Category: GlobeNewswire

  • MIL-OSI: Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GOUVERNEUR, N.Y., Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQB: GOVB) (the “Company”), the holding company for Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association (the “Bank”), today announced the Company’s results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended December 31, 2024.

    The Company reported net income of $160,000, or $0.15 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to net income of $118,000, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

    Summary of Financial Results

    Our results of operations depend primarily on our net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans and securities, and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, consisting of savings and club accounts, NOW and money market accounts and time certificates. Our results of operations also are affected by our provisions for credit losses, non-interest income and non-interest expense. Non-interest income currently consists primarily of service charges, earnings on bank owned life insurance and loan servicing fees. Non-interest expense currently consists primarily of salaries and employee benefits, directors’ fees, occupancy and data processing expense and professional fees. Our results of operations also may be affected significantly by general and local economic and competitive conditions, changes in market interest rates, governmental policies and actions of regulatory authorities.

    Total assets decreased by $0.5 million or 0.25%, from $197.3 million at September 30, 2024 to $196.8 million at December 31, 2024. Securities available for sale decreased $1.8 million, or 4.00%, from $45.3 million as of September 30, 2024 to $43.5 million as of December 31, 2024 as the Bank received principal paydowns and maturities along with a decrease in the market value as market rates fluctuate. Net loans increased by $0.7 million or 0.54%, from September 30, 2024 to December 31, 2024. The Bank made a $15,000 provision for credit loss during the first quarter of fiscal 2025, a decrease from the $70,000 provision made in the same period of fiscal 2024.

    Deposits decreased $0.2 million or 0.14%, to $159.7 million at December 31, 2024 from $159.9 million at September 30, 2024 due to seasonal fluctuations. The Bank currently holds no Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances or brokered deposits.

    Shareholders’ equity was $31.7 million at December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of 3.12% from the September 30, 2024 balance of $32.8 million. The decrease in shareholders’ equity was primarily a result of a $1.1 million decrease to the market value of the securities portfolio included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company declared dividends of $0.08 per share totaling $89,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2024. The Company’s book value was $28.68 per common share based on 1,107,134 shares issued and 1,106,790 shares outstanding at December 31, 2024. The Company’s book value was $29.59 per common share based on 1,107,134 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024.

    Total interest income increased $38,000, or 1.79%, from $2.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to $2.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Interest income on loans increased $91,000, or 5.68%, from $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to $1.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 due to an increase in market rates resulting in higher interest rates on loan originations and repricing.

    Total interest expense increased $77,000, or 23.77%, from $324,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to $401,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Interest expense on deposits increased $158,000, from $243,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to $401,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Interest expense on FHLB borrowings decreased $131,000 as the Bank currently holds no FHLB advances.

    Net interest spread, the difference between the rate earned on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, was 3.78% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and 3.84% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 as interest rates on interest bearing deposits increased faster than the interest rates on loans during fiscal 2024.

    Non-interest income increased $97,000, from $147,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to $244,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. This includes the unrealized market value loss on swap agreements held with FHLBNY of $9,000 and $143,000 for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Other non-interest income increased $52,000 compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the recognition of additional income from a tax-related refund.

    Financial and Operational Metrics (GAAP)

      12/31/2024   09/30/2024
      (In Thousands)
      (unaudited)    
    Statement of Condition      
    Assets      
    Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 7,013   $ 6,370
    Securities Available-for-Sale   43,534     45,348
    Loans Receivable, Net of Allowance for Credit Losses and Deferred Loan Fees   124,927     124,257
    Premises and Equipment, Net   2,933     2,924
    Goodwill and Intangible Assets   5,808     5,901
    Accrued Interest Receivable and Other Assets   12,561     12,460
    Total Assets $ 196,776   $ 197,260
           
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity      
    Deposits $ 159,672   $ 159,902
    Accrued Interest Payable and Other Liabilities   5,361     4,593
    Total Liabilities   165,033     164,495
           
    Common Stock (and related surplus)   6,501     6,498
    Retained Earnings   28,484     28,413
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss   (2,737)     (1,606)
    Other Equity Capital Components   (505)     (540)
    Total Shareholders’ Equity   31,743     32,765
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 196,776   $ 197,260
           
           
      For the Quarter Ended
      12/31/2024   12/31/2023
      (In Thousands except per share data)
      (unaudited)
    Statement of Earnings      
    Interest Income $ 2,166   $ 2,128
    Interest Expense   401     324
    Net Interest Income   1,765     1,804
           
    Provision for Credit Loss   15     70
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Loss   1,750     1,734
           
    Non-interest Income   244     147
    Non-interest Expenses   1,835     1,780
           
    Income Before Income Tax Benefit   159     101
    Income Tax Benefit   (1)     (17)
    Net Income $ 160   $ 118
           
    Performance Ratios      
    Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.15   $ 0.11
    Annualized Return on Average Assets   0.32%     0.23%
    Annualized Return on Average Equity   1.97%     1.61%
    Net Interest Spread   3.78%     3.84%
               

    About Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc.

    Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association, which is a New York chartered savings and loan association founded in 1892 that offers deposit and loan services for businesses, families and individuals. At December 31, 2024, Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc. had total assets of $196.8 million, total deposits of $159.7 million and total stockholders’ equity of $31.7 million.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements and all other statements that are not historic facts are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. These factors include, among others, the following: the ability to successfully integrate acquired entities, such as Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent, which we acquired on September 16, 2022, and realize expected cost savings associated with completed mergers and acquisitions; changes in interest rates; national and regional economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the size, quality and composition of the loan or investment portfolios; demand for loan products; deposit flows and our ability to effectively manage liquidity; competition; demand for financial services in our market area; changes in real estate market values in our market area; changes in relevant accounting principles and guidelines; our ability to attract and retain key employees; our ability to maintain the security of our data processing and information technology systems; and that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy. Additionally, other risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024, which is available through the SEC’s EDGAR website located at http://www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Should one or more of these risks materialize, actual results may vary from those anticipated, estimated or projected.

    Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, the Company and the Bank assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    For more information, contact Robert W. Barlow, President and Chief Executive Officer at (315) 287-2600.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Northrim BanCorp Earns $10.9 Million, or $1.95 Per Diluted Share, in Fourth Quarter 2024, and $37.0 Million, or $6.62 Per Diluted Share, for the Year Ended December 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRIM) (“Northrim” or the “Company”) today reported net income of $10.9 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $8.8 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024, and $6.6 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter a year ago. The increase in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 is primarily due to an increase in purchased receivable income due to the Company’s acquisition of Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC (“Sallyport”), which was completed on October 31, 2024. Sallyport and its direct and indirect subsidiaries provide services and products related to factoring and asset-based lending in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2024 the Company had an increase in mortgage banking income, primarily as a result of an increase in the fair value of a mortgage servicing portfolio that the Company purchased from another financial institution in the fourth quarter. The increase profitability in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the same quarter of the prior year was largely driven by an increase in mortgage banking income and higher net interest income, as well as an increase in purchased receivable income as noted above, which was only partially offset by higher other operating expenses and an increase in the provision for credit losses.

    Net income for the full year of 2024 increased 46% to $37.0 million, or $6.62 per diluted share, compared to $25.4 million, or $4.49 per diluted share, for the full year of 2023. Increased net interest income resulting from loan and deposit growth supported 2024 earnings in the Community Banking segment but were offset by increases in other operating expenses, primarily in salaries and other personnel expense as the Company continued to expand its branch network into new markets in Alaska. An increase in mortgage originations and an increase in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights resulted in net income of $4.4 million in the Home Mortgage Lending segment in 2024 compared to a $2.5 million loss in 2023.

    Dividends per share in the fourth quarter of 2024 remained consistent with the third quarter of 2024 at $0.62 per share and increased from $0.60 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    “Northrim reported record core earnings in 2024 and record earnings per share in the fourth quarter,” said Mike Huston, Northrim’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased with our results as we continue to focus on profitable growth. In the last five years Northrim’s deposit market share in Alaska has increased from 11% to 16%, loans and deposits have increased by almost 100%, and net interest income has increased by 60%.”

    “2024 results were also supported by an improvement in mortgage banking income,” continued Mr. Huston. “We believe the acquisition of Sallyport in the fourth quarter will further diversify fee income and provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to Northrim shareholders.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights:

    • Net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 7% to $30.8 million compared to $28.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and increased 15% compared to $26.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”)* was 4.47% for the fourth quarter of 2024, a 12-basis point increase from the third quarter of 2024 and a 35-basis point increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 1.43% and return on average equity (“ROAE”) was 16.32% for the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • Portfolio loans were $2.13 billion at December 31, 2024, up 6% from the preceding quarter and up 19% from a year ago, primarily due to new customer relationships, expanding market share, and to retaining certain mortgage loans originated by Residential Mortgage, a subsidiary of Northrim Bank (the “Bank”), in the loan portfolio.
    • Total deposits were $2.68 billion at December 31, 2024, up 2% from the preceding quarter, and up 8% from $2.49 billion a year ago. Noninterest bearing demand deposits represented 27% of total deposits at December 31, 2024, down from 29% at September 30, 2024 and 31% at December 31, 2023.
    • Total assets at December 31, 2024 exceeded $3 billion for the first time.
    • The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 2.15% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from 2.24% in the third quarter of 2024 and up from 2.00% in the fourth quarter a year ago.
    • Acquired Sallyport for approximately $53.9 million (approximately $47.9 million in cash and $6 million in an earn-out payable over 3 years) on October 31, 2024.
       
    Financial Highlights Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,
    2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 December 31,
    2023
    Total assets $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,821,668   $2,759,560   $2,807,497  
    Total portfolio loans $2,129,263   $2,007,565   $1,875,907   $1,811,135   $1,789,497  
    Total deposits $2,680,189   $2,625,567   $2,463,806   $2,434,083   $2,485,055  
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116   $260,050   $247,200   $239,327   $234,718  
    Net income $10,927   $8,825   $9,020   $8,199   $6,613  
    Diluted earnings per share $1.95   $1.57   $1.62   $1.48   $1.19  
    Return on average assets 1.43 % 1.22 % 1.31 % 1.19 % 0.93 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity 16.32 % 13.69 % 14.84 % 13.84 % 11.36 %
    NIM 4.41 % 4.29 % 4.24 % 4.16 % 4.06 %
    NIMTE* 4.47 % 4.35 % 4.30 % 4.22 % 4.12 %
    Efficiency ratio 66.96 % 66.11 % 68.78 % 68.93 % 72.21 %
    Total shareholders’ equity/total assets 8.78 % 8.78 % 8.76 % 8.67 % 8.36 %
    Tangible common equity/tangible assets* 7.23 % 8.28 % 8.24 % 8.14 % 7.84 %
    Book value per share $48.41   $47.27   $44.93   $43.52   $42.57  
    Tangible book value per share* $39.17   $44.36   $42.03   $40.61   $39.68  
    Dividends per share $0.62   $0.62   $0.61   $0.61   $0.60  
    Common shares outstanding 5,518,210   5,501,943   5,501,562   5,499,578   5,513,459  
                         

    * References to NIMTE, tangible book value per share, and tangible common equity to tangible common assets, (all of which exclude intangible assets) represent non-GAAP financial measures. Management has presented these non-GAAP measurements in this earnings release, because it believes these measures are useful to investors. Please refer to the end of this release for reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures.

    Alaska Economic Update
    (Note: sources for information in this section are listed on page 13.)

    The Alaska Department of Labor (“DOL”) has reported Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November 2024 was 4.6% compared to the U.S. rate of 4.2%. The total number of payroll jobs in Alaska, not including uniformed military, increased 2.4% or 7,700 jobs between November 2023 and November 2024.

    According to the DOL, Construction had the largest growth in new jobs in Alaska through November compared to the prior year. The Construction sector added 2,100 positions for a year over year growth rate of 12.7% in November 2024. The larger Health Care sector grew by 1,500 jobs for an annual growth rate of 3.7%. The Oil & Gas sector increased by 9.2% or 700 new direct jobs. Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities added 1,000 jobs for a 4.5% growth rate. Professional and Business Services increased 700 jobs year over year through November 2024, up 2.5%.

    The Government sector grew by 1,200 jobs for 1.5% growth, adding 100 Federal jobs, 800 State and 300 Local government positions in Alaska over the same period. Declining sectors between November 2023 and November 2024 were Manufacturing (primarily seafood processing) shrinking 500 jobs (-6.6%), Information, down 100 jobs (-2.2%), and Retail lost 100 jobs (-0.3%).

    Alaska’s Gross State Product (“GSP”) in the third quarter of 2024, exceeded $70 billion for the first time, and is estimated to be $70.1 billion in current dollars, according to the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (“BEA”). Alaska’s inflation adjusted “real” GSP increased 6.5% in 2023, placing Alaska fifth best of all 50 states. In the third quarter of 2024 Alaska GSP increased at an annualized rate of 2.2%, compared to the average U.S. growth rate of 3.1%. Alaska’s real GSP improvement in the third quarter of 2024 was primarily caused by growth in the Health Care, Trade, Transportation and Warehousing sectors.

    The BEA also calculated Alaska’s seasonally adjusted personal income at $55.7 billion in the third quarter of 2024. This was an annualized improvement in the third quarter of 3.3% for Alaska, compared to the national average of 3.2%. Alaska enjoyed an annual personal income improvement of 3.8% in 2023. The $445 million increase in personal income in the third quarter in Alaska came from a $310 million increase in net earnings from wages, $145 million growth in government transfer receipts (which grew in all 50 states), and a $10 million decrease in investment income.

    The monthly average price of Alaska North Slope (“ANS”) crude oil was at an annual high of $89.05 in April 2024 and most recently averaged $72.50 in November 2024. The Alaska Department of Revenue (“DOR”) calculated ANS crude oil production was 461 thousand barrels per day (“bpd”) in Alaska’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 and is projected to increase to 467 thousand bpd in Alaska’s fiscal year 2025. The DOR expects production to continue to grow rapidly to 657 thousand bpd by fiscal year 2034. This is primarily a result of new production coming on-line in and around the NPR-A region west of Prudhoe Bay. A partnership between Santos and Repsol is constructing the new Pikka field and ConocoPhillips is reportedly developing the large new Willow field. There are also a number of smaller new fields in Alaska’s North Slope that are contributing to the State of Alaska’s production growth estimates.

    According to the Alaska Multiple Listing Services, the average sales price of a single family home in Anchorage rose 6.2% in 2024 to $509,994, following a 5.2% increase in 2023. This was the seventh consecutive year of price increases.

    The average sales price for single family homes in the Matanuska Susitna Borough rose 3.9% in 2024 to $412,907, after increasing 4% in 2023. This continues a trend of average price increases for more than a decade in the region. These two markets represent where the vast majority of the Bank’s residential lending activity occurs.

    The Alaska Multiple Listing Services reported a 3.4% increase in the number of units sold in Anchorage when comparing 2024 to 2023. There was virtually no change in the number of homes sold in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, with only four fewer homes sold in 2024 than in 2023 or 0.2%.

    Northrim Bank sponsors the Alaskanomics blog to provide news, analysis, and commentary on Alaska’s economy. Join the conversation at Alaskanomics.com, or for more information on the Alaska economy, visit: http://www.northrim.com and click on the “Business Banking” link and then click “Learn.” Information from our website is not incorporated into, and does not form, a part of this earnings release.

    Review of Income Statement

    Consolidated Income Statement

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Northrim generated a ROAA of 1.43% and a ROAE of 16.32%, compared to 1.22% and 13.69%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2024 and 0.93% and 11.36%, respectively, in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year 2024, Northrim generated a ROAA of 1.29% and a ROAE of 14.70%, compared to 0.94% and 11.17% for 2023.

    Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income increased 7% to $30.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $28.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and increased 15% compared to $26.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest expense on deposits increased to $10.6 million in the fourth quarter compared to $10.1 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $8.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    NIMTE* was 4.47% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 4.35% in the preceding quarter and 4.12% in the fourth quarter a year ago. NIMTE* increased 12 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter and 35 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to a favorable change in the mix of earning-assets towards higher loan balances as a percentage of total earning-assets, higher earning-assets, and higher yields on those assets which were only partially offset by an increase in costs on interest-bearing deposits. The weighted average interest rate for new loans booked in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 7.23% compared to 7.24% in the third quarter of 2024 and 7.74% in the fourth quarter a year ago. The yield on the investment portfolio increased to 2.84% from 2.80% in the third quarter of 2024 and increased from 2.48% in the fourth quarter of 2023. “We are beginning to see improvements in our net interest margin as a result of lower deposit costs from the recent Fed interest rate cuts, in addition to the benefit of new loan volume and loan repricing driving our net interest margin to 4.47% for the fourth quarter,” said Jed Ballard, Chief Financial Officer. Northrim’s NIMTE* continues to remain above the peer average of 3.16% posted by the S&P U.S. Small Cap Bank Index with total market capitalization between $250 million and $1 billion as of September 30, 2024.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    Northrim recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, which includes a $125,000 provision for credit losses on purchased receivables, $107,000 benefit to the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments, and a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.2 million. This compares to a provision for credit losses of $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, and a provision for credit losses of $885,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago. The $1.2 million provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024 is largely attributable to increases in loan and purchased receivable balances.

    Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees, increased during the quarter to $7.5 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $5.0 million at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

    The allowance for credit losses was 292% of nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees, at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 394% three months earlier and 345% a year ago.

    Other Operating Income

    In addition to home mortgage lending, Northrim has interests in other businesses that complement its core community banking activities, including purchased receivables financing and wealth management. Other operating income contributed $13.0 million, or 30% of total fourth quarter 2024 revenues, as compared to $11.6 million, or 29% of revenues in the third quarter of 2024, and $6.5 million, or 20% of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in other operating income in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the preceding quarter and the fourth quarter of 2023 is largely the result of higher purchased receivable income due to the acquisition of Sallyport. Additionally, other operating income in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter a year ago increased due to an increase in mortgage banking income arising from higher volume of mortgage activity and an increase in the value of mortgage servicing rights. The changes in mortgage banking are discussed further in the Home Mortgage Lending section below.

    Other Operating Expenses

    Operating expenses were $29.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $26.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, and $24.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in other operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily due to an increase in salaries and other personnel expense, as well as increases in professional fees from one-time deal costs associated with the acquisition of Sallyport and insurance expense due to higher FDIC insurance costs due to the Company’s asset and net income growth.

    Income Tax Provision

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Northrim recorded $2.4 million in state and federal income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 17.8%, compared to $2.8 million, or 24.2% in the third quarter of 2024 and $1.7 million, or 20.7% in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year, Northrim recorded $10.0 million in state and federal income tax expense in 2024 for an effective tax rate of 21.3%, compared to $6.2 million, or 19.7% in 2023. The decrease in the tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily the result of increased tax benefits related to the Company’s investment in low income housing tax credits and the purchase of renewable energy tax credits.

    Community Banking

    In the most recent deposit market share data from the FDIC, Northrim’s deposit market share in Alaska increased to 15.66% of Alaska’s total deposits as of June 30, 2024 compared to 15.04% of Alaska’s total deposits as of June 30, 2023. This represents 62 basis points of growth in market share percentage for Northrim during that period while, according to the FDIC, the total deposits in Alaska were up 2.3% during the same period. Northrim opened a branch in Kodiak in the first quarter of 2023, a loan production office in Homer in the second quarter of 2023, a permanent branch in Nome in the third quarter of 2023, and a branch in Homer in the first quarter of 2024. See below for further discussion regarding the Company’s deposit movement for the quarter.

    Northrim is committed to meeting the needs of the diverse communities in which it operates. As a testament to that support, the Bank has branches in four regions of Alaska identified by the Federal Reserve as “distressed or underserved non-metropolitan middle-income geographies”.

    Net interest income in the Community Banking segment totaled $27.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $25.9 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $24.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest income increased in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago mostly due to increased interest income on loans that was only partially offset by higher interest expense on deposits.

    The following table provides highlights of the Community Banking segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Net interest income $27,643   $25,928   $24,318   $24,215   $24,221  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses 771   1,492   (184 ) 197   885  
    Other operating income 2,535   3,507   2,450   2,468   2,741  
    Other operating expense 19,116   18,723   18,068   17,177   18,158  
    Income before provision for income taxes 10,291   9,220   8,884   9,309   7,919  
    Provision for income taxes 1,474   2,133   1,786   1,966   1,604  
    Net income Community Banking segment $8,817   $7,087   $7,098   $7,343   $6,315  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,578,491  
    Diluted earnings per share $1.58   $1.26   $1.27   $1.32   $1.14  
                         
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Net interest income $102,104   $95,555  
    Provision for credit losses 2,276   3,842  
    Other operating income 10,960   9,130  
    Other operating expense 73,085   69,253  
    Income before provision for income taxes 37,703   31,590  
    Provision for income taxes 7,359   6,175  
    Net income Community Banking segment $30,344   $25,415  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted earnings per share $5.43   $4.49  
             

    Home Mortgage Lending

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, mortgage loans funded for sale decreased to $162.5 million, of which 89% was for home purchases, compared to $210.0 million and 94% of loans funded for home purchases in the third quarter of 2024, and increased as compared to $79.7 million, of which 96% was for home purchases in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bank purchased Residential Mortgage-originated mortgage loans to hold on the Bank’s balance sheet of $23.4 million of which roughly two-thirds were jumbos and one-third were mortgages for second homes, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.30%, down from $38.1 million and 6.59% in the third quarter of 2024, and down from $27.1 million and 7.05% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Mortgage loans funded for investment has increased net interest income in the Home Mortgage Lending segment. Net interest income contributed $3.3 million to total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from $2.9 million in the prior quarter, and up from $2.3 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    The Arizona, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest mortgage expansion markets were responsible for 19% of Residential Mortgage’s $186 million total production in the fourth quarter of 2024, 20% of the $248 million total production in the third quarter of 2024, and 11% of the $107 million in total production in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    The net change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights increased mortgage banking income by $873,000 during the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to a decrease of $968,000 for the third quarter of 2024 and a decrease of $1.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bank purchased an Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) servicing portfolio from another financial institution for $2.3 million. At December 31, 2024, this servicing portfolio was valued at $3.1 million resulting in a $750,000 increase in fair value. Mortgage servicing revenue increased to $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 from $2.6 million in the prior quarter and increased from $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to an increase in production of AHFC mortgages, which contribute to servicing revenues at origination. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company’s mortgage servicing portfolio increased to $294.1 million, which includes the purchase of the AHFC servicing portfolio of $235.6 million, $86.3 million in new mortgage loans, net of amortization and payoffs of $27.8 million as compared to a net increase of $64.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $62.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    As of December 31, 2024, Northrim serviced 6,378 loans in its $1.46 billion home mortgage servicing portfolio, a 25% increase compared to the $1.17 billion serviced as of the end of the third quarter of 2024, and a 40% increase from the $1.04 billion serviced a year ago.

    The following table provides highlights of the Home Mortgage Lending segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Mortgage loan commitments $32,299   $77,591   $88,006   $56,208   $22,926  
               
    Mortgage loans funded for sale $162,530   $209,960   $152,339   $84,324   $79,742  
    Mortgage loans funded for investment 23,380   38,087   29,175   17,403   27,114  
    Total mortgage loans funded $185,910   $248,047   $181,514   $101,727   $106,856  
    Mortgage loan refinances to total fundings 11 % 6 % 6 % 4 % 4 %
    Mortgage loans serviced for others $1,460,720   $1,166,585   $1,101,800   $1,060,007   $1,044,516  
               
    Net realized gains on mortgage loans sold $3,747   $5,079   $3,188   $1,980   $1,462  
    Change in fair value of mortgage loan commitments, net (665 ) 60   391   386   (296 )
    Total production revenue 3,082   5,139   3,579   2,366   1,166  
    Mortgage servicing revenue 2,847   2,583   2,164   1,561   2,180  
    Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights:          
    Due to changes in model inputs of assumptions1 1,372   (566 ) 239   289   (707 )
    Other2 (499 ) (402 ) (320 ) (314 ) (301 )
    Total mortgage servicing revenue, net 3,720   1,615   2,083   1,536   1,172  
    Other mortgage banking revenue 238   293   222   129   99  
    Total mortgage banking income $7,040   $7,047   $5,884   $4,031   $2,437  
               
    Net interest income $3,280   $2,941   $2,775   $2,232   $2,276  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses 305   571   64   (48 )  
    Mortgage banking income 7,040   7,047   5,884   4,031   2,437  
    Other operating expense 7,198   7,643   6,697   6,086   5,477  
    Income before provision for income taxes 2,817   1,774   1,898   225   (764 )
    Provision for income taxes 842   497   532   63   (215 )
    Net (loss) income Home Mortgage Lending segment $1,975   $1,277   $1,366   $162   ($549 )
               
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,769,415  
    Diluted (loss) earnings per share $0.35   $0.23   $0.25   $0.03   ($0.10 )
    1Principally reflects changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates.
    2Represents changes due to collection/realization of expected cash flows over time.
                         
       
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Mortgage loans funded for sale $609,153   $376,154  
    Mortgage loans funded for investment 108,045   146,258  
    Total mortgage loans funded $717,198   $522,412  
    Mortgage loan refinances to total fundings 7 % 4 %
         
    Net realized gains on mortgage loans sold $13,994   $7,828  
    Change in fair value of mortgage loan commitments, net 172   (102 )
    Total production revenue 14,166   7,726  
    Mortgage servicing revenue 9,155   7,368  
    Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights:    
    Due to changes in model inputs of assumptions1 1,334   (922 )
    Other2 (1,535 ) (1,765 )
    Total mortgage servicing revenue, net 8,954   4,681  
    Other mortgage banking revenue 882   356  
    Total mortgage banking income $24,002   $12,763  
         
    Net interest income $11,228   $7,298  
    Provision for credit losses 892    
    Mortgage banking income 24,002   12,763  
    Other operating expense 27,624   23,497  
    Income before provision for income taxes 6,714   (3,436 )
    Provision for income taxes 1,934   (943 )
    Net (loss) income Home Mortgage Lending segment $4,780   ($2,493 )
         
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted (loss) earnings per share $0.86   ($0.44 )
    1Principally reflects changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates. 
    2Represents changes due to collection/realization of expected cash flows over time.
     

    Specialty Finance

    On October 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $53.9 million. Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC is a leading provider of factoring, asset based lending and alternative working capital solutions to small and medium sized enterprises in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Company determined that a new Specialty Finance segment was appropriate for the Company upon the completion of the acquisition. The Specialty Finance segment also includes Northrim Funding Services, a division of Northrim Bank that has offered factoring solutions to small businesses since 2004. The composition of revenues for the Specialty Finance segment are primarily purchased receivable income, but also include interest income and other fee income.

    The acquisition of Sallyport included $1.13 million in one-time deal related costs which are reflected in other operating expenses for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 in the tables below. Total pre-tax income for Sallyport for two months of operations, excluding transaction costs was $945,000.

    The following table provides highlights of the Specialty Finance segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Purchased receivable income $3,526   $1,033   $1,243   $1,345   $1,307  
    Other operating income (68 )        
    Interest income 407   158   170   212   235  
    Total revenue 3,865   1,191   1,413   1,557   1,542  
    Provision for credit losses 125          
    Other operating expense 3,063   362   429   374   358  
    Interest expense 489   185   210   212    
    Total expense 3,677   547   639   586   358  
    Income before provision for income taxes 188   644   774   971   1,184  
    Provision for income taxes 53   183   218   276   337  
    Net income Specialty Finance segment $135   $461   $556   $695   $847  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,578,491  
    Diluted earnings per share $0.02   $0.08   $0.10   $0.13   $0.15  
                         
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Purchased receivable income $7,147   $4,482  
    Other operating income (68 )  
    Interest income 947   403  
    Total revenue 8,026   4,885  
    Provision for credit losses 125    
    Other operating expense 4,228   1,431  
    Interest expense 1,096    
    Total expense 5,449   1,431  
    Income before provision for income taxes 2,577   3,454  
    Provision for income taxes 730   982  
    Net income Specialty Finance segment $1,847   $2,472  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted earnings per share $0.33   $0.44  
             

    Balance Sheet Review

    Northrim’s total assets were $3.04 billion at December 31, 2024, up 3% from the preceding quarter and up 8% from a year ago. Northrim’s loan-to-deposit ratio was 79% at December 31, 2024, up from 76% at September 30, 2024, and 72% at December 31, 2023.

    At December 31, 2024, our liquid assets and investments and loans maturing within one year were $1.01 billion and our funds available for borrowing under our existing lines of credit were $566.8 million. Given these sources of liquidity and our expectations for customer demands for cash and for our operating cash needs, we believe our sources of liquidity to be sufficient for the foreseeable future.

    Average interest-earning assets were $2.79 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, up 4% from $2.67 billion in the third quarter of 2024 and up 7% from $2.61 billion in the fourth quarter a year ago. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 6.02% in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 5.92% in the preceding quarter and 5.51% in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    Average investment securities decreased to $565.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $619.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $690.7 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. The average net tax equivalent yield on the securities portfolio was 2.84% for the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 2.80% in the preceding quarter and up from 2.48% in the year ago quarter. The average estimated duration of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2024, was approximately 2.4 years down from approximately 2.8 years a year ago. As of December 31, 2024, $79.0 million of available for sale securities are scheduled to mature in the next six months, $55.8 million are scheduled to mature in six months to one year, and $189.3 million are scheduled to mature in the following year, representing a total of $324.0 million or 12% of earning assets that are scheduled to mature in the next 24 months.

    Total unrealized losses, net of tax, on available for sale securities increased by $678,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the prior quarter, and decreased by $9.1 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, resulting in a total unrealized loss of $8.3 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $7.6 million at September 30, 2024 and $17.4 million a year ago. The average maturity of the available for sale securities with the majority of the unrealized loss is 1.5 years at the end of 2024. Total unrealized losses on held to maturity securities were $1.0 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $2.1 million at September 30, 2024, and $3.3 million a year ago.

    Average interest bearing deposits in other banks increased to $72.2 million in the fourth quarter from $28.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 due to higher deposit balances and maturing portfolio investments. Average interest bearing deposits in other banks decreased in the fourth quarter of this year compared to $126.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 as cash was used to fund the growing loan portfolio.

    Portfolio loans were $2.13 billion at December 31, 2024, up 6% from the preceding quarter and up 19% from a year ago. Portfolio loans, excluding consumer mortgage loans, were $1.86 million at December 31, 2024, up 6% or $99.9 million from $1.76 billion in the preceding quarter and up 14% from a year ago. This increase was diversified throughout the loan portfolio including commercial real estate nonowner-occupied and multi-family loans increasing by $35.1 million, construction loans increasing by $28.7 million, commercial loans increasing $24.9 million, and commercial real estate owner-occupied loans increasing $7.2 million from the preceding quarter. Average portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $2.07 billion, which was up 7% from the preceding quarter and up 18% from a year ago. Yields on average portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased slightly to 6.93% from 6.91% in the third quarter of 2024 and increased from 6.55% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in the yield on portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily due to loan repricing due to the increases in interest rates and new loans booked at higher rates due to changes in the interest rate environment. The yield on new portfolio loans, excluding consumer mortgage loans, was 7.40% in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to 7.43% in the third quarter of 2024 and 8.07% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Alaskans continue to account for substantially all of Northrim’s deposit base. Total deposits were $2.68 billion at December 31, 2024, up 2% from $2.63 billion at September 30, 2024, and up 8% from $2.49 billion a year ago. “Our bankers are working hard to continue to bring over new relationships to the Bank, which is helping to magnify normal increases in deposit balances from our customers’ business cycles,” said Ballard. At December 31, 2024, 73% of total deposits were held in business accounts and 27% of deposit balances were held in consumer accounts. Northrim had approximately 34,000 deposit customers with an average balance of $61,000 as of December 31, 2024. Northrim had 26 customers with balances over $10 million as of December 31, 2024, which accounted for $612.9 million, or 24%, of total deposits. Demand deposits decreased by 8% from the prior quarter and decreased 6% year-over-year to $706.2 million at December 31, 2024. Demand deposits decreased to 27% of total deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to 29% at September 30, 2024 and 31% of total deposits at December 31, 2023. Average interest-bearing deposits were up 9% to $1.95 billion with an average cost of 2.15% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $1.80 billion and an average cost of 2.24% in the third quarter of 2024, and up 13% compared to $1.72 billion and an average cost of 2.00% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.08 billion or 40% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024 compared to $1.1 billion or 46% of total deposits as of December 31, 2022. As interest rates continued to increase in 2022, Northrim has taken a proactive, targeted approach to increase deposit rates.

    Shareholders’ equity was $267.1 million, or $48.41 book value per share, at December 31, 2024, compared to $260.1 million, or $47.27 book value per share, at September 30, 2024 and $234.7 million, or $42.57 book value per share, a year ago. Tangible book value per share* was $39.17 at December 31, 2024, compared to $44.36 at September 30, 2024, and $39.68 per share a year ago. The increase in shareholders’ equity in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 was largely the result of earnings of $10.9 million which was partially offset by dividends paid of $3.4 million and a decrease in the fair value of the available for sale securities portfolio, which decreased $678,000, net of tax. The Company did not purchase any shares of common stock in the fourth quarter of 2024 and had 110,000 shares remaining under the current share repurchase program as of December 31, 2024. Tangible common equity to tangible assets* was 7.23% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 8.28% as of September 30, 2024 and 7.84% as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in tangible common equity to tangible assets* was primarily due to $35.0 million of Goodwill booked as part of the acquisition of Sallyport. Northrim continues to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “well-capitalized” with Tier 1 Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets of 9.76% at December 31, 2024, compared to 11.53% at September 30, 2024, and 11.43% at December 31, 2023.

    Asset Quality

    Northrim believes it has a consistent lending approach throughout the economic cycles, which emphasizes appropriate loan-to-value ratios, adequate debt coverage ratios, and competent management.

    Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) net of government guarantees were $11.6 million at December 31, 2024, up from $5.3 million at September 30, 2024 and from $5.8 million a year ago. Of the NPAs at December 31, 2024, $3.0 million, or 26% are nonaccrual loans related to three commercial relationships, $2.8 million, or 24% is related to a Sallyport nonaccrual loan, and $3.3 million, or 28% is related to one purchased receivable relationship.

    Net adversely classified loans were $9.6 million at December 31, 2024, as compared to $6.5 million at September 30, 2024, and $7.1 million a year ago. Adversely classified loans are loans that Northrim has classified as substandard, doubtful, and loss, net of government guarantees. Net loan recoveries were $51,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to net loan recoveries of $96,000 in the third quarter of 2024, and net loan charge-offs of $96,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Northrim had $138.0 million, or 6% of total portfolio loans, in the Healthcare sector; $117.0 million, or 5% of portfolio loans, in the Tourism sector; $104.3 million, or 5% in the Accommodations sector; $87.4 million, or 4% in Retail loans; $84.6 million, or 4% of portfolio loans, in the Aviation (non-tourism) sector; $76.5 million, or 4% in the Fishing sector; and $55.1 million, or 3% in the Restaurants and Breweries sector as of December 31, 2024.

    Northrim estimates that $99.7 million, or approximately 5% of portfolio loans, had direct exposure to the oil and gas industry in Alaska, as of December 31, 2024, and $1.6 million of these loans are adversely classified. As of December 31, 2024, Northrim has an additional $45.8 million in unfunded commitments to companies with direct exposure to the oil and gas industry in Alaska, and none of these unfunded commitments are considered to be adversely classified loans. Northrim defines direct exposure to the oil and gas sector as loans to borrowers that provide oilfield services and other companies that have been identified as significantly reliant upon activity in Alaska related to the oil and gas industry, such as lodging, equipment rental, transportation and other logistics services specific to this industry.

    About Northrim BanCorp

    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. is the parent company of Northrim Bank, an Alaska-based community bank with 20 branches throughout the state and differentiates itself with its detailed knowledge of Alaska’s economy and its “Customer First Service” philosophy. The Bank has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC, a specialty finance company and Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC, a regional home mortgage company. Pacific Wealth Advisors, LLC is an affiliated company.

    http://www.northrim.com

    Forward-Looking Statement
    This release may contain “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are, in effect, management’s attempt to predict future events, and thus are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy, management’s plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to Northrim and its management are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that management’s expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements, are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from our expectations as indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: descriptions of Northrim’s and Sallyport’s financial condition, results of operations, asset based lending volumes, asset and credit quality trends and profitability and statements about the expected financial benefits and other effects of the acquisition of Sallyport by Northrim Bank; expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the acquisition of Sallyport by Northrim Bank might not be realized within the expected time frames and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters might be greater than expected; the ability of Northrim and Sallyport to execute their respective business plans; potential further increases in interest rates; the value of securities held in our investment portfolio; the impact of the results of government initiatives on the regulatory landscape, natural resource extraction industries, and capital markets; the impact of declines in the value of commercial and residential real estate markets, high unemployment rates, inflationary pressures and slowdowns in economic growth; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; inflation, supply-chain constraints, and potential geopolitical instability, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East; financial stress on borrowers (consumers and businesses) as a result of higher rates or an uncertain economic environment; the general condition of, and changes in, the Alaska economy; our ability to maintain or expand our market share or net interest margin; the sufficiency of our provision for credit losses and the accuracy of the assumptions or estimates used in preparing our financial statements, including those related to current expected credit losses accounting guidance; our ability to maintain asset quality; our ability to implement our marketing and growth strategies; our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks, including security breaches, “denial of service attacks,” “hacking,” and identity theft; disease outbreaks; and our ability to execute our business plan. Further, actual results may be affected by competition on price and other factors with other financial institutions; customer acceptance of new products and services; the regulatory environment in which we operate; and general trends in the local, regional and national banking industry and economy. In addition, there are risks inherent in the banking industry relating to collectability of loans and changes in interest rates. Many of these risks, as well as other risks that may have a material adverse impact on our operations and business, are identified in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and from time to time are disclosed in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, you should be aware that these factors are not an exhaustive list, and you should not assume these are the only factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Northrim does not undertake any obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or conditions after the date of this release.

    References:

    https://www.bea.gov/

    http://almis.labor.state.ak.us/

    http://www.tax.alaska.gov/programs/oil/prevailing/ans.aspx

    http://www.tax.state.ak.us/

    http://www.mba.org

    https://www.alaskarealestate.com/MLSMember/RealEstateStatistics.aspx

    https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/web/client?auth=inherit&overridecdc=1&#markets/indexFinancials

                 
    Income Statement            
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended   Year-to-date
    (Unaudited) December 31, September 30, December 31,   December 31, December 31,
      2024 2024 2023   2024 2023
    Interest Income:            
    Interest and fees on loans $37,059   $34,863   $29,508     $134,739   $108,612  
    Interest on investments 3,844   4,164   4,677     16,838   18,695  
    Interest on deposits in banks 883   389   1,743     2,342   4,644  
    Total interest income 41,786   39,416   35,928     153,919   131,951  
    Interest Expense:            
    Interest expense on deposits 10,568   10,123   8,676     39,347   26,511  
    Interest expense on borrowings 377   451   520     1,389   2,184  
    Total interest expense 10,945   10,574   9,196     40,736   28,695  
    Net interest income 30,841   28,842   26,732     113,183   103,256  
                 
    Provision for credit losses 1,201   2,063   885     3,293   3,842  
    Net interest income after provision for            
    loan losses 29,640   26,779   25,847     109,890   99,414  
                 
    Other Operating Income:            
    Mortgage banking income 7,040   7,047   2,437     24,002   12,763  
    Purchased receivable income 3,526   1,033   1,307     7,146   4,482  
    Bankcard fees 1,148   1,196   946     4,366   3,862  
    Service charges on deposit accounts 622   605   532     2,348   2,044  
    Gain on sale of securities 112         112    
    Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable equity securities (364 ) 576   565     465   120  
    Other income 949   1,130   698     3,602   3,104  
    Total other operating income 13,033   11,587   6,485     42,041   26,375  
                 
    Other Operating Expense:            
    Salaries and other personnel expense 18,254   17,549   15,417     67,847   61,741  
    Data processing expense 3,108   2,618   2,500     10,986   9,821  
    Occupancy expense 1,893   1,911   1,783     7,609   7,394  
    Professional and outside services 1,967   903   802     4,351   3,128  
    Marketing expense 965   860   933     3,028   2,929  
    Insurance expense 894   596   675     2,961   2,519  
    OREO expense, net rental income and gains on sale 2   2   (28 )   (385 ) (794 )
    Intangible asset amortization expense     6       17  
    Other operating expense 2,294   2,289   1,905     8,540   7,426  
    Total other operating expense 29,377   26,728   23,993     104,937   94,181  
                 
    Income before provision for income taxes 13,296   11,638   8,339     46,994   31,608  
    Provision for income taxes 2,369   2,813   1,726     10,023   6,214  
    Net income $10,927   $8,825   $6,613     $36,971   $25,394  
                 
    Basic EPS $1.99   $1.60   $1.19     $6.72   $4.53  
    Diluted EPS $1.95   $1.57   $1.19     $6.62   $4.49  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 5,509,078   5,501,943   5,513,041     5,502,797   5,601,471  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,578,491     5,583,983   5,661,460  
                           
    Balance Sheet      
    (Dollars in thousands)      
    (Unaudited) December 31, September 30, December 31,
      2024 2024 2023
           
    Assets:      
    Cash and due from banks $42,101   $42,805   $27,457  
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks 20,635   60,071   91,073  
    Investment securities available for sale, at fair value 478,617   545,210   637,936  
    Investment securities held to maturity 36,750   36,750   36,750  
    Marketable equity securities, at fair value 8,719   12,957   13,153  
    Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock 5,331   4,318   2,980  
    Loans held for sale 59,957   97,937   31,974  
    Portfolio loans 2,129,263   2,007,565   1,789,497  
    Allowance for credit losses, loans (22,020 ) (19,528 ) (17,270 )
    Net portfolio loans 2,107,243   1,988,037   1,772,227  
    Purchased receivables, net 74,078   23,564   36,842  
    Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value 26,439   21,570   19,564  
    Premises and equipment, net 37,757   39,625   40,693  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets 7,455   7,616   9,092  
    Goodwill and intangible assets 50,968   15,967   15,967  
    Other assets 85,819   66,965   71,789  
    Total assets $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,807,497  
           
    Liabilities:      
    Demand deposits $706,225   $763,595   $749,683  
    Interest-bearing demand 1,108,404   979,238   927,291  
    Savings deposits 250,900   245,043   255,338  
    Money market deposits 196,290   201,821   221,492  
    Time deposits 418,370   435,870   331,251  
    Total deposits 2,680,189   2,625,567   2,485,055  
    Other borrowings 23,045   13,354   13,675  
    Junior subordinated debentures 10,310   10,310   10,310  
    Operating lease liabilities 7,487   7,635   9,092  
    Other liabilities 53,722   46,476   54,647  
    Total liabilities 2,774,753   2,703,342   2,572,779  
           
    Shareholders’ Equity:      
    Total shareholders’ equity 267,116   260,050   234,718  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,807,497  
           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Composition of Portfolio Loans                        
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31,
    2023
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
    Commercial loans $518,148   24 %   $492,414   24 %   $495,781   26 %   $475,220   26 %   $486,057   27 %
    Commercial real estate:                            
    Owner occupied properties 420,060   20 %   412,827   20 %   383,832   20 %   372,507   20 %   368,357   20 %
    Nonowner occupied and multifamily properties 619,431   29 %   584,302   31 %   551,130   30 %   529,904   30 %   519,115   30 %
    Residential real estate:                            
    1-4 family properties secured by first liens 270,535   13 %   248,514   12 %   222,026   12 %   218,552   12 %   203,534   11 %
    1-4 family properties secured by junior liens & revolving secured by first liens 48,857   2 %   45,262   2 %   41,258   2 %   35,460   2 %   33,783   2 %
    1-4 family construction 39,789   2 %   39,794   2 %   29,510   2 %   27,751   2 %   31,239   2 %
    Construction loans 214,068   10 %   185,362   9 %   154,009   8 %   153,537   8 %   149,788   8 %
    Consumer loans 7,562   %   7,836   %   6,679   %   6,444   %   6,180   %
    Subtotal 2,138,450       2,016,311       1,884,225       1,819,375       1,798,053    
    Unearned loan fees, net (9,187 )     (8,746 )     (8,318 )     (8,240 )     (8,556 )  
    Total portfolio loans $2,129,263       $2,007,565       $1,875,907       $1,811,135       $1,789,497    
                                 
    Composition of Deposits                        
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
    Demand deposits $706,225   27 %   $763,595   29 %   $704,471   29 %   $714,244   29 %   $749,683   31 %
    Interest-bearing demand 1,108,404   41 %   979,238   37 %   906,010   36 %   889,581   37 %   927,291   37 %
    Savings deposits 250,900   9 %   245,043   9 %   238,156   10 %   246,902   10 %   255,338   10 %
    Money market deposits 196,290   7 %   204,821   8 %   195,159   8 %   209,785   9 %   221,492   9 %
    Time deposits 418,370   16 %   435,870   17 %   420,010   17 %   373,571   15 %   331,251   13 %
    Total deposits $2,680,189       $2,628,567       $2,463,806       $2,434,083       $2,485,055    
                                           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Asset Quality
    December 31, September 30, December 31,
        2024 2024 2023
      Nonaccrual loans $7,516   $4,944   $6,069  
      Loans 90 days past due and accruing 17   17    
      Total nonperforming loans 7,533   4,961   6,069  
      Nonperforming loans guaranteed by government     (1,067 )
      Net nonperforming loans 7,533   4,961   5,002  
      Repossessed assets 297   297    
      Nonperforming purchased receivables 3,768     808  
      Net nonperforming assets $11,598   $5,258   $5,810  
      Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans 0.35 % 0.25 % 0.28 %
      Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 0.38 % 0.26 % 0.30 %
      Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees / total assets 0.38 % 0.18 % 0.21 %
      Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees / total assets net of government guarantees 0.40 % 0.19 % 0.21 %
                   
      Adversely classified loans, net of government guarantees $9,636   $6,503   $7,057  
      Special mention loans, net of government guarantees $19,769   $9,641   $6,580  
      Loans 30-89 days past due and accruing, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans 0.03 % 0.08 % 0.03 %
      Loans 30-89 days past due and accruing, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 0.03 % 0.09 % 0.03 %
                   
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / portfolio loans 1.03 % 0.97 % 0.97 %
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 1.10 % 1.04 % 1.02 %
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees 292 % 394 % 345 %
                   
      Allowance for credit losses – purchased receivables / purchased receivables 4.69 % % %
      Allowance for credit losses – purchased receivables / nonperforming purchased receivables 97 % % %
                   
      Gross loan charge-offs for the quarter $149   $15   $281  
      Gross loan recoveries for the quarter ($200 ) ($111 ) ($185 )
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter ($51 ) ($96 ) $96  
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs year-to-date ($215 ) ($164 ) ($38 )
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter / average loans, for the quarter 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.01 %
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs year-to-date / average loans, year-to-date annualized (0.01 )% (0.01 )% 0.00 %
                   

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Average Balances, Yields, and Rates                            
      Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
        Average     Average     Average
      Average Tax
    Equivalent
      Average Tax
    Equivalent
      Average Tax
    Equivalent
      Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate
    Assets              
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks $72,212   4.72 %   $28,409   5.28 %   $126,174   5.40 %
    Portfolio investments 565,785   2.84 %   619,012   2.80 %   690,659   2.48 %
    Loans held for sale 83,304   5.97 %   93,689   6.20 %   45,732   6.55 %
    Portfolio loans 2,066,216   6.93 %   1,933,181   6.91 %   1,749,732   6.55 %
    Total interest-earning assets 2,787,517   6.02 %   2,674,291   5.92 %   2,612,297   5.51 %
    Nonearning assets 251,364       196,266       214,934    
    Total assets $3,038,881       $2,870,557       $2,827,231    
                   
    Liabilities and Shareholders Equity              
    Interest-bearing deposits $1,954,495   2.15 %   $1,796,107   2.24 %   $1,724,409   2.00 %
    Borrowings 29,251   3.95 %   43,555   4.07 %   47,964   4.25 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,983,746   2.18 %   1,839,662   2.29 %   1,772,373   2.06 %
                   
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 738,911       722,000       760,566    
    Other liabilities 49,815       52,387       63,321    
    Shareholders’ equity 266,409       256,508       230,971    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $3,038,881       $2,870,557       $2,827,231    
    Net spread   3.84 %   3.63 %     3.45 %
    NIM   4.41 %   4.29 %     4.06 %
    NIMTE*   4.47 %   4.35 %     4.12 %
    Cost of funds   1.59 %   1.64 %     1.44 %
    Average portfolio loans to average interest-earning assets 74.12 %     72.29 %     66.98 %  
    Average portfolio loans to average total deposits 76.71 %     76.77 %     70.41 %  
    Average non-interest deposits to average total deposits 27.43 %     28.67 %     30.61 %  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 140.52 %     145.37 %     147.39 %  
                           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Average Balances, Yields, and Rates          
      Year-to-date
      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
        Average     Average
      Average Tax Equivalent   Average Tax Equivalent
      Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate
    Assets          
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks $44,913   5.09 %   $91,161   5.02 %
    Portfolio investments 623,756   2.82 %   715,367   2.43 %
    Loans held for sale 68,790   6.08 %   41,769   6.19 %
    Portfolio loans 1,910,156   6.87 %   1,643,943   6.49 %
    Total interest-earning assets 2,647,615   5.86 %   2,492,240   5.36 %
    Nonearning assets 213,397       198,107    
    Total assets $2,861,012       $2,690,347    
               
    Liabilities and Shareholders Equity          
    Interest-bearing deposits $1,802,286   2.18 %   $1,614,386   1.64 %
    Borrowings 33,799   3.81 %   51,038   4.24 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,836,085   2.21 %   1,665,424   1.72 %
               
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 718,163       749,859    
    Other liabilities 55,265       47,820    
    Shareholders’ equity 251,499       227,244    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $2,861,012       $2,690,347    
    Net spread   3.65 %     3.64 %
    NIM   4.28 %     4.14 %
    NIMTE*   4.33 %     4.21 %
    Cost of funds   1.59 %     1.19 %
    Average portfolio loans to average interest-earning assets 72.15 %     65.96 %  
    Average portfolio loans to average total deposits 75.79 %     69.53 %  
    Average non-interest deposits to average total deposits 28.49 %     31.72 %  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 144.20 %     149.65 %  
                   

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Capital Data (At quarter end)          
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30, 2024   December 31,
    2023
    Book value per share $48.41     $47.27     $42.57  
    Tangible book value per share* $39.17     $44.36     $39.68  
    Total shareholders’ equity/Total assets 8.78 %   8.78 %   8.36 %
    Tangible common equity/Tangible assets* 7.23 %   8.28 %   7.84 %
    Tier 1 capital / Risk adjusted assets 9.76 %   11.53 %   11.43 %
    Total capital / Risk adjusted assets 10.94 %   12.50 %   12.35 %
    Tier 1 capital / Average assets 7.68 %   9.08 %   8.72 %
    Common shares outstanding 5,518,210     5,501,943     5,513,459  
    Unrealized gain on AFS debt securities, net of income taxes ($8,295 )   ($7,617 )   ($17,415 )
    Unrealized (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities, net of income taxes $1,272     $863     $978  
                     
    Profitability Ratios                            
      December 31,
    2024
      September
    30, 2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    For the quarter:                            
    NIM 4.41 %   4.29 %   4.24 %   4.16 %   4.06 %
    NIMTE* 4.47 %   4.35 %   4.30 %   4.22 %   4.12 %
    Efficiency ratio 66.96 %   66.11 %   68.78 %   68.93 %   72.21 %
    Return on average assets 1.43 %   1.22 %   1.31 %   1.19 %   0.93 %
    Return on average equity 16.32 %   13.69 %   14.84 %   13.84 %   11.36 %
                                 
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Year-to-date:          
    NIM 4.28 %   4.14 %
    NIMTE* 4.33 %   4.21 %
    Efficiency ratio 67.60 %   72.64 %
    Return on average assets 1.29 %   0.94 %
    Return on average equity 14.70 %   11.17 %
               

    *Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied, and are not audited. Although we believe these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of the Company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under GAAP.

    Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis

    Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”) is a non-GAAP performance measurement in which interest income on non-taxable investments and loans is presented on a tax equivalent basis using a combined federal and state statutory rate of 28.43% in both 2023 and 2022. The most comparable GAAP measure is net interest margin and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of NIMTE to net interest margin.

       
      Three Months Ended
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Net interest income $30,841     $28,842     $27,053     $26,447     $26,732  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,787,517     2,674,291     2,568,266     2,558,558     2,612,297  
    Net interest margin (“NIM”)2 4.41 %   4.29 %   4.24 %   4.16 %   4.06 %
                       
    Net interest income $30,841     $28,842     $27,053     $26,447     $26,732  
    Plus: reduction in tax expense related to tax-exempt interest income 379     385     378     379     374  
      $31,220     $29,227     $27,431     $26,826     $27,106  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,787,517     2,674,291     2,568,266     2,558,558     2,612,297  
    NIMTE2 4.47 %   4.35 %   4.30 %   4.22 %   4.12 %
                                 
      Year-to-date
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Net interest income $113,183     $103,256  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,647,615     2,492,240  
    Net interest margin (“NIM”)3 4.28 %   4.14 %
           
    Net interest income $113,183     $103,256  
    Plus: reduction in tax expense related to tax-exempt interest income 1,521     1,576  
      $114,704     $104,832  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,647,615     2,492,240  
    NIMTE3 4.33 %   4.21 %
               
    2Calculated using actual days in the quarter divided by 366 for the quarters ended in 2024 and 365 for the quarters ended in 2023, respectively.
               
    3Calculated using actual days in the year divided by 366 for year-to-date period in 2024 and 365 for year-to-date period in 2023, respectively.
               

    *Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Tangible Book Value

    Tangible book value is a non-GAAP measure defined as shareholders’ equity, less intangible assets, divided by common shares outstanding. The most comparable GAAP measure is book value per share and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of tangible book value per share and book value per share.

                       
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Divided by common shares outstanding 5,518     5,502     5,502     5,500     5,513  
    Book value per share $48.41     $47.26     $44.93     $43.52     $42.57  
                                 
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Less: goodwill and intangible assets 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
      $216,148     $244,083     $231,233     $223,360     $218,751  
    Divided by common shares outstanding 5,518     5,502     5,502     5,500     5,513  
    Tangible book value per share $39.17     $44.36     $43.52     $40.61     $39.68  
                                 

    Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

    Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP ratio that represents total equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and intangible assets. The most comparable GAAP measure of shareholders’ equity to total assets is calculated by dividing total shareholders’ equity by total assets and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets and shareholders’ equity to total assets.

                       
    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Total assets 3,041,869     2,963,392     2,821,668     2,759,560     2,807,497  
    Total shareholders’ equity to total assets 8.78 %   8.78 %   8.76 %   8.67 %   8.36 %
                                 
    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets, net 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
    Tangible common shareholders’ equity $216,148     $244,083     $231,233     $223,360     $218,751  
                       
    Total assets $3,041,869     $2,963,392     $2,821,668     $2,759,560     $2,807,497  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets, net 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
    Tangible assets $2,990,901     $2,947,425     $2,805,701     $2,743,593     $2,791,530  
    Tangible common equity ratio 7.23 %   8.28 %   8.24 %   8.14 %   7.84 %
                                 

    Note Transmitted on GlobeNewswire on January 24, 2025, at 12:15 pm Alaska Standard Time.

       
    Contact: Mike Huston, President, CEO, and COO
      (907) 261-8750
      Jed Ballard, Chief Financial Officer
      (907) 261-3539
       

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: CVR Energy Commences Planned Turnaround at Coffeyville Refinery

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUGAR LAND, Texas, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CVI, “CVR Energy” or the “Company”) today announced that it has commenced its planned turnaround at the Coffeyville, Kansas, refinery operated by one of its subsidiaries following damage sustained to its Naphtha Hydrotreater on January 21, 2025, during freezing weather conditions. The Company intends to provide further updates regarding this turnaround during its next earnings conference call.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements concerning current estimates, expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects, opportunities, plans, actions and events and other statements, concerns, or matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding its Naphtha Hydrotreater and turnaround at the Coffeyville refinery including the cost, timing, duration and outcome thereof. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “evaluate,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “upcoming,” “before,” “future,” or “will,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Investors are cautioned that various factors may affect these forward-looking statements, including (among others): impacts of plant outages and weather conditions and events; and other risks. For additional discussion of risk factors which may affect our results, please see the risk factors and other disclosures included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. These and other risks may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date hereof. CVR Energy disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

    About CVR Energy, Inc.
    Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the renewables, petroleum refining and marketing business as well as in the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing business through its interest in CVR Partners. CVR Energy subsidiaries serve as the general partner and own 37 percent of the common units of CVR Partners.

    Investors and others should note that CVR Energy may announce material information using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the Investor Relations page of its website. CVR Energy may use these channels to distribute material information about the Company and to communicate important information about the Company, corporate initiatives and other matters. Information that CVR Energy posts on its website could be deemed material; therefore, CVR Energy encourages investors, the media, its customers, business partners and others interested in the Company to review the information posted on its website.

    Contact Information:

    Investor Relations
    Richard Roberts
    (281) 207-3205
    InvestorRelations@CVREnergy.com

    Media Relations
    Brandee Stephens
    (281) 207-3516
    MediaRelations@CVREnergy.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: First Capital, Inc. Reports Annual and Quarterly Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CORYDON, Ind., Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FCAP), the holding company for First Harrison Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $11.9 million, or $3.57 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to net income of $12.8 million, or $3.82 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

    Net interest income after provision for credit losses increased $894,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Interest income increased $6.9 million when comparing the two periods due to an increase in the average tax-equivalent yield(1) on interest-earning assets from 3.96% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 4.49% for the same period in 2024. Interest expense increased $5.7 million as the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased from 1.11% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 1.73% for the same period in 2024, in addition to an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities from $809.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $850.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a result of the changes in interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the tax-equivalent net interest margin(1) increased from 3.16% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 3.20% for the same period in 2024. Refer to the accompanying average balance sheet for more information regarding changes in the composition of the Company’s balance sheet and resulting yields and costs from the year ended December 31, 2023 to the year ended December 31, 2024.

    Based on management’s analysis of the Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) on loans and unfunded loan commitments, the provision for credit losses increased from $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was due to loan growth during the period, the increase in nonperforming assets during the year described later in this release, as well as management’s consideration of macroeconomic uncertainty. The Bank recognized net charge-offs of $173,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $469,000 for the same period in 2023.  

    Noninterest income increased $24,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to increases in gains on the sale of loans and service charges on deposit accounts of $133,000 and $59,000, respectively. These were partially offset by the Company recognizing a $374,000 loss on equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to a $207,000 loss during the same period in 2023.

    Noninterest expenses increased $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023. This was primarily due to increases in professional fees, compensation and benefits, and other expenses of $663,000, $536,000 and $260,000, respectively, when comparing the two periods.   The increase in professional fees is primarily due to increased costs associated with the Company’s annual audit and fees being accrued for the Company’s ongoing core contract negotiations. The increase in compensation and benefits is due to standard increases in salary and wages as well as increases in the cost of Company-provided health insurance benefits. The increase in other expenses included a $90,000 increase in the Company’s support of local communities through sponsorships and donations, a $64,000 increase in check and debit card fraud losses, $30,000 in increased dues and subscriptions, and $25,000 in increased expenses related to employee training and education.

    Income tax expense decreased $32,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023 resulting in an effective tax rate of 15.6% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 14.9% for the same period in 2023.

    Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

    The Company’s net income was $3.3 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $3.1 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

    Net interest income after provision for credit losses increased $822,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023. Interest income increased $1.6 million when comparing the periods due to an increase in the average tax-equivalent yield(1) on interest-earning assets from 4.20% for the fourth quarter of 2023 to 4.64% for the fourth quarter of 2024. Interest expense increased $693,000 when comparing the periods due to an increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities from 1.51% for the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1.76% for the fourth quarter of 2024, in addition to an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities from $821.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 to $859.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result of the changes in interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the tax-equivalent net interest margin(1) increased from 3.11% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to 3.33% for the same period in 2024. Refer to the accompanying average balance sheet for more information regarding changes in the composition of the Company’s balance sheet and resulting yields and costs from the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    Based on management’s analysis of the ACL on loans and unfunded loan commitments, the provision for credit losses increased from $308,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to $346,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.   The Bank recognized net charge-offs of $24,000 and $89,000 for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

    Noninterest income increased $103,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.   The Company recognized increases in gain on sale of loans, service charges on deposit accounts, and an increase in the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance policies of $56,000, $29,000, and $15,000, respectively, when comparing the two periods. These were partially offset by a $21,000 decrease in ATM and debit card fees. In addition, the Company recognized a $104,000 loss on equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to a $121,000 loss during the same period in 2023.

    Noninterest expense increased $567,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023, due primarily to increases in professional fees, compensation and benefits, and occupancy and equipment expenses of $239,000, $162,000, and $66,000, respectively. The increase in professional fees is primarily due to increased costs associated with the Company’s annual audit and fees being accrued for the Company’s ongoing core contract negotiations. The increase in compensation and benefits is due to standard increases in salary and wages as well as increases in the cost of Company-provided health insurance benefits. The increase in occupancy and equipment expenses is primarily due to increased depreciation expense and facility repairs.

    Income tax expenses increased $206,000 for the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This was due primarily to the finalization of estimates associated with the Company’s investment in solar tax credit producing facilities during 2024. As a result, the effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was 17.3% compared to 13.3% for the same period in 2023.

    Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2024 and 2023

    Total assets were $1.19 billion at December 31, 2024 compared to $1.16 billion at December 31, 2023. Total cash and cash equivalents and net loans receivable increased $67.2 million and $16.8 million, respectively, from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, while securities available for sale decreased $48.0 million during the same period. Deposits increased $41.2 million from $1.03 billion at December 31, 2023 to $1.07 billion at December 31, 2024.   The Bank had no borrowed funds outstanding at December 31, 2024 compared to $21.5 million in borrowings outstanding through the Federal Reserve Bank’s BTFP at December 31, 2023. Nonperforming assets (consisting of nonaccrual loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due, and foreclosed real estate) increased from $1.8 million at December 31, 2023 to $4.5 million at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to the nonaccrual classification of two commercial loan relationships totaling $2.6 million. Loans in the relationship are secured by a variety of real estate and business assets.

    The Bank currently has 18 offices in the Indiana communities of Corydon, Edwardsville, Greenville, Floyds Knobs, Palmyra, New Albany, New Salisbury, Jeffersonville, Salem, Lanesville and Charlestown and the Kentucky communities of Shepherdsville, Mt. Washington and Lebanon Junction.

    Access to First Harrison Bank accounts, including online banking and electronic bill payments, is available through the Bank’s website at http://www.firstharrison.com. For more information and financial data about the Company, please visit Investor Relations at the Bank’s aforementioned website. The Bank can also be followed on Facebook.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “could” and “should,” and other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts nor guarantees of future performance; rather, they are statements based on the Company’s current beliefs, assumptions, and expectations regarding its business strategies and their intended results and its future performance.

    Numerous risks and uncertainties could cause or contribute to the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause or contribute to these differences include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including changes in market interest rates and changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; competition; the ability of the Company to execute its business plan; legislative and regulatory changes; the quality and composition of the loan and investment portfolios; loan demand; deposit flows; changes in accounting principles and guidelines; and other factors disclosed periodically in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Because of the risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them, whether included in this press release, the Company’s reports, or made elsewhere from time to time by the Company or on its behalf. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

    Contact:
    Joshua Stevens
    Chief Financial Officer
    812-738-1570

    (1) Reconciliations of the non–U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) measures are set forth at the end of this press release.

     
    FIRST CAPITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
                   
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      December 31,   December 31,
    OPERATING DATA 2024   2023   2024   2023
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)              
                   
    Total interest income $ 13,192     $ 11,639     $ 50,471     $ 43,605  
    Total interest expense   3,784       3,091       14,681       9,017  
    Net interest income   9,408       8,548       35,790       34,588  
    Provision for credit losses   346       308       1,449       1,141  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   9,062       8,240       34,341       33,447  
                   
    Total non-interest income   1,934       1,831       7,656       7,632  
    Total non-interest expense   7,047       6,480       27,828       26,028  
    Income before income taxes   3,949       3,591       14,169       15,051  
    Income tax expense   684       478       2,216       2,248  
    Net income   3,265       3,113       11,953       12,803  
    Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest   3       3       13       13  
    Net income attributable to First Capital, Inc. $ 3,262     $ 3,110     $ 11,940     $ 12,790  
                   
    Net income per share attributable to              
    First Capital, Inc. common shareholders:              
    Basic $ 0.97     $ 0.93     $ 3.57     $ 3.82  
                   
    Diluted $ 0.97     $ 0.93     $ 3.57     $ 3.82  
                   
    Weighted average common shares outstanding:              
    Basic   3,347,043       3,345,910       3,346,161       3,347,341  
                   
    Diluted   3,347,321       3,345,910       3,346,161       3,347,341  
                   
    OTHER FINANCIAL DATA              
                   
    Cash dividends per share $ 0.29     $ 0.27     $ 1.12     $ 1.08  
    Return on average assets (annualized)   1.10 %     1.09 %     1.02 %     1.12 %
    Return on average equity (annualized)   11.33 %     13.67 %     10.97 %     14.03 %
    Net interest margin   3.26 %     3.03 %     3.14 %     3.08 %
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (1)   3.33 %     3.11 %     3.20 %     3.16 %
    Interest rate spread   2.81 %     2.61 %     2.69 %     2.77 %
    Interest rate spread (tax-equivalent basis) (1)   2.88 %     2.69 %     2.76 %     2.85 %
    Net overhead expense as a percentage of average assets (annualized)   2.38 %     2.26 %     2.38 %     2.28 %
                   
      December 31,   December 31,        
    BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION 2024   2023        
                   
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 105,917     $ 38,670          
    Interest-bearing time deposits   2,695       3,920          
    Investment securities   396,243       444,271          
    Gross loans   640,480       622,414          
    Allowance for credit losses   9,281       8,005          
    Earning assets   1,119,944       1,083,898          
    Total assets   1,187,523       1,157,880          
    Deposits   1,066,439       1,025,211          
    Borrowed funds         21,500          
    Stockholders’ equity, net of noncontrolling interest   114,599       105,233          
    Allowance for credit losses as a percent of gross loans   1.45 %     1.29 %        
    Non-performing assets:              
    Nonaccrual loans   4,483       1,751          
    Accruing loans past due 90 days                  
    Foreclosed real estate                  
    Regulatory capital ratios (Bank only):              
    Community Bank Leverage Ratio (2)   10.57 %     9.92 %        
                   
    (1) See reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures for additional information relating to the calculation of this item.
    (2) Effective March 31, 2020, the Bank opted in to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) framework. As such, the other regulatory ratios are no longer provided.
                   
     
    FIRST CAPITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Average Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
                     
        For the Year ended December 31,
        2024   2023
            Average
          Average
        Average   Yield/   Average   Yield/
        Balance Interest Cost   Balance Interest Cost
    (Dollars in thousands)                
    Interest earning assets:                
    Loans (1) (2):                
    Taxable   $ 624,193   $ 37,974   6.08 %   $ 582,465   $ 33,153   5.69 %
    Tax-exempt (3)     9,805     377   3.84 %     8,144     249   3.06 %
    Total loans     633,998     38,351   6.05 %     590,609     33,402   5.66 %
                     
    Investment securities:                
    Taxable (4)     333,195     6,918   2.08 %     358,860     5,635   1.57 %
    Tax-exempt (3)     121,947     3,329   2.73 %     147,667     4,236   2.87 %
    Total investment securities     455,142     10,247   2.25 %     506,527     9,871   1.95 %
                     
    Federal funds sold     45,563     2,357   5.17 %     19,512     989   5.07 %
    Other interest-earning assets (5)     6,473     294   4.54 %     7,078     285   4.03 %
    Total interest earning assets     1,141,176     51,249   4.49 %     1,123,726     44,547   3.96 %
                     
    Non-interest earning assets     28,479           20,140      
    Total assets   $ 1,169,655         $ 1,143,866      
                     
    Interest bearing liabilities:                
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 433,495   $ 6,086   1.40 %   $ 447,895   $ 4,652   1.04 %
    Savings accounts     230,353     810   0.35 %     255,126     917   0.36 %
    Time deposits     156,534     6,331   4.04 %     91,423     2,672   2.92 %
    Total deposits     820,382     13,227   1.61 %     794,444     8,241   1.04 %
                     
    FHLB Advances     1,736     99   5.70 %     6,084     340   5.59 %
    BTFP Advances     27,918     1,355   4.85 %     8,632     436   5.05 %
    Total interest bearing liabilities     850,036     14,681   1.73 %     809,160     9,017   1.11 %
                     
    Non-interest bearing liabilities                
    Non-interest bearing deposits     203,699           236,471      
    Other liabilities     7,046           7,056      
    Total liabilities     1,060,781           1,052,687      
    Stockholders’ equity (6)     108,874           91,179      
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,169,655         $ 1,143,866      
                     
    Net interest income (tax equivalent basis)   $ 36,568         $ 35,530    
    Less: tax equivalent adjustment       (778 )         (942 )  
    Net interest income     $ 35,790         $ 34,588    
                     
    Interest rate spread       2.69 %       2.77 %
    Interest rate spread (tax equivalent basis) (7)     2.76 %       2.85 %
    Net interest margin       3.14 %       3.08 %
    Net interest margin (tax equivalent basis) (7)     3.20 %       3.16 %
    Ratio of average interest earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities       134.25 %       138.88 %
                     
    (1) Interest income on loans includes fee income of $727,000 and $961,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
    (2) Average loan balances include loans held for sale and nonperforming loans.
    (3) Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using the federal marginal tax rate of 21%.
    (4) Includes taxable debt and equity securities and FHLB Stock.
    (5) Includes interest-bearing deposits with banks and interest-bearing time deposits.
    (6) Stockholders’ equity attributable to First Capital, Inc.
    (7) Reconciliations of the non-U.S. GAAP measures are set forth at the end of this press release.
                     
     
    FIRST CAPITAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Average Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
                     
        For the Three Months ended December 31,
        2024   2023
            Average
          Average
        Average   Yield/   Average   Yield/
        Balance Interest Cost   Balance Interest Cost
    (Dollars in thousands)                
    Interest earning assets:                
    Loans (1) (2):                
    Taxable   $ 627,125   $ 9,748   6.22 %   $ 608,688   $ 9,018   5.93 %
    Tax-exempt (3)     11,339     123   4.34 %     8,079     63   3.12 %
    Total loans     638,464     9,871   6.18 %     616,767     9,081   5.89 %
                     
    Investment securities:                
    Taxable (4)     314,345     1,739   2.21 %     352,377     1,521   1.73 %
    Tax-exempt (3)     121,445     838   2.76 %     139,865     996   2.85 %
    Total investment securities     435,790     2,577   2.37 %     492,242     2,517   2.05 %
                     
    Federal funds sold     72,271     867   4.80 %     13,765     194   5.64 %
    Other interest-earning assets (5)     6,884     78   4.53 %     6,386     69   4.32 %
    Total interest earning assets     1,153,409     13,393   4.64 %     1,129,160     11,861   4.20 %
                     
    Non-interest earning assets     30,640           16,953      
    Total assets   $ 1,184,049         $ 1,146,113      
                     
    Interest bearing liabilities:                
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 437,573   $ 1,535   1.40 %   $ 427,832   $ 1,413   1.32 %
    Savings accounts     224,311     159   0.28 %     239,355     146   0.24 %
    Time deposits     185,112     1,936   4.18 %     122,163     1,104   3.61 %
    Total deposits     846,996     3,630   1.71 %     789,350     2,663   1.35 %
                     
    FHLB Advances                 16,321     232   5.69 %
    BTFP Advances     12,621     154   4.88 %     15,402     196   5.09 %
    Total interest bearing liabilities     859,617     3,784   1.76 %     821,073     3,091   1.51 %
                     
    Non-interest bearing liabilities                
    Non-interest bearing deposits     202,008           227,613      
    Other liabilities     7,294           6,415      
    Total liabilities     209,302           234,028      
    Stockholders’ equity (6)     115,130           91,012      
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,184,049         $ 1,146,113      
                     
    Net interest income (tax equivalent basis)   $ 9,609         $ 8,770    
    Less: tax equivalent adjustment       (201 )         (222 )  
    Net interest income     $ 9,408         $ 8,548    
                     
    Interest rate spread       2.81 %       2.61 %
    Interest rate spread (tax-equivalent basis) (7)     2.88 %       2.69 %
    Net interest margin       3.26 %       3.03 %
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (7)     3.33 %       3.11 %
    Ratio of average interest earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities       134.18 %       137.52 %
                     
    (1) Interest income on loans includes fee income of $210,000 and $180,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
    (2) Average loan balances include loans held for sale and nonperforming loans.
    (3) Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using the federal marginal tax rate of 21%.
    (4) Includes taxable debt and equity securities and FHLB Stock.
    (5) Includes interest-bearing deposits with banks and interest-bearing time deposits.
    (6) Stockholders’ equity attributable to First Capital, Inc.
    (7) Reconciliations of the non-U.S. GAAP measures are set forth at the end of this press release.
                     
                   
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED):
                   
    This presentation contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management uses these “non-GAAP” measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow for better comparability with prior periods, as well as with peers in the industry who provide a similar presentation, and provide a further understanding of the Company’s ongoing operations. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. The following table summarizes the non-GAAP financial measures derived from amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and reconciles those non-GAAP financial measures with the comparable GAAP financial measures.
                                   
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      December 31,   December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
    (Dollars in thousands)              
    Net interest income (A) $ 9,408     $ 8,548     $ 35,790     $ 34,588  
    Add: Tax-equivalent adjustment   201       222       778       942  
    Tax-equivalent net interest income (B)   9,609       8,770       36,568       35,530  
    Average interest earning assets (C)   1,153,409       1,129,160       1,141,176       1,123,726  
    Net interest margin (A)/(C)   3.26 %     3.03 %     3.14 %     3.08 %
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (B)/(C)   3.33 %     3.11 %     3.20 %     3.16 %
                   
    Total interest income (D) $ 13,192     $ 11,639     $ 50,471     $ 43,605  
    Add: Tax-equivalent adjustment   201       222       778       942  
    Total interest income tax-equivalent basis (E)   13,393       11,861       51,249       44,547  
    Average interest earning assets (F)   1,153,409       1,129,160       1,141,176       1,123,726  
    Average yield on interest earning assets (D)/(F); (G)   4.57 %     4.12 %     4.42 %     3.88 %
    Average yield on interest earning assets tax-equivalent (E)/(F); (H)   4.64 %     4.20 %     4.49 %     3.96 %
    Average cost of interest bearing liabilities (I)   1.76 %     1.51 %     1.73 %     1.11 %
    Interest rate spread (G)-(I)   2.81 %     2.61 %     2.69 %     2.77 %
    Interest rate spread tax-equivalent (H)-(I)   2.88 %     2.69 %     2.76 %     2.85 %
                                   

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Univest Securities, LLC Announces Closing of $4.42 Million Registered Direct Offering for its Client Houston American Energy Corp. (NYSE American: HUSA)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Univest Securities, LLC (“Univest”), a member of FINRA and SIPC, and a full-service investment bank and securities broker-dealer firm based in New York, today announced the closing of registered direct offering (the “Offering”) on January 23, 2025, for its client Houston American Energy Corp (NYSE American: HUSA) (the “Company”), an independent oil and gas company.

    Under the terms of the securities purchase agreement, the Company has agreed to sell to several investors for the purchase and sale of an aggregate of 2,600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) at a purchase price of $1.70 per share in a registered direct offering.

    The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company was approximately $4,420,000.

    Univest Securities, LLC acted as the sole placement agent.

    The registered direct offering was made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-282778) previously filed by the Company and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 4, 2024. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus describing the terms of the proposed offering were filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained, by contacting Univest Securities, LLC at info@univest.us, or by calling +1 (212) 343-8888.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sales of such securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the registered direct offering, together with the accompanying base prospectus, can be obtained at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

    About Univest Securities, LLC

    Registered with FINRA since 1994, Univest Securities, LLC provides a wide variety of financial services to its institutional and retail clients globally including brokerage and execution services, sales and trading, market making, investment banking and advisory, wealth management. It strives to provide clients with value-add service and focuses on building long-term relationship with its clients. For more information, please visit: http://www.univest.us.

    About Houston American Energy Corp.

    Houston American Energy Corp., an independent oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and production of natural gas, crude oil, and condensate. Its principal properties are located primarily in the Texas Permian Basin, the South American country of Colombia, and the onshore Louisiana Gulf Coast region. The company is based in Houston, Texas.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may, “will, “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions and the completion of the initial public offering on the anticipated terms or at all, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement filed with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at http://www.sec.gov. Univest Securities LLC and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

    For more information, please contact:
    Univest Securities, LLC
    Edric Guo
    Chief Executive Officer
    75 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 18C
    New York, NY 10019
    Phone: (212) 343-8888
    Email: info@univest.us

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Interfield Global Software Inc. Announces Completion of Funding for Implementation of Proposed Joint Venture With Abhi

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Interfield Global Software Inc. (CBOE CA: IFSS) (the “Company”) announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Interfield Software Solutions LLC (“Interfield Solutions” or “Borrower”) has secured the financing necessary to implement its previously announced joint venture with Abhi (the “Abhi JV”) and to restructure the business of the Company in preparation for the Abhi JV.

    The financing comprises an unsecured one year term (“Term”) loan of US$500,000 (“Loan”) from an arms-length private investor (“Lender”), with non-compounded interest payable at 5% per year. Repayment of the Loan together with accrued interest is due upon expiry of the Term and may be in cash (“Cash Payment”), or at the option of the Borrower, by the issuance and transfer to the Lender, or its nominee, of a six percent (6%) equity interest in the Borrower (“Equity Payment”).

    At any time during the Term, the Lender has the option to increase the loan amount by a further US$500,000 upon the same terms and conditions. Should the Lender exercise its right to do so, the amount of interest payable will be adjusted accordingly and the Equity Payment will be increased from 6% to 13%.

    In further preparation for the implementation of the Abhi JV, the board of directors of the Company is evaluating further strategic alternatives, which may involve a migration of its current listing to a growth equity market, subject to the Company receiving necessary approvals. No definitive decisions have been reached regarding strategic alternatives and there is no assurance if or when such alternatives may be implemented. The Company will provide further updates, as necessary, at the appropriate time.

    About Abhi

    Abhi is a prominent fintech company, earning recognition as one of the Future 100 companies in the UAE. It was also the first to receive the Technology Pioneer 2023 Award by the World Economic Forum, making fintech history in the MENAP region. Abhi offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, including EWA, payroll solutions, and SME financing.

    About Interfield Global Software Inc.

    The Company is a publicly listed company, with its common shares listed on Cboe Canada. (Cboe CA: IFSS) and operates out of Dubai, U.A.E through its wholly owned subsidiary, Interfield Solutions.

    Interfield Solutions is a software company that services numerous industrial segments worldwide including oil and gas, mining and renewables. Interfield Solutions has two operating divisions, E-commerce and Software as a Service. Equipment Hound, the company’s flagship product of its E-commerce division, is an industrial equipment marketplace that connects buyers and suppliers around the globe. Equipment Hound manages a catalogue of equipment from various suppliers and provides procurement solutions for buyers. It includes features such as requests for quotes, logistics support and third-party verification. ToolSuite, the company’s flagship product of its Software as a Service division, is a cloud based data collection and management platform that digitizes industrial processes and provides real-time auditable data for clients.

    For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.ca.

    ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    “Harold Hemmerich”

    Harold Hemmerich, Chief Executive Officer & Director
    Phone: +971 50 558 8349

    Bruce Nurse, Investor Relations
    Phone: +1 303 919 2913

    Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer and Reader Advisory

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance often using phrases such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends”, or variations of such words and phrases, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved, are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this release include: (i) the anticipated implementation of Abhi JV and restructuring in preparation for the Abhi JV; (ii) the anticipated use of the proceeds from the Loan; and (iii) the anticipated strategic alternatives involving a migration to a growth equity market.

    Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive any necessary board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, including the approval of any applicable regulatory authority; and that factors may occur which impede or prevent the Company’s future business plans. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether they change as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Neither Cboe Canada Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of Cboe Canada Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: TC Energy to issue fourth quarter 2024 results on Feb. 14

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — News Release – TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) (TC Energy or the Company) will hold a teleconference and webcast on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, to discuss its fourth quarter financial results.

    François Poirier, TC Energy President and Chief Executive Officer, Sean O’Donnell, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, and other members of the executive leadership team will discuss the financial results and Company developments at 6:30 a.m. MST / 8:30 a.m. EST.

    Members of the investment community and other interested parties are invited to participate by calling 1-844-763-8274 (Canada/U.S. toll free) or 1-647-484-8814 (International toll). No passcode is required. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. Alternatively, participants may pre-register for the call here. Upon registering, you will receive a calendar booking by email with dial in details and a unique PIN. This process will bypass the operator and avoid the queue. Registration will remain open until the end of the conference call.

    A live webcast of the teleconference will be available on TC Energy’s website at TC Energy — Events and presentations or via the following URL: https://www.gowebcasting.com/13928. The webcast will be available for replay following the meeting.

    A replay of the teleconference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until midnight EST on Feb. 21, 2025. Please call 1-855-669-9658 (Canada/U.S. toll free) or 1-412-317-0088 (International toll) and enter passcode 6438166.

    About TC Energy
    We’re a team of 6,500+ energy problem solvers connecting the world to the energy it needs. Our extensive network of natural gas infrastructure assets is one-of-a-kind. We seamlessly move, generate and store energy and deliver it to where it is needed most, to homes and businesses in North America and across the globe through LNG exports. Our natural gas assets are complemented by our strategic ownership and low-risk investments in power generation.

    TC Energy’s common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. To learn more, visit us at TCEnergy.com.

    FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
    This release contains certain information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties (such statements are usually accompanied by words such as “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “estimate”, “intend” or other similar words). Forward-looking statements in this document are intended to provide TC Energy security holders and potential investors with information regarding TC Energy and its subsidiaries, including management’s assessment of TC Energy’s and its subsidiaries’ future plans and financial outlook. All forward-looking statements reflect TC Energy’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking information due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to the most recent Quarterly Report to Shareholders and Annual Report filed under TC Energy’s profile on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

    -30-

    Media Inquiries:
    Media Relations
    media@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7859 or 800-608-7859

    Investor & Analyst Inquiries:
    Gavin Wylie / Hunter Mau
    investor_relations@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7911 or 800-361-6522

    PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/d8ba0121-2767-4138-8a53-8ecb31b5199c

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund Announces Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: SSF.UN) – Brompton Funds (the “Manager”) announces monthly distributions for record dates from January to March 2025 for the class A units (the “Class A Units”) and class U units (the “Class U Units”) of Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund (the “Fund”):

      Ticker Amount Per
    Class A Unit
    Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund (Class A Unit) SSF.UN $0.045
         

    Record Dates and Payment Dates are as follows:

    Record Date Payment Date
    January 31, 2025 February 14, 2025
    February 28, 2025 March 14, 2025
    March 31, 2025 April 14, 2025
       

    The new distribution rate for the Class A Units of the Fund amounts to $0.54 per annum, or a 7.8% yield based on the TSX closing price of $6.95 on January 23, 2025. The Manager believes that the new distribution level is still very attractive and better reflects the current environment for senior loans and fixed income more broadly. Income earned from senior loans in the Fund’s portfolio is impacted by changes to the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR), a reference rate for interest payments on floating rate senior loans, which has declined by 1.03% from 5.38% on September 16, 2024 to 4.35% on January 23, 2025.

    The Fund announces a distribution in the amount of US$0.045 per Class U Unit for the above noted record and payment dates, representing a distribution rate of 7.7% of net asset value (“NAV”) per annum based on a NAV of US$7.04 on January 23, 2025.

    Senior loans continue to deliver high levels of current income while insulating investors from traditional interest rate risk. In 2024, the Class A Units returned 11.5%, and the Class U Units returned 11.8% outperforming the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index by 2.4% and 2.7%, respectively.

    The Class A Units have paid 158 consecutive monthly distributions since inception on November 1, 2011 for total distributions of $8.07 per Class A Unit. The Class U Units have paid 158 consecutive monthly distributions since inception on November 1, 2011 for total distributions of US$7.99 per Class U Unit. Unitholders are reminded that the Fund offers a distribution reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) on the Class A Units and Class U Units which provide unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest distributions, commission free, and realize the benefits of compound growth. Unitholders can enroll in a DRIP program by contacting their investment advisor.

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other TSX traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at http://www.bromptongroup.com.

    Annual Compound Returns

    1-year

    3-year

    5-year

    10-year

    Since
    Inception
    Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund – Class A Units 11.5% 5.0% 4.8% 4.4% 5.3%
    Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund – Class U Units 11.8% 5.2% 5.0% 4.6% 5.3%
    Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index 9.1% 6.8% 5.7% 5.1% 5.2%
               

    Returns are for the periods ended December 31, 2024 and are unaudited.   Inception date November 1, 2011. The table shows the Fund’s compound return for each period indicated compared with the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index (“Loan Index”). The Loan Index is an appropriate benchmark as it is designed to mirror the investable universe of US dollar denominated leveraged loan market in which the Fund also invests. The Loan Index is not leveraged, whereas the Fund employs leverage. The Fund is actively managed; therefore, its performance is not expected to mirror that of the Loan Index. Furthermore, the Loan Index’s performance is calculated without the deduction of fees, fund expenses and trading commissions. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The performance information shown is based on net asset value per Class A and Class U unit and assumes that cash distributions made by the Fund during the periods shown were reinvested at net asset value per Class A and Class U unit in additional units of the Fund.

    You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of the investment fund on the Toronto Stock Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an “exchange”). If the units are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

    There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the Fund. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in the public filings available at http://www.sedar.com. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in the unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account certain fees such as redemption costs or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns.  Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The amount of distributions may fluctuate from month to month and there can be no assurance that the Fund will make any distribution in any particular month.  

    Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the Fund, to the future outlook of the Fund and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the Fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Linkage Global Inc Announces Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TOKYO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Linkage Global Inc (“Linkage Cayman”, or the “Company”), a cross-border e-commerce integrated services provider headquartered in Japan, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

    Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Highlights

    • Total revenues decreased by approximately 19.19% from USD12.73 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 to USD10.29 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
    • Our new fully managed e-commerce operation services that was launched in April 2024, generated USD3.28 million in revenue.
    • Gross profit increased by approximately USD2.31 million, or 123.91%, from USD1.86 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 to USD4.17 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
    • Net loss decreased by USD0.21 million, or 32.69%, from USD0.65 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 to USD0.44 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

    Mr. Zhihua Wu, Chairman and CEO of the Company, commented: “For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, total revenues decreased by about 19.19% from USD12.73 million in 2023 to USD10.29 million, primarily attributable to the decrease of cross-border sales. Specifically, cross-border revenues fell by USD4.11 million, with our Japanese subsidiary experiencing a 53.12% decline. This was largely driven by yen depreciation, which raised prices in Japan and resulted in a decline in consumers’ purchasing power. It was also exacerbated by the depreciation of the Japanese yen against U.S. dollars.”

    “Our integrated e-commerce services saw a rise of USD1.67 million, thanks to our new fully managed e-commerce operation services, which generated USD3.28 million in revenue. However, digital marketing revenues plummeted from USD1.53 million to USD0.31 million because Google updated agreements with more stringent criteria for incentives. In order to cope with the change of policies from Google, we actively engaged in direct and indirect cooperations with other social platforms, such as TikTok and Facebook.”

    “Our gross profit increased by USD2.31 million or 123.91% to USD 4.17 million, largely due to the new business fully managed e-commerce operation services with gross profit of USD2.94 million and gross profit margin of 89.62%.”

    “Looking ahead, while we faced challenges in fiscal year of 2024, our expansion in integrated e-commerce positions us for future growth. We remain committed to enhancing partnerships, optimizing operations, and exploring new market opportunities. These strategies will help us navigate market fluctuations and achieve sustainable growth in the coming years.”

    Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

    Revenues

    Total revenues decreased by approximately USD2.44million, or 19.19%, from approximately USD12.73 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 to approximately USD10.29 million for the year ended September 30, 2024, primarily attributable to the decrease of cross-border sales.

    Our breakdown of revenues by revenue streams for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is summarized below:

        For the Years Ended September 30,
     
        2024     2023  
        USD     USD  
    Cross border Sales     6,476,939       10,587,053  
    Integrated E-commerce services     3,812,742       2,146,286  
    Fully managed e-commerce operation services     3,280,002        
    Digital marketing services     312,180       1,527,247  
    Others     220,560       619,039  
    Total revenues     10,289,681       12,733,339  
     

    Our breakdown of revenues by geographic areas for the years ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 is summarized below:

        For the Years Ended September 30,
     
        2024     2023
     
        USD     USD
     
    Japan     4,101,865       8,749,200  
    Hong Kong     3,612,126       1,987,182  
    China     2,575,690       1,996,957  
    Total revenues     10,289,681       12,733,339  
     

    Revenues from cross-border sales fell by USD 4.11 million, or 38.82%, from USD10.59 million in 2023 to USD6.48 million in 2024. Our Japanese subsidiary, EXTEND, accounted for USD 4.10 million or 39.86% of total revenues, but saw a 53.12% decline. This drop was primarily due to the yen’s depreciation, which increased prices and reduced consumer purchasing power for non-essential 3C electronic products. The decrease was also exacerbated by the depreciation of the Japanese yen against U.S. dollars. The average exchange rate also worsened, dropping from $1=¥138.93 in 2023 to $1=¥150.33 in 2024, respectively, resulting in a decrease of 8.20%.

    Revenues from integrated e-commerce services rose by USD1.67 million or 77.64%, from USD2.15 million to USD3.81 million, driven by a new fully managed e-commerce operation generating USD3.28 million.

    Revenues from digital marketing services dropped to USD0.31 million due to stricter Google incentive policies and a 40.76% decline in merchant numbers. To adapt, we are partnering with platforms like TikTok and Facebook while expanding our e-commerce services.

    Revenues from training, consulting, and TikTok agent services decreased by USD0.40 million or 64.37%, from USD 0.62 million to USD 0.22 million.

    Cost of Revenues

    Cost of revenues decreased by 43.68% from approximately USD10.87 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 to approximately USD6.12 million for the year ended September 30, 2024.

    Gross Profit

    Gross profit increased by approximately USD2.31 million, or 123.91%, from USD1.86 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 to USD4.17 million for the year ended September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable by the new business fully managed e-commerce operation services with gross profit of USD2.94 million and gross profit margin of 89.62%. The high gross profit margin is mainly due to the low cost, which was mainly composed of the salaries of the operation personnel.

    Gross profit margin of cross-border sales increased from 7.82% for the year ended September 30, 2023 to 13.99% for the year ended September 30, 2024. The decrease was mainly due to that the depreciation of the Japanese yen has led to a rise in prices of goods in Japan.

    Gross profit margin of integrated e-commerce related services increased from 48.10% for the year ended September 30, 2023 to 85.52% for the year ended September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable by the new business fully managed e-commerce operation services with gross profit of USD2.94 million and gross profit margin of 89.62%.

    Operating Expenses

    Operating expenses increased from USD2.43 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 to USD4.24 million for the year ended September 30, 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 74.49%. This increase was primarily attributable to the increases in our general and administrative expenses, offsetting the decreases in selling and marketing expenses and research and development expenses.

    Other income/(expenses), net

    Other non-operating income increased from USD0.01 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 to USD0.02 million for the year ended September 30, 2024. Investment income increased by 2003.35% from USD2,119 for the year ended September 30, 2023 to approximately USD44,570 for the year ended September 30, 2024.

    Income taxes

    Income tax (expenses) /benefits decreased by USD0.65 million, from USD0.06 million of tax benefit for the year ended September 30, 2023 to USD0.59 million of tax expenses for the year ended September 30, 2024. This decrease was primarily attributable to net profit for the year ended September 30, 2024, and the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

    Net (loss)

    As a result of the foregoing, net loss decreased by USD0.21 million, or 32.69%, from USD0.65 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 to USD0.44 million for the year ended September 30, 2024.

    About Linkage Global Inc

    Linkage Global Inc is a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with no operations of its own. Linkage Cayman conducts its operations through its operating subsidiaries in Japan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. As a cross-border e-commerce integrated services provider headquartered in Japan, through its operating subsidiaries, the Company has developed a comprehensive service system comprised of two lines of business complementary to each other, including (i) cross-border sales and (ii) integrated e-commerce services. For more information, please visit http://www.linkagecc.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    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,” “assesses,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or 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 in the Company’s annual reports on Form 20-F and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For more information, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    WFS Investor Relations Inc.
    Connie Kang, Partner
    Email: ckang@wealthfsllc.com

    Linkage Global Inc
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023
    (In U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)
     
        As of September 30,  
        2024       2023  
        USD  
    ASSETS            
    Current assets            
    Cash and cash equivalents     2,000,732         1,107,480  
    Accounts receivable, net     6,302,696         2,011,047  
    Inventories, net     66,331         679,732  
    Deferred offering costs             1,076,253  
    Deposits paid to media platforms     482,650         3,717,773  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net     2,689,581         1,053,687  
    Short-term loan to third party     410,000          
    Total current assets     11,951,990         9,645,972  
                     
    Non-current assets                
    Property and equipment, net     85,807         158,642  
    Deferred tax assets             149,129  
    Right-of-use assets, net     653,730         624,945  
    Other non-current assets             54,825  
    Total non-current assets     739,537         987,541  
    TOTAL ASSETS     12,691,527         10,633,513  
                     
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
    Current liabilities                
    Accounts payable     624,723         1,142,667  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     236,813         309,986  
    Short-term debts     32,810          
    Current portion of long-term debts     428,702         535,226  
    Contract liabilities     533,625         530,488  
    Amounts due to related parties     314,544         1,413,604  
    Lease liabilities – current     231,978         187,214  
    Convertible bonds     964,865          
    Income tax payable     1,017,619         581,235  
    Total current liabilities     4,385,679         4,700,420  
                     
    Non-current liabilities                
    Long-term debts     839,560         1,996,326  
    Lease liabilities – noncurrent     441,504         439,854  
    Total non-current liabilities     1,281,064         2,436,180  
    Total liabilities     5,666,743         7,136,600  
                     
    Commitments and contingencies (Note 22)                
                     
    Shareholders’ equity                
    Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00025 per share; 200,000,000 ordinary shares authorized, 21,500,000 and 20,000,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively) *     5,375         5,000  
    Additional paid in capital     5,591,596         1,549,913  
    Statutory reserve     11,348         11,348  
    Retained earnings     1,613,217         2,052,553  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (196,752 )       (121,901 )
    Total shareholders’ equity     7,024,784         3,496,913  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     12,691,527         10,633,513  
     
    Linkage Global Inc
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
    FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, 2023 AND 2022
    (In U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)
     
        For the years ended
    September 30,
     
        2024     2023     2022  
        USD  
    Revenues     10,289,681       12,733,339       22,028,303  
    Cost of revenues     (6,123,025 )     (10,872,484 )     (18,323,802 )
    Gross profit     4,166,656       1,860,855       3,704,501  
                             
    Operating expenses                        
    General and administrative expenses     (3,506,075     (1,373,695 )     (1,047,552 )
    Selling and marketing expenses     (434,856     (595,804 )     (812,062 )
    Research and development expenses     (302,280     (588,108 )     (628,350 )
    Gain from disposal of property and equipment           125,804       193,191  
    Total operating expenses     (4,243,211 )     (2,431,803 )     (2,294,773 )
    Operating (loss)/profit     (76,555 )      (570,948 )     1,409,728  
                             
    Other income/(expenses)                        
    Investment income     44,570       2,119       8,402  
    Impairment loss from equity investment           (60,046 )      
    Interest income/(expenses), net     160,685       (102,360 )     (79,455 )
    Other non-operating income     21,644       14,557       113,658  
    Total other income/(expenses), net     226,899       (145,730 )     42,605  
                             
    Income/(loss) before income taxes     150,344       (716,678 )     1,452,333  
    Income tax (provision)/ benefit     (589,680 )     63,950       (385,958 )
    Net (loss)/income     (439,336 )     (652,728 )     1,066,375  
                             
    Net (loss)/income     (439,336 )     (652,728 )     1,066,375  
    Other comprehensive income                        
    Foreign currency translation adjustment     (74,851 )     (15,524 )     (57,722 )
    Total comprehensive (loss) /income attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders     (514,187 )     (668,252 )     1,008,653  
                             
    Earnings per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders                        
    Basic and Diluted*     (0.02 )     (0.03 )     0.05  
    Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding                        
    Basic and Diluted*     21,175,342       20,000,000       20,000,000  
    Linkage Global Inc
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, 2023 AND 2022
    (In U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)
     
        For the years ended
    September 30,
     
        2024     2023     2022  
        USD  
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                  
    Net (loss)/income     (439,336 )     (652,728 )     1,066,375  
                             
    Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash (used in) /provided by operating activities:                        
    Effect of exchange rate changes     (226,846 )            
    Allowance for credit loss     958,584       116,428        
    Depreciation and amortization     86,911       83,226       81,625  
    Amortization of lease right-of-use assets     224,451       180,464        
    Share of profit from long-term investment           (2,119 )     (8,402 )
    Disposal gain from property and equipment           (125,804 )     (193,191 )
    Inventory write-downs     11,858       19,981       21,282  
    Deferred tax expenses/(benefits)     148,239       (160,402 )     80,519  
    Long-term investment impairment           60,046        
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                        
    Accounts receivable, net     (5,023,387 )     36,738       (910,221 )
    Other non-current assets                 (61,039 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current asset, net     1,870,567       (3,871,930 )     (520,377 )
    Inventories, net     601,543       (359,859 )     (78,455 )
    Accounts payable     (517,944 )     624,347       (11,703 )
    Contract liabilities     3,137       84,680       371,639  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     (37,987 )     (25,816 )     152,448  
    Amounts due from related parties           34,552       (40,098 )
    Amounts due to related parties     446,469       139,772       946,379  
    Tax payable     436,384       113,597       272,148  
    Operating lease liabilities     (178,037 )     (178,341 )      
    Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities     (1,635,394 )     (3,883,168 )     1,168,928  
                             
    Cash flow from investing activities                        
    Purchase of property and equipment           (12,137 )     (481,391 )
    Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment           1,745,094       1,265,217  
    Proceed from withdrawal of long-term investment     44,570       93,574        
    Provide short-term loan to third party     (410,000 )            
    Purchase of long-term investments                 (40,098 )
    Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities     (365,430 )     1,826,531       743,728  
                             
    Cash flow from financing activities                        
    Proceeds from issuance of Class A ordinary shares upon the completion of IPO     5,356,417              
    Proceeds from issuance of convertible bonds     999,957              
    Payment of service fees for convertible bonds     (351,000 )            
    Proceeds from short-term debts     133,044             160,391  
    Proceeds from long-term debts           1,238,592       1,167,861  
    Repayments of short-term debts     (101,778 )     (107,963 )     (280,692 )
    Repayments of long-term debts     (1,325,703 )     (1,918,181 )     (1,001,815 )
    Proceed of interest-free loan from related parties     3,031,467              
    Repayments of loans to a related party     (4,593,092 )            
    Capital contribution from shareholder           1,430,612        
    Payments for deferred offering costs     (273,287 )     (1,041,447 )      
    Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities     2,876,025       (398,387 )     45,745  
    Effect of exchange rate changes     18,051       (123,887 )     (51,067 )
    Net change in cash and cash equivalents     893,252       (2,578,911 )     1,907,334  
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year     1,107,480       3,686,391       1,779,057  
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year     2,000,732       1,107,480       3,686,391  
                             
    Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                        
    Income tax paid     2,050       150,124       33,291  
    Interest expense paid     48,607       65,901       57,776  
                             
    Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:                        
    Obtaining right-of-use assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities     209,652       805,409       N/A  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: CORRECTION: XCHG Limited

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMBURG, Germany, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a release issued on January 21, 2025 by XCHG Limited (NASDAQ: XCHG), please note that an incorrect version of the release was distributed. The corrected release follows:

    XCHG Limited (“XCharge” or the “Company”), (NASDAQ: XCH), a global leader in integrated EV charging solutions, today announced a collaboration with a leader in the rental car space to upgrade its EV charging offerings at US airport rental facilities. XCharge has completed charging station construction at the rental company’s sites in several major East Coast airports and has secured a pipeline of future projects at the rental company’s additional airport locations along the eastern seaboard.

    XCharge’s high-speed chargers and efficient installation process have rapidly strengthened the rental company’s airport charging infrastructure, helping it meet its service standards and goals for expanding its EV rental fleet. Given their relatively small footprint and utility grid constraints, U.S. airport rental car locations face unique challenges in EV adoption. XCharge’s comprehensive solutions are designed to work within these boundaries, offering fast, simple installation without the need for intensive site upgrades, maximizing efficiency and reducing the complexity of construction.

    Furthermore, XCharge’s Level-3 charging stations empower shorter charging cycles compared with the Level-2 solutions commonly used in existing airport locations, resolving rental car service bottlenecks and enhancing customer satisfaction. At the Company’s initial airport project for the rental company, XCharge’s simultaneous charging technology significantly reduced the average charging time, improving charging speed by more than tenfold.      

    Aatish Patel, President of XCharge, said, “We’re thrilled by the positive outcomes of this collaboration. The results underscore our commitment to being more than just a hardware supplier – we want to resolve our partners’ most pressing concerns as efficiently as possible, whether that is site design, operational efficiency, or even EV charging education. By focusing on the broader needs of those we work with, we have created turnkey solutions that address key challenges effectively. We look forward to expanding this cooperation and bringing our high-quality charging services to more customers nationwide.”

    With charging anxiety remaining a top concern for EV drivers, especially first-timers, XCharge will continue to strategically elevate its presence in locations with substantial organic consumer traffic to introduce its convenient, high-speed charging services to a broader audience.

    About XCharge

    XCharge (NASDAQ: XCH), founded in 2015, is a global leader in integrated EV charging solutions. The company offers comprehensive EV charging solutions, which primarily include DC fast chargers and advanced battery-integrated DC fast chargers as well as their accompanying services. Through the combination of XCharge’s proprietary charging technology, energy storage system technology and accompanying services, the Company enhances EV charging efficiency and unlocks the value of energy storage and management. Committed to providing innovative and efficient EV charging solutions, XCharge is actively working toward establishing a global green future that is critical to long-term growth and development.

    Safe harbor statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    XCharge

    IR Department

    Email: ir@xcharge.com

    Piacente Financial Communications

    Brandi Piacente

    Tel: +1-212-481-2050

    Jenny Cai

    Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677

    Email: XCharge@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Partners Announces Estimated January 2025 Cash Distributions for Ninepoint Cash Management Fund – ETF Series

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the estimated January 2025 cash distribution for the ETF Series of Ninepoint Cash Management Fund (the “Fund”). Ninepoint Partners expects to issue a press release on or about January 30, 2025, which will provide the final distribution rate. The record date for the cash distribution is January 31, 2025, payable on February 7, 2025.

    All estimates in this document are based on the accounting data as of January 24, 2025. Due to subscriptions and/or redemptions and/or other factors, the final January 2025 distribution may differ from these estimates and the difference could be material. The information included in this letter is for reference purposes only. Please reconcile all information against your official client statements. This is not intended to be a statement for official tax reporting purposes or any form of tax advice.

    The actual taxable amounts of distributions for 2025, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. in early 2026. Securityholders can contact their brokerage firm for this information.

    The per-unit estimated January distribution is detailed below:

    Ninepoint ETF Series Ticker Cash Distribution per
    unit
    Notional Distribution
    per unit
    CUSIP
    Ninepoint Cash Management Fund NSAV $0.13608 $0.00000 65443X105
             

    About Ninepoint Partners

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit http://www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not residents in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

    Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.

    The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.

    Sales Inquiries:

    Ninepoint Partners LP
    Neil Ross
    416-945-6227
    nross@ninepoint.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Urges Stockholders of NARI, DFS, LBRDA, CCRN to Act Now

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Inari Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: NARI), relating to the proposed merger with Stryker. Under the terms of the agreement, Stryker will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Inari Medical for $80 per share in cash.

    ACT NOW. The Tender Offer expires on February 18, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/inari-medical-inc-nari/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS), relating to its proposed merger with Capital One Financial Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, DFS shareholders are expected to receive 1.0192 shares of Capital One per share they own.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 18, 2025.

    Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/discover-financial-services. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Liberty Broadband Corporation (NASDAQ: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP), relating to the proposed merger with Charter Communications, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Liberty Broadband common stockholders will receive 0.236 of a share of Charter common stock per share of Liberty Broadband common stock they own.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 26, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/liberty-broadband-corporation-lbrda-lbrdk-lbrdp/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCRN), relating to the proposed merger with Aya Healthcare. Under the terms of the agreement, shares of Cross Country will be converted into the right to receive $18.61 in cash.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 28, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/cross-country-healthcare-inc-ccrn/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Urges Stockholders of NARI, DFS, LBRDA, CCRN to Act Now

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Inari Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: NARI), relating to the proposed merger with Stryker. Under the terms of the agreement, Stryker will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Inari Medical for $80 per share in cash.

    ACT NOW. The Tender Offer expires on February 18, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/inari-medical-inc-nari/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS), relating to its proposed merger with Capital One Financial Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, DFS shareholders are expected to receive 1.0192 shares of Capital One per share they own.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 18, 2025.

    Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/discover-financial-services. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Liberty Broadband Corporation (NASDAQ: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP), relating to the proposed merger with Charter Communications, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Liberty Broadband common stockholders will receive 0.236 of a share of Charter common stock per share of Liberty Broadband common stock they own.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 26, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/liberty-broadband-corporation-lbrda-lbrdk-lbrdp/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCRN), relating to the proposed merger with Aya Healthcare. Under the terms of the agreement, shares of Cross Country will be converted into the right to receive $18.61 in cash.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 28, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/cross-country-healthcare-inc-ccrn/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Urges Shareholders of SASR, ROIC, ATSG, CTV to Act Now

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SASR), relating to a proposed merger with Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, all Sandy Spring shares will automatically be converted into the right to receive 0.900 Atlantic Union shares, and cash in lieu of fractional shares.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 5, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/sandy-spring-bancorp-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (Nasdaq: ROIC), relating to its proposed merger with Blackstone. Under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone Real Estate Partners X will acquire all outstanding common shares of ROIC for $17.50 per share in an all-cash transaction.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 7, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/retail-opportunity-investments-roic/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATSG), relating to a proposed merger with Stonepeak Nile Parent LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, Air Transport Services Group shareholders will receive $22.50 per share of Air Transport Services Group Common Stock they own.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 10, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/air-transport-services-group-inc-atsg/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Innovid Corp. (NYSE: CTV), relating to the proposed merger with Mediaocean LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, Mediaocean will acquire Innovid at a price of $3.15 per share of common stock.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 11, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/innovid-corp-ctv/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Urges Shareholders of SASR, ROIC, ATSG, CTV to Act Now

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SASR), relating to a proposed merger with Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, all Sandy Spring shares will automatically be converted into the right to receive 0.900 Atlantic Union shares, and cash in lieu of fractional shares.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 5, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/sandy-spring-bancorp-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (Nasdaq: ROIC), relating to its proposed merger with Blackstone. Under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone Real Estate Partners X will acquire all outstanding common shares of ROIC for $17.50 per share in an all-cash transaction.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 7, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/retail-opportunity-investments-roic/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATSG), relating to a proposed merger with Stonepeak Nile Parent LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, Air Transport Services Group shareholders will receive $22.50 per share of Air Transport Services Group Common Stock they own.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 10, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/air-transport-services-group-inc-atsg/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Innovid Corp. (NYSE: CTV), relating to the proposed merger with Mediaocean LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, Mediaocean will acquire Innovid at a price of $3.15 per share of common stock.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 11, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/innovid-corp-ctv/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Continues To Investigate The Merger – CYTH, ALVR, WMPN, OMC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Cyclo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYTH), relating to its proposed merger with Rafael Holdings, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Cyclo common stock will automatically be converted into the right to receive shares of Rafael common stock.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/cyclo-therapeutics-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • AlloVir, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALVR), relating to its proposed merger with Kalaris Therapeutics. Under the terms of the agreement, AlloVir will acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interest of Kalaris. Upon completion of the Merger, pre-Merger AlloVir stockholders are expected to own approximately 25.05% of the combined company and pre-Merger Kalaris stockholders are expected to own approximately 74.95% of the combined company.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/allovir-inc-alvr/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • William Penn Bancorporation (Nasdaq: WMPN), relating to its proposed merger with Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of William Penn will receive 0.4260 shares of Mid Penn common stock for each share of William Penn common stock. Additionally, all options of William Penn will be rolled into Mid Penn equivalent options. The implied transaction value is approximately $13.58 per William Penn share.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/william-penn-bancorporation-wmpn/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), relating to the proposed merger with The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Omnicom shareholders will own 60.6% of the combined company.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/omnicom-group-inc-omc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Continues To Investigate The Merger – CYTH, ALVR, WMPN, OMC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Cyclo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYTH), relating to its proposed merger with Rafael Holdings, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Cyclo common stock will automatically be converted into the right to receive shares of Rafael common stock.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/cyclo-therapeutics-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • AlloVir, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALVR), relating to its proposed merger with Kalaris Therapeutics. Under the terms of the agreement, AlloVir will acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interest of Kalaris. Upon completion of the Merger, pre-Merger AlloVir stockholders are expected to own approximately 25.05% of the combined company and pre-Merger Kalaris stockholders are expected to own approximately 74.95% of the combined company.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/allovir-inc-alvr/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • William Penn Bancorporation (Nasdaq: WMPN), relating to its proposed merger with Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of William Penn will receive 0.4260 shares of Mid Penn common stock for each share of William Penn common stock. Additionally, all options of William Penn will be rolled into Mid Penn equivalent options. The implied transaction value is approximately $13.58 per William Penn share.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/william-penn-bancorporation-wmpn/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), relating to the proposed merger with The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Omnicom shareholders will own 60.6% of the combined company.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/omnicom-group-inc-omc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Is Investigating the Merger – RSLS, TURN, RDW, NEUE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • ReShape Lifesciences Inc. (Nasdaq: RSLS), relating to the proposed merger with Vyome Therapeutics, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, ReShape and Vyome will combine in an all-stock transaction, with ReShape stockholders owning approximately 11.1% of the combined company.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/reshape-lifesciences-inc-rsls/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • 180 Degree Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: TURN), relating to the proposed merger with Mount Logan Capital Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, the estimated post-merger shareholder ownership would be approximately 40% for current 180 Degree Capital shareholders.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/180-degree-capital-corp-turn/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), relating to the proposed merger with Edge Autonomy Ultimate Holdings, LP. Under the terms of the agreement, Redwire will acquire Edge Autonomy using $150M in cash and $775M in shares of Redwire common stock.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/redwire-corporation-rdw/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • NeueHealth, Inc. (NYSE: NEUE), relating to the proposed merger with New Enterprise Associates. Under the terms of the agreement, holders of NeueHealth common stock will receive $7.33 per share in cash.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/neuehealth-inc-neue/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Is Investigating the Merger – RSLS, TURN, RDW, NEUE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • ReShape Lifesciences Inc. (Nasdaq: RSLS), relating to the proposed merger with Vyome Therapeutics, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, ReShape and Vyome will combine in an all-stock transaction, with ReShape stockholders owning approximately 11.1% of the combined company.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/reshape-lifesciences-inc-rsls/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • 180 Degree Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: TURN), relating to the proposed merger with Mount Logan Capital Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, the estimated post-merger shareholder ownership would be approximately 40% for current 180 Degree Capital shareholders.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/180-degree-capital-corp-turn/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), relating to the proposed merger with Edge Autonomy Ultimate Holdings, LP. Under the terms of the agreement, Redwire will acquire Edge Autonomy using $150M in cash and $775M in shares of Redwire common stock.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/redwire-corporation-rdw/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • NeueHealth, Inc. (NYSE: NEUE), relating to the proposed merger with New Enterprise Associates. Under the terms of the agreement, holders of NeueHealth common stock will receive $7.33 per share in cash.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/neuehealth-inc-neue/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (http://www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: 仙境传说:初心 Received an ISBN Code by Chinese Government

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Seoul, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GRAVITY Co., Ltd. (NasdaqGM: GRVY) (“Gravity” or “Company”), a developer and publisher of online and mobile games, today announced that 仙境传说:初心, a mobile MMOARPG game, received an ISBN code by Chinese government disclosed on January 21, 2025.

    仙境传说:初心 marks the first ISBN in 2025 as Ragnarok IP titles following Ragnarok Origin (Chinese title 仙境传说如初), and Ragnarok X: Next Generation (Chinese title 仙境传说:新) in 2023, Ragnarok Online (Chinese title: 仙境传说起源) in February 2024, Ragnarok Dawn, (tentative English title) (Chinese title: 仙境传说:破) in June 2024 and Ragnarok: Rebirth (Chinese title: 仙境傳說:重生) in December 2024.

    仙境传说:初心 is a mobile MMOARPG game that sets in a new world play after the Ragnarok. The game features seamless map with no boundaries between regional borders, enabling smooth gameplay environment. In addition, full 3D open-field environment and weather system enhance play experience. The game also introduces customizing characters with 2D rendering texture and diverse material expression and dynamic combat experience with enhanced action and impact. 仙境传说:初心 was introduced in G-Star 2024 as ‘Project Abyss (tentative title)’ and was praised for its high-quality graphic, diverse content exploration and skill combination system.

    Gravity said “As expectations were shown during the G-Star 2024 to 仙境传说:初心 from users, we are planning to introduce high quality, large-scale game. We look forward to your continued interest and support.”

    [Gravity Official Website]
    http://www.gravity.co.kr

    About GRAVITY Co., Ltd. —————————————————

    Gravity is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games. Gravity’s principal product, Ragnarok Online, is a popular online game in many markets, including Japan and Taiwan, and is currently commercially offered in 91 regions. For more information about Gravity, please visit http://www.gravity.co.kr.

    Contact:

    Mr. Heung Gon Kim
    Chief Financial Officer
    Gravity Co., Ltd.
    Email: kheung@gravity.co.kr

    Ms. Jin Lee
    Ms. Yujin Oh
    Gravity Co., Ltd.
    Email: ir@gravity.co.kr
    Telephone: +82-2-2132-7801

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: B2TRADER 2.2: C-Book Routing, Custom Markups, and Improved Mobile Trading

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — B2BROKER has rolled out a major update for B2TRADER, its multi-asset and multi-market trading platform. The latest version, B2TRADER 2.2, introduces key improvements that enhance order execution, risk management, and trading flexibility.
    This update includes the new C-Book order routing system, customisable markups, and the ability to connect multiple liquidity providers for a single asset type. Additionally, traders now have access to upgraded mobile apps for iOS and Android, ensuring a seamless experience across all devices.

    C-Book: More Control Over Order Execution

    B2TRADER 2.2 introduces C-Book, a new execution model that works alongside A-Book and B-Book. With this feature, brokers can decide how each order is handled—whether routed externally to liquidity providers or processed internally through B-Book.

    A new reporting system in the admin panel gives brokers complete transparency over executed orders, helping them manage risks more effectively. The C-Book model also helps reduce trading costs by optimising the use of liquidity providers.

    Custom Markups for Flexible Pricing

    With the latest update, brokers gain greater control over pricing strategies. B2TRADER 2.2 allows them to apply commissions, markups, or both, tailored to different trading conditions and client needs.

    Brokers can also create customised price streams, granting specific traders or groups access to different market conditions. This flexibility makes it easier to offer competitive and personalised trading options.

    Better Risk Management with Multiple Liquidity Providers

    Now, brokers can integrate multiple liquidity providers within B2TRADER, ensuring more stable and competitive trading conditions.

    Using multiple providers improves market depth, speeds up order execution, and minimises risks associated with reliance on a single provider. If one provider experiences issues, the platform automatically routes orders through another, ensuring uninterrupted trading.

    New Trading Tools: Take Profit, Stop Loss & Trailing Stops

    B2TRADER 2.2 introduces essential risk management tools that give traders more control over their positions. The update includes:

    • Take Profit: Automatically closes a position when a profit target is reached.
    • Stop Loss: Helps limit losses by closing a position at a predefined level.
    • Trailing Stop: Adjusts the stop level dynamically as the market moves in the trader’s favour.

    These tools allow traders to execute strategies more effectively, even when they’re not actively monitoring the markets.

    “At B2BROKER, we aim to stay ahead of the curve and empower brokers with innovative solutions that align with the rapidly evolving market needs. With B2TRADER 2.2, we remain committed to enabling our clients to thrive in a competitive environment while reflecting where the market is headed—towards greater customisation, advanced risk management, and unparalleled accessibility.

    We are proud to continue driving innovation that helps our clients succeed in an increasingly complex trading environment.”

    Mark Speare, Chief Client Officer at B2BROKER

    Enhanced Mobile Trading on iOS & Android

    Mobile trading has been significantly improved with the latest update. The upgraded apps for iOS and Android provide a full-featured trading experience, ensuring traders can access their accounts, monitor positions, and place orders easily from anywhere.

    Among the key features of the updated B2TRADER mobile app are:

    • User-Friendly Interface: The app mirrors the desktop experience, making trading on mobile simple and intuitive.
    • Access Anytime, Anywhere: Traders can manage their portfolios on the go without any limitations.
    • All-in-One Trading Platform: The mobile app supports complex order types, real-time chart analysis, and performance tracking.

    What’s Next for B2TRADER?

    B2BROKER continues to improve its multi-asset and multi-market trading platform with new features and enhancements. With B2TRADER 2.2, brokers and traders can take advantage of smarter execution models, flexible pricing strategies, and a seamless mobile trading experience.

    In the near future, the platform will introduce support for perpetual futures trading, expanding its already robust offerings, which include CRYPTO SPOT, Forex, and CFDs.

    Contact Details:

    Ketevan Julukhadze
    mail@b2broker.net

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by “B2BROKER”. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. 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. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d2e93a41-e30f-4b05-9257-60cebf01ed6b

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/761fd664-5a11-4fc2-9963-7c1ea24fafd1

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/228625b6-fcf5-433d-a5a5-c7bf49a8dae6

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/662971f7-d125-48c9-98d1-ff3b4738542e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a380ff8d-5090-46e9-812f-0c0ef270c1bc

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ef8ed23-7751-4b3e-91f7-e93b93da8caf

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Written resolution passed – approved amendments to the senior secured callable bond terms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, 24 January 2025

    Reference is made to the announcement published by Interoil Exploration and Production ASA (the “Company“) on 17 January 2025 regarding summons for a written resolution with respect to the Company’s senior secured callable bonds with ISIN NO 001 0729908 (the “Bonds“).

    The written resolution in respect of the Bonds has been resolved and approved by the Company’s bondholders. Please see the attached notice on the written resolution for further information.

    The notice of the written resolution will be made available on http://www.stamdata.no (http://www.stamdata.no).

    Please direct any further questions to: ir@Interoil.no (mailto:ir@Interoil.no)

    ***

    Interoil Exploration and Production ASA is a Norwegian based exploration and production company – listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with focus on Latin America. The Company is operator and license holder of several production and exploration assets in Colombia and Argentina with headquarter in Oslo.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: South Plains Financial, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LUBBOCK, Texas, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — South Plains Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPFI) (“South Plains” or the “Company”), the parent company of City Bank (“City Bank” or the “Bank”), today reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $16.5 million, compared to $11.2 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $10.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $0.96, compared to $0.66 for the third quarter of 2024 and $0.61 for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Average cost of deposits for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 229 basis points, compared to 247 basis points for the third quarter of 2024 and 224 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Net interest margin, calculated on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.75% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.65% for the third quarter of 2024 and 3.52% for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Return on average assets for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 1.53% annualized, compared to 1.05% annualized for the third quarter of 2024 and 0.99% annualized for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Tangible book value (non-GAAP) per share was $25.40 as of December 31, 2024, compared to $25.75 as of September 30, 2024 and $23.47 as of December 31, 2023.
    • The consolidated total risk-based capital ratio, common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and tier 1 leverage ratio at December 31, 2023 were 16.74%, 12.41%, and 11.33%, respectively. These ratios significantly exceeded the minimum regulatory levels necessary to be deemed “well-capitalized”.

    Full Year 2024 Highlights

    • Full year net income of $49.7 million in 2024, compared to $62.7 million in 2023.
    • Diluted earnings per share of $2.92 in 2024, compared to $3.62 in 2023.
    • The Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Windmark Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Windmark”), was sold in the second quarter of 2023 for $36.1 million, resulting in a gain, net of related charges and taxes, of $22.9 million or $1.32 of diluted earnings per share.
    • Loans held for investment grew $40.9 million, or 1.4%, during 2024.
    • Total assets were $4.23 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $4.20 billion at December 31, 2023.
    • Return on average assets of 1.17% for the full year 2024, compared to 1.54% for 2023.

    Curtis Griffith, South Plains’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “I am very proud of our performance this past year as we successfully navigated a challenging environment with a focus on delivering strong financial results. We tightly managed our liquidity to optimize our profitability and return metrics while maintaining our conservative approach to underwriting and risk management. We have also managed the anticipated decline in our indirect auto portfolio as well as a heightened level of loan payoffs and paydowns that has obscured the strong, underlying loan production that has built through the year. Importantly, we are seeing a growing level of optimism across our customer base that is translating into the strongest new business production pipeline that we have seen in more than two years. This bodes positively for the year ahead where we expect to deliver low to mid-single digit loan growth for the full year 2025. Additionally, we are seeing deposit pricing fall across our markets which contributed to our strong margin expansion in the fourth quarter.”

    Results of Operations, Quarter Ended December 31, 2024

    Net Interest Income

    Net interest income was $38.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $37.3 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $35.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest margin, calculated on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.75% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.65% for the third quarter of 2024 and 3.52% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The average yield on loans was 6.69% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 6.68% for the third quarter of 2024 and 6.29% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The average cost of deposits was 229 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2024, which is 18 basis points lower than the third quarter of 2024 and 5 basis points higher than the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Interest income was $61.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $61.6 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $57.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest income decreased $316 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2024 from the third quarter of 2024, which was primarily comprised of a decrease of $243 thousand in loan interest income. The decline in loan interest income was due primarily to a decrease in average loans of $20.2 million. Interest income increased $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase of average loans of $30.5 million and higher loan interest rates during the period, resulting in growth of $3.4 million in loan interest income.

    Interest expense was $22.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $24.3 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $22.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest expense decreased $1.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2024 and increased $702 thousand compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The $1.6 million decrease was primarily as a result of a 24 basis point decline in the cost of interest-bearing deposits. The $702 thousand increase was primarily a result of growth in average interest-bearing deposits of $136.0 million.

    Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest income was $13.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $10.6 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $9.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase from the third quarter of 2024 was primarily due to an increase of $3.1 million in mortgage banking revenues, mainly from an increase of $3.5 million in the fair value adjustment of the mortgage servicing rights assets as interest rates that affect the value increased in the fourth quarter of 2024. This growth was partially offset by approximately $700 thousand in insurance proceeds received for property damage in the third quarter of 2024. The increase in noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to an increase of $3.3 million in mortgage banking activities revenue mainly from a rise of $3.0 million in the fair value adjustment of the mortgage servicing rights assets as interest rates that affect the value increased in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Noninterest expense was $29.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $33.1 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $30.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The $3.2 million decrease from the third quarter of 2024 was largely the result of a decline of $1.4 million in personnel expenses, primarily from decreased health insurance costs of $668 thousand, as annual rebates were received in the fourth quarter, and a reduction of $400 thousand in mortgage commissions as mortgage activity slowed in the fourth quarter. There were also decreases in net occupancy expense, professional service expenses, and the ineffectiveness related to fair value hedges on municipal securities. The decrease in noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 was largely the result of a decrease of $593 thousand in personnel expenses, related to the decline in health insurance costs previously noted.

    Loan Portfolio and Composition

    Loans held for investment were $3.06 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to $3.04 billion as of September 30, 2024 and $3.01 billion as of December 31, 2023. The $17.7 million, or 2.3% annualized, increase during the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 occurred primarily as a result of organic loan growth experienced in commercial owner-occupied real estate loans. As of December 31, 2024, loans held for investment increased $40.9 million, or 1.4%, from December 31, 2023, primarily attributable to organic loan growth, occurring mainly in multi-family property loans, direct-energy loans, commercial owner-occupied real estate loans, and single-family property loans, partially offset by decreases in consumer auto loans and construction, land, and development loans.

    Deposits and Borrowings

    Deposits totaled $3.62 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to $3.72 billion as of September 30, 2024 and $3.63 billion as of December 31, 2023. Deposits decreased by $94.8 million, or 2.6%, in the fourth quarter of 2024 from September 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, deposits were essentially unchanged, from December 31, 2023. Noninterest-bearing deposits were $935.5 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $998.5 million as of September 30, 2024 and $974.2 million as of December 31, 2023. Noninterest-bearing deposits represented 25.8% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024. The quarterly change in total deposits was mainly due to the seasonal decline in escrow accounts of approximately $35 million and a planned reduction of approximately $50 million in customer sweep deposits as part of balance sheet management. Deposits were essentially unchanged, year-over-year, with an increase in interest-bearing deposits offset by a decline in noninterest-bearing deposits.

    Asset Quality

    The Company recorded a provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024 of $1.2 million, compared to $495 thousand in the third quarter of 2024 and $600 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2023. The provision during the fourth quarter of 2024 was largely attributable to net charge-off activity and increased loan balances.

    The ratio of allowance for credit losses to loans held for investment was 1.42% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 1.41% as of September 30, 2024 and 1.41% as of December 31, 2023.

    The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.58% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 0.59% as of September 30, 2024 and 0.14% as of December 31, 2023. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.11% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 0.11% for the third quarter of 2024 and 0.08% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Capital

    Book value per share decreased to $26.67 at December 31, 2024, compared to $27.04 at September 30, 2024. The change was primarily driven by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) of $18.2 million, partially offset by $14.0 million of net income after dividends paid. The decrease in AOCI was attributed to the after-tax decrease in fair value of our available for sale securities, net of fair value hedges, as a result of increases in long-term market interest rates during the period. The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) increased 15 basis points to 9.92% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Conference Call

    South Plains will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and year-end 2024 financial results today, January 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-877-407-9716 (international callers please dial 1-201-493-6779) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live audio webcast of the conference call and conference materials will be available on the Company’s website at https://www.spfi.bank/news-events/events.

    A replay of the conference call will be available within two hours of the conclusion of the call and can be accessed on the investor section of the Company’s website as well as by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (international callers please dial 1-412-317-6671). The pin to access the telephone replay is 13750452. The replay will be available until February 7, 2025.

    About South Plains Financial, Inc.

    South Plains is the bank holding company for City Bank, a Texas state-chartered bank headquartered in Lubbock, Texas. City Bank is one of the largest independent banks in West Texas and has additional banking operations in the Dallas, El Paso, Greater Houston, the Permian Basin, and College Station, Texas markets, and the Ruidoso, New Mexico market. South Plains provides a wide range of commercial and consumer financial services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in its market areas. Its principal business activities include commercial and retail banking, along with investment, trust and mortgage services. Please visit https://www.spfi.bank for more information.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures include Tangible Book Value Per Share, Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets, and Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Income. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the Company’s financial position and performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for any analysis based on GAAP financial measures.

    We classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows. Not all companies use the same calculation of these measures; therefore, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures as presented by other companies.

    A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures is provided at the end of this press release.

    Available Information

    The Company routinely posts important information for investors on its web site (under http://www.spfi.bank and, more specifically, under the News & Events tab at http://www.spfi.bank/news-events/press-releases). The Company intends to use its web site as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, investors should monitor the Company’s web site, in addition to following the Company’s press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts.

    The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the Company’s web site is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect South Plains’ current views with respect to future events and South Plains’ financial performance. Any statements about South Plains’ 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,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. South Plains cautions that the forward-looking statements in this press release are based largely on South Plains’ expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond South Plains’ control. Factors that could cause such changes include, but are not limited to, the impact on us and our customers of a decline in general economic conditions and any regulatory responses thereto; potential recession in the United States and our market areas; the impacts related to or resulting from uncertainty in the banking industry as a whole; increased competition for deposits in our market areas and related changes in deposit customer behavior; the impact of changes in market interest rates, whether due to a continuation of the elevated interest rate environment or further reductions in interest rates and a resulting decline in net interest income; the lingering inflationary pressures, and the risk of the resurgence of elevated levels of inflation, in the United States and our market areas; the uncertain impacts of ongoing quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; increases in unemployment rates in the United States and our market areas; declines in commercial real estate values and prices; uncertainty regarding United States fiscal debt, deficit and budget matters; cyber incidents or other failures, disruptions or breaches of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks; severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical instability or other external events; the impact of changes in U.S. presidential administrations or Congress, including potential changes in U.S. and international trade policies and the resulting impact on the Company and its customers; competition and market expansion opportunities; changes in non-interest expenditures or in the anticipated benefits of such expenditures; the risks related to the development, implementation, use and management of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learnings; potential costs related to the impacts of climate change; current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions; and changes in applicable laws and regulations. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties to which South Plains’ business and future financial performance are subject is contained in South Plains’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q on file with the SEC, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of such documents, and other documents South Plains files or furnishes with the SEC from time to time, which are available on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements due to additional risks and uncertainties of which South Plains is not currently aware or which it does not currently view as, but in the future may become, material to its business or operating results. Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, the Company can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and South Plains does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, new information, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All forward-looking statements, express or implied, included in the press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

    Contact: Mikella Newsom, Chief Risk Officer and Secretary
      (866) 771-3347
      investors@city.bank
       

    Source: South Plains Financial, Inc.

     
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights – (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
     
      As of and for the quarter ended
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Selected Income Statement Data:                            
    Interest income $ 61,324     $ 61,640     $ 59,208     $ 58,727     $ 57,236  
    Interest expense   22,776       24,346       23,320       23,359       22,074  
    Net interest income   38,548       37,294       35,888       35,368       35,162  
    Provision for credit losses   1,200       495       1,775       830       600  
    Noninterest income   13,319       10,635       12,709       11,409       9,146  
    Noninterest expense   29,948       33,128       32,572       31,930       30,597  
    Income tax expense   4,222       3,094       3,116       3,143       2,787  
    Net income   16,497       11,212       11,134       10,874       10,324  
    Per Share Data (Common Stock):                            
    Net earnings, basic $ 1.01     $ 0.68     $ 0.68     $ 0.66     $ 0.63  
    Net earnings, diluted   0.96       0.66       0.66       0.64       0.61  
    Cash dividends declared and paid   0.15       0.14       0.14       0.13       0.13  
    Book value   26.67       27.04       25.45       24.87       24.80  
    Tangible book value (non-GAAP)   25.40       25.75       24.15       23.56       23.47  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, basic   16,400,361       16,386,079       16,425,360       16,429,919       16,443,908  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, dilutive   17,161,646       17,056,959       16,932,077       16,938,857       17,008,892  
    Shares outstanding at end of period   16,455,826       16,386,627       16,424,021       16,431,755       16,417,099  
    Selected Period End Balance Sheet Data:                            
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 359,082     $ 471,167     $ 298,006     $ 371,939     $ 330,158  
    Investment securities   577,240       606,889       591,031       599,869       622,762  
    Total loans held for investment   3,055,054       3,037,375       3,094,273       3,011,799       3,014,153  
    Allowance for credit losses   43,237       42,886       43,173       42,174       42,356  
    Total assets   4,232,239       4,337,659       4,220,936       4,218,993       4,204,793  
    Interest-bearing deposits   2,685,366       2,720,880       2,672,948       2,664,397       2,651,952  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   935,510       998,480       951,565       974,174       974,201  
    Total deposits   3,620,876       3,719,360       3,624,513       3,638,571       3,626,153  
    Borrowings   110,354       110,307       110,261       110,214       110,168  
    Total stockholders’ equity   438,949       443,122       417,985       408,712       407,114  
    Summary Performance Ratios:                            
    Return on average assets (annualized)   1.53 %     1.05 %     1.07 %     1.04 %     0.99 %
    Return on average equity (annualized)   14.88 %     10.36 %     10.83 %     10.72 %     10.52 %
    Net interest margin (1)   3.75 %     3.65 %     3.63 %     3.56 %     3.52 %
    Yield on loans   6.69 %     6.68 %     6.60 %     6.53 %     6.29 %
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits   3.12 %     3.36 %     3.33 %     3.27 %     3.14 %
    Efficiency ratio   57.50 %     68.80 %     66.72 %     67.94 %     68.71 %
    Summary Credit Quality Data:                            
    Nonperforming loans $ 24,023     $ 24,693     $ 23,452     $ 3,380     $ 5,178  
    Nonperforming loans to total loans held for investment   0.79 %     0.81 %     0.76 %     0.11 %     0.17 %
    Other real estate owned   530       973       755       862       912  
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.58 %     0.59 %     0.57 %     0.10 %     0.14 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment   1.42 %     1.41 %     1.40 %     1.40 %     1.41 %
    Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)   0.11 %     0.11 %     0.10 %     0.13 %     0.08 %
                                           
      As of and for the quarter ended
      December 31
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Capital Ratios:                            
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets   10.37 %     10.22 %     9.90 %     9.69 %     9.68 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)   9.92 %     9.77 %     9.44 %     9.22 %     9.21 %
    Common equity tier 1 to risk-weighted assets   13.53 %     13.25 %     12.61 %     12.67 %     12.41 %
    Tier 1 capital to average assets   12.04 %     11.76 %     11.81 %     11.51 %     11.33 %
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets   17.86 %     17.61 %     16.86 %     17.00 %     16.74 %
    (1) Net interest margin is calculated as the annual net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.
     
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Average Balances and Yields – (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      For the Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
           
      Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/Rate   Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/Rate
    Assets                                          
    Loans $ 3,049,718     $ 51,270       6.69 %   $ 3,019,228     $ 47,903       6.29 %
    Debt securities – taxable   518,646       4,994       3.83 %     560,143       5,563       3.94 %
    Debt securities – nontaxable   154,203       1,014       2.62 %     157,341       1,032       2.60 %
    Other interest-bearing assets   390,090       4,267       4.35 %     255,454       2,963       4.60 %
                                               
    Total interest-earning assets   4,112,657       61,545       5.95 %     3,992,166       57,461       5.71 %
    Noninterest-earning assets   189,422                     156,541                
                                               
    Total assets $ 4,302,079                   $ 4,148,707                
                                               
    Liabilities & stockholders’ equity                                          
    NOW, Savings, MMDA’s $ 2,249,062       16,570       2.93 %   $ 2,201,190       16,894       3.04 %
    Time deposits   445,173       4,566       4.08 %     357,067       3,325       3.69 %
    Short-term borrowings   3             0.00 %     3             0.00 %
    Notes payable & other long-term borrowings               0.00 %                 0.00 %
    Subordinated debt   63,938       834       5.19 %     73,740       981       5.28 %
    Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures   46,393       806       6.91 %     46,393       874       7.47 %
                                               
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,804,569       22,776       3.23 %     2,678,393       22,074       3.27 %
    Demand deposits   978,742                     1,021,091                
    Other liabilities   77,732                     59,808                
    Stockholders’ equity   441,036                     389,415                
                                               
    Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity $ 4,302,079                   $ 4,148,707                
                                               
    Net interest income         $ 38,769                   $ 35,387        
    Net interest margin (2)                   3.75 %                     3.52 %
    (1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
    (2) Net interest margin is calculated as the annualized net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.
       
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Average Balances and Yields – (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      For the Twelve Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
                           
      Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/Rate   Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/Rate
    Assets                                          
    Loans $ 3,054,189     $ 202,301       6.62 %   $ 2,924,473     $ 176,627       6.04 %
    Debt securities – taxable   532,730       21,090       3.96 %     570,655       21,590       3.78 %
    Debt securities – nontaxable   155,168       4,076       2.63 %     185,205       4,901       2.65 %
    Other interest-bearing assets   312,917       14,319       4.58 %     223,152       9,973       4.47 %
                                               
    Total interest-earning assets   4,055,004       241,786       5.96 %     3,903,485       213,091       5.46 %
    Noninterest-earning assets   179,527                     176,495                
                                               
    Total assets $ 4,234,531                   $ 4,079,980                
                                               
    Liabilities & stockholders’ equity                                          
    NOW, Savings, MMDA’s $ 2,250,942       70,362       3.13 %   $ 2,117,985       55,423       2.62 %
    Time deposits   411,028       16,719       4.07 %     321,205       9,564       2.98 %
    Short-term borrowings   3             0.00 %     84       5       5.95 %
    Notes payable & other long-term borrowings               0.00 %                 0.00 %
    Subordinated debt   63,868       3,339       5.23 %     75,458       4,018       5.32 %
    Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures   46,393       3,381       7.29 %     46,393       3,276       7.06 %
                                               
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,772,234       93,801       3.38 %     2,561,125       72,286       2.82 %
    Demand deposits   968,307                     1,069,280                
    Other liabilities   70,777                     71,102                
    Stockholders’ equity   423,213                     378,473                
                                               
    Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity $ 4,234,531                   $ 4,079,980                
                                               
    Net interest income         $ 147,985                   $ 140,805        
    Net interest margin (2)                   3.65 %                     3.61 %
    (1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
    (2) Net interest margin is calculated as the annualized net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.
       
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      As of
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
               
    Assets          
    Cash and due from banks $ 54,114     $ 62,821  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks   304,968       267,337  
    Securities available for sale   577,240       622,762  
    Loans held for sale   20,542       14,499  
    Loans held for investment   3,055,054       3,014,153  
    Less:  Allowance for credit losses   (43,237 )     (42,356 )
    Net loans held for investment   3,011,817       2,971,797  
    Premises and equipment, net   52,951       55,070  
    Goodwill   19,315       19,315  
    Intangible assets   1,720       2,429  
    Mortgage servicing rights   26,292       26,569  
    Other assets   163,280       162,194  
    Total assets $ 4,232,239     $ 4,204,793  
               
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 935,510     $ 974,201  
    Interest-bearing deposits   2,685,366       2,651,952  
    Total deposits   3,620,876       3,626,153  
    Subordinated debt   63,961       63,775  
    Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures   46,393       46,393  
    Other liabilities   62,060       61,358  
    Total liabilities   3,793,290       3,797,679  
    Stockholders’ Equity          
    Common stock   16,456       16,417  
    Additional paid-in capital   97,287       97,107  
    Retained earnings   385,827       345,264  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (60,621 )     (51,674 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   438,949       407,114  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 4,232,239     $ 4,204,793  
                   
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                                   
    Interest income:                              
    Loans, including fees $ 51,262     $ 47,895     $ 202,270     $ 176,598  
    Other   10,062       9,341       38,629       35,435  
    Total interest income   61,324       57,236       240,899       212,033  
    Interest expense:                              
    Deposits   21,136       20,219       87,081       64,987  
    Subordinated debt   834       981       3,339       4,018  
    Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures   806       874       3,381       3,276  
    Other                     5  
    Total interest expense   22,776       22,074       93,801       72,286  
    Net interest income   38,548       35,162       147,098       139,747  
    Provision for credit losses   1,200       600       4,300       4,610  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   37,348       34,562       142,798       135,137  
    Noninterest income:                              
    Service charges on deposits   2,241       1,844       8,026       7,130  
    Income from insurance activities   31       37       123       1,515  
    Mortgage banking activities   4,955       1,671       14,187       13,817  
    Bank card services and interchange fees   3,225       3,167       13,640       13,323  
    Gain on sale of subsidiary                     33,778  
    Other   2,867       2,427       12,096       9,663  
    Total noninterest income   13,319       9,146       48,072       79,226  
    Noninterest expense:                              
    Salaries and employee benefits   17,384       17,977       74,338       79,377  
    Net occupancy expense   3,901       3,856       16,105       16,102  
    Professional services   1,555       1,509       6,583       6,433  
    Marketing and development   1,153       880       3,782       3,453  
    Other   5,955       6,375       26,770       29,581  
    Total noninterest expense   29,948       30,597       127,578       134,946  
    Income before income taxes   20,719       13,111       63,292       79,417  
    Income tax expense   4,222       2,787       13,575       16,672  
    Net income $ 16,497     $ 10,324     $ 49,717     $ 62,745  
                                   
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Loan Composition
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      As of
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                   
    Loans:              
    Commercial Real Estate $ 1,119,063     $ 1,081,056  
    Commercial – Specialized   388,955       372,376  
    Commercial – General   557,371       517,361  
    Consumer:              
    1-4 Family Residential   566,400       534,731  
    Auto Loans   254,474       305,271  
    Other Consumer   64,936       74,168  
    Construction   103,855       129,190  
    Total loans held for investment $ 3,055,054     $ 3,014,153  
                   
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Deposit Composition
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
     
      As of
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                   
    Deposits:              
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 935,510     $ 974,201  
    NOW & other transaction accounts   498,718       562,066  
    MMDA & other savings   1,741,988       1,722,170  
    Time deposits   444,660       367,716  
    Total deposits $ 3,620,876     $ 3,626,153  
                   
    South Plains Financial, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
       
      For the quarter ended
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Pre-tax, pre-provision income                                      
    Net income $ 16,497     $ 11,212     $ 11,134     $ 10,874     $ 10,324  
    Income tax expense   4,222       3,094       3,116       3,143       2,787  
    Provision for credit losses   1,200       495       1,775       830       600  
    Pre-tax, pre-provision income $ 21,919     $ 14,801     $ 16,025     $ 14,847     $ 13,711  
                                           
      As of
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Tangible common equity                            
    Total common stockholders’ equity $ 438,949     $ 443,122     $ 417,985     $ 408,712     $ 407,114  
    Less:  goodwill and other intangibles   (21,035 )     (21,197 )     (21,379 )     (21,562 )     (21,744 )
                                 
    Tangible common equity $ 417,914     $ 421,925     $ 396,606     $ 387,150     $ 385,370  
                                 
    Tangible assets                            
    Total assets $ 4,232,239     $ 4,337,659     $ 4,220,936     $ 4,218,993     $ 4,204,793  
    Less:  goodwill and other intangibles   (21,035 )     (21,197 )     (21,379 )     (21,562 )     (21,744 )
                                 
    Tangible assets $ 4,211,204     $ 4,316,462     $ 4,199,557     $ 4,197,431     $ 4,183,049  
                                 
    Shares outstanding   16,455,826       16,386,627       16,424,021       16,431,755       16,417,099  
                                 
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets   10.37 %     10.22 %     9.90 %     9.69 %     9.68 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets   9.92 %     9.77 %     9.44 %     9.22 %     9.21 %
    Book value per share $ 26.67     $ 27.04     $ 25.45     $ 24.87     $ 24.80  
    Tangible book value per share $ 25.40     $ 25.75     $ 24.15     $ 23.56     $ 23.47  
                                           

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: American National Announces Full Redemption of Outstanding Depositary Shares Representing Interests in its 5.95% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A and Intent to Voluntarily Delist and Deregister

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American National Group Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE: ANG PRA) today announced that the Company will redeem (the “Redemption”) all the 16,000 outstanding shares of its 5.95% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and the corresponding 16,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in one share of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”), on February 24, 2025 (the “Redemption Date”).

    The Depositary Shares will be redeemed for a redemption price equal to $25.00 per Depositary Share (equivalent to $25,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock) plus an amount equal to any declared but unpaid dividends and the portion of the quarterly dividend attributable to 1/1,000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock to the then-current dividend period that has not been declared and paid to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (the “Redemption Price”).

    The Depositary Shares are held through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and will be redeemed in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. Payment to DTC for the Depositary Shares will be made by Computershare Inc., the Company’s redemption agent (the “Redemption Agent”), in accordance with the terms set forth in the Redemption Agent Agreement that governs the redemption of the Depositary Shares. All questions about the notice of redemption and related materials should be directed to the Redemption Agent at the following address and phone number:

    Computershare Inc.
    Attention: Corporate Actions Department
    150 Royall Street
    Canton, MA 02021
    Tel: 1-800-546-5141

    Upon the Redemption, no Series A Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares will remain outstanding, and all rights with respect to such stock or depositary shares will cease and terminate except only the right of the holders of the Depositary Shares to receive the Redemption Price, without interest. The information contained in this press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares. Investors in the Depositary Shares should contact the bank or broker through which they hold a beneficial interest in the Depositary Shares for information about obtaining the Redemption Price for the Depositary Shares in which they have a beneficial interest.

    In connection with the Redemption, the Company intends to delist the Depositary Shares from the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and to deregister the Depositary Shares from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company intends to request that NYSE file with the SEC a notification of removal from listing and registration on Form 25 to effect the delisting of all of the Depositary Shares from NYSE. In addition, after the Redemption Date, the Company intends to file a certification on Form 15 with the SEC requesting the termination of registration of all of the Depositary Shares. Deregistration of the Depositary Shares is expected to become effective 90 days after the Form 15 is filed.

    ABOUT AMERICAN NATIONAL GROUP INC.

    American National Group Inc. offers a broad array of insurance products and services through its operating subsidiaries, American National and American Equity Life. Operating across 50 U.S. states, the group’s customer offering includes annuities, personal and commercial property and casualty insurance and life insurance. For more information, please visit AmericanNational.com/home/about-us/investor-relations.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements contained in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They may relate to markets for our products, trends in our operations or financial results, strategic alternatives, future operations, strategies, plans, partnerships, investments, share buybacks and other financial developments. They use words and terms such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “enable,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foreseeable,” “goal,” “improve,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “model,” “objective,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “risk,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning or that are otherwise tied to future periods or future performance, in each case in all forms of speech and derivative forms, or similar words, as well as any projections of future events or results. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to a variety of assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected. Many of these risks and uncertainties cannot be controlled by the Company. Factors that may cause our actual decisions or results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among other things, the factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and any other documents we file with the SEC.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements except as required by law. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently disclosed or anticipated by the Company will not materially adversely affect our results of operations or plans. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

    Contact: Steven Schwartz   
    Treasurer, Head of Investor Relations
    888-221-1234 ext. 3763
    sschwartz@american-equity.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Marquette National Corporation Increases Quarterly Dividend 10.7 Percent and Announces a Common Stock Repurchase Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marquette National Corporation (OTCQX: MNAT) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.31 per share, an increase of 10.7% from the previous quarter dividend rate. The dividend will be payable on April 1, 2025 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, Marquette had 4,367,477 shares issued and outstanding.

    The Company also announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1,000,000 of its outstanding common stock at prevailing market prices through open market or negotiated transactions. The repurchase program is authorized to last through December 31, 2025.

    Marquette National Corporation is a diversified bank holding company with total assets of $2.2 billion. The Company’s banking subsidiary, Marquette Bank, is a full-service, community bank that serves the financial needs of communities in Chicagoland, offering an extensive line of financial solutions, including retail banking, real estate lending, trust, insurance, investments, wealth management and business banking to consumers and commercial customers. Marquette Bank has 20 branches located in: Chicago, Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Summit and Tinley Park, Illinois. For more information visit: https://emarquettebank.com

    Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    This document contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economies (including the effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or other threats thereof (including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russian invasion of Ukraine), or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets, and the response of the local, state and national governments to any such adverse external events; (iii) changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (iv) changes in local, state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business as a result of the upcoming 2024 presidential election or any changes in response to failures of other banks; (v) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets (including the impact of the significant rate increases by the Federal Reserve since 2022); (vi) increased competition in the financial services sector (including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and “fintech” companies) and the inability to attract new customers; (vii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (viii) the loss of key executives or employees; (ix) changes in consumer spending; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; (xi) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards; (xii) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio; (xiii) concentrations within our loan portfolio, large loans to certain borrowers, and large deposits from certain clients; (xiv) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversity their exposure; (xv) the level of non-performing assets on our balance sheets; (xvi) interruptions involving our information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (xvii) breaches or failures of our information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents, and (xviii) the ability of the Company to manage the risks associated with the foregoing as well as anticipated.. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: CareCloud Shareholders Tentatively Approve Proposal to Increase Authorized Common Shares with Record Voter Turnout

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOMERSET, N.J., Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (the “Company” or “CareCloud”) (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO, CCLDP), a leading provider of healthcare information technology and generative AI solutions for medical practices and health systems nationwide, today announced that shareholders have tentatively approved the proposal to increase the number of authorized common shares.

    Approximately 10.4 million votes by proxy have been returned (the “votes”) in favor of increasing the authorized number of shares of common stock from 35 million to 85 million shares, marking one of the highest levels of positive votes in the Company’s history. The votes in favor represent over 80% of the total votes submitted.

    “We truly appreciate the shareholders’ confidence in the Company’s direction, reflected in the nearly record-breaking number of ‘yes’ votes received by proxy,” said Stephen Snyder, Co-CEO of CareCloud.

    The final vote count will be announced after the Common Stock Shareholder Special Meeting, scheduled for January 27, 2025.

    About CareCloud

    CareCloud brings disciplined innovation to the business of healthcare. Our suite of technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health at http://www.carecloud.com.

    Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

    SOURCE CareCloud

    Company Contact:
    Norman Roth
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller
    CareCloud, Inc.
    nroth@carecloud.com

    Investor Contact:
    Stephen Snyder
    Co-CEO
    CareCloud, Inc.
    ir@carecloud.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Lakeland Financial Reports Annual Net Income of $93.5 million, Organic Average Loan Growth of 5% and Average Deposit Growth of 4%

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WARSAW, Ind., Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select/LKFN), parent company of Lake City Bank, today reported net income of $93.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, versus $93.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Diluted earnings per share were $3.63 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, versus $3.65 for 2023.

    Net income was $24.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $5.4 million, or 18%, compared with net income of $29.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Diluted earnings per share of $0.94 for the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by 19% from $1.16 for the fourth quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, net income increased 4%, or $852,000, from third quarter 2024 net income of $23.3 million. Linked quarter diluted earnings per share improved by 3% from $0.91 for the third quarter of 2024.

    Pretax pre-provision earnings, which is a non-GAAP measure, were $128.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $12.3 million, or 11%, compared to $116.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Pretax pre-provision earnings were $32.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 9%, compared to $36.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Pretax pre-provision earnings increased by $2.1 million, or 7%, compared to $30.8 million on a linked quarter basis.

    “2024 continued a long and consistent trend of organic growth in our balance sheet. We successfully expanded both our loan and deposit franchises during the year,” stated David M. Findlay, Chairman and CEO. “We are particularly pleased with the 9-basis point expansion of our net interest margin on a linked quarter basis as we effectively managed the balance sheet throughout the year.”

    Quarterly Financial Performance

    Fourth Quarter 2024 versus Fourth Quarter 2023 highlights:

    • Tangible book value per share grew by $1.25, or 5%, to $26.47
    • Total risk-based capital ratio improved to 15.90%, compared to 15.47%
    • Tangible capital ratio improved to 10.19%, compared to 9.91%
    • Average loans grew by $206.9 million, or 4%, to $5.09 billion
    • Core deposit growth of $274.3 million, or 5%, to $5.9 billion
    • Average equity increased by $121.1 million, or 21%
    • Return on average equity of 13.87%, compared to 20.52%
    • Return on average assets of 1.42%, compared to 1.80%
    • Net interest margin improved to 3.25% versus 3.23%
    • Net interest income increased by $3.1 million, or 6%
    • Noninterest expense increased by $1.2 million, or 4%
    • Provision expense of $3.7 million, compared to $300,000
    • Net charge offs of $1.4 million versus $433,000
    • Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans increased to 4.13% from 3.72%

    Fourth Quarter 2024 versus Third Quarter 2024 highlights:

    • Total risk-based capital ratio improved to 15.90% from 15.75%
    • Average equity growth of $23.6 million, or 4%
    • Average loans grew by $22.3 million, or less than 1%, to $5.09 billion
    • Core deposits increased by $118.6 million, or 2%, to $5.8 billion
    • Net interest margin improved 9 basis points to 3.25% versus 3.16%
    • Return on average equity of 13.87%, compared to 13.85%
    • Return on average assets of 1.42%, compared to 1.39%
    • Noninterest income decreased by $41,000, or less than 1%
    • Noninterest expense increased by $260,000, or 1%
    • Provision expense of $3.7 million, compared to $3.1 million
    • Individually analyzed and watch list loans declined by $56.4 million, or 21%
    • Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans improved to 4.13% from 5.27%

    Capital Strength

    The company’s total capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets improved to 15.90% at December 31, 2024, compared to 15.47% at December 31, 2023 and 15.75% at September 30, 2024. These capital levels significantly exceeded the 10.00% regulatory threshold required to be characterized as “well capitalized” and reflect the company’s robust capital base.

    The company’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, improved to 10.19% at December 31, 2024, compared to 9.91% at December 31, 2023. The tangible common equity ratio contracted from 10.47% at September 30, 2024. Unrealized losses from available-for-sale investment securities were $191.1 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $174.6 million at December 31, 2023 and $154.5 million at September 30, 2024. Excluding the impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on tangible common equity and tangible assets, the company’s ratio of adjusted tangible common equity to adjusted tangible assets, a non-GAAP financial measure, improved to 12.37% at December 31, 2024, compared to 11.99% at December 31, 2023 and 12.29% at September 30, 2024.

    As announced on January 14, 2025, the board of directors approved a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of $0.50 per share, payable on February 5, 2025, to shareholders of record as of January 25, 2025. The fourth quarter dividend per share represents a 4% increase from the $0.48 dividend per share paid for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    “The continued growth in our capital base supports the increase in our dividend rate paid to shareholders and contributes to the growth in total return for shareholders. The compounded annual growth rate for our dividend is 15% since 2012,” stated Kristin L. Pruitt, President.

    Loan Portfolio

    Average total loans for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 were $5.04 billion, an increase of $225.7 million, or 5%, from $4.81 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Average total loans of $5.09 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, increased $206.9 million, or 4%, from $4.88 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, and increased $22.3 million, or less than 1%, from $5.06 billion for the third quarter of 2024.

    “Loan growth in 2024 benefited from healthy increases in both our commercial and consumer lending activities,” noted Findlay. “We were pleased to report 8% growth in consumer loans, 6% growth in CRE and multi-family loans, and 2% growth in commercial and industrial loans for 2024. Our Indiana markets continue to benefit from expanding economic activity stimulated by the pro-business operating environment. We continue to be focused on active business development efforts in every market and we are looking forward to continued organic growth in 2025.”

    Total loans, net of deferred loan fees, increased by $200.6 million, or 4%, from $4.92 billion as of December 31, 2023 to $5.12 billion as of December 31, 2024. The increase in loans occurred across much of the portfolio with our commercial real estate and multi-family residential loan portfolio growing by $155.0 million, or 6%, our commercial and industrial loan portfolio growing by $30.1 million, or 2%, and our consumer 1-4 family mortgage loans portfolio growing by $34.0 million, or 7%. These increases were offset by a decrease to other commercial loans of $25.1 million, or 21%. On a linked quarter basis, total loans, net of deferred loan fees, increased by $35.7 million, or 1%, from $5.08 billion at September 30, 2024. The linked quarter increase was primarily a result of growth in total commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans of $42.7 million, or 2%, and growth in total agri-business and agricultural loans of $29.0 million, or 8%. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in total commercial and industrial loans of $42.0 million, or 3%.

    Commercial loan originations for the fourth quarter included approximately $390.0 million in loan originations, offset by approximately $359.0 million in commercial loan pay downs. Line of credit usage increased to 41% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 39% at December 31, 2023 and was unchanged from 41% as of September 30, 2024. Total available lines of credit contracted by $238.0 million, or 5%, as compared to a year ago, and line usage decreased by $2.0 million, or less than 1%, over that period. The company has limited exposure to commercial office space borrowers, all of which are in the bank’s Indiana markets. Loans totaling $101.7 million for this sector represented 2% of total loans at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $899,000, or 1%, from September 30, 2024. Commercial real estate loans secured by multi-family residential properties and secured by non-farm non-residential properties were approximately 213% of total risk-based capital at December 31, 2024.

    Diversified Deposit Base

    The bank’s diversified deposit base has grown on a year over year basis and on a linked quarter basis.

     
    DEPOSIT DETAIL
    (unaudited, in thousands)
               
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Retail $ 1,780,726     30.2 %   $ 1,709,899     29.3 %   $ 1,794,958     31.4 %
    Commercial   2,269,049     38.4       2,304,041     39.5       2,227,147     38.9  
    Public funds   1,809,631     30.7       1,726,869     29.6       1,563,015     27.3  
    Core deposits   5,859,406     99.3       5,740,809     98.4       5,585,120     97.6  
    Brokered deposits   41,560     0.7       96,504     1.6       135,405     2.4  
    Total $ 5,900,966     100.0 %   $ 5,837,313     100.0 %   $ 5,720,525     100.0 %
                                             

    Total deposits increased $180.4 million, or 3%, from $5.72 billion as of December 31, 2023 to $5.90 billion as of December 31, 2024. The increase in total deposits was driven by an increase in core deposits (which excludes brokered deposits) of $274.3 million, or 5%. Total core deposits at December 31, 2024 were $5.86 billion and represented 99% of total deposits, as compared to $5.59 billion and 98% of total deposits at December 31, 2023. Brokered deposits were $41.6 million, or 1% of total deposits, at December 31, 2024, compared to $135.4 million, or 2% of total deposits, at December 31, 2023.

    The increase in core deposits since December 31, 2023 reflects growth in commercial deposits and public funds deposits. Public funds deposits grew annually by $246.6 million, or 16%, to $1.81 billion. Commercial deposits grew annually by $41.9 million, or 2%, to $2.27 billion. Retail deposits contracted annually by $14.2 million, or 1%, to $1.78 billion. The increase in public funds deposits drove the change in the composition of core deposits as public funds deposits as a percentage of total deposits increased to 31%, from 27%. Commercial and retail deposits as a percentage of total deposits contracted to 38%, from 39%, and to 30%, from 31%, respectively. Growth in public funds was positively impacted by the addition of a new public funds customers in the Lake City Bank footprint which included the addition of their operating accounts.

    On a linked quarter basis, total deposits increased $63.7 million, or 1%, from $5.84 billion at September 30, 2024 to $5.90 billion at December 31, 2024. Core deposits increased by $118.6 million, or 2%, while brokered deposits decreased by $54.9 million, or 57%. Linked quarter growth in core deposits resulted primarily from an increase in public funds deposits of $82.8 million, or 5%, and growth in retail deposits of $70.8 million, or 4%. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in commercial deposits of $35.0 million, or 2%.

    “Core deposit growth was steady throughout 2024 and accounts for 99% of the funding sources for Lake City Bank,” commented Findlay. “We are pleased that our growth in core deposits came from every region of the bank. We continue to successfully fund the loan growth with in-market stable and diversified deposit growth. We continue to gain market share in our more mature Northern Indiana markets and implemented strategies to enhance growth in the Indianapolis market through data-driven marketing and business development efforts.”

    Average total deposits were $6.01 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $208.5 million, or 4%, from $5.80 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Average interest-bearing deposits drove the increase in average total deposits and increased by $301.1 million, or 7%. Contributing to the overall growth of interest-bearing deposits was an increase to average interest-bearing checking accounts of $431.9 million, or 14%. Offsetting this increase was a reduction in average time deposits of $98.9 million, or 9%, and a decrease to average savings deposits of $31.9 million, or 10%. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $92.5 million, or 7%.

    On a linked quarter basis, average total deposits increased by $130.9 million, or 2%, from $5.88 billion for the third quarter of 2024 to $6.01 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024. Average interest-bearing deposits drove the increase to total average deposits, which increased by $93.2 million, or 2%. An increase to interest bearing checking accounts of $209.6 million, or 6%, drove the increase to average interest-bearing deposits on a linked quarter basis. Offsetting this increase was a decrease to total average time deposits of $111.1 million, or 10%. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased by $37.7 million, or 3%.

    Checking account trends as of December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023, include growth of $310.5 million, or 24%, in aggregate public fund checking account balances, growth of $24.5 million, or 1%, in aggregate commercial checking account balances, and expansion of $34.4 million, or 4%, in aggregate retail checking account balances. The number of accounts has also grown for all three segments, with growth of 7% for public funds accounts, 2% for commercial accounts and 1% for retail accounts during 2024.

    Deposits not covered by FDIC deposit insurance as a percentage of total deposits were 62% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 61% at September 30, 2024, and 57% at December 31, 2023, reflecting the growth in public fund deposits over the period. Deposits not covered by FDIC deposit insurance or the Indiana Public Deposit Insurance Fund (which insures public funds deposits in Indiana), were 32% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024, compared to 32% at September 30, 2024, and 31% as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, 98% of deposit accounts had deposit balances less than $250,000.

    Net Interest Margin

    Net interest margin was 3.25% for the fourth quarter of 2024, representing a 2 basis point increase from 3.23% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Earning assets yields decreased by 15 basis points to 5.81% for the fourth quarter of 2024 from 5.96% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease in earning asset yields was offset by a decrease in the company’s funding costs of 17 basis points as interest expense as a percentage of average earning assets decreased to 2.56% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.73% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Linked quarter net interest margin expanded by 9 basis point to 3.25% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.16% for the third quarter of 2024. Average earning asset yields decreased by 23 basis points from 6.04% during the third quarter of 2024 to 5.81% during the fourth quarter of 2024 and were offset by a 32 basis point decrease in interest expense as a percentage of average earning assets from 2.88% to 2.56%. The cumulative 100 basis point decline in the Federal Funds Rate during 2024, drove the reduction in funding costs that provided for the net interest margin expansion through deposit repricing. Notably, the deposit mix shift from noninterest bearing deposits to interest bearing deposits experienced by the company during the monetary tightening cycle of March 2022 through September 2024 has stabilized with noninterest bearing deposits representing 22% of total deposits at December 31, 2024, compared to 24% at December 31, 2023 and 22% at September 30, 2024.

    “Our thoughtful and strategic balance sheet management strategies led to healthy net interest margin expansion of 9 basis points during the fourth quarter,” noted Lisa M. O’Neill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. “Net interest margin expansion resulted from reduced deposit costs that outpaced loan repricing due to falling short term rates. Our public fund balances are largely tied to the effective federal funds rate, and we also continue to benefit from fixed rate loan repricing to the higher interest rate environment.”

    The loan beta for the current rate-easing cycle is 25% compared to the deposit beta of 31%. The cumulative loan beta, which measures the sensitivity of a bank’s average loan yield to changes in short-term interest rates, was 56% for the recent rate-tightening cycle. The cumulative deposit beta, which measures the sensitivity of a bank’s deposit cost to changes in short-term interest rates, was 54% for the recent rate-tightening cycle.

    Liquidity Overview

    The bank has robust liquidity resources. These resources include secured borrowings available from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window. In addition, the bank has unsecured borrowing capacity through long established relationships within the brokered deposits markets, federal funds lines from correspondent bank partners, and Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) one-way buy funds available from the Intrafi network. As of December 31, 2024, the company had access to an aggregate of $3.7 billion in liquidity from these sources, compared to $3.4 billion at December 31, 2023 and $3.7 billion at September 30, 2024. Utilization from these sources totaled $41.6 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $185.4 million at December 31, 2023 and $96.5 million at September 30, 2024. Core deposits have historically represented, and currently represent, the primary funding resource of the bank at 99% of total deposits and purchased funds.

    Investment Portfolio Overview

    Total investment securities were $1.12 billion at December 31, 2024, reflecting a decrease of $58.7 million, or 5%, as compared to $1.18 billion at December 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, investment securities decreased $24.8 million, or 2%, due primarily to a decline in the fair market value of available-for-sale securities of $36.6 million, portfolio cash flows of $15.1 million and partially offset by investment security purchases of $30 million. Investment securities represented 17% of total assets on December 31, 2024, compared to 18% at December 31, 2023 and 17% at September 30, 2024. The ratio of investment securities as a percentage of total assets remains elevated over historical levels of approximately 12% to 14%. The company expects the investment securities portfolio as a percentage of assets to continue to decrease over time as the proceeds from pay downs, sales and maturities are used to fund loan growth and for general liquidity purposes. Tax equivalent adjusted effective duration for the investment portfolio was 6.0 years at December 31, 2024, compared to 6.5 years and 6.3 years at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024, respectively. Tax equivalent adjusted effective duration of the investment portfolio remains elevated as compared to 4.0 years at December 31, 2019 prior to the deployment of excess liquidity to the investment portfolio and the impact of the higher interest rate environment. The company anticipates receiving principal and interest cash flows of approximately $104.2 million during 2025 from the investment securities portfolio and plans to use that liquidity to fund loan growth and to fund new investment securities purchases.

    Net interest income decreased by $356,000, or less than 1%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Deposit interest expense increased by $35.0 million. Offsetting the increase in deposit interest expense was an increase in loan interest income of $29.8 million and a reduction in borrowings interest expense of $4.7 million. Net interest income was $51.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, representing an increase of $3.1 million, or 6%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 benefited from an increase in loan interest income of $1.9 million and a reduction in interest expense of $667,000 compared to the prior year quarter. On a linked quarter basis, net interest income increased $2.4 million, or 5%, from $49.3 million for the third quarter of 2024. On a linked quarter basis, the increase to net interest income was driven by a $4.1 million reduction in interest expense and a $1.1 million increase in income from short-term investments. Offsetting the reduction in interest expense was a reduction in loan interest income of $2.9 million.

    On a full year basis, revenue increased by $6.6 million, or 3%, to $253.5 million as compared to $246.9 million for 2023. Revenue was $63.6 million for the fourth quarter 2024 representing a decrease of $ 2.2 million or 3%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, revenue increased by $2.4 million, or 4% from $61.2 million in the third quarter of 2024.

    Asset Quality

    Provision expense was $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $10.9 million, or 186%, as compared to $5.9 million during 2023. The elevated provision recorded during 2024 as compared to the prior year was primarily driven by an increase in specific allocations from the downgrade of a $43.3 million credit to an industrial company in Northern Indiana. The relationship was placed on nonperforming status in conjunction with the downgrade, which occurred during the second quarter of 2024. Additional specific allocations of $5.5 million were reserved for this credit during the fourth quarter of 2024. The company recorded a provision expense of $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to provision expense of $300,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, provision expense increased by $632,000 from $3.1 million for the third quarter of 2024, or 21%.

    The allowance for credit loss reserve to total loans was 1.68% at December 31, 2024, up from 1.46% at December 31, 2023, and 1.65% at September 30, 2024. Net charge offs were $2.8 million for the full year 2024 compared to $6.5 million for 2023. Net charge offs to total loans were 0.05% for 2024 compared to 0.13% for 2023. Net charge offs in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $1.4 million compared to $433,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $143,000 during the linked third quarter of 2024. Annualized net charge offs to average loans were 0.11% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 0.04% for the fourth quarter of 2023, and 0.01% for the linked third quarter of 2024.

    Nonperforming assets increased $40.8 million, or 253%, to $56.9 million as of December 31, 2024, versus $16.1 million as of December 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, nonperforming assets decreased $1.2 million, or 2%, compared to $58.1 million as of September 30, 2024. The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets at December 31, 2024 increased to 0.85% from 0.25% at December 31, 2023 and decreased from 0.87% at September 30, 2024. The full-year increase in nonperforming assets was primarily driven by the industrial borrower relationship referenced above.

    Total individually analyzed and watch list loans increased by $28.1 million, or 15%, to $211.1 million as of December 31, 2024, versus $183.1 million as of December 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, total individually analyzed and watch list loans decreased by $56.4 million, or 21%, from $267.6 million at September 30, 2024. Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans increased by 41 basis points to 4.13% at December 31, 2024, compared to 3.72% at December 31, 2023, and decreased by 114 basis points from 5.27% at September 30, 2024. The linked quarter decrease in total individually analyzed and watch list loans was primarily driven by the removal of six relationships from the watch list with an aggregate balance of $63.7 million, offset by the addition of four downgraded credits with an aggregated balance of $8.4 million. Approximately $45.5 million of the watch list removals were attributable to credit upgrades, with the remaining $18.2 million in removals attributable to payoffs.

    “We are encouraged by the $56 million decrease in watch list credits during the quarter and are cautiously optimistic following our fourth quarter, semi-annual portfolio reviews meetings during which we review every commercial banker’s portfolio,” stated Findlay. “Economic conditions in all of our markets remain stable and we continue to actively manage our loan portfolio challenges.”

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income increased by $7.0 million, or 14%, to $56.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $49.9 million for the prior year. The increase in noninterest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by the net gain on sale of Visa shares of $9.0 million. Contributing further to the increase in noninterest income was an increase to wealth and advisory fees of $1.4 million, or 15%, driven by growth in customers and favorable market performance. Bank owned life insurance income increased $1.1 million, or 34%, due to favorable market performance of the company’s variable bank owned life insurance policies. Offsetting these increases was a $4.5 million, or 49%, decrease to other income. Other income was elevated during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 from insurance and loss recoveries of $6.3 million that were related to the 2023 wire fraud loss. Offsetting the impact of these recoveries was increased investment income from the company’s limited partnership investments and the receipt of an additional $1.0 million in recoveries from the wire fraud loss. Adjusted core noninterest income, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the effects of certain non-routine operating events, was $46.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $3.3 million, or 8%, compared to $43.6 million for twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

    Findlay added, “It is very gratifying to report strong growth in core noninterest income for 2024. Our fee-based lines of business made significant contributions to revenue growth during the year. Notably, Wealth Advisory fees grew by 15% and treasury management fees grew by 5%. As we move into 2025, our teams continue to be focused on driving continued growth in these business lines.”

    The company’s noninterest income decreased $5.3 million, or 31%, to $11.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $17.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Wealth advisory fees increased $388,000, or 17%, and bank owned life insurance increased $476,000, or 64%. Other income decreased $6.5 million, or 89%. Other income was elevated during the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to insurance and loss recoveries of $6.3 million related to the wire fraud loss. Adjusted core noninterest income was $11.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $968,000, or 9%, compared to $10.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    On a linked quarter basis, noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by $41,000, or less than 1%, from $11.9 million during the third quarter of 2024. The linked quarter decrease was driven by a decrease to other income of $261,000, or 25%, and was offset by an increase to bank owned life insurance income $148,000, or 14%.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense decreased by $5.6 million, or 4%, from $130.7 million to $125.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Noninterest expense during 2023 was elevated as compared to 2024 due to the wire fraud loss, which added a net $16.7 million to noninterest expense. Offsetting this impact on noninterest expense was a $7.6 million, or 13%, increase in salaries and employees benefits during the full year 2024. The increase to salaries and benefits expense resulted primarily from increases to salaries and wages of $3.2 million, performance-based incentive compensation of $2.3 million, health insurance expense of $918,000, and variable deferred compensation of $950,000, which relates to the company’s variable bank owned life insurance. Other expense increased $2.6 million, or 24%, primarily due to an accrued legal expense of $4.5 million. Data processing fees and supplies increased by $1.2 million, or 8%, from the continued investment in customer-facing and operational technology solutions. Adjusted core noninterest expense, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the effects of certain non-routine operating events, was $120.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $6.5 million, or 6%, compared to $114.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

    Noninterest expense increased $1.2 million, or 4%, to $30.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $29.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. Driving the fourth quarter 2024 increase to noninterest expense was an increase to salaries and benefits expense of $1.5 million, or 10%, which was primarily attributable to increased salary expense of $825,000, deferred compensation of $414,000 and increased health insurance of $222,000. Other expense decreased by $595,000, or 20%, from lower legal accruals. Adjusted core noninterest expense increased by $1.7 million, or 6%, from $29.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2023.

    On a linked quarter basis, noninterest expense increased by $260,000, or 1%, from $30.4 million during the third quarter of 2024. Driving the increase in noninterest expense was an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $785,000, or 5% primarily due to performance-based incentive compensation. Corporate and business development expense decreased by $419,000, or 31%, which was driven by a reduction in advertising expense during the quarter. Other expense decreased by $132,000, or 5%.

    The company’s efficiency ratio for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was 49.3% compared to 52.9% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The company’s adjusted core efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the impact of certain non-routine operating events, was 49.5% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 47.4% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

    The company’s efficiency ratio was 48.2% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 44.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 49.7% for the linked third quarter of 2024. The company’s adjusted core efficiency ratio was 48.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and unchanged when compared to the company’s efficiency ratio for the third and fourth quarters of 2024.

    Information regarding Lakeland Financial Corporation may be accessed on the home page of its subsidiary, Lake City Bank, at lakecitybank.com. The company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under “LKFN.” Lake City Bank, a $6.7 billion bank headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, was founded in 1872 and serves Central and Northern Indiana communities with 54 branch offices and a robust digital banking platform. Lake City Bank’s community banking model prioritizes building in-market long-term customer relationships while delivering technology-forward solutions for retail and commercial clients.

    This document contains, and future oral and written statements of the company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. The company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain and, accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by the company. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. Numerous factors could cause the company’s actual results to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements, including the effects of economic, business and market conditions and changes, particularly in our Indiana market area, including prevailing interest rates and the rate of inflation; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; the risks of changes in interest rates on the levels, composition and costs of deposits, loan demand and the values and liquidity of loan collateral, securities and other interest sensitive assets and liabilities; and changes in borrowers’ credit risks and payment behaviors, as well as those identified in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

     
    LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    FOURTH QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
           
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    (Unaudited – Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    END OF PERIOD BALANCES 2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Assets $ 6,678,374     $ 6,645,371     $ 6,524,029     $ 6,678,374     $ 6,524,029  
    Investments   1,122,994       1,147,806       1,181,646       1,122,994       1,181,646  
    Loans   5,117,948       5,081,990       4,916,534       5,117,948       4,916,534  
    Allowance for Credit Losses   85,960       83,627       71,972       85,960       71,972  
    Deposits   5,900,966       5,837,313       5,720,525       5,900,966       5,720,525  
    Brokered Deposits   41,560       96,504       135,405       41,560       135,405  
    Core Deposits (1)   5,859,406       5,740,809       5,585,120       5,859,406       5,585,120  
    Total Equity   683,911       699,181       649,793       683,911       649,793  
    Goodwill Net of Deferred Tax Assets   3,803       3,803       3,803       3,803       3,803  
    Tangible Common Equity (2)   680,108       695,378       645,990       680,108       645,990  
    Adjusted Tangible Common Equity (2)   846,040       832,813       800,450       846,040       800,450  
    AVERAGE BALANCES                  
    Total Assets $ 6,795,596     $ 6,656,464     $ 6,514,430     $ 6,662,718     $ 6,464,980  
    Earning Assets   6,470,920       6,329,287       6,145,937       6,328,498       6,114,225  
    Investments   1,134,011       1,128,705       1,107,862       1,134,979       1,184,659  
    Loans   5,086,614       5,064,348       4,879,695       5,039,406       4,813,678  
    Total Deposits   6,011,122       5,880,177       5,802,592       5,836,025       5,604,228  
    Interest Bearing Deposits   4,729,201       4,635,993       4,428,140       4,578,219       4,128,922  
    Interest Bearing Liabilities   4,729,206       4,649,745       4,441,425       4,644,553       4,295,743  
    Total Equity   693,744       670,160       572,653       662,087       588,667  
    INCOME STATEMENT DATA                  
    Net Interest Income $ 51,694     $ 49,273     $ 48,599     $ 196,679     $ 197,035  
    Net Interest Income-Fully Tax Equivalent   52,804       50,383       49,914       201,363       202,347  
    Provision for Credit Losses   3,691       3,059       300       16,750       5,850  
    Noninterest Income   11,876       11,917       17,208       56,844       49,858  
    Noninterest Expense   30,653       30,393       29,445       125,084       130,710  
    Net Income   24,190       23,338       29,626       93,478       93,767  
    Pretax Pre-Provision Earnings (2)   32,917       30,797       36,362       128,439       116,183  
    PER SHARE DATA                  
    Basic Net Income Per Common Share $ 0.94     $ 0.91     $ 1.16     $ 3.64     $ 3.67  
    Diluted Net Income Per Common Share   0.94       0.91       1.16       3.63       3.65  
    Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share   0.48       0.48       0.46       1.92       1.84  
    Dividend Payout   51.06 %     52.75 %     39.66 %     52.89 %     50.41 %
    Book Value Per Common Share (equity per share issued) $ 26.62     $ 27.22     $ 25.37     $ 26.62     $ 25.37  
    Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (2)   26.47       27.07       25.22       26.47       25.22  
    Market Value – High $ 78.61     $ 72.25     $ 67.88     $ 78.61     $ 77.07  
    Market Value – Low   61.10       57.45       45.59       57.45       43.05  
                                           
                                           
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    (Unaudited – Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    PER SHARE DATA (continued) 2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding   25,686,276       25,684,407       25,614,420       25,676,543       25,604,751  
    Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding   25,792,460       25,767,739       25,732,870       25,769,018       25,723,165  
    KEY RATIOS                  
    Return on Average Assets   1.42 %     1.39 %     1.80 %     1.40 %     1.45 %
    Return on Average Total Equity   13.87       13.85       20.52       14.12       15.93  
    Average Equity to Average Assets   10.21       10.07       8.79       9.94       9.11  
    Net Interest Margin   3.25       3.16       3.23       3.18       3.31  
    Efficiency  (Noninterest Expense/Net Interest Income plus Noninterest Income)   48.22       49.67       44.74       49.34       52.94  
    Loans to Deposits   86.73       87.06       85.95       86.73       85.95  
    Investment Securities to Total Assets   16.82       17.27       18.11       16.82       18.11  
    Tier 1 Leverage (3)   12.15       12.18       11.82       12.15       11.82  
    Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (3)   14.64       14.50       14.21       14.64       14.21  
    Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) (3)   14.64       14.50       14.21       14.64       14.21  
    Total Capital (3)   15.90       15.75       15.47       15.90       15.47  
    Tangible Capital (2)   10.19       10.47       9.91       10.19       9.91  
    Adjusted Tangible Capital (2)   12.37       12.29       11.99       12.37       11.99  
    ASSET QUALITY                  
    Loans Past Due 30 – 89 Days $ 4,273     $ 829     $ 3,360     $ 4,273     $ 3,360  
    Loans Past Due 90 Days or More   28       95       27       28       27  
    Nonaccrual Loans   56,431       57,551       15,687       56,431       15,687  
    Nonperforming Loans   56,459       57,646       15,714       56,459       15,714  
    Other Real Estate Owned   284       384       384       284       384  
    Other Nonperforming Assets   143       21       8       143       8  
    Total Nonperforming Assets   56,886       58,051       16,106       56,886       16,106  
    Individually Analyzed Loans   78,647       77,654       16,124       78,647       16,124  
    Non-Individually Analyzed Watch List Loans   132,499       189,918       166,961       132,499       166,961  
    Total Individually Analyzed and Watch List Loans   211,146       267,572       183,085       211,146       183,085  
    Gross Charge Offs   1,657       231       566       3,468       7,332  
    Recoveries   299       88       133       706       848  
    Net Charge Offs/(Recoveries)   1,358       143       433       2,762       6,484  
    Net Charge Offs/(Recoveries) to Average Loans   0.11 %     0.01 %     0.04 %     0.05 %     0.13 %
    Credit Loss Reserve to Loans   1.68       1.65       1.46       1.68       1.46  
    Credit Loss Reserve to Nonperforming Loans   152.25       145.07       458.01       152.25       458.01  
    Nonperforming Loans to Loans   1.10       1.13       0.32       1.10       0.32  
    Nonperforming Assets to Assets   0.85       0.87       0.25       0.85       0.25  
    Total Individually Analyzed and Watch List Loans to Total Loans   4.13 %     5.27 %     3.72 %     4.13 %     3.72 %
                       
                       
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    (Unaudited – Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    PER SHARE DATA (continued) 2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
    OTHER DATA                  
    Full Time Equivalent Employees   643       639       619       643       619  
    Offices   54       54       53       54       53  

    ________________________________________________________________
    (1)  Core deposits equals deposits less brokered deposits.
    (2)  Non-GAAP financial measure – see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
    (3)  Capital ratios for December 31, 2024 are preliminary until the Call Report is filed.

     
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share data)
     
    December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    (Unaudited)  
    ASSETS      
    Cash and due from banks $ 71,733     $ 70,451  
    Short-term investments   96,472       81,373  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   168,205       151,824  
         
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value   991,426       1,051,728  
    Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $113,107 and $119,215, respectively)   131,568       129,918  
    Real estate mortgage loans held-for-sale   1,700       1,158  
         
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $85,960 and $71,972   5,031,988       4,844,562  
         
    Land, premises and equipment, net   60,489       57,899  
    Bank owned life insurance   113,320       109,114  
    Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock   21,420       21,420  
    Accrued interest receivable   28,446       30,011  
    Goodwill   4,970       4,970  
    Other assets   124,842       121,425  
    Total assets $ 6,678,374     $ 6,524,029  
         
         
    LIABILITIES      
    Noninterest bearing deposits $ 1,297,456     $ 1,353,477  
    Interest bearing deposits   4,603,510       4,367,048  
    Total deposits   5,900,966       5,720,525  
           
    Borrowings – Federal Home Loan Bank advances   0       50,000  
    Accrued interest payable   15,117       20,893  
    Other liabilities   78,380       82,818  
    Total liabilities   5,994,463       5,874,236  
         
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Common stock: 90,000,000 shares authorized, no par value      
    25,978,831 shares issued and 25,509,592 outstanding as of December 31, 2024      
    25,903,686 shares issued and 25,430,566 outstanding as of December 31, 2023   129,664       127,692  
    Retained earnings   736,412       692,760  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (166,500 )     (155,195 )
    Treasury stock, at cost (469,239 shares and 473,120 shares as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   (15,754 )     (15,553 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   683,822       649,704  
    Noncontrolling interest   89       89  
    Total equity   683,911       649,793  
    Total liabilities and equity $ 6,678,374     $ 6,524,029  
                   
     
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited – in thousands, except share and per share data)
     
    Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
    2024
      2023   2024   2023
    NET INTEREST INCOME              
    Interest and fees on loans              
    Taxable $ 83,253     $ 80,631     $ 335,639     $ 304,130  
    Tax exempt   296       1,016       2,126       3,885  
    Interest and dividends on securities              
    Taxable   2,997       3,187       12,048       13,153  
    Tax exempt   3,914       4,009       15,714       16,396  
    Other interest income   2,910       2,099       7,631       5,703  
    Total interest income   93,370       90,942       373,158       343,267  
         
    Interest on deposits   41,676       42,154       172,759       137,791  
    Interest on short-term borrowings   0       189       3,720       8,441  
    Total interest expense   41,676       42,343       176,479       146,232  
         
    NET INTEREST INCOME   51,694       48,599       196,679       197,035  
         
    Provision for credit losses   3,691       300       16,750       5,850  
         
    NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES   48,003       48,299       179,929       191,185  
         
    NONINTEREST INCOME              
    Wealth advisory fees   2,699       2,311       10,469       9,080  
    Investment brokerage fees   456       445       1,894       1,815  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   2,825       2,682       11,157       10,773  
    Loan and service fees   2,977       2,968       11,832       11,750  
    Merchant and interchange fee income   889       907       3,542       3,651  
    Bank owned life insurance income   1,216       740       4,210       3,133  
    Interest rate swap fee income   0       0       0       794  
    Mortgage banking income (loss)   48       (70 )     116       (254 )
    Net securities gains (losses)   0       (9 )     (46 )     (25 )
    Net gain on Visa shares   0       0       8,996       0  
    Other income   766       7,234       4,674       9,141  
    Total noninterest income   11,876       17,208       56,844       49,858  
         
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE              
    Salaries and employee benefits   17,261       15,733       66,728       59,147  
    Net occupancy expense   1,706       1,486       6,865       6,360  
    Equipment costs   1,405       1,443       5,612       5,632  
    Data processing fees and supplies   3,742       3,698       15,161       14,003  
    Corporate and business development   950       877       4,965       4,807  
    FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees   894       894       3,465       3,363  
    Professional fees   2,275       2,299       8,950       8,583  
    Wire fraud loss   0       0       0       18,058  
    Other expense   2,420       3,015       13,338       10,757  
    Total noninterest expense   30,653       29,445       125,084       130,710  
         
    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE   29,226       36,062       111,689       110,333  
    Income tax expense   5,036       6,436       18,211       16,566  
    NET INCOME $ 24,190     $ 29,626     $ 93,478     $ 93,767  
         
    BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES   25,686,276       25,614,420       25,676,543       25,604,751  
         
    BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.94     $ 1.16     $ 3.64     $ 3.67  
                 
    DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES   25,792,460       25,732,870       25,769,018       25,723,165  
                 
    DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.94     $ 1.16     $ 3.63     $ 3.65  
                                   
     
    LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    LOAN DETAIL
    (unaudited, in thousands)
               
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Commercial and industrial loans:                      
    Working capital lines of credit loans $ 649,609     12.7 %   $ 678,079     13.3 %   $ 604,893     12.3 %
    Non-working capital loans   801,256     15.6       814,804     16.0       815,871     16.6  
    Total commercial and industrial loans   1,450,865     28.3       1,492,883     29.3       1,420,764     28.9  
                         
    Commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans:                      
    Construction and land development loans   567,781     11.1       729,293     14.3       634,435     12.9  
    Owner occupied loans   807,090     15.8       810,453     15.9       825,464     16.8  
    Nonowner occupied loans   872,671     17.0       766,821     15.1       724,101     14.7  
    Multifamily loans   344,978     6.7       243,283     4.8       253,534     5.1  
    Total commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans   2,592,520     50.6       2,549,850     50.1       2,437,534     49.5  
                         
    Agri-business and agricultural loans:                      
    Loans secured by farmland   156,609     3.1       157,413     3.1       162,890     3.3  
    Loans for agricultural production   230,787     4.5       200,971     4.0       225,874     4.6  
    Total agri-business and agricultural loans   387,396     7.6       358,384     7.1       388,764     7.9  
                         
    Other commercial loans   95,584     1.9       94,309     1.9       120,726     2.5  
    Total commercial loans   4,526,365     88.4       4,495,426     88.4       4,367,788     88.8  
                         
    Consumer 1-4 family mortgage loans:                      
    Closed end first mortgage loans   259,286     5.1       261,462     5.1       258,103     5.2  
    Open end and junior lien loans   214,125     4.2       210,275     4.1       189,663     3.9  
    Residential construction and land development loans   16,818     0.3       14,200     0.3       8,421     0.2  
    Total consumer 1-4 family mortgage loans   490,229     9.6       485,937     9.5       456,187     9.3  
                       
    Other consumer loans   104,041     2.0       103,547     2.1       96,022     1.9  
    Total consumer loans   594,270     11.6       589,484     11.6       552,209     11.2  
    Subtotal   5,120,635     100.0 %     5,084,910     100.0 %     4,919,997     100.0 %
    Less:  Allowance for credit losses   (85,960 )         (83,627 )       (71,972 )  
    Net deferred loan fees   (2,687 )         (2,920 )       (3,463 )  
    Loans, net $ 5,031,988         $ 4,998,363       $ 4,844,562    
                                       
     
    LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    DEPOSITS AND BORROWINGS
    (unaudited, in thousands)
               
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Noninterest bearing demand deposits $ 1,297,456     $ 1,284,527     $ 1,353,477  
    Savings and transaction accounts:          
    Savings deposits   276,179       276,468       301,168  
    Interest bearing demand deposits   3,471,455       3,273,405       3,049,059  
    Time deposits:          
    Deposits of $100,000 or more   642,776       787,095       792,738  
    Other time deposits   213,100       215,818       224,083  
    Total deposits $ 5,900,966     $ 5,837,313     $ 5,720,525  
    FHLB advances and other borrowings   0       30,000       50,000  
    Total funding sources $ 5,900,966     $ 5,867,313     $ 5,770,525  
                           
     
    LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST ANALYSIS
    (UNAUDITED)
                 
        Three Months Ended December 31, 2024   Three Months Ended September 30, 2024   Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
    (fully tax equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)   Average Balance   Interest Income   Yield (1)/
    Rate
      Average Balance   Interest Income   Yield (1)/
    Rate
      Average Balance   Interest Income   Yield (1)/
    Rate
    Earning Assets                                    
    Loans:                                    
    Taxable (2)(3)   $ 5,060,397     $ 83,253     6.54 %   $ 5,037,855     $ 86,118     6.80 %   $ 4,820,389     $ 80,631     6.64 %
    Tax exempt (1)     26,217       364     5.52       26,493       366     5.50       59,306       1,265     8.46  
    Investments: (1)                                    
    Securities     1,134,011       7,953     2.79       1,128,705       7,871     2.77       1,107,862       8,262     2.96  
    Short-term investments     2,765       29     4.17       2,841       35     4.90       2,610       32     4.86  
    Interest bearing deposits     247,530       2,881     4.63       133,393       1,738     5.18       155,770       2,067     5.26  
    Total earning assets   $ 6,470,920     $ 94,480     5.81 %   $ 6,329,287     $ 96,128     6.04 %   $ 6,145,937     $ 92,257     5.96 %
    Less:  Allowance for credit losses     (84,687 )             (81,353 )             (72,165 )        
    Nonearning Assets                                    
    Cash and due from banks     67,994               63,744               69,563          
    Premises and equipment     60,325               59,493               58,436          
    Other nonearning assets     281,044               285,293               312,659          
    Total assets   $ 6,795,596             $ 6,656,464             $ 6,514,430          
                                         
    Interest Bearing Liabilities                                    
    Savings deposits   $ 274,960     $ 43     0.06 %   $ 280,180     $ 45     0.06 %   $ 306,875     $ 52     0.07 %
    Interest bearing checking accounts     3,505,470       31,562     3.58       3,295,911       33,822     4.08       3,073,570       30,953     4.00  
    Time deposits:                                    
    In denominations under $100,000     214,429       1,921     3.56       215,020       1,914     3.54       220,678       1,810     3.25  
    In denominations over $100,000     734,342       8,150     4.42       844,882       9,775     4.60       827,017       9,339     4.48  
    Miscellaneous short-term borrowings     5       0     5.30       13,752       189     5.48       13,285       189     5.64  
    Total interest bearing liabilities   $ 4,729,206     $ 41,676     3.51 %   $ 4,649,745     $ 45,745     3.91 %   $ 4,441,425     $ 42,343     3.78 %
    Noninterest Bearing Liabilities                                    
    Demand deposits     1,281,921               1,244,184               1,374,452          
    Other liabilities     90,725               92,375               125,900          
    Stockholders’ Equity     693,744               670,160               572,653          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 6,795,596             $ 6,656,464             $ 6,514,430          
    Interest Margin Recap                                    
    Interest income/average earning assets         94,480     5.81 %         96,128     6.04 %         92,257     5.96 %
    Interest expense/average earning assets         41,676     2.56           45,745     2.88           42,343     2.73  
    Net interest income and margin       $ 52,804     3.25 %       $ 50,383     3.16 %       $ 49,914     3.23 %
                                                           

    (1)  Tax exempt income was converted to a fully taxable equivalent basis at a 21 percent tax rate. The tax equivalent rate for tax exempt loans and tax exempt securities acquired after January 1, 1983, included the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (“TEFRA”) adjustment applicable to nondeductible interest expenses. Taxable equivalent basis adjustments were $1.11 million, $1.11 million and $1.32 million in the three-month periods ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.
    (2)  Loan fees, which are immaterial in relation to total taxable loan interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, are included as taxable loan interest income.
    (3)  Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance of taxable loans.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Tangible common equity, adjusted tangible common equity, tangible assets, adjusted tangible assets, tangible book value per common share, tangible common equity to tangible assets, adjusted tangible common equity to adjusted tangible assets, and pretax pre-provision earnings are non-GAAP financial measures calculated based on GAAP amounts. Tangible common equity is calculated by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of equity, net of deferred tax. Tangible assets are calculated by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of total assets, net of deferred tax. Adjusted tangible assets and adjusted tangible common equity remove the fair market value adjustment impact of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). Tangible book value per common share is calculated by dividing tangible common equity by the number of shares outstanding less true treasury stock. Pretax pre-provision earnings is calculated by adding net interest income to noninterest income and subtracting noninterest expense. Because not all companies use the same calculation of tangible common equity and tangible assets, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures calculated by other companies. However, management considers these measures of the company’s value meaningful to understanding of the company’s financial information and performance.

    A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below (dollars in thousands, except per share data).

      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      Dec. 31, 2024   Sep. 30, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023   Dec. 31, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023
    Total Equity $ 683,911     $ 699,181     $ 649,793     $ 683,911     $ 649,793  
    Less: Goodwill   (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )
    Plus: DTA Related to Goodwill   1,167       1,167       1,167       1,167       1,167  
    Tangible Common Equity   680,108       695,378       645,990       680,108       645,990  
    Market Value Adjustment in AOCI   165,932       137,435       154,460       165,932       154,460  
    Adjusted Tangible Common Equity   846,040       832,813       800,450       846,040       800,450  
                       
    Assets $ 6,678,374     $ 6,645,371     $ 6,524,029     $ 6,678,374     $ 6,524,029  
    Less: Goodwill   (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )     (4,970 )
    Plus: DTA Related to Goodwill   1,167       1,167       1,167       1,167       1,167  
    Tangible Assets   6,674,571       6,641,568       6,520,226       6,674,571       6,520,226  
    Market Value Adjustment in AOCI   165,932       137,435       154,460       165,932       154,460  
    Adjusted Tangible Assets   6,840,503       6,779,003       6,674,686       6,840,503       6,674,686  
                       
    Ending Common Shares Issued   25,689,730       25,684,916       25,614,585       25,689,730       25,614,585  
                       
    Tangible Book Value Per Common Share $ 26.47     $ 27.07     $ 25.22     $ 26.47     $ 25.22  
                       
    Tangible Common Equity/Tangible Assets   10.19 %     10.47 %     9.91 %     10.19 %     9.91 %
    Adjusted Tangible Common Equity/Adjusted Tangible Assets   12.37 %     12.29 %     11.99 %     12.37 %     11.99 %
                       
    Net Interest Income $ 51,694     $ 49,273     $ 48,599     $ 196,679     $ 197,035  
    Plus:  Noninterest Income   11,876       11,917       17,208       56,844       49,858  
    Minus:  Noninterest Expense   (30,653 )     (30,393 )     (29,445 )     (125,084 )     (130,710 )
                       
    Pretax Pre-Provision Earnings $ 32,917     $ 30,797     $ 36,362     $ 128,439     $ 116,183  
                                           

    Adjusted core noninterest income, adjusted core noninterest expense, adjusted earnings before income taxes, core operational profitability, core operational diluted earnings per common share and adjusted core efficiency ratio are non-GAAP financial measures calculated based on GAAP amounts. These adjusted amounts are calculated by excluding the impact of the net gain on Visa shares, legal accrual, and wire fraud loss and associated insurance and loss recoveries and adjustments to salaries and employee benefits expense for the periods presented below. Management considers these measures of financial performance to be meaningful to understanding the company’s core business performance for these periods.

    A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below (dollars in thousands, except per share data).

      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      Dec. 31, 2024   Sep. 30, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023   Dec. 31, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023
    Noninterest Income $ 11,876     $ 11,917     $ 17,208     $ 56,844     $ 49,858  
    Less: Net (Gain) Loss on Visa Shares   0       15       0       (8,996 )     0  
    Less: Insurance and Loss Recoveries   0       0       (6,300 )     (1,000 )     (6,300 )
    Adjusted Core Noninterest Income $ 11,876     $ 11,932     $ 10,908     $ 46,848     $ 43,558  
                       
    Noninterest Expense $ 30,653     $ 30,393     $ 29,445     $ 125,084     $ 130,710  
    Less: Legal Accrual   0       0       0       (4,537 )     0  
    Less: Wire Fraud Loss   0       0       0       0       (18,058 )
    Plus: Salaries and Employee Benefits (1)   0       0       (453 )     0       1,397  
    Adjusted Core Noninterest Expense $ 30,653     $ 30,393     $ 28,992     $ 120,547     $ 114,049  
                       
    Earnings Before Income Taxes $ 29,226     $ 27,738     $ 36,062     $ 111,689     $ 110,333  
    Adjusted Core Impact:                  
    Noninterest Income   0       15       (6,300 )     (9,996 )     (6,300 )
    Noninterest Expense   0       0       453       4,537       16,661  
    Total Adjusted Core Impact   0       15       (5,847 )     (5,459 )     10,361  
    Adjusted Earnings Before Income Taxes   29,226       27,753       30,215       106,230       120,694  
    Tax Effect   (5,036 )     (4,404 )     (4,996 )     (16,853 )     (19,119 )
    Core Operational Profitability (2) $ 24,190     $ 23,349     $ 25,219     $ 89,377     $ 101,575  
                       
    Diluted Earnings Per Common Share $ 0.94     $ 0.91     $ 1.16     $ 3.63     $ 3.65  
    Impact of Adjusted Core Items   0.00       0.00       (0.18 )     (0.16 )     0.30  
    Core Operational Diluted Earnings Per Common Share $ 0.94     $ 0.91     $ 0.98     $ 3.47     $ 3.95  
                       
    Adjusted Core Efficiency Ratio   48.22 %     49.66 %     48.72 %     49.49 %     47.40 %
                                           

    (1)  In 2023, long-term, incentive-based compensation accruals were reduced as a result of the wire fraud loss and associated insurance and loss recoveries.
    (2)  Core operational profitability was $11,000 higher and $4.4 million lower than reported net income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Core operational profitability was $4.1 million lower and $7.8 million higher than reported net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

    Contact
    Lisa M. O’Neill
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (574) 267-9125
    lisa.oneill@lakecitybank.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Matador Technologies Adds Gold to Balance Sheet Ahead of Product Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matador Technologies Inc. (“Matador” or the “Company”) (TSXV: MATA) has announced an additional purchase of gold to its balance sheet, supporting the development of its gold product set to launch in early 2025. Matador purchased 1 kilogram of gold for approximately USD$89,208, inclusive of fees and expenses, bringing Matador’s gold balance to 2 kilograms.

    This allocation is aligned with Matador’s vision of pairing traditional assets like gold with cutting-edge blockchain technologies. By sourcing high-quality physical gold from the Royal Canadian Mint through its trusted partnership with Kitco Metals Inc., Matador ensures both the reliability and security of its gold reserves. All physical gold holdings will remain securely stored at the Royal Canadian Mint. This decision also supports Matador’s long-term capital preservation and corporate treasury strategy in holding USD-denominated assets.

    “Gold is a cornerstone of Matador’s first product, not just as a financial asset but as the foundation for our digital gold products,” said Deven Soni, CEO of Matador Technologies. “This move reflects our commitment to combining the timeless appeal of gold with the modern engagement opportunities presented by blockchain technology.”

    The Company’s upcoming gold product is designed to breathe new life into the gold market, targeting those intrigued by the potential of blockchain and digital assets. By leveraging Bitcoin as part of the platform for its digital gold products, Matador ensures the highest standards of security, stability, and trust for its users.

    Matador’s continued efforts to bridge traditional assets like gold and new technologies reflect its commitment to delivering a secure, accessible platform for users of all backgrounds.

    For additional information, please contact:

    Media Contact:
    Sunny Ray
    President
    Email: sunny@matador.network

    Phone: 647-932-2668

    About Matador Technologies Inc.
    Matador Technologies Inc. is a digital gold platform leveraging blockchain technology to digitize real-world assets like gold. Focused on building innovative financial solutions, Matador is at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology to preserve and grow value. Matador’s digital gold platform aims to democratize the gold buying experience, combining the best of modern technology and time-proven assets, to create an app that will allow users to buy, sell, and store gold 24/7 in a fun and engaging way.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

    Forward Looking Statements – Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the implementation of the Company’s treasury management strategy and the launch of its mobile application as currently proposed or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including with respect to the potential acquisition of Bitcoin and/or US dollars, the pricing of such acquisitions and the timing of future operations. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: RYVYL Executes Repurchase and Repayment Agreement with Securityholder to Retire All Outstanding Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and Outstanding Balance of 8% Senior Convertible Note

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, CA, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RYVYL Inc. (NASDAQ: RVYL) (“RYVYL” or the “Company”), a leading innovator of payment transaction solutions leveraging electronic payment technology for diverse international markets, has executed a Preferred Stock Repurchase and Note Repayment Agreement for the full repayment and termination of an 8% Senior Convertible Note (the “Note) and the redemption of all shares of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”). The Definitive Agreement provides for:

    • A first tranche payment of $13.0 million for the redemption of all of the shares of Preferred Stock held by the Securityholder, and payment of a portion of the outstanding balance of the Note so that the remaining outstanding principal balance will be $4.0 million.
    • Advancing the maturity date for the remaining balance of $4.0 million due under the Note, following payment of the first tranche, to April 30, 2025.

    The Company is required to pay the first tranche payment of $13.0 million on or before January 27, 2025. The first tranche due date may be extended to February 3, 2025, at the sole option of the Company, in consideration for RYVYL’s payment of an additional $50,000.

    • Upon payment of the first tranche payment and execution of the Preferred Stock Repurchase and Note Repayment Agreement, certain restrictive covenants contained in the transaction documents pursuant to which the Note and the shares of Preferred Stock were issued will be waived and no additional interest will accrue and be payable, as long as the Company pays the remaining $4.0 million principal balance of the Note ($4,050,000, if the date of the first tranche payment date is extended) on or before April 30, 2025. If the Company fails to pay the remaining balance by such date, the Note will be restored to its terms prior to the first tranche payment, and interest will again accrue and be payable.
    • Prior to payment of the first tranche payment, the Securityholder shall retain the ability, subject to certain market limitations, to convert the Note and the Preferred Stock into common stock.

    This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any security in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    About RYVYL

    RYVYL Inc. (NASDAQ: RVYL) was born from a passion for empowering a new way to conduct business-to-business, consumer-to-business, and peer-to-peer payment transactions around the globe. By leveraging electronic payment technology for diverse international markets, RYVYL is a leading innovator of payment transaction solutions reinventing the future of financial transactions. Since its founding as GreenBox POS in 2017 in San Diego, RYVYL has developed applications enabling an end-to-end suite of turnkey financial products with enhanced security and data privacy, world-class identity theft protection, and rapid speed to settlement. As a result, the platform can log immense volumes of immutable transactional records at the speed of the internet for first-tier partners, merchants, and consumers around the globe. http://www.ryvyl.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes information that constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs, assumptions, and expectations regarding future events, which in turn are based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding timely payment of the first and second tranches, the benefit to stockholders from the repayment of the note and repurchase of the preferred shares, and the timing and expectation of revenues from the license described herein and are charactered by future or conditional words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate” and “continue” or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss future expectations and plans, which contain projections of future results of operations or financial condition or state other forward-looking information. By their nature, forward-looking statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements, including the risk that the licensee understands and complies with various banking laws and regulations that may impact the licensee’s ability to process transactions. For example, federal money laundering statutes and Bank Secrecy Act regulations discourage financial institutions from working with operators of certain industries – particularly industries with heightened cash reporting obligations and restrictions – as a result of which, banks may refuse to process certain payments and/or require onerous reporting obligations by payment processors to avoid compliance risk. These and other risk factors affecting the Company are discussed in detail in the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether because of the latest information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws.

    IR Contact:
    David Barnard, Alliance Advisors Investor Relations, 415-433-3777, ryvylinvestor@allianceadvisors.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Blasting Off into the Crypto Stratosphere: SPACEWAR! Token ($SPACE) Takes Center Stage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BERLIN, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the ever-expanding universe of cryptocurrency, a new star has emerged to capture the imagination of investors and enthusiasts alike: SPACEWAR! Token ($SPACE). As an ERC-20 token inspired by the very first video game Elon Musk ever played, this innovative project combines nostalgia, cutting-edge technology, and the promise of a stellar future.

    The Birth of a Classic

    Originally developed in 1962 by a group of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), SPACEWAR! holds the distinction of being the first-ever digital computer game. This revolutionary space combat game became a timeless classic, leaving an indelible mark on the history of gaming. Today, its legacy is carried forward with the launch of SPACEWAR! Token ($SPACE), uniting past and present in a unique crypto initiative.

    A Star-Studded Team

    Behind the SPACEWAR! Token is a team of renowned cryptocurrency experts with a proven track record of successful blockchain projects. With meticulous planning and a visionary approach, they’ve developed a robust framework that positions $SPACE for long-term growth and development.

    Community and Influencer Power

    Key to $SPACE’s rapid rise is its passionate community and widespread influencer support. A diverse group of crypto enthusiasts, thought leaders, and influencers have rallied around SPACEWAR! Token, sparking widespread excitement and engagement within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

    A Stellar Launch

    The launch of SPACEWAR! Token ($SPACE) was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, with investors rushing to participate in the project. This strong debut highlights the growing confidence in the token’s potential and the dedication of its team and supporters.

    What’s Next for $SPACE?

    As SPACEWAR! Token gains traction, its developers have ambitious plans for future growth. By leveraging its nostalgic appeal, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive community, the token is poised to carve out a unique and lasting presence in the cryptocurrency landscape.

    Conclusion

    SPACEWAR! Token ($SPACE) is more than just another cryptocurrency—it’s a tribute to gaming history, a celebration of blockchain innovation, and a symbol of community-driven success. With its accomplished team, strong community backing, and a launch that exceeded expectations, $SPACE is a token worth watching.

    Get ready to blast off into the crypto stratosphere—SPACEWAR! Token ($SPACE) is here to make history!

    Contact Us:

    VedP
    Project Lead
    contact@spacewareth.io

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by “SPACEWAR”. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. 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. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1d62800e-8af9-4140-80e1-392d1c599f69

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c080ea0a-cf16-445b-a971-50fbf5b5c7cb

    The MIL Network