.

    Premièrement, la dette.

    Lorsqu’elle est exploitée de manière intelligente et équitable, la dette peut être une alliée du développement.

    Or, elle est devenue une ennemie.

    Dans bon nombre de pays en développement, les acquis obtenus dans le domaine du développement croulent sous le poids du service de la dette, qui ponctionne les investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures.

    Et le problème ne fait qu’empirer.

    Le service de la dette des économies en développement s’est envolé à plus de 1 400 milliards de dollars par an.

    Il dépasse aujourd’hui de 10 % les recettes publiques dans plus de 50 pays en développement – et plus de 20 % dans 17 pays – un signe évident de défaillance.

    À l’issue de la conférence de Séville, les États Membres devraient s’engager à réduire le coût des emprunts, à mieux restructurer la dette et à empêcher les crises de perdurer.

    Pour ce faire, il faudra notamment mettre en place un dispositif pour aider les pays en développement à gérer leurs dettes et à améliorer leur situation de trésorerie en temps de crise.

    Le G20 doit également poursuivre ses travaux afin d’accélérer la mise en œuvre du Cadre commun pour le traitement de la dette et d’apporter un plus grand appui aux pays qui ne remplissent pas les conditions requises pour bénéficier de l’Initiative de suspension du service de la dette, notamment les pays à revenu intermédiaire.

    En outre, les agences de notation doivent revoir leurs méthodes, qui font grimper les coûts d’emprunt pour les pays en développement.

    Dans le même temps, le FMI et la Banque mondiale devraient faire avancer la réforme de l’évaluation de la dette de sorte que les investissements dans le développement durable et les risques climatiques soient pris en compte.

    Ces propositions, comme les nombreuses autres propositions faites dans le projet de document final, constituent un plan d’action ambitieux devant aider les pays en développement à utiliser la dette de manière constructive et durable.

    Deuxièmement, nos institutions financières internationales doivent pouvoir exploiter tout leur potentiel.

    Si le financement est le carburant du développement, les banques multilatérales de développement en sont le moteur.

    Et ce moteur doit être rendu plus performant.

    Nous continuerons à faire pression pour tripler la capacité de prêt des banques multilatérales de développement, en les agrandissant et en les rendant plus audacieuses, comme le prévoit le projet de document final.

    Il s’agit notamment d’augmenter leur capital, d’étendre leurs bilans et d’accroître considérablement leur capacité à mobiliser des financements privés à des coûts raisonnables pour les pays en développement.

    Il faudra également veiller à ce que des financements à des conditions favorables soient accordés là où ils sont le plus nécessaires.

    Et il faudra que les pays en développement soient représentés équitablement – et aient voix au chapitre – dans la gouvernance de ces institutions, dont ils dépendent.

    Troisièmement, nous devons prendre des mesures concrètes pour augmenter tous les flux de financement.

    Oui, les temps sont durs.

    Mais c’est d’autant plus dans les périodes difficiles qu’un investissement responsable et durable s’impose.

    Au niveau national, les gouvernements doivent mobiliser davantage de ressources internes et les diriger vers des systèmes essentiels tels que l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures…

    Ils doivent collaborer avec des partenaires privés pour multiplier les options de financement mixte…

    Et intensifier la lutte contre la corruption et les flux financiers illicites.

    Au niveau mondial, nous devons poursuivre nos efforts en vue d’établir un régime fiscal mondial inclusif et efficace, et veiller à ce que les règles fiscales internationales soient effectivement et équitablement appliquées.
    Les donateurs doivent tenir leurs promesses en matière d’aide publique au développement et s’assurer que ces précieuses ressources parviennent aux pays en développement.

    Pour notre part, nous donnerons aux équipes de pays des Nations Unies tous les moyens pour collaborer avec les gouvernements hôtes, afin qu’un maximum de ressources soit affecté au développement durable aux niveaux national et régional.

    Et nous saisirons toutes les occasions, y compris la COP30 au Brésil, pour demander aux dirigeants de trouver des sources innovantes de financement de l’action climatique dans les pays en développement – afin de mobiliser 1 300 milliards de dollars par an d’ici à 2035.

    Tout cela exige des efforts particuliers en terme de sources innovantes de financement.

    Excellences,

    À bien des égards, l’avenir du système multilatéral dépend du financement du développement.

    Il en va de notre conviction que le règlement des problèmes mondiaux – tels que la pauvreté, la faim et la crise climatique – demande des solutions mondiales.

    Tirons le meilleur parti de ce moment charnière, alors que nous nous préparons pour la conférence de Séville.

    Maintenons nos ambitions à la hauteur des enjeux, et agissons pour les populations et pour la planète.

    Et je vous remercie.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Christopher J Waller: Welcoming remarks – “Fed Listens”

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Thank you, Alberto, it is great to be back in St. Louis. And thank you to everyone here for this great turnout, which is itself a big part of what we are trying to accomplish today.1

    Fed Listens is about hearing from the public on the Federal Reserve’s approach to monetary policy, and that begins with active and broad participation. Your interest and engagement in the work of the Fed is an essential first step in this process of consultation. In addition to the valuable information that Fed policymakers receive at these events, engagement with the public contributes to a broader understanding of the important role that monetary policy plays in the economy.

    As we have heard from President Musalem, the Federal Reserve was, in important ways, actually designed to promote this kind of engagement and input from the public. Unusually among agencies of the federal government, the Fed is located in and part of every region of the United States. Reserve Banks such as the St. Louis Fed carry out a number of important functions, but among the most important is ensuring that the concerns and priorities of the communities each Reserve Bank serves are reflected in monetary policy decisions made in Washington.

    This is something I know very well, having served here as executive vice president and research director for nearly a dozen years. I advised on monetary policy while engaging with people throughout the Eighth District, hearing their concerns about how they were faring in the economy, and how they were affected by inflation, interest rates, and the state of the job market. I learned a lot about the economies of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas (see, I haven’t forgotten!). But I learned just as much about how important it is to hear from people directly about their experiences as well as their perceptions, which are sometimes just as consequential for the economy. We call this part of the “soft” data that supplements the hard numbers of the government statistics that policymakers eagerly await. The “hard” data is indispensable for setting monetary policy, but we can’t get a full and detailed picture of the economy without the soft data you can provide.

    Fed Listens is directly connected to the Fed’s review of our long-run goals and strategy for monetary policy, referred to as our framework, which was last updated five years ago. But in a larger sense, it is part of a broader process of consultation with the public that never stops. We know that individuals, families, businesses, and communities are significantly affected by decisions we make to promote a healthy economy. We want-in fact, we need-to know how you have been impacted. We need to know how inflation and interest rates are affecting consumers. We need to know how rates are affecting the cost and access to credit by businesses small and large. We need to know how you expect the economy to evolve over the coming months and years, and how that is influencing your plans for the future.

    In conclusion, I will say again how great it is to be back in St. Louis, and I look forward to hearing from all of you.

    Thank you.


    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: François Villeroy de Galhau: Preserving our transatlantic values, beyond present unpredictability

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Ladies and Gentlemen, 

    It is my pleasure to be here in New York City; and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Noel Lateef and the Board of Directors of the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) for organising this event and awarding me the FPA medal. It really strikes a chord with me, as I will explain, and even more today when our transatlantic ties are so unfortunately under stress. 

    I. A very special gratitude to the FPA, and to your country

    I am both honoured and humbled to be included among the distinguished recipients of the FPA medal. These include prominent central bankers, such as Paul Volcker of the Federal Reserve or Jean-Claude Trichet of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Banque de France. This medal also has a personal resonance. I discovered in depth your beautiful country in March 1990, during a month-long trip of 15 so called “Young European leaders” invited by the German Marshall Fund. The United States welcomed us with open arms, taking us from New York City to Seattle, and from Detroit to Raleigh (NC). This was a time of hope, four months after the fall of the Berlin Wall; this was a time of mutual trust across the Atlantic built on the victory of freedom and democracy. This trip left me with a lasting friendship and admiration for the American people. 

    In a more collective dimension, I like to think that this medal is a testament to the common values and principles that this Association and the central banking community both strive to uphold. Your Association was founded at the end of the First World War by Americans committed [with President Woodrow Wilson] to creating closer ties between nations. It has since worked tirelessly to foster meaningful dialogue on the most pressing international issues, notably through its famous World Leadership Forum. This is especially important at a time when multilateralism is experiencing an unprecedented crisis. 

    Another common value, beside dialogue, is the importance of public engagement. For more than a century, the FPA and its Great Decisions programme have successfully promoted a more effective participation by American citizens in international affairs. Greater knowledge is indeed the key to informed opinion, and thus to a stronger democracy. At both the Banque de France and the ECB, fostering engagement with the wider public is also a priority. We regularly organise events directly involving the public such as the “Rencontres de la politique monétaire” [Monetary Policy Forums] similar to the “US Fed listens”. Greater clarity and transparency for our fellow citizens also helps to better anchor inflation expectations and thus to better ensure our price stability mandate.

    II. How to restore trust?

    Hence, let me please speak here not only as the French Governor, but as a committed friend of your country and a dedicated European. It is more crucial than ever, across the Atlantic, (1) to tell the truth, (2) to fully assess the damage of a trade war, and (3) to open the way for a possible positive dialogue.

    1) Telling the truth

    We, Europeans, heard with surprise some weeks ago that “the EU was created to screw the US”. With due respect, let me recall history. The European Union was constructed after WWII to lastingly establish peace, democracy and the market economy in Europe. These are three key American values, and this Union was legitimately founded with American support, as was the Franco-German reconciliation – so difficult, yet so decisive. 

    Furthermore, it is important to set the record straight on economics. No, international trade is not a zero-sum game, where one country’s gain is necessarily another country’s loss. On the contrary, it is the most effective way to prosper together by exchanging goods and services, ideas, talent, and innovation. And yes, our transatlantic bond is deep, balanced and mutually beneficial. The United States and the EU are the world’s two largest economies, maintaining one of the largest bilateral economic relationships, which amounted to around USD 900 billion in goods and USD 800 billion in services in 2023i. While the EU runs a trade in goods surplus with the United States (USD 234 billion in 2023), the services deficit has widened substantially in the last years (USD 125 billion in 2023)ii. Net primary income flows in favor of US firms – mostly composed of investment income such as profits and asset returns – also offset the trade in goods surplus, ultimately leading to a balanced current account (USD 19 billion in 2023). The effective applied tariffs between the EU and the United States were close before recent developments, with the EU imposing a 3.95% tariff on US products, while the United States applied a 3.5% tariff on EU productsiii. And let me remind here the obvious: value-added tax (VAT) is not a customs duty; it is levied on the final value of imported and domestically produced goods equally, like the sales tax in the US. EU and US firms have long established a robust investment presence in each other’s markets. European majority-owned affiliates directly employed an estimated 5.3 million US workers in 2023iv. European-based investors play a crucial role in the strength of the US economy, representing close to 50% of all foreign holdings of US securities in 2023v. 

    2) The possible damage of a trade war is huge

    The new measures announced as well as the increasing unpredictability, constitute a major negative shock to the global economy, but first and foremost to the US economy. 

    According to convergent analyses by several US and international banks and today by the IMF, the United States could suffer in 2025 from an average estimated loss of around one percentage point in annual growth and a similar-sized rise in underlying inflation. But bad news for the US is bad news for all, and for Europe. According to preliminary assessments, there could be a direct negative impact of at least a quarter of a percentage point to euro area GDP growth in 2025. Nevertheless, this depends on the outcome of the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs. The impact on inflation remains more uncertain but could be as a whole negative. Our baseline scenario for France and the euro area remains however that of an exit from inflation – returning to our 2% target this year – without a recession.

    Financial markets reacted very negatively to these trade announcements with the unusual combination of a sharp drop in US equity indexes, a rise in US long term bond yields, and a broad-based decline in the US dollar value. The economic uncertainty may possibly threaten financial stability. Such deeply negative financial effects would also result from attacks on the independence and credibility of central banks, as we saw very recently. 

    I don’t mean that the latest globalisation wave was a fairy tale: it had its problems and its imbalances, both social and financial. But the current lose-lose game will obviously increase them, and in no way solve them.

    3) Is there a way for a possible positive dialogue?

    I still hope there is, and let me share three more positive reflections to conclude with:

    a) Let us use the 90-day pause to seriously talk. The least economically harmful option would be indeed to negotiate – a bold European proposal, zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods, is already on the table – and then de-escalate the situation rather than setting off a transatlantic spiral of tariff hikes. So far, Europeans have reacted in a remarkably united and calm manner. The European Commission has prepared a series of retaliatory measures – in case it would be unfortunately needed – but deferred its application. It is also in Europe’s interest to maintain open trade ties with a maximum amount of partners from the Americas to Asia: increasing the number of balanced free trade agreements – including Mercosur – is a strategic priority.

    b) Europe and France also need to become stronger. The only positive I see in this situation, as I said already last November with my German colleague Joachim Nagel , it is a wake-up call for Europe. This is of course the case in terms of defence. But also, in economic matters, where we have the duty and the means to better master our own destiny. We need a “general mobilisation” focusing on three imperatives, 3 ‘i’s taking the best of the impressive economic success of America, or if you prefer, size multiplied by muscle multiplied by speed. First, we need to integrate the single market more. This means playing on its size – as large in GDP terms as the United States – by removing internal barriers in several areas such as services and energy. We also need to invest better, giving priority to the most promising breakthrough innovations, and particularly those related to AI. To succeed, we need to build financial muscle through a genuine Savings and Investments Union (SIU) fostering more our abundant private savings towards equity and venture capital. Finally, we need to innovate faster. Europe needs simplification: less bureaucracy, fewer procedures and shorter deadlines. But simplification is not deregulation, the European approachvii  will remain firm on the objectives, but be more nimble in design. And to successfully implement these three imperatives, we urgently need a binding, visible and not too distant calendar: such a calendar will mobilise all our political and economic forces, as did in the past the 1 January 1993 for the single market and the 1 January 1999 for the single currency.

    c) Europe and the United States can still commit to a “pragmatic multilateralism”, more focused on some practical themes of common interest, to name just a few: financial stability, cross-border payments and crypto-assets, cybersecurity, the fight against financial crime and the prevention of extreme climate events. Let us preserve the multilateral institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, born and hosted in this great country, with more focused ambitions.

    I will conclude by quoting Alexis de Tocqueville, a famous Frenchman – you may recall his influential work “Democracy in America” – who also had the privilege of discovering America during a memorable study trip two hundred years ago. “There is nothing more fruitful in wonders than the art of being free”.viii I mentioned shared transatlantic values: one cardinal value, freedom, is the driving force behind America’s outstanding economic performance. Let us continue as much as possible to cultivate it together, through trade, innovation and robust dialogue! Thank you for your attention. 


    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Michael S Barr: Deepfakes and the AI arms race in bank cybersecurity

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today about artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. In the past, a skilled forger could pass a bad check by replicating a person’s signature. Now, advances in AI can do much more damage by replicating a person’s entire identity. This technology-known as deepfakes-has the potential to supercharge identity fraud. I’ve recently spoken about the importance of recognizing both the benefits and the risks of generative AI (Gen AI). Today, I’d like to focus more on the darker side of the technology-specifically how Gen AI has the potential to enable deepfake technology, and what we should be doing now to defend against this risk in finance.

    Escalating Threat of Gen-AI Facilitated Cybercrime

    Cybercrime is on the rise, and cybercriminals are increasingly turning to Gen AI to facilitate their crimes. Criminal tactics are becoming more sophisticated and available to a broader range of criminals. Estimates of direct and indirect costs of cyber incidents range from 1 to 10 percent of global GDP. Deepfake attacks have seen a twentyfold increase over the last three years.

    Cybercrime with deepfakes involves the same cat and mouse game common to sophisticated criminal activity. Both cybercriminals and financial institutions are constantly trying to outdo each other. Criminals develop new attack methods, and companies respond with better defenses. Here, the same technological innovations that enable the bad actors can also help those fighting cybercrime. However, there is an asymmetry-the fraudsters can cast a wide net of approaches and target a wide number of victims, and they only need a small number to be successful. Their marginal cost is generally low, and individual failures matter little. Conversely, companies must undergo a rigorous review and testing process to mount effective cyber defenses and will thus be slower in developing their defenses. A single failure is very costly. As we consider this issue from a policy perspective, we need to take steps to make attacks less likely by raising the cost of the attack to the cybercriminals and lowering the costs of defense to financial institutions and law enforcement.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 29, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 202 203 204 205 206 … 457
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress