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Category: Pandemic

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Low Pay Commission recommendations accepted in full

    The Government has today announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW). The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

    NMW Rate Increase (£) Percentage increase
    National Living Wage (21 and over) £12.21 £0.77 6.7
    18-20 Year Old Rate £10.00 £1.40 16.3
    16-17 Year Old Rate £7.55 £1.15 18.0
    Apprentice Rate £7.55 £1.15 18.0
    Accommodation Offset £10.66 £0.67 6.7

    The LPC’s recommendations meet the remit set by the Government. The recommended NLW rate is expected to equal two-thirds of median earnings and to have the highest real value in the history of the UK’s minimum wage. The increase in the 18-20 Year Old Rate narrows the gap between that and the NLW, in anticipation of the adult rate being extended to 18 year olds in future years.

    Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the LPC, said:

    The Government have been clear about their ambitions for the National Minimum Wage and its importance in supporting workers’ living standards. At the same time, employers have had to deal with the adult rate rising over 20 per cent in two years, and the challenges that has created alongside other pressures to their cost base.

    It is our job to balance these considerations, ensuring the NLW provides a fair wage for the lowest-paid workers while taking account of economic factors. These rates secure a real-terms pay increase for the lowest-paid workers. Young workers will see substantial increases in their pay floor, making up some of the ground lost against the adult rate over time.

    The data show some signs of employers finding it harder to adapt to minimum wage increases. The tightening of the labour market since the pandemic has unwound, but the overall picture is similar to 2019.The economy is expected to grow over the next year, although productivity growth remains subdued.

    We look forward to continuing our work next year as the detail of the Make Work Pay plan is elaborated upon. The NMW is a major part of the Government’s ambitions for the future of the labour market, and it is important that it continues to be informed by the expertise and consensus-building the LPC provides.

    The LPC’s recommendations are based on extensive consultation with employers, workers, representatives of both groups and other expert bodies, as well as a series of regional visits across the UK. They reflect unanimous agreement among Commissioners, including those representing workers, employers and independent experts.

    The recommended increase in the 16-17 Year Old Rate restores that rate to its original value relative to the adult minimum wage. In line with previous recommendations, the Apprentice Rate will remain equal to the 16-17 Year Old Rate.

    Notes for editors

    1. The LPC’s recommendations were submitted to the Government on 25 October 2024. The Government has today announced acceptance of those recommendations.

    2. The LPC will on Wednesday 30 October publish its letter of recommendations to the Government and a short report summarising the main evidence Commissioners relied on to make those recommendations. The LPC’s full annual report will be laid before Parliament and published in the new year.

    3. The Government’s remit to the LPC, which determines the Commission’s work through the year, was published in July and is available here.

    4. The LPC’s recommended NLW rate is intended to meet the Government’s ambition for this rate to reach at least two-thirds of median earnings in 2024.

    5. For the first time, the Government asked the LPC to take into account the cost of living, including expected trends in inflation up to March 2026, when recommending the NLW. The LPC expects its recommended rate to represent a real-terms increase across the whole of the period to March 2026, using any major inflation measure, thereby protecting low-paid workers’ living standards.
    6. We last published projections in September of the NLW rate needed to achieve the level of two-thirds of median earnings. At the time, our projected range was between £11.82 and £12.39, with a central estimate of £12.10.
    7. Our assessment of and projections for median earnings rely on the ONS’s Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) and Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) series. These are supplemented by HMRC’s Real Time Information (RTI) data and wage forecasts from the Bank of England and HM Treasury’s Independent Panel of Economic Forecasts.
    8. The National Living Wage (NLW) is currently the statutory minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over. This age threshold came down from 25 to 23 in April 2021 and from 23 to 21 in April 2024.
    9. Different minimum wage rates continue to apply to 18-20 year olds, 16-17 year olds and apprentices aged under 19 or in the first year of an apprenticeship. The Government has stated its ambition to reduce the NLW age threshold from 21 to 18; this follows the LPC’s own stated ambition and advice, as set out in the publication The National Minimum Wage Beyond 2024. The LPC will consult next year on the pathway to achieving this goal.
    10. Rates for workers aged under 21, and apprentices, are currently lower than the NLW to reflect lower average earnings and higher unemployment rates. International evidence also suggests that younger workers are more exposed to employment risks arising from the pay floor than older workers. Unlike the NLW (where the possibility of some consequences for employment have been accepted by the Government), the LPC’s remit requires us to set the rates for younger workers and apprentices as high as possible without causing damage to jobs and hours.
    11. The National Living Wage is different from the UK Living Wage and the London Living Wage calculated by the Living Wage Foundation. Differences include that: the UK Living Wage and the London Living Wage are voluntary pay benchmarks that employers can sign up to if they wish, not legally binding requirements; the hourly rate of the UK Living Wage and London Living Wage is based on an attempt to measure need, whereas the National Living Wage is based on a target relationship between its level and average pay; the UK Living Wage and London Living Wage apply to workers aged 18 and over, the National Living Wage to workers aged 23 and over. The Low Pay Commission has no role in the UK Living Wage or the London Living Wage.
    12. The Accommodation Offset is an allowable deduction from wages for accommodation, applicable for each day of the week. In April 2025 it will increase to £10.66 per day.
    13. For an NLW worker working 37.5 hours per week, the increases announced today will increase their annual gross pay by £1,505.54 and their monthly gross pay by £125.46.
    14. The Low Pay Commission is an independent body made up of employers, trade unions and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage. The rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
    15. The current Low Pay Commissioners are: Baroness Philippa Stroud (Chair), Nigel Cotgrove, Matthew Fell, Andrew Goodacre, Louise Fisher, Professor Patricia Rice, Simon Sapper and Professor Jonathan Wadsworth.
    16. Baroness Philippa Stroud can be contacted via the Low Pay Commission’s press office (07341 098734).

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    Updates to this page

    Published 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Rosendale Introduces University Forced Vaccination Student Injury Mitigation Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Matt Rosendale (Montana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) introduced the University Forced Vaccination Student Injury Mitigation Act, which will require higher education institutions to pay the medical costs for any student who was required or is currently required to take a COVID-19 vaccine to attend classes and experienced an adverse reaction. The higher education institutions would lose all federal funds from the Department of Education if they do not comply with the requirements set out in the bill. The University Forced Vaccination Student Injury Mitigation Act is cosponsored by Congressman Eli Crane (AZ-02) and Congressman Bill Posey (FL-08), has received support from No College Mandates, and Dr. Joseph Marine who is Section Chief of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins Community Physicians.

    Washington Examiner published an exclusive article highlighting new legislation. You can see the story by clicking on the image below.

    “If you are not prepared to face the consequences, you should have never committed the act,” Rep. Rosendale said, “Colleges and universities forced students to inject themselves with an experimental vaccine knowing it was not going to prevent COVID-19 while potentially simultaneously causing life-threatening health defects like Guillian-Barre Syndrome and myocarditis. It is now time for schools to be held accountable for their brazen disregard for students’ health and pay for the issues they are responsible for causing.”

    “No student in the United States should face crippling medical costs because of an experimental vaccine their school forced them into receiving. We must hold institutions to account for continuing to inflict COVID-era idiocy on their student body, and that’s exactly what this bill would accomplish. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation to help rectify this unjustified overreach,” said Rep. Eli Crane.

    “College students were never at risk of severe injury or death from any variant of the COVID-19 virus and institutions of higher education had this data well in advance of mandating COVID-19 vaccines. Yet in the spring of 2021, college students were stripped of their fundamental right to bodily autonomy and informed consent when colleges imposed some of the most coercive and restrictive vaccination policies. Countless college students have been injured by COVID-19 vaccinations, and we are grateful that Representative Matthew Rosendale is introducing a new bill to hold colleges accountable for the injuries their unnecessary, unethical and unscientific policies have caused for without such legislation, these students and their families would have no other recourse,” said Lucia Sinatra, co-founder of No College Mandates.

    “COVID-19 vaccine mandates for college students were flawed policies that did not alter the course of the pandemic and were not needed to keep college campuses “safe.” I had to make efforts to prevent my own high school and college age children from receiving COVID-19 booster shots that they did not want or need. It seems reasonable to me that institutions that implemented such policies without a sound medical or scientific rationale should take responsibility for any proven medical harm that they caused,” said Joseph Marine, MD, MBA, FACC, FHRS, Section Chief of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Murphy Announces Creation of Economic Council

    Source: US State of New Jersey

    TRENTON – Governor Murphy today signed an Executive Order establishing a new Economic Council, which will be supported by a newly established Development Coordination Committee. Under the executive order, the Economic Council will provide a regular forum for the business community and state government to discuss, collaborate, and solve issues important to the public and private sectors, and stimulate economic growth and prosperity. The new Development Coordination Committee will support the Council’s work in advancing development projects that require multiple state, county and local government approvals. 

    “The Economic Council will ensure that we continue to have a healthy collaboration between the business community and the state government,” said Governor Murphy. “Deepening our Administration’s strong relationship with various sectors across our state will stimulate growth within our economy. I look forward to the forum for ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and problem-solving to advance our shared economic goals.” 

    Since the beginning of the Murphy Administration, state officials have worked with legislative partners and industry stakeholders on policies to improve the role and function of the government in facilitating economic development. Since 2018, New Jersey has seen small businesses increase by over 40,000 or 19%, despite the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Economic Council’s co-chairs will be the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth and the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The co-chairs will designate representatives from industry to participate in working group discussions with the Council. Along with the co-chairs, the Council will also consist of the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Chief Counsel, Chief Policy Advisor, the State Treasurer; and the Executive Director of the Business Action Center, or their respective designees.

    “New Jersey’s economy has grown stronger under Governor Murphy’s leadership, and the Economic Council will build upon the progress we’ve made over the past seven years,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “I’m honored to co-chair the Economic Council and look forward to working with our government partners and key stakeholders to help meet the ambitious economic goals of the administration.”

    “The establishment of the Economic Council is a giant step forward in Governor Murphy’s relationship with the business community,” said Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth Eric Brophy. “Over the past several years, at the governor’s urging, we have made doing business in New Jersey easier. We learned early on that working closely with the business community and legislators is the best way to grow New Jersey’s economy. The Economic Council will further cultivate our ambition to make business in New Jersey less complicated.”

    “Addressing the future economy of our state is vitally important to unleashing our enormous economic potential – as is the need to generate additional organic, reliable revenue to fund our growing state budgets,” said Tom Bracken, President & CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for the creation of an economic council for many years to accomplish that goal. Today’s announcement, hopefully, will put in place a mechanism to bring together government and the business community to address collective thoughts and strategies to create a more vibrant, competitive economic landscape. With the Economic Council and Development Coordination Committee structure in place, it will now be up to its organizers to ensure it will quickly and effectively deliver the results we desperately need. We thank Gov. Murphy for creating this forum that we hope transcends administrations – and we look forward to working with the administration and being part of this opportunity.” 

    Within the Council, the Executive Order also establishes a Development Coordination Committee as a subcommittee that will focus on ways to streamline the intergovernmental review of complex development projects, improve communication amongst state, county and local government financing and permitting entities with respect to projects that require a coordinated review. This will enhance information sharing by and between government agencies and project developers.

    The Development Coordination Committee will consist of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth; the State Treasurer; the Commissioners of the Departments of Community Affairs, Environmental Protection, and Transportation; and the Executive Directors of the EDA, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Schools Development Authority, and Infrastructure Bank, or their respective designees. The Committee will also be tasked with reporting to the Council on recommended policies, initiatives or reforms that may be undertaken to reduce barriers to development or construction project disruptions or delays.

    Read Executive Order No.369 here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Seaway7 awarded offshore wind contract in UK

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Luxembourg – 29 October 2024 – Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced the award to Seaway7, part of the Subsea7 Group, of a substantial1 contract by Ørsted for the transport and installation of the inter-array cables of the Hornsea 3 offshore wind project located in the UK sector of the North Sea.

    Seaway7’s scope of work covers the transportation and installation (T&I) of 192 66kV inter-array cables, measuring approximately 500 kilometres in length, with offshore activities scheduled to commence in 2026.

    Stuart Fitzgerald, CEO Seaway7, said: “With this award we look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with Ørsted. The Hornsea 3 project represents our seventh offshore wind project together, including the inter-array cables on the two previous phases of the Hornsea Wind Zone, Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2. The award adds to our backlog and leading position in the UK, Europe’s largest offshore wind market.

    (1) Subsea7 defines a substantial contract as being between USD 150 million and USD 300 million.

    *******************************************************************************
    Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry. We create sustainable value by being the industry’s partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs.

    Subsea7 is listed on the Oslo Børs (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62.

    *******************************************************************************

    Contact for investment community enquiries:
    Katherine Tonks
    Investor Relations Director
    Tel +44 (0)20 8210 5568
    ir@subsea7.com

    Contact for media enquiries:
    Nikki Beales
    Communications Manager, Seaway7
    Tel +44 (0)7843895292
    nikki.beales@seaway7.com
    www.seaway7.com

    Forward-Looking Statements: This document may contain ‘forward-looking statements’ (within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to our current expectations, beliefs, intentions, assumptions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘future’, ‘goal’, ‘intend’, ‘likely’ ‘may’, ‘plan’, ‘project’, ‘seek’, ‘should’, ‘strategy’ ‘will’, and similar expressions. The principal risks which could affect future operations of the Group are described in the ‘Risk Management’ section of the Group’s Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements. Factors that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to): (i) our ability to deliver fixed price projects in accordance with client expectations and within the parameters of our bids, and to avoid cost overruns; (ii) our ability to collect receivables, negotiate variation orders and collect the related revenue; (iii) our ability to recover costs on significant projects; (iv) capital expenditure by oil and gas companies, which is affected by fluctuations in the price of, and demand for, crude oil and natural gas; (v) unanticipated delays or cancellation of projects included in our backlog; (vi) competition and price fluctuations in the markets and businesses in which we operate; (vii) the loss of, or deterioration in our relationship with, any significant clients; (viii) the outcome of legal proceedings or governmental inquiries; (ix) uncertainties inherent in operating internationally, including economic, political and social instability, boycotts or embargoes, labour unrest, changes in foreign governmental regulations, corruption and currency fluctuations; (x) the effects of a pandemic or epidemic or a natural disaster; (xi) liability to third parties for the failure of our joint venture partners to fulfil their obligations; (xii) changes in, or our failure to comply with, applicable laws and regulations (including regulatory measures addressing climate change); (xiii) operating hazards, including spills, environmental damage, personal or property damage and business interruptions caused by adverse weather; (xiv) equipment or mechanical failures, which could increase costs, impair revenue and result in penalties for failure to meet project completion requirements; (xv) the timely delivery of vessels on order and the timely completion of ship conversion programmes; (xvi) our ability to keep pace with technological changes and the impact of potential information technology, cyber security or data security breaches; (xvii) global availability at scale and commercially viability of suitable alternative vessel fuels; and (xviii) the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
    This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
    This stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 29 October 2024 at 21:05 CET.

    Attachment

    • SUBC Hornsea 3 Cables

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (“HTLF”) Reports Quarterly Results as of September 30, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Third Quarter Highlights

    • Quarterly net income available to common stockholders of $62.1 million or $1.44 per common share
    • Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders of $50.6 million or $1.17 adjusted diluted earnings per common share (non-GAAP), which excludes:
      • Gain on sale, net, of $29.7 million due to the sale of Rocky Mountain Bank branches in Montana.
      • Loss on security sales of $9.5 million.
      • Loss on fixed assets of $2.9 million due to branch closures and write-downs on properties listed for sale.
    • Common equity to total assets increased to 11.11%; while the tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP) improved 86 basis points to 8.14%.
    • Net interest margin, full tax-equivalent (non-GAAP) increased to 3.78% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 up from 3.73% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
    • Nonperforming loans were $69.9 million or 0.61% of total loans, a decrease of $33.8 million or 33% from the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
      • Charge-offs of $32.1 million, of which the majority have been reserved for in prior periods, were recorded for the third quarter.
      For the Quarter Ended   For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   9/30/2023   2024   2023
    Earnings Summary:                  
    Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders (in millions) $ 62.1     $ 37.7     $ 46.1     $ 149.6     $ 144.2  
    Diluted earnings/(loss) per common share   1.44       0.88       1.08       3.47       3.37  
    Annualized return on average assets   1.38 %     0.84 %     0.94 %     1.10 %     1.00 %
    Annualized return on average common equity   12.60       8.14       10.47       10.59       11.28  
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   18.32       12.28       16.32       15.77       17.82  
    Net interest margin   3.73       3.68       3.14       3.65       3.23  
    Net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)   3.78       3.73       3.18       3.69       3.27  
    Efficiency ratio   48.58       65.69       63.77       58.94       61.86  
    Adjusted efficiency ratio, fully-tax equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)   57.98       57.73       59.95       58.16       58.98  
                       
    Adjusted Earnings Summary (1):                  
    Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders (in millions) $ 50.6     $ 49.6     $ 48.1     $ 152.7     $ 148.3  
    Adjusted diluted earnings per common share   1.17       1.15       1.12       3.54       3.47  
    Adjusted annualized return on average assets   1.14 %     1.09 %     0.98 %     1.12 %     1.02 %
    Adjusted annualized return on average common equity   10.27       10.71       10.92       10.81       11.60  
    Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity   14.98       16.05       17.02       16.09       18.31  
                       

    (1) Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this earnings release for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to the financial tables for reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

    “HTLF delivered a solid third quarter. Net interest margin increased as we continue to pay down high cost wholesale deposits. Our tangible common equity ratio improved to 8.14%. In July we completed the strategic sale of Rocky Mountain Bank in Montana, resulting in a net gain of $29.7 million. We continue to work closely with our partners at UMB on integration planning for our two companies and we’re excited about closing the transaction, expected in Q1 2025.”
    Bruce K. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer, HTLF

    DENVER, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF) today reported the following results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023:

    • Net income available to common stockholders of $62.1 million compared to $46.1 million, an increase of $16.1 million or 35%.
    • Earnings per diluted common share of $1.44 compared to $1.08, an increase of $0.36 or 33%.
    • Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders(1) of $50.6 million or $1.17 per diluted common share compared to $48.1 million or $1.12 per diluted common share, which excludes:
      • Gain on sale, net, of $29.7 million due to the sale of Rocky Mountain Bank branches in Montana.
      • Loss on security sales of $9.5 million.
      • Loss on fixed assets of $2.9 million due to branch closures and write-downs on properties listed for sale.
    • Net interest income of $157.9 million compared to $145.8 million, an increase of $12.1 million or 8%.
    • Annualized return on average assets of 1.38% compared to 0.94%. Adjusted annualized return on average assets(1) of 1.14% compared to 0.98%.
    • Annualized return on average common equity of 12.60% compared to 10.47%. Adjusted annualized return on average common equity(1) of 10.27% compared to 10.92%.
    • Annualized return on average tangible common equity(1) of 18.32% compared to 16.32%. Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity(1) of 14.98% compared to 17.02%.

    Rocky Mountain Bank Sale

    HTLF Bank closed on the sale of the Rocky Mountain Bank branches in Montana in mid-July to two purchasers, which included loans of $343.8 million, deposits of $531.9 million and fixed assets of $13.8 million. The gain on sale, net, of $29.7 million was realized in the third quarter of 2024.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 3.73% (3.78% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) for the third quarter of 2024 compared to 3.68% (3.73% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2024, and 3.14% (3.18% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) for the third quarter of 2023.

    Total interest income and average earning asset changes for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

    • Total interest income was $253.8 million compared to $245.4 million, an increase of $8.4 million or 3%, primarily attributable to an increase in yields on average earning assets. During the third quarter of 2024, HTLF recorded $5.3 million in additional interest income for a security that paid off.
    • Total interest income on a tax-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) was $255.8 million, an increase of $8.2 million or 3%, from $247.6 million. Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the fair value hedges were terminated in favorable market conditions in early October. HTLF recorded $10.3 million of interest income associated with the fair value hedges in the third quarter of 2024 in comparison to $5.6 million in the third quarter of 2023. As a result of the fair value hedge terminations, no additional interest income will be recorded.
    • Average earning assets decreased $1.60 billion or 9% to $16.84 billion compared to $18.44 billion, primarily due to the sale of $865.4 million of securities during the fourth quarter of 2023, $108.4 million of securities sold during the second quarter of 2024, and $40.3 million of securities sold during the third quarter of 2024. The proceeds were utilized to pay down high-cost wholesale deposits and borrowings.
    • The average rate on earning assets increased 71 basis points to 6.04% from 5.33%, primarily due to recent interest rate increases on earning assets.

    Total interest expense and average interest-bearing liability changes for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

    • Total interest expense was $95.9 million, a decrease of $3.8 million from $99.7 million, primarily due to a decrease in average interest-bearing liabilities.
    • The average interest rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 17 basis points to 3.18% from 3.01%.
    • Average interest-bearing deposits decreased $1.65 billion or 13% to $11.03 billion from $12.68 billion.
    • The average interest rate paid on interest-bearing deposits decreased 4 basis points to 2.86% from 2.90%.
    • Average borrowings and term debt increased $478.2 million to $953.9 million from $475.7 million, and the average interest rate paid on borrowings decreased 40 basis points to 5.39% from 5.78%.

    Net interest income changes for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

    • Net interest income totaled $157.9 million compared to $145.8 million, an increase of $12.1 million or 8%.
    • Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) totaled $159.9 million compared to $147.9 million, an increase of $12.0 million or 8%.

    Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

    Total noninterest income was $19.0 million during the third quarter of 2024 compared to $28.4 million during the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $9.4 million or 33%. Significant changes within the noninterest income category for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

    • Service charges and fees decreased $1.5 million or 8% to $17.1 million from $18.6 million, primarily attributable to a decrease in consumer NSF and overdraft fees. In the fourth quarter of 2023, HTLF instituted a new fee policy across our single charter customer base in response to industry changes related to consumer overdraft fees.
    • Net security losses increased $9.4 million to $9.5 million compared to net security losses of $114,000.
    • Net gains on sales of loans held for sale decreased to $0 from $905,000, due to HTLF ceasing originations of residential mortgage loans to be sold to the secondary market.
    • Other noninterest income increased $957,000 to $1.6 million from $619,000, primarily due to an increase in deferred compensation income of $1.0 million to $1.5 million from $433,000.  

    Total noninterest expense was $85.9 million during the third quarter of 2024 compared to $111.1 million during the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $25.1 million or 23%. Significant changes within the noninterest expense category for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

    • Salaries and employee benefits totaled $62.7 million compared to $62.3 million, an increase of $480,000 or 1%. The increase was attributable to higher benefit costs including incentive compensation and benefit expenses partially offset by a reduction of full-time equivalent employees. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 1,725 compared to 1,965, a decrease of 240 or 12%.
    • Professional fees totaled $17.4 million compared to $13.6 million, an increase of $3.8 million or 28%, primarily due to an increase legal expenses, including those associated with special asset loans.
    • Gain on sale of assets, net, totaled $26.4 million compared to a loss on sale of assets of $108,000. As discussed earlier, Rocky Mountain Bank, a division of HTLF Bank, was sold during the third quarter of 2024 which generated a gain on sale, net, of $29.7 million.

    The effective tax rate was 24.25% for the third quarter of 2024 compared to 21.89% for third quarter of 2023. The following items impacted the third quarter 2024 and 2023 tax calculations:

    • Various tax credits of $629,000 compared to $1.6 million.
    • Tax-exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income of 8.92% compared to 13.14%.
    • Tax benefit of $140,000 compared to a tax expense of $41,000 resulting from the vesting of restricted stock units.
    • Tax expense of $1.1 million compared to $1.6 million resulting from the disallowed interest expense related to tax-exempt loans and securities.

    Total Assets, Total Loans and Total Deposits

    Total assets were $18.27 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $18.81 billion at June 30, 2024, and $19.41 billion at December 31, 2023. Total assets decreased $540.1 million or 3% during the third quarter of 2024 and $1.14 billion or 6% since year-end 2023. Securities represented 27% and 29% of total assets at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

    Total loans held to maturity were $11.44 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $11.61 billion at June 30, 2024, and $12.07 billion at December 31, 2023. Loans decreased $167.4 million or 1% during the third quarter of 2024 and $627.7 million or 5% since year-end 2023. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, loans held to maturity decreased $172.4 million or 1% during the third quarter of 2024 and decreased $284.0 million or 2% since year-end 2023.

    Significant changes by loan category at September 30, 2024 compared to June 30, 2024 included:

    • Commercial and business lending, which includes commercial and industrial, PPP and owner occupied commercial real estate loans, decreased $262.7 million or 4% to $5.99 billion compared to $6.26 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, commercial and business lending decreased $119.4 million or 2%.
    • Commercial real estate lending, which includes non-owner occupied commercial real estate and construction loans, decreased $3.3 million, or less than 1%, to $3.58 billion compared to $3.58 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, commercial real estate lending increased $67.0 million or 2%.
    • Agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $167.2 million or 19% to $701.2 million compared to $868.4 million. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $99.9 million or 12%.
    • Residential mortgage loans decreased $56.7 million or 7% to $708.0 million compared to $764.7 million. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, residential mortgage loans decreased $25.7 million or 3%.

    Significant changes by loan category at September 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 included:

    • Commercial and business lending, which includes commercial and industrial, PPP and owner occupied commercial real estate loans, decreased $298.6 million or 5% to $5.99 billion compared to $6.29 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank loans sold of $143.3 million, commercial and business lending decreased $155.3 million or 2%.
    • Commercial real estate lending, which includes non-owner occupied commercial real estate and construction loans, increased $9.9 million or less than 1% to $3.58 billion compared to $3.57 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank loans sold of $70.3 million, commercial real estate lending increased $80.2 million or 2%.
    • Agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $218.0 million or 24% to $701.2 million compared to $919.2 million. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank loans sold of $67.3 million, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $150.7 million or 16%.
    • Residential mortgage loans decreased $89.8 million or 11% to $708.0 million compared to $797.8 million. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank loans sold of $31.0 million, residential mortgage loans decreased $58.9 million or 7%.

    Total deposits were $14.95 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $14.96 billion as of June 30, 2024, a decrease of $3.4 million or less than 1%. Total deposits were $14.95 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $16.20 billion at December 31, 2023, which was a decrease of $1.25 billion or 8%. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, deposits decreased $9.8 million or less than 1% during the third quarter of 2024 and decreased $716.6 million or 4% since year-end 2023.

    Total customer deposits were $14.35 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $14.13 billion at June 30, 2024, an increase of $217.6 million or 2%. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, customer deposits increased $211.2 million or 1%. Significant customer deposit changes by category at September 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2024, included:

    • Customer demand deposits decreased $367.6 million or 8% to $4.01 billion compared to $4.38 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, customer demand deposits decreased $235.9 million or 6%.
    • Customer savings deposits increased $270.0 million or 3% to $8.71 billion compared to $8.44 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, customer savings deposits increased $554.4 million or 7%.
    • Customer time deposits decreased $223.1 million or 12% to $1.63 billion compared to $1.85 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, customer time deposits decreased $107.3 million or 6%.

    Total customer deposits were $14.35 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $14.86 billion at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $505.1 million or 3%. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank customer deposits sold of $531.9 million, customer deposits increased $26.7 million. Significant customer deposit changes by category at September 30, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023, included:

    • Customer demand deposits decreased $491.1 million or 11% to $4.01 billion compared to $4.50 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank customer demand deposits sold of $131.7 million, customer demand deposits decreased $359.3 million or 8%.
    • Customer savings deposits increased $302.0 million or 4% to $8.71 billion compared to $8.41 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank customer savings deposits sold of $284.3 million, customer savings deposits increased $586.3 million or 7%.
    • Customer time deposits decreased $316.0 million or 16% to $1.63 billion compared to $1.94 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank customer time deposits sold of $115.8 million, customer time deposits decreased $200.2 million or 10%.

    Total wholesale and institutional deposits were $601.9 million as of September 30, 2024, a decrease of $221.0 million or 27% from $822.9 million at June 30, 2024. Significant wholesale and institutional deposit changes by category at September 30, 2024 compared to June 30, 2024 included:

    • Wholesale and institutional savings deposits decreased $105.7 million or 33% to $213.0 million compared to $318.6 million.
    • Wholesale time deposits decreased $115.3 million or 23% to $389.0 million compared to $504.3 million.

    Total wholesale and institutional deposits were $601.9 million as of September 30, 2024, which was a decrease of $743.4 million or 55% from $1.35 billion at December 31, 2023. Significant wholesale and institutional deposit changes by category at September 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 included:

    • Wholesale and institutional savings deposits decreased $181.4 million or 46% to $213.0 million compared to $394.4 million.
    • Wholesale time deposits decreased $562.0 million or 59% to $389.0 million compared to $950.9 million.

    Provision and Allowance

    Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans
    Provision for credit losses for loans for the third quarter of 2024 was $8.9 million, an increase of $6.2 million from $2.7 million recorded in the third quarter of 2023.

    The allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $106.8 million at September 30, 2024 and $122.6 million at December 31, 2023. The following items impacted the allowance for credit losses for loans at September 30, 2024:

    • Provision expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $22.3 million. Provision expense was primarily impacted in the third quarter of 2024 by a nonperforming food manufacturing syndication loan currently in bankruptcy proceedings. HTLF recorded a charge-off of $19.2 million for this credit during the third quarter of 2024, of which $10.0 million was reserved for in a prior period.
    • Net charge-offs of $38.0 million, of which the majority have been reserved for in prior periods, were recorded for the first nine months of 2024.

    Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses for Unfunded Commitments
    The allowance for unfunded commitments decreased $6.0 million or 36% to $10.5 million at September 30, 2024, from $16.5 million at December 31, 2023. The following impacted HTLF’s allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments during 2024:

    • Provision benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $6.0 million.
    • Reduction of $82.9 million in unfunded commitments for construction loans, which carry the highest loss rate.
    • Total unfunded commitments decreased $684.5 million or 15% to $3.94 billion at September 30, 2024 compared to $4.63 billion at December 31, 2023.

    Total Provision and Allowance for Lending Related Credit Losses
    The total provision expense for lending related credit losses was $6.3 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. The total allowance for lending related credit losses was $117.3 million or 1.02% of total loans at September 30, 2024, compared to $139.0 million or 1.15% of total loans as of December 31, 2023.

    Nonperforming Assets

    Nonperforming assets were $76.8 million or 0.42% of total assets at September 30, 2024, compared to $110.5 million or 0.57% of total assets at December 31, 2023. Nonperforming assets were reduced by charge-offs of $32.1 million and the return to performing status of a $10.4 million owner occupied commercial real estate loan relationship. The reduction was partially offset by the addition of a $10.1 million non-owner commercial real estate loan relationship. Nonperforming loans were $69.9 million or 0.61% of total loans at September 30, 2024, compared to $97.9 million or 0.81% of total loans at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, loans delinquent 30-89 days were 0.26% of total loans compared to 0.09% of total loans at December 31, 2023. The increase in the 30-89 day delinquencies was due to a single $12.8 million real estate construction loan. Other real estate owned, net, decreased $5.7 million or 46% to $6.8 million at September 30, 2024 from $12.5 million at December 31, 2023.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This earnings release contains references to financial measures which are not defined by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management believes the non-GAAP measures are helpful for investors to analyze and evaluate the company’s financial condition and operating results. However, these non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations and should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, because non-GAAP measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare the non-GAAP measures in this earnings release with other companies’ non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations of each non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure may be found in the financial tables in this earnings release.

    Below are the non-GAAP measures included in this earnings release, management’s reason for including each measure and the method of calculating each measure:

    • Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders and adjusted diluted earnings per common share, adjust net income for the gain/loss from sale of securities, and other non-operating expenses as well as the tax effect of those transactions. Management believes these measures enhance the comparability net income available to common stockholders as it reflects adjustments commonly made by management, investors and analysts to evaluate the ongoing operations and enhance comparability with the results of prior periods.
    • Adjusted annualized return on average assets, adjusts net income for the gain/loss from sale of securities, and other non-operating expenses as well as the tax effect of those transactions. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of annualized return on average assets as it reflects adjustments commonly made by management, investors and analysts to evaluate the ongoing operations and enhance comparability with the results of prior periods.
    • Annualized net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent, adjusts net interest income for the tax-favored status of certain loans and securities. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.
    • Adjusted efficiency ratio, fully tax equivalent, expresses noninterest expenses as a percentage of fully tax-equivalent net interest income and noninterest income. This efficiency ratio is presented on a tax-equivalent basis which adjusts net interest income and noninterest expenses for the tax favored status of certain loans, securities, and tax credit projects. Management believes the presentation of this non-GAAP measure provides supplemental useful information for proper understanding of the financial results as it enhances the comparability of income and expenses arising from taxable and nontaxable sources and excludes specific items as noted in reconciliation contained in this earnings release.
    • Net interest income, fully tax equivalent, is net income adjusted for the tax-favored status of certain loans and securities. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources. Net interest margin, fully tax equivalent, is net interest income adjusted for the tax-favored status of certain loans and securities divided by average earning assets.
    • Tangible book value per common share is total common equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net, divided by common shares outstanding, net of treasury. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate use of equity, financial condition and capital strength.
    • Tangible common equity ratio is total common equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net, divided by total assets less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength.
    • Adjusted annualized return on average common equity, adjusts net income for the loss from sale of securities, and other non-operating expenses as well as the tax effect of those transactions. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of annualized return on average assets as it reflects adjustments commonly made by management, investors and analysts to evaluate the ongoing operations and enhance comparability with the results of prior periods.
    • Annualized return on average tangible common equity is net income excluding intangible amortization calculated as (1) net income excluding tax-effected core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization, divided by (2) average common equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate use of equity, financial condition and capital strength.
    • Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity, adjusts net income available to common stockholders for the loss from sale of securities, and other non-operating expenses as well as the tax effect of those transactions. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of annualized return on average assets as it reflects adjustments commonly made by management, investors and analysts to evaluate the ongoing operations and enhance comparability with the results of prior periods.
    • Annualized ratio of core expenses to average assets adjusts noninterest expenses to exclude specific items noted in the reconciliation. Management includes this measure as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate controllable expenses related to primary business operations.

    About HTLF

    Heartland Financial USA, Inc., is a Denver, Colorado-based bank holding company operating under the brand name HTLF, with assets of $18.27 billion as of September 30, 2024. HTLF’s banks serve customers in the West, Southwest and Midwest regions. HTLF is committed to serving the banking needs of privately owned businesses, their owners, executives and employees. Our core commercial business is supported by a strong retail banking operation, in addition to a diversified line of financial services including treasury management, wealth management and investments. Additional information is available at www.htlf.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This release (including any information incorporated herein by reference), and future oral and written statements of the company and its management, 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, with respect to the business, financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives and future performance of HTLF.

    Any statements about the company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include information about possible or assumed future results of the company’s operations or performance. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of the words such as “believe”, “expect”, “intent”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “project”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “may”, “view”, “opportunity”, “potential”, or similar or negative expressions of these words or phrases that are used in this release, and future oral and written statements of the company and its management. Although the company may make these statements based on management’s experience, beliefs, expectations, assumptions and best estimate of future events, the ability of the company to predict results or the actual effect or outcomes of plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, and there may be events or factors that management has not anticipated. Therefore, the accuracy and achievement of such forward-looking statements and estimates are subject to a number of risks, many of which are beyond the ability of management to control or predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors, which the company currently believes could have a material effect on its operations and future prospects, are detailed below and in the risk factors in HTLF’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section under Item 1A of Part I of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and updates in HTLF’s Forms 10-Q filed thereafter, and include, among others:

    • Economic and Market Conditions Risks, including risks related to the deterioration of the U.S. economy in general and in the local economies in which HTLF conducts its operations and future civil unrest, natural disasters, pandemics and governmental measures addressing them, climate change and climate-related regulations, persistent inflation, higher interest rates, supply chain issues, labor shortages, terrorist threats or acts of war;
    • Credit Risks, including risks of increasing credit losses due to deterioration in the financial condition of HTLF’s borrowers, changes in asset and collateral values due to climate and other borrower industry risks, which may impact the provision for credit losses and net charge-offs;
    • Liquidity and Interest Rate Risks, including the impact of capital market conditions, rising interest rates and changes in monetary policy on our borrowings and net interest income;
    • Risks related to the planned merger with UMB Financial Corporation (the “Merger”), the fluctuation of the market value of the merger consideration, risks related to combining our businesses, including expenses related to the Merger and integration of the combined entity, risks that the Merger may not occur, and the risk of litigation related to the Merger;
    • Operational Risks, including processing, information systems, cybersecurity, vendor, business interruption, and fraud risks;
    • Strategic and External Risks, including economic, political, and competitive forces impacting our business;
    • Legal, Compliance and Reputational Risks, including regulatory and litigation risks; and
    • Risks of Owning Stock in HTLF, including stock price volatility and dilution as a result of future equity offerings and acquisitions.

    There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by HTLF will not materially and adversely affect HTLF’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, all statements in this release, including forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. HTLF does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions which may be made to or correct or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or to otherwise update any statement in light of new information or future events. Further information concerning HTLF and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect HTLF’s financial results, is included in HTLF’s filings with the SEC.

    -FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-

    CONTACT:
    Kevin L. Thompson
    Executive Vice President
    Chief Financial Officer
    (563) 589-1994
    kthompson@htlf.com 
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
    September 30,    		   For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Interest Income              
    Interest and fees on loans $ 192,506     $ 182,394     $ 587,328     $ 505,136  
    Interest on securities:              
    Taxable   51,116       54,800       145,511       168,948  
    Nontaxable   5,979       6,584       18,062       18,990  
    Interest on federal funds sold   —       3       —       3  
    Interest on deposits with other banks and short-term investments   4,193       1,651       10,244       4,833  
    Total Interest Income   253,794       245,432       761,145       697,910  
    Interest Expense              
    Interest on deposits   82,976       92,744       247,609       231,617  
    Interest on borrowings   7,378       1,167       25,727       4,437  
    Interest on term debt   5,543       5,765       16,956       16,756  
    Total Interest Expense   95,897       99,676       290,292       252,810  
    Net Interest Income   157,897       145,756       470,853       445,100  
    Provision for credit losses   6,276       1,516       16,270       9,969  
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses   151,621       144,240       454,583       435,131  
    Noninterest Income              
    Service charges and fees   17,100       18,553       51,127       55,316  
    Loan servicing income   111       278       349       1,403  
    Trust fees   5,272       4,734       15,847       15,810  
    Brokerage and insurance commissions   853       692       2,501       2,065  
    Capital markets fees   2,116       1,845       5,003       8,331  
    Securities gains (losses), net   (9,520 )     (114 )     (19,573 )     (1,532 )
    Unrealized gain on equity securities, net   377       13       605       165  
    Net gains on sale of loans held for sale   —       905       104       3,786  
    Income on bank owned life insurance   1,107       858       3,610       3,042  
    Other noninterest income   1,576       619       5,289       2,489  
    Total Noninterest Income   18,992       28,383       64,862       90,875  
    Noninterest Expense              
    Salaries and employee benefits   62,742       62,262       191,817       186,510  
    Occupancy   6,318       6,438       19,843       20,338  
    Furniture and equipment   2,062       2,720       6,554       8,698  
    Professional fees   17,448       13,616       48,351       41,607  
    FDIC insurance assessments   3,035       3,313       11,344       9,627  
    Advertising   1,937       1,633       4,663       6,670  
    Core deposit intangibles amortization   1,345       1,625       4,258       5,128  
    Other real estate and loan collection expenses, net   395       481       1,422       984  
    (Gain) loss on sales/valuations of assets, net   (26,419 )     108       (26,012 )     (2,149 )
    Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs   2,026       2,429       9,374       5,994  
    Partnership investment in tax credit projects   222       1,136       938       1,828  
    Other noninterest expense   14,816       15,292       43,214       46,307  
    Total Noninterest Expense   85,927       111,053       315,766       331,542  
    Income Before Income Taxes   84,686       61,570       203,679       194,464  
    Income taxes   20,533       13,479       48,077       44,181  
    Net Income/(Loss)   64,153       48,091       155,602       150,283  
    Preferred dividends   (2,013 )     (2,013 )     (6,038 )     (6,038 )
    Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders $ 62,140     $ 46,078     $ 149,564     $ 144,245  
    Earnings/(loss) per common share-diluted $ 1.44     $ 1.08     $ 3.47     $ 3.37  
    Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted   43,195,257       42,812,563       43,080,422       42,769,872  
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Interest Income                  
    Interest and fees on loans $ 192,506     $ 199,161     $ 195,661     $ 192,861     $ 182,394  
    Interest on securities:                  
    Taxable   51,116       47,381       47,014       54,573       54,800  
    Nontaxable   5,979       6,042       6,041       6,278       6,584  
    Interest on federal funds sold   —       —       —       —       3  
    Interest on deposits with other banks and short-term investments   4,193       3,045       3,006       2,174       1,651  
    Total Interest Income   253,794       255,629       251,722       255,886       245,432  
    Interest Expense                  
    Interest on deposits   82,976       80,499       84,134       88,071       92,744  
    Interest on borrowings   7,378       10,825       7,524       5,874       1,167  
    Interest on term debt   5,543       5,564       5,849       5,804       5,765  
    Total Interest Expense   95,897       96,888       97,507       99,749       99,676  
    Net Interest Income   157,897       158,741       154,215       156,137       145,756  
    Provision for credit losses   6,276       9,008       986       11,738       1,516  
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses   151,621       149,733       153,229       144,399       144,240  
    Noninterest Income                  
    Service charges and fees   17,100       16,964       17,063       18,708       18,553  
    Loan servicing income   111       107       131       158       278  
    Trust fees   5,272       5,532       5,043       4,905       4,734  
    Brokerage and insurance commissions   853       894       754       729       692  
    Capital markets fees   2,116       1,996       891       1,676       1,845  
    Securities gains (losses), net   (9,520 )     (10,111 )     58       (140,007 )     (114 )
    Unrealized gain on equity securities, net   377       133       95       75       13  
    Net gains on sale of loans held for sale   —       —       104       94       905  
    Income on bank owned life insurance   1,107       1,326       1,177       729       858  
    Other noninterest income   1,576       1,366       2,347       1,132       619  
    Total Noninterest Income   18,992       18,207       27,663       (111,801 )     28,383  
    Noninterest Expense                  
    Salaries and employee benefits   62,742       65,120       63,955       64,766       62,262  
    Occupancy   6,318       6,262       7,263       6,509       6,438  
    Furniture and equipment   2,062       2,155       2,337       2,901       2,720  
    Professional fees   17,448       15,372       15,531       17,060       13,616  
    FDIC insurance assessments   3,035       3,340       4,969       10,313       3,313  
    Advertising   1,937       1,368       1,358       1,677       1,633  
    Core deposit intangibles amortization   1,345       1,421       1,492       1,611       1,625  
    Other real estate and loan collection expenses, net   395       515       512       505       481  
    (Gain) loss on sales/valuations of assets, net   (26,419 )     193       214       2,072       108  
    Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs   2,026       5,973       1,375       4,365       2,429  
    Partnership investment in tax credit projects   222       222       494       3,573       1,136  
    Other noninterest expense   14,816       14,303       14,095       14,933       15,292  
    Total Noninterest Expense   85,927       116,244       113,595       130,285       111,053  
    Income Before Income Taxes   84,686       51,696       67,297       (97,687 )     61,570  
    Income taxes   20,533       11,954       15,590       (27,324 )     13,479  
    Net Income/(Loss)   64,153       39,742       51,707       (70,363 )     48,091  
    Preferred dividends   (2,013 )     (2,012 )     (2,013 )     (2,012 )     (2,013 )
    Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders $ 62,140     $ 37,730     $ 49,694     $ (72,375 )   $ 46,078  
    Earnings/(loss) per common share-diluted $ 1.44     $ 0.88     $ 1.16     $ (1.69 )   $ 1.08  
    Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted   43,195,257       43,060,354       42,915,768       42,838,405       42,812,563  
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      As of
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Assets                  
    Cash and due from banks $ 228,719     $ 226,735     $ 208,176     $ 275,554     $ 248,756  
    Interest-bearing deposits with other banks and short-term investments   359,675       147,211       236,190       47,459       99,239  
    Cash and cash equivalents   588,394       373,946       444,366       323,013       347,995  
    Time deposits in other financial institutions   1,050       1,340       1,240       1,240       1,490  
    Securities:                  
    Carried at fair value   4,057,335       4,185,054       4,418,222       4,646,891       5,482,687  
    Held to maturity, at cost   839,623       842,980       841,055       838,241       835,468  
    Other investments, at cost   69,511       70,684       68,524       91,277       90,001  
    Loans held for sale   —       348,761       352,744       5,071       6,262  
    Loans:                  
    Held to maturity   11,440,917       11,608,309       11,644,641       12,068,645       11,872,436  
    Allowance for credit losses   (106,797 )     (126,861 )     (123,934 )     (122,566 )     (110,208 )
    Loans, net   11,334,120       11,481,448       11,520,707       11,946,079       11,762,228  
    Premises, furniture and equipment, net   155,140       175,953       176,582       181,070       187,436  
    Goodwill   576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005  
    Core deposit intangibles, net   14,157       15,501       16,923       18,415       20,026  
    Cash surrender value on life insurance   199,998       199,036       197,671       197,085       196,694  
    Other real estate, net   6,805       7,533       2,590       12,548       14,362  
    Other assets   430,155       534,429       516,198       574,772       609,139  
    Total Assets $ 18,272,293     $ 18,812,670     $ 19,132,827     $ 19,411,707     $ 20,129,793  
    Liabilities and Equity                  
    Liabilities                  
    Deposits:                  
    Demand $ 4,009,218     $ 4,244,169     $ 4,264,390     $ 4,500,304     $ 4,792,813  
    Savings   8,926,192       8,470,416       8,669,221       8,805,597       8,754,911  
    Time   2,017,806       2,242,005       2,368,555       2,895,813       3,553,269  
    Total deposits   14,953,216       14,956,590       15,302,166       16,201,714       17,100,993  
    Deposits held for sale   —       538,308       596,328       —       —  
    Borrowings   546,219       694,909       650,033       622,255       392,634  
    Term debt   373,324       372,988       372,652       372,396       372,059  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   259,161       222,025       232,815       282,225       438,577  
    Total Liabilities   16,131,920       16,784,820       17,153,994       17,478,590       18,304,263  
    Stockholders’ Equity                  
    Preferred equity   110,705       110,705       110,705       110,705       110,705  
    Common stock   42,884       42,852       42,784       42,688       42,656  
    Capital surplus   1,098,837       1,096,619       1,093,207       1,090,740       1,088,267  
    Retained earnings   1,252,247       1,203,092       1,178,330       1,141,501       1,226,740  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)   (364,300 )     (425,418 )     (446,193 )     (452,517 )     (642,838 )
    Total Equity   2,140,373       2,027,850       1,978,833       1,933,117       1,825,530  
    Total Liabilities and Equity $ 18,272,293     $ 18,812,670     $ 19,132,827     $ 19,411,707     $ 20,129,793  
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Average Balances                  
    Assets $ 18,439,910     $ 19,043,362     $ 19,296,638     $ 19,667,825     $ 20,207,920  
    Loans, net of unearned   11,584,999       12,010,289       12,021,930       11,938,272       11,800,064  
    Total deposits   15,148,944       15,562,920       16,042,402       16,709,394       17,507,813  
    Customer deposits   14,347,965       14,768,407       14,816,652       14,969,948       14,699,235  
    Earning assets   16,838,131       17,331,435       17,597,068       17,853,957       18,439,010  
    Interest-bearing liabilities   11,986,220       12,461,957       12,607,745       12,721,680       13,158,631  
    Common equity   1,962,334       1,863,236       1,832,959       1,729,086       1,746,818  
    Total stockholders’ equity   2,073,039       1,973,941       1,943,664       1,839,791       1,857,523  
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   1,371,515       1,271,046       1,239,313       1,133,888       1,149,992  
                       
    Key Performance Ratios                  
    Annualized return on average assets   1.38 %     0.84 %     1.08 %   (1.42 )%     0.94 %
    Adjusted annualized return on average assets (non-GAAP)(1)   1.14       1.09       1.13       0.96       0.98  
    Annualized return on average common equity (GAAP)   12.60       8.14       10.90       (16.61 )     10.47  
    Adjusted annualized return on average common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   10.27       10.71       11.50       10.46       10.92  
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   18.32       12.28       16.49       (24.89 )     16.32  
    Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   14.98       16.05       17.38       16.38       17.02  
    Annualized ratio of net charge-offs/(recoveries) to average loans   0.99       0.23       0.08       0.01       0.12  
    Annualized net interest margin (GAAP)   3.73       3.68       3.52       3.47       3.14  
    Annualized net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)   3.78       3.73       3.57       3.52       3.18  
    Annualized cost of deposits   2.18       2.08       2.11       2.09       2.10  
    Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   48.58       65.69       62.46       293.86       63.77  
    Adjusted efficiency ratio, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)   57.98       57.73       58.77       59.31       59.95  
    Annualized ratio of total noninterest expenses to average assets (GAAP)   1.85       2.46       2.37       2.63       2.18  
    Annualized ratio of core expenses to average assets (non-GAAP)(1)   2.35       2.30       2.25       2.23       2.08  
                       
      For the Quarter Ended
    September 30,    		   For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Average Balances              
    Assets $ 18,439,910     $ 20,207,920     $ 18,924,862     $ 20,182,808  
    Loans, net of unearned   11,584,999       11,800,064       11,871,358       11,602,741  
    Total deposits   15,148,944       17,507,813       15,583,165       17,567,614  
    Customer deposits   14,347,965       14,699,235       14,642,347       14,778,030  
    Earning assets   16,838,131       18,439,010       17,254,023       18,451,907  
    Interest-bearing liabilities   11,986,220       13,158,631       12,350,640       12,985,665  
    Common equity   1,962,334       1,746,818       1,886,454       1,710,230  
    Total stockholders’ equity   2,073,039       1,857,523       1,997,159       1,820,935  
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   1,371,515       1,149,992       1,294,241       1,111,724  
                   
    Key Performance Ratios              
    Annualized return on average assets   1.38 %     0.94 %     1.10 %     1.00 %
    Adjusted annualized return on average assets (non-GAAP)(1)   1.14       0.98       1.12       1.02  
    Annualized return on average common equity (GAAP)   12.60       10.47       10.59       11.28  
    Adjusted annualized return on average common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   10.27       10.92       10.81       11.60  
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   18.32       16.32       15.77       17.82  
    Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)   14.98       17.02       16.09       18.31  
    Annualized ratio of net charge-offs/(recoveries) to average loans   0.99       0.12       0.43       0.14  
    Annualized net interest margin (GAAP)   3.73       3.14       3.65       3.23  
    Annualized net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)   3.78       3.18       3.69       3.27  
    Annualized cost of deposits   2.18       2.10       2.12       1.76  
    Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   48.58       63.77       58.94       61.86  
    Adjusted efficiency ratio, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)   57.98       59.95       58.16       58.98  
    Annualized ratio of total noninterest expenses to average assets (GAAP)   1.85       2.18       2.23       2.20  
    Annualized ratio of core expenses to average assets (non-GAAP)(1)   2.35       2.08       2.30       2.12  
                   
    (1) Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this earnings release for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to these financial tables for the reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND FULL TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEE DATA
      As of and for the Quarter Ended
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Common Share Data                  
    Book value per common share $ 47.33     $ 44.74     $ 43.66     $ 42.69     $ 40.20  
    Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)(1)   33.57       30.94       29.81       28.77       26.23  
    ASC 320 effect on book value per common share   (8.78 )     (10.82 )     (11.18 )     (11.00 )     (16.27 )
                       
    Common shares outstanding, net of treasury stock   42,883,865       42,852,180       42,783,670       42,688,008       42,656,303  
                       
    Capital Ratios                  
    Common equity to total assets   11.11 %     10.19 %     9.76 %     9.39 %     8.52 %
    Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP)(1)   8.14       7.28       6.88       6.53       5.73  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   10.77       10.13       9.84       9.44       9.59  
    Common equity tier 1 ratio(2)   12.66       11.68       11.40       10.97       11.37  
    Total risk based capital ratio(2)   16.34       15.32       14.99       14.53       14.90  
                       
    Other Selected Trend Information                  
    Effective tax rate   24.25 %     23.12 %     23.17 %     27.97 %     21.89 %
    Full time equivalent employees   1,725       1,843       1,888       1,970       1,965  
                       
    Loans Held to Maturity                  
    Commercial and industrial $ 3,503,093     $ 3,541,239     $ 3,545,051     $ 3,652,047     $ 3,591,809  
    Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”)   1,582       1,864       2,172       2,777       3,750  
    Owner occupied commercial real estate   2,489,697       2,555,964       2,545,033       2,638,175       2,429,659  
    Commercial and business lending   5,994,372       6,099,067       6,092,256       6,292,999       6,025,218  
    Non-owner occupied commercial real estate   2,455,396       2,434,258       2,495,068       2,553,711       2,656,358  
    Real estate construction   1,119,922       1,082,726       1,041,583       1,011,716       1,029,554  
    Commercial real estate lending   3,575,318       3,516,984       3,536,651       3,565,427       3,685,912  
    Total commercial lending   9,569,690       9,616,051       9,628,907       9,858,426       9,711,130  
    Agricultural and agricultural real estate   701,211       802,958       809,876       919,184       842,116  
    Residential mortgage   707,984       733,401       756,021       797,829       813,803  
    Consumer   462,032       455,899       449,837       493,206       505,387  
    Total loans held to maturity $ 11,440,917     $ 11,608,309     $ 11,644,641     $ 12,068,645     $ 11,872,436  
                       
    Total unfunded loan commitments $ 3,941,268     $ 4,381,565     $ 4,537,718     $ 4,625,768     $ 4,813,798  
                       
    Deposits                  
    Demand-customer $ 4,009,218     $ 4,244,169     $ 4,264,390     $ 4,500,304     $ 4,792,813  
    Savings-customer   8,713,228       8,151,794       8,269,956       8,411,240       8,190,430  
    Savings-wholesale and institutional   212,964       318,622       399,265       394,357       564,481  
    Total savings   8,926,192       8,470,416       8,669,221       8,805,597       8,754,911  
    Time-customer   1,628,856       1,737,723       1,734,971       1,944,884       1,814,335  
    Time-wholesale   388,950       504,282       633,584       950,929       1,738,934  
    Total time   2,017,806       2,242,005       2,368,555       2,895,813       3,553,269  
    Total deposits $ 14,953,216     $ 14,956,590     $ 15,302,166     $ 16,201,714     $ 17,100,993  
                       
    Total customer deposits $ 14,351,302     $ 14,133,686     $ 14,269,317     $ 14,856,428     $ 14,797,578  
    Total wholesale and institutional deposits   601,914       822,904       1,032,849       1,345,286       2,303,415  
    Total deposits $ 14,953,216     $ 14,956,590     $ 15,302,166     $ 16,201,714     $ 17,100,993  
                       
    (1) Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this earnings release for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to these financial tables for the reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
    (2) September 30, 2024 calculation is preliminary.
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      As of and for the Quarter Ended
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Allowance for Credit Losses-Loans                  
    Balance, beginning of period $ 126,861     $ 123,934     $ 122,566     $ 110,208     $ 111,198  
    Provision for credit losses   8,871       9,737       3,668       12,750       2,672  
    Charge-offs   (32,137 )     (7,388 )     (4,093 )     (3,886 )     (3,964 )
    Recoveries   3,202       578       1,793       3,494       302  
    Balance, end of period $ 106,797     $ 126,861     $ 123,934     $ 122,566     $ 110,208  
                       
    Allowance for Unfunded Commitments                  
    Balance, beginning of period $ 13,057     $ 13,786     $ 16,468     $ 17,480     $ 18,636  
    Provision for credit losses   (2,595 )     (729 )     (2,682 )     (1,012 )     (1,156 )
    Balance, end of period $ 10,462     $ 13,057     $ 13,786     $ 16,468     $ 17,480  
                       
    Allowance for lending related credit losses $ 117,259     $ 139,918     $ 137,720     $ 139,034     $ 127,688  
                       
    Provision for Credit Losses                  
    Provision for credit losses-loans $ 8,871     $ 9,737     $ 3,668     $ 12,750     $ 2,672  
    Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments   (2,595 )     (729 )     (2,682 )     (1,012 )     (1,156 )
    Total provision (benefit) for credit losses $ 6,276     $ 9,008     $ 986     $ 11,738     $ 1,516  
                       
    Asset Quality                  
    Nonaccrual loans $ 69,115     $ 103,123     $ 94,800     $ 95,426     $ 51,304  
    Loans past due ninety days or more   832       663       611       2,507       511  
    Other real estate owned   6,805       7,533       2,590       12,548       14,362  
    Other repossessed assets   —       —       —       —       1  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 76,752     $ 111,319     $ 98,001     $ 110,481     $ 66,178  
                       
    Nonperforming Assets Activity                  
    Balance, beginning of period $ 111,319     $ 98,001     $ 110,481     $ 66,178     $ 66,097  
    Net loan (charge-offs) recoveries   (28,935 )     (6,810 )     (2,300 )     (392 )     (3,662 )
    New nonperforming loans   25,441       48,346       5,470       61,193       19,295  
    Reduction of nonperforming loans(1)   (30,240 )     (28,050 )     (5,692 )     (14,278 )     (14,691 )
    OREO/Repossessed assets sales proceeds   (833 )     (168 )     (9,958 )     (2,220 )     (861 )
    Balance, end of period $ 76,752     $ 111,319     $ 98,001     $ 110,481     $ 66,178  
                       
    Asset Quality Ratios                  
    Ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans   0.61 %     0.89 %     0.82 %     0.81 %     0.44 %
    Ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets   0.42       0.59       0.51       0.57       0.33  
    Annualized ratio of net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans   0.99       0.23       0.08       0.01       0.12  
    Allowance for loan credit losses as a percent of loans   0.93       1.09       1.06       1.02       0.93  
    Allowance for lending related credit losses as a percent of loans   1.02       1.21       1.18       1.15       1.08  
    Allowance for loan credit losses as a percent of nonperforming loans   152.68       122.23       129.89       125.15       212.70  
    Loans delinquent 30-89 days as a percent of total loans   0.26       0.25       0.31       0.09       0.12  
                       
    (1) Includes principal reductions, transfers to performing status and transfers to OREO.
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.    
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS
      For the Quarter Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Average
    Balance    		   Interest   Rate   Average
    Balance    		   Interest   Rate   Average
    Balance    		   Interest   Rate
    Earning Assets                                  
    Securities:                                  
    Taxable $ 4,254,529     $ 51,116   4.78 %   $ 4,490,407     $ 47,381   4.24 %   $ 5,726,057     $ 54,800   3.80 %
    Nontaxable(1)   768,483       7,313   3.79       759,234       7,383   3.91       881,162       8,085   3.64  
    Total securities   5,023,012       58,429   4.63       5,249,641       54,764   4.20       6,607,219       62,885   3.78  
    Interest on deposits with other banks and
    short-term investments    		   355,394       4,193   4.69       194,824       3,045   6.29       142,301       1,651   4.60  
    Federal funds sold   —       —   —       —       —   —       152       3   7.83  
    Loans:(2)                                  
    Commercial and industrial(1)   3,531,206       65,972   7.43       3,638,004       69,469   7.68       3,610,677       63,001   6.92  
    PPP loans   1,759       5   1.13       2,242       7   1.26       3,948       11   1.11  
    Owner occupied commercial real estate   2,527,006       35,189   5.54       2,615,504       37,028   5.69       2,412,501       30,127   4.95  
    Non-owner occupied commercial real estate   2,474,036       39,536   6.36       2,519,346       39,272   6.27       2,586,011       38,779   5.95  
    Real estate construction   1,106,387       22,878   8.23       1,093,399       21,770   8.01       1,027,544       19,448   7.51  
    Agricultural and agricultural real estate   757,745       11,536   6.06       879,707       13,390   6.12       822,957       12,582   6.07  
    Residential real estate   725,901       9,110   4.99       776,821       9,454   4.89       827,402       9,482   4.55  
    Consumer   460,959       8,956   7.73       485,266       9,421   7.81       509,024       9,615   7.49  
    Less: allowance for credit losses   (125,274 )     —   —       (123,319 )     —   —       (110,726 )     —   —  
    Net loans   11,459,725       193,182   6.71       11,886,970       199,811   6.76       11,689,338       183,045   6.21  
    Total earning assets   16,838,131       255,804   6.04 %     17,331,435       257,620   5.98 %     18,439,010       247,584   5.33 %
    Nonearning Assets   1,601,779               1,711,927               1,768,910          
    Total Assets $ 18,439,910             $ 19,043,362             $ 20,207,920          
    Interest-bearing Liabilities                                  
    Savings $ 8,842,494     $ 59,307   2.67 %   $ 8,834,746     $ 55,440   2.52 %   $ 8,737,581     $ 49,195   2.23 %
    Time deposits   2,189,861       23,669   4.30       2,372,653       25,059   4.25       3,945,371       43,549   4.38  
    Borrowings   580,707       7,378   5.05       881,738       10,825   4.94       103,567       1,167   4.47  
    Term debt   373,158       5,543   5.91       372,820       5,564   6.00       372,112       5,765   6.15  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   11,986,220       95,897   3.18 %     12,461,957       96,888   3.13 %     13,158,631       99,676   3.01 %
    Noninterest-bearing Liabilities                                  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   4,116,589               4,355,521               4,824,861          
    Accrued interest and other liabilities   264,062               251,943               366,905          
    Total noninterest-bearing liabilities   4,380,651               4,607,464               5,191,766          
    Stockholders’ Equity   2,073,039               1,973,941               1,857,523          
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 18,439,910             $ 19,043,362             $ 20,207,920          
    Net interest income, fully tax-equivalent
    (non-GAAP)    (1)(3)    		     $ 159,907           $ 160,732           $ 147,908    
    Net interest spread(1)         2.86 %           2.85 %           2.32 %
    Net interest income, fully tax-equivalent
    (non-GAAP    )(1)(3)to total earning assets    		         3.78 %           3.73 %           3.18 %
    Interest-bearing liabilities to earning assets   71.18 %             71.90 %             71.36 %        
                                       
    (1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21%.    
    (2) Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in the average loans outstanding.
    (3) Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this earnings release for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to these financial tables for the reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS
      For the Nine Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Average
    Balance    		   Interest   Rate   Average
    Balance    		   Interest   Rate
    Earning Assets                      
    Securities:                      
    Taxable $ 4,469,258     $ 145,511   4.35 %   $ 5,927,026     $ 168,948   3.81 %
    Nontaxable(1)   768,782       22,079   3.84       899,613       23,611   3.51  
    Total securities   5,238,040       167,590   4.27       6,826,639       192,559   3.77  
    Interest on deposits with other banks and other short-term investments   268,122       10,244   5.10       133,910       4,833   4.83  
    Federal funds sold   —       —   —       51       3   7.86  
    Loans:(2)                      
    Commercial and industrial(1)   3,603,668       202,426   7.50       3,547,256       169,552   6.39  
    PPP loans   2,195       19   1.16       6,718       61   1.21  
    Owner occupied commercial real estate   2,583,886       107,734   5.57       2,355,545       84,927   4.82  
    Non-owner occupied commercial real estate   2,514,452       118,657   6.30       2,459,965       105,111   5.71  
    Real estate construction   1,087,280       65,497   8.05       1,051,298       56,107   7.14  
    Agricultural and agricultural real estate   838,395       38,682   6.16       835,673       36,191   5.79  
    Residential mortgage   764,515       28,699   5.01       840,143       28,138   4.48  
    Consumer   476,967       27,578   7.72       506,143       26,925   7.11  
    Less: allowance for credit losses-loans   (123,497 )     —   —       (111,434 )     —   —  
    Net loans   11,747,861       589,292   6.70       11,491,307       507,012   5.90  
    Total earning assets   17,254,023       767,126   5.94 %     18,451,907       704,407   5.10 %
    Nonearning Assets   1,670,839               1,730,901          
    Total Assets $ 18,924,862             $ 20,182,808          
    Interest-bearing Liabilities                      
    Savings $ 8,828,973     $ 169,414   2.56 %   $ 9,130,980     $ 128,372   1.88 %
    Time deposits   2,447,293       78,195   4.27       3,344,434       103,245   4.13  
    Borrowings   701,548       25,727   4.90       138,157       4,437   4.29  
    Term debt   372,826       16,956   6.08       372,094       16,756   6.02  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   12,350,640       290,292   3.14 %     12,985,665       252,810   2.60 %
    Noninterest-bearing Liabilities                      
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   4,306,899               5,092,200          
    Accrued interest and other liabilities   270,164               284,008          
    Total noninterest-bearing liabilities   4,577,063               5,376,208          
    Stockholders’ Equity   1,997,159               1,820,935          
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 18,924,862             $ 20,182,808          
    Net interest income, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)(3)     $ 476,834           $ 451,597    
    Net interest spread(1)         2.80 %           2.50 %
    Net interest income, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)(3)to total earning assets         3.69 %           3.27 %
    Interest-bearing liabilities to earning assets   71.58 %             70.38 %        
                           
    (1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21%.    
    (2) Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in the average loans outstanding.
    (3) Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this earnings release for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to these financial tables for the reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND FULL TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Reconciliation of Annualized Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (non-GAAP)                  
    Earnings available to common stockholders (GAAP) $ 62,140     $ 37,730     $ 49,694     $ (72,375 )   $ 46,078  
    Plus core deposit intangibles amortization, net of tax(2)   1,022       1,081       1,131       1,229       1,240  
    Earnings available to common stockholders excluding intangible amortization (non-GAAP) $ 63,162     $ 38,811     $ 50,825     $ (71,146 )   $ 47,318  
                       
    Average common equity (GAAP) $ 1,962,334     $ 1,863,236     $ 1,832,959     $ 1,729,086     $ 1,746,818  
    Less average goodwill   576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005  
    Less average core deposit intangibles, net   14,814       16,185       17,641       19,193       20,821  
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 1,371,515     $ 1,271,046     $ 1,239,313     $ 1,133,888     $ 1,149,992  
    Annualized return on average common equity (GAAP)   12.60 %     8.14 %     10.90 %   (16.61 )%     10.47 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   18.32 %     12.28 %     16.49 %   (24.89 )%     16.32 %
                       
    Reconciliation of Annualized Net Interest Margin, Fully Tax-Equivalent (non-GAAP)                  
    Net Interest Income (GAAP) $ 157,897     $ 158,741     $ 154,215     $ 156,137     $ 145,756  
    Plus tax-equivalent adjustment(1)   2,010       1,991       1,981       2,058       2,152  
    Net interest income, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP) $ 159,907     $ 160,732     $ 156,196     $ 158,195     $ 147,908  
                       
    Average earning assets $ 16,838,131     $ 17,331,435     $ 17,597,068     $ 17,853,957     $ 18,439,010  
                       
    Annualized net interest margin (GAAP)   3.73 %     3.68 %     3.52 %     3.47 %     3.14 %
    Annualized net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)   3.78       3.73       3.57       3.52       3.18  
    Net purchase accounting discount amortization on loans included in annualized net interest margin   0.02       0.01       0.02       0.02       0.01  
    Reconciliation of Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (non-GAAP)                  
    Common equity (GAAP) $ 2,029,668     $ 1,917,145     $ 1,868,128     $ 1,822,412     $ 1,714,825  
    Less goodwill   576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005  
    Less core deposit intangibles, net   14,157       15,501       16,923       18,415       20,026  
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 1,439,506     $ 1,325,639     $ 1,275,200     $ 1,227,992     $ 1,118,794  
                       
    Common shares outstanding, net of treasury stock   42,883,865       42,852,180       42,783,670       42,688,008       42,656,303  
    Common equity (book value) per share (GAAP) $ 47.33     $ 44.74     $ 43.66     $ 42.69     $ 40.20  
    Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) $ 33.57     $ 30.94     $ 29.81     $ 28.77     $ 26.23  
                       
    Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity Ratio (non-GAAP)                  
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 1,439,506     $ 1,325,639     $ 1,275,200     $ 1,227,992     $ 1,118,794  
                       
    Total assets (GAAP) $ 18,272,293     $ 18,812,670     $ 19,132,827     $ 19,411,707     $ 20,129,793  
    Less goodwill   576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005  
    Less core deposit intangibles, net   14,157       15,501       16,923       18,415       20,026  
    Total tangible assets (non-GAAP) $ 17,682,131     $ 18,221,164     $ 18,539,899     $ 18,817,287     $ 19,533,762  
    Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP)   8.14 %     7.28 %     6.88 %     6.53 %     5.73 %
                       
    (1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21%.
    (2) Tax effect is calculated based on the respective periods’ year-to-date effective tax rate excluding the impact of discrete items.
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
    9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Efficiency Ratio, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)  
    Net interest income (GAAP) $ 157,897     $ 158,741     $ 154,215     $ 156,137     $ 145,756  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment(1)   2,010       1,991       1,981       2,058       2,152  
    Fully tax-equivalent net interest income   159,907       160,732       156,196       158,195       147,908  
    Noninterest income   18,992       18,207       27,663       (111,801 )     28,383  
    Securities (gains)/losses, net   9,520       10,111       (58 )     140,007       114  
    Unrealized gain on equity securities, net   (377 )     (133 )     (95 )     (75 )     (13 )
    Adjusted revenue (non-GAAP) $ 188,042     $ 188,917     $ 183,706     $ 186,326     $ 176,392  
                       
    Total noninterest expenses (GAAP) $ 85,927     $ 116,244     $ 113,595     $ 130,285     $ 111,053  
    Less:                  
    Core deposit intangibles amortization   1,345       1,421       1,492       1,611       1,625  
    Partnership investment in tax credit projects   222       222       494       3,573       1,136  
    (Gain) loss on sales/valuation of assets, net   (26,419 )     193       214       2,072       108  
    Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs   2,026       5,973       1,375       4,365       2,429  
    FDIC special assessment   (267 )     (631 )     2,049       8,145       —  
    Core expenses (non-GAAP) $ 109,020     $ 109,066     $ 107,971     $ 110,519     $ 105,755  
                       
    Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   48.58 %     65.69 %     62.46 %     293.86 %     63.77 %
    Adjusted efficiency ratio, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)   57.98 %     57.73 %     58.77 %     59.31 %     59.95 %
                       
    Reconciliation of Annualized Ratio of Core Expenses to Average Assets (non-GAAP)                  
    Total noninterest expenses (GAAP) $ 85,927     $ 116,244     $ 113,595     $ 130,285     $ 111,053  
    Core expenses (non-GAAP)   109,020       109,066       107,971       110,519       105,755  
                       
    Average assets $ 18,439,910     $ 19,043,362     $ 19,296,638     $ 19,667,825     $ 20,207,920  
    Total noninterest expenses to average assets (GAAP)   1.85 %     2.46 %     2.37 %     2.63 %     2.18 %
    Core expenses to average assets (non-GAAP)   2.35 %     2.30 %     2.25 %     2.23 %     2.08 %
                       
    Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs                  
    Salaries and employee benefits $ 58     $ 462     $ 168     $ 1,425     $ 94  
    Occupancy   —       —       —       1,092       —  
    Furniture and equipment   52       53       —       19       —  
    Professional fees   1,674       5,385       931       793       1,617  
    Advertising   —       —       —       28       178  
    Other noninterest expenses   242       73       276       1,008       540  
    Total acquisition, integration and restructuring costs $ 2,026     $ 5,973     $ 1,375     $ 4,365     $ 2,429  
                       
    (1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21%.
     
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings                  
    Net income/(loss) $ 64,153     $ 39,742     $ 51,707     $ (70,363 )   $ 48,091  
    (Gain)/loss from sale of securities   9,520       10,111       (58 )     140,007       114  
    (Gain)/loss on sales/valuation of assets, net   (26,419 )     193       214       2,072       108  
    Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs   2,026       5,973       1,375       4,365       2,429  
    FDIC special assessment   (267 )     (631 )     2,049       8,145       —  
    Total adjustments   (15,140 )     15,646       3,580       154,589       2,651  
    Tax effect of adjustments(2)   3,634       (3,739 )     (866 )     (36,638 )     (628 )
    Adjusted earnings $ 52,647     $ 51,649     $ 54,421     $ 47,588     $ 50,114  
                       
    Preferred dividends   (2,013 )     (2,012 )     (2,013 )     (2,012 )     (2,013 )
    Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders $ 50,634     $ 49,637     $ 52,408     $ 45,576     $ 48,101  
                       
    Plus core deposit intangibles amortization, net of tax(2)   1,022       1,081       1,131       1,229       1,240  
    Earnings available to common stockholders excluding intangible amortization (non-GAAP) $ 51,656     $ 50,718     $ 53,539     $ 46,805     $ 49,341  
                       
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Annualized Return on Average Assets                  
    Average assets $ 18,439,910     $ 19,043,362     $ 19,296,638     $ 19,667,825     $ 20,207,920  
    Adjusted annualized return on average assets (non-GAAP)   1.14 %     1.09 %     1.13 %     0.96 %     0.98 %
                       
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Annualized Return on Average Common Equity                  
    Average common stockholders’ equity (GAAP) $ 1,962,334     $ 1,863,236     $ 1,832,959     $ 1,729,086     $ 1,746,818  
    Adjusted annualized average common equity (non-GAAP)   10.27 %     10.71 %     11.50 %     10.46 %     10.92 %
                       
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Annualized Return on Average Tangible Common Equity                  
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 1,371,515     $ 1,271,046     $ 1,239,313     $ 1,133,888     $ 1,149,992  
    Adjusted annualized average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   14.98 %     16.05 %     17.38 %     16.38 %     17.02 %
                       
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share                  
    Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted   43,195,257       43,060,354       42,915,768       42,838,405       42,812,563  
    Adjusted diluted earnings per common share $ 1.17     $ 1.15     $ 1.22     $ 1.06     $ 1.12  
                       
    (2) Tax effect is calculated based on the respective periods’ year-to-date effective tax rate excluding the impact of discrete items.
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
    September 30,    		   For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Reconciliation of Annualized Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (non-GAAP)              
    Earnings available to common stockholders (GAAP) $ 62,140     $ 46,078     $ 149,564     $ 144,245  
    Plus core deposit intangibles amortization, net of tax(2)   1,022       1,240       3,236       3,908  
    Earnings available to common stockholders excluding intangible amortization (non-GAAP) $ 63,162     $ 47,318     $ 152,800     $ 148,153  
                   
    Average common equity (GAAP) $ 1,962,334     $ 1,746,818     $ 1,886,454     $ 1,710,230  
    Less average goodwill   576,005       576,005       576,005       576,005  
    Less average core deposit intangibles, net   14,814       20,821       16,208       22,501  
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 1,371,515     $ 1,149,992     $ 1,294,241     $ 1,111,724  
    Annualized return on average common equity (GAAP)   12.60 %     10.47 %     10.59 %     11.28 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   18.32 %     16.32 %     15.77 %     17.82 %
                   
    Reconciliation of Annualized Net Interest Margin, Fully Tax-Equivalent (non-GAAP)              
    Net Interest Income (GAAP) $ 157,897     $ 145,756     $ 470,853     $ 445,100  
    Plus tax-equivalent adjustment(1)   2,010       2,152       5,981       6,497  
    Net interest income, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP) $ 159,907     $ 147,908     $ 476,834     $ 451,597  
                   
    Average earning assets $ 16,838,131     $ 18,439,010     $ 17,254,023     $ 18,451,907  
                   
    Annualized net interest margin (GAAP)   3.73 %     3.14 %     3.65 %     3.23 %
    Annualized net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)   3.78       3.18       3.69       3.27  
    Net purchase accounting discount amortization on loans included in annualized net interest margin   0.02       0.01       0.02       0.02  
                   
    (1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21%.
    (2) Tax effect is calculated based on the respective periods’ year-to-date effective tax rate excluding the impact of discrete items.
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
    September 30,    		   For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Efficiency Ratio, Fully Tax-Equivalent (non-GAAP)              
    Net interest income (GAAP) $ 157,897     $ 145,756     $ 470,853     $ 445,100  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment(1)   2,010       2,152       5,981       6,497  
    Fully tax-equivalent net interest income   159,907       147,908       476,834       451,597  
    Noninterest income (GAAP)   18,992       28,383       64,862       90,875  
    Securities (gains)/losses, net   9,520       114       19,573       1,532  
    Unrealized gain on equity securities, net   (377 )     (13 )     (605 )     (165 )
    Adjusted revenue (non-GAAP) $ 188,042     $ 176,392     $ 560,664     $ 543,839  
                   
    Total noninterest expenses (GAAP) $ 85,927     $ 111,053     $ 315,766     $ 331,542  
    Less:              
    Core deposit intangibles amortization   1,345       1,625       4,258       5,128  
    Partnership investment in tax credit projects   222       1,136       938       1,828  
    (Gain)/loss on sales/valuation of assets, net   (26,419 )     108       (26,012 )     (2,149 )
    Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs   2,026       2,429       9,374       5,994  
    FDIC special assessment   (267 )     —       1,151       —  
    Core expenses (non-GAAP) $ 109,020     $ 105,755     $ 326,057     $ 320,741  
                   
    Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   48.58 %     63.77 %     58.94 %     61.86 %
    Adjusted efficiency ratio, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)   57.98 %     59.95 %     58.16 %     58.98 %
                   
    Reconciliation of Annualized Ratio of Core Expenses to Average Assets (non-GAAP)              
    Total noninterest expenses (GAAP) $ 85,927     $ 111,053     $ 315,766     $ 331,542  
    Core expenses (non-GAAP)   109,020       105,755       326,057       320,741  
                   
    Average assets $ 18,439,910     $ 20,207,920     $ 18,924,862     $ 20,182,808  
    Total noninterest expenses to average assets (GAAP)   1.85 %     2.18 %     2.23 %     2.20 %
    Core expenses to average assets (non-GAAP)   2.35 %     2.08 %     2.30 %     2.12 %
                   
    Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs              
    Salaries and employee benefits $ 58     $ 94     $ 689     $ 261  
    Occupancy   —       —       —       —  
    Furniture and equipment   52       —       105       —  
    Professional fees   1,674       1,617       7,990       3,619  
    Advertising   —       178       —       522  
    Other noninterest expenses   242       540       590       1,592  
    Total acquisition, integration and restructuring costs $ 2,026     $ 2,429     $ 9,374     $ 5,994  
                   
    (1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21%.              
    HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
    DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
      For the Quarter Ended
    September 30,    		   For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP)              
    Net income/(loss) $ 64,153     $ 48,091     $ 155,602     $ 150,283  
    (Gain)/loss from sale of securities   9,520       114       19,573       1,532  
    (Gain)/loss on sales/valuation of assets, net   (26,419 )     108       (26,012 )     (2,149 )
    Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs   2,026       2,429       9,374       5,994  
    FDIC special assessment   (267 )     —       1,151       —  
    Total adjustments   (15,140 )     2,651       4,086       5,377  
    Tax effect of adjustments(2)   3,634       (628 )     (981 )     (1,280 )
    Adjusted earnings $ 52,647     $ 50,114     $ 158,707     $ 154,380  
                   
    Preferred dividends   (2,013 )     (2,013 )     (6,038 )     (6,038 )
    Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders $ 50,634     $ 48,101     $ 152,669     $ 148,342  
                   
    Plus core deposit intangibles amortization, net of tax(2)   1,022       1,240       3,236       3,908  
    Earnings available to common stockholders excluding intangible amortization (non-GAAP) $ 51,656     $ 49,341     $ 155,905     $ 152,250  
                   
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Annualized Return on Average Assets              
    Average assets $ 18,439,910     $ 20,207,920     $ 18,924,862     $ 20,182,808  
    Adjusted annualized return on average assets (non-GAAP)   1.14 %     0.98 %     1.12 %     1.02 %
                   
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Annualized Return on Average Common Equity              
    Average common stockholders’ equity (GAAP) $ 1,962,334     $ 1,746,818     $ 1,886,454     $ 1,710,230  
    Adjusted annualized return on average common equity (non-GAAP)   10.27 %     10.92 %     10.81 %     11.60 %
                   
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Annualized Return on Average Tangible Common Equity              
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 1,371,515     $ 1,149,992     $ 1,294,241     $ 1,111,724  
    Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   14.98 %     17.02 %     16.09 %     18.31 %
                   
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share              
    Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted   43,195,257       42,812,563       43,080,422       42,769,872  
    Adjusted diluted earnings per common share $ 1.17     $ 1.12     $ 3.54     $ 3.47  
                   
    (2) Tax effect is calculated based on the respective periods’ year-to-date effective tax rate excluding the impact of discrete items.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Northeast Bank Reports First Quarter Results and Declares Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTLAND, Maine, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northeast Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: NBN), a Maine-based full-service bank, today reported net income of $17.1 million, or $2.11 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $15.2 million, or $2.01 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.01 per share, payable on November 26, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 12, 2024.

    “With $859.8 million of loan generation from our National Lending Division, we had our second largest quarterly loan volume in the Bank’s history, consisting of $732.9 million of purchases and $126.9 million of originations,” said Rick Wayne, Chief Executive Officer. “Our National Lending Division portfolio grew by $742.2 million, or 27.6%, over June 30, 2024. Our small balance SBA 7(a) program with Newity LLC as our loan service provider has gained real traction. For the quarter, we originated $82.4 million, compared to $40.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and $9.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. During the current quarter we sold $63.1 million of the guaranteed portion of our SBA loans, compared with $26.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and $5.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. We are reporting earnings of $2.11 per diluted common share, a return on average equity of 17.5%, and a return on average assets of 2.1%.”

    As of September 30, 2024, total assets were $3.94 billion, an increase of $807.7 million, or 25.8%, from total assets of $3.13 billion as of June 30, 2024.

    1.  The following table highlights the changes in the loan portfolio, including loans held for sale, for the three months ended September 30, 2024:

      Loan Portfolio Changes 
      September 30, 2024 Balance   June 30, 2024 Balance   Change ($)   Change (%)
      (Dollars in thousands)  
    National Lending Purchased $ 2,420,883     $ 1,708,551     $ 712,332     41.69 %
    National Lending Originated   1,011,374       981,497       29,877     3.04 %
    SBA National   66,919       48,405       18,514     38.25 %
    Community Banking   21,426       22,704       (1,278 )   (5.63 %)
    Total $ 3,520,602     $ 2,761,157     $ 759,445     27.50 %
                               

    Loans generated by the Bank’s National Lending Division for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 totaled $859.8 million, which consisted of $732.9 million of purchased loans at an average price of 90.7% of unpaid principal balance, and $126.9 million of originated loans.

    An overview of the Bank’s National Lending Division portfolio follows:

      National Lending Portfolio
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Purchased   Originated   Total   Purchased   Originated   Total
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Loans purchased or originated during the period:                                  
    Unpaid principal balance $ 807,733     $ 126,893     $ 934,626     $ 63,695     $ 68,042     $ 131,737  
    Initial net investment basis (1)   732,893       126,893       859,786       52,346       68,042       120,388  
                                       
    Loan returns during the period:                                  
    Yield   8.83 %     9.31 %     9.00 %     8.99 %     10.03 %     9.40 %
    Total Return on Purchased Loans (2)   8.84 %     N/A     8.84 %     9.04 %     N/A     9.04 %
                                       
    Total loans as of period end:                                  
    Unpaid principal balance $ 2,644,390     $ 1,011,374     $ 3,655,764     $ 1,693,627     $ 958,232     $ 2,651,859  
    Net investment basis   2,420,883       1,011,374       3,432,257       1,516,379       958,232       2,474,611  
                                       

    (1) Initial net investment basis on purchased loans is the initial amortized cost basis net of initial allowance for credit losses (credit mark).
    (2) The total return on purchased loans represents scheduled accretion, accelerated accretion, gains (losses) on real estate owned, release of allowance for credit losses on purchased loans, and other noninterest income recorded during the period divided by the average invested balance on an annualized basis. The total return on purchased loans does not include the effect of purchased loan charge-offs or recoveries during the period. Total return on purchased loans is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation in below table entitled “Total Return on Purchased Loans.”

    2.  Deposits increased by $785.5 million, or 33.6%, from June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in time deposits of $785.4 million, or 60.1%. The significant drivers in the change in time deposits were the increase in brokered time deposits, which increased by $712.6 million, and Community Banking Division time deposits, which increased by $52.9 million compared to June 30, 2024.

    3.  Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances decreased by $6.1 million, or 1.8%, from June 30, 2024. The decrease was attributable to net paydowns on amortizing advances.

    4.  Shareholders’ equity increased by $15.9 million, or 4.2%, from June 30, 2024, primarily due to net income of $17.1 million and stock-based compensation of $1.8 million, partially offset by the cancelation of restricted stock to cover tax obligations on restricted stock vests, which had a $3.2 million impact on shareholders’ equity.

    Net income increased by $1.9 million to $17.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $15.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    1.  Net interest and dividend income before provision for credit losses increased by $1.9 million to $39.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $37.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the following:

    • An increase in interest income earned on loans of $6.2 million, primarily due to higher average balances in the National Lending Division purchased and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) portfolios and higher rates earned on the SBA portfolio;
    • An increase in interest income earned on short-term investments of $821 thousand, due to higher average balances and higher rates earned; and
    • A decrease in FHLB borrowings interest expense of $2.1 million, primarily due to lower average balances; partially offset by,
    • An increase in deposit interest expense of $7.3 million, primarily due to higher average balances as well as higher rates in interest-bearing deposits.

    The following table summarizes interest income and related yields recognized on the loan portfolios:

      Interest Income and Yield on Loans
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Average   Interest       Average   Interest    
      Balance (1)   Income   Yield   Balance (1)   Income   Yield
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Community Banking $ 22,409     $ 370     6.55 %   $ 27,149     $ 438     6.42 %
    SBA National   59,745       2,419     16.06 %     26,257       786     11.91 %
    National Lending:                                      
    Originated   997,397       23,408     9.31 %     960,629       24,219     10.03 %
    Purchased   1,758,801       39,141     8.83 %     1,489,394       33,671     8.99 %
    Total National Lending   2,756,198       62,549     9.00 %     2,450,023       57,890     9.40 %
    Total $ 2,838,352     $ 65,338     9.13 %   $ 2,503,429       59,114     9.39 %
                                               

    (1) Includes loans held for sale.

    The components of total income on purchased loans are set forth in the table below entitled “Total Return on Purchased Loans.” When compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, transactional income decreased by $776 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and regularly scheduled interest and accretion increased by $6.1 million primarily due to the increase in average balances. The total return on purchased loans for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was 8.8%, a decrease from 9.0% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The following table details the total return on purchased loans:

      Total Return on Purchased Loans
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Income   Return (1)   Income   Return (1)
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Regularly scheduled interest and accretion $ 37,160     8.38 %   $ 31,030     8.29 %
    Transactional income:                      
    Release of allowance for credit losses on purchased loans   64     0.01 %     180     0.05 %
    Accelerated accretion and loan fees   1,981     0.45 %     2,641     0.70 %
    Total transactional income   2,045     0.46 %     2,821     0.75 %
    Total $ 39,205     8.84 %   $ 33,851     9.04 %
       

    (1) The total return on purchased loans represents scheduled accretion, accelerated accretion, and gains (losses) on real estate owned, and release of allowance for credit losses on purchased loans recorded during the period divided by the average invested balance on an annualized basis. The total return does not include the effect of purchased loan charge-offs or recoveries in the quarter. Total return is considered a non-GAAP financial measure.

    2.  Provision for credit losses increased by $232 thousand to $422 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $190 thousand in the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily related to the increase in originated loans during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    3.  Noninterest income increased by $3.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase in gain on sale of SBA loans of $3.1 million, due to the sale of $63.1 million in SBA loans during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the sale of $5.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    4.   Noninterest expense increased by $2.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to the following:

    • An increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $1.5 million, primarily due to increases in regular and stock compensation expense; and
    • An increase in loan expense of $643 thousand primarily related to increased expenses in connection with the origination of SBA 7(a) loans.

    5.  Income tax expense increased by $754 thousand to $7.9 million, or an effective tax rate of 31.6%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $7.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 32.0%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in effective tax rate is primarily due a $243 thousand increase in tax benefit on the vest of restricted stock and exercise of stock options during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    As of September 30, 2024, nonperforming assets totaled $37.2 million, or 0.94% of total assets, compared to $28.3 million, or 0.90% of total assets, as of June 30, 2024. The increase is primarily related to four National Lending loans placed on non-accrual, which are individually evaluated in the allowance for credit losses and are well-collateralized.

    As of September 30, 2024, past due loans totaled $31.3 million, or 0.89% of total loans, compared to past due loans totaling $26.3 million, or 0.95% of total loans, as of June 30, 2024.

    As of September 30, 2024, the Bank’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 12.1%, compared to 12.3% at June 30, 2024, and the Total risk-based capital ratio was 12.7% at September 30, 2024, compared to 14.8% at June 30, 2024. The Total risk-based capital ratio decreased primarily due to the increase in risk-weighted assets from significant loan growth during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Investor Call Information
    Rick Wayne, Chief Executive Officer, Richard Cohen, Chief Financial Officer, and Pat Dignan, Chief Operating Officer of Northeast Bank, will host a conference call to discuss first quarter earnings and business outlook at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 30th. To access the conference call by phone, please go to this link (Phone Registration), and you will be provided with dial in details. The call will be available via live webcast, which can be viewed by accessing the Bank’s website at www.northeastbank.com and clicking on the About Us – Investor Relations section. To listen to the webcast, attendees are encouraged to visit the website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Please note there will also be a slide presentation that will accompany the webcast. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available online for one year at www.northeastbank.com.

    About Northeast Bank
    Northeast Bank (NASDAQ: NBN) is a full-service bank headquartered in Portland, Maine. We offer personal and business banking services to the Maine market via seven branches. Our National Lending Division purchases and originates commercial loans on a nationwide basis. ableBanking, a division of Northeast Bank, offers online savings products to consumers nationwide. Information regarding Northeast Bank can be found at www.northeastbank.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including tangible common shareholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, total return on purchased loans, and efficiency ratio. The Bank’s management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are 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, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may also make forward-looking statements in other documents we file with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), in our annual reports to our shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “assume,” “outlook,” “will,” “should,” and other expressions that predict or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters. Although the Bank believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, they are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Bank’s control. The Bank’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, changes in employment levels, general business and economic conditions on a national basis and in the local markets in which the Bank operates; changes in customer behavior due to changing business and economic conditions (including inflation and concerns about liquidity) or legislative or regulatory initiatives; the possibility that future credits losses are higher than currently expected due to changes in economic assumptions, customer behavior or adverse economic developments; turbulence in the capital and debt markets; changes in interest rates and real estate values; competitive pressures from other financial institutions; changes in loan defaults and charge-off rates; changes in the value of securities and other assets, adequacy of credit loss reserves, or deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and investments; changing government regulation; operational risks including, but not limited to, cybersecurity, fraud, natural disasters, climate change and future pandemics; the risk that the Bank may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy; the risk that intangibles recorded in the Bank’s financial statements will become impaired; changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements; and the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Bank’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted to the FDIC. These statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Bank does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this communication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    NBN-F

     
    NORTHEAST BANK
    BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024
                 
    Assets            
    Cash and due from banks $ 768     $ 2,711  
    Short-term investments   316,519       239,447  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   317,287       242,158  
                 
                 
    Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value   36,836       48,978  
    Equity securities, at fair value   7,269       7,013  
    Total investment securities   44,105       55,991  
                 
    SBA loans held for sale   17,639       14,506  
                 
    Loans:            
    Commercial real estate   2,715,536       2,028,280  
    Commercial and industrial   681,118       618,846  
    Residential real estate   106,075       99,234  
    Consumer   234       291  
    Total loans   3,502,963       2,746,651  
    Less: Allowance for credit losses   43,640       26,709  
    Loans, net   3,459,323       2,719,942  
                 
                 
    Premises and equipment, net   26,452       27,144  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   15,499       15,751  
    Loan servicing rights, net   926       984  
    Bank-owned life insurance   18,954       18,830  
    Accrued interest receivable   17,294       15,163  
    Other assets   22,419       21,734  
    Total assets $ 3,939,898     $ 3,132,203  
                 
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity            
    Deposits:            
    Demand $ 149,669     $ 146,727  
    Savings and interest checking   752,806       732,029  
    Money market   130,878       154,504  
    Time   2,091,561       1,306,203  
    Total deposits   3,124,914       2,339,463  
                 
    Federal Home Loan Bank and other advances   339,073       345,190  
    Lease liability   19,870       20,252  
    Other liabilities   63,484       50,664  
    Total liabilities   3,547,341       2,755,569  
                 
    Commitments and contingencies   –       –  
                 
                 
    Shareholders’ equity            
    Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares          
    issued and outstanding at September 30 and June 30, 2024   –       –  
    Voting common stock, $1.00 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized;            
    8,212,026 and 8,127,690 shares issued and outstanding at          
    September 30 and June 30, 2024, respectively   8,212       8,128  
    Non-voting common stock, $1.00 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized;            
    No shares issued and outstanding at September 30 and June 30, 2024 –     –  
    Additional paid-in capital   63,318       64,762  
    Retained earnings   320,955       303,927  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   72       (183 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   392,557       376,634  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,939,898     $ 3,132,203  
                   
     
    NORTHEAST BANK
    STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
    Interest and dividend income:            
    Interest and fees on loans $ 65,338     $ 59,114  
    Interest on available-for-sale securities   595       483  
    Other interest and dividend income   3,921       3,100  
    Total interest and dividend income   69,854       62,697  
                 
    Interest expense:            
    Deposits   26,590       19,257  
    Federal Home Loan Bank and other advances   4,030       6,145  
    Obligation under capital lease agreements   234       171  
    Total interest expense   30,854       25,573  
    Net interest and dividend income before provision for credit losses   39,000       37,124  
    Provision for credit losses   422       190  
    Net interest and dividend income after provision for credit losses   38,578       36,934  
                 
    Noninterest income:            
    Fees for other services to customers   443       407  
    Gain on sales of SBA loans   3,331       251  
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities   189       (157 )
    Loss on real estate owned, other repossessed collateral and premises and equipment, net   –       –  
    Bank-owned life insurance income   124       115  
    Correspondent fee income   30       92  
    Other noninterest income   2       71  
    Total noninterest income   4,119       779  
                 
    Noninterest expense:            
    Salaries and employee benefits   11,183       9,721  
    Occupancy and equipment expense   1,078       1,105  
    Professional fees   753       781  
    Data processing fees   1,487       1,100  
    Marketing expense   136       261  
    Loan acquisition and collection expense   1,293       650  
    FDIC insurance expense   331       357  
    Other noninterest expense   1,424       1,414  
    Total noninterest expense   17,685       15,389  
    Income before income tax expense   25,012       22,324  
    Income tax expense   7,906       7,152  
    Net income $ 17,106     $ 15,172  
                 
                 
    Weighted-average shares outstanding:            
    Basic   7,886,148       7,479,837  
    Diluted   8,108,688       7,554,314  
                 
    Earnings per common share:            
    Basic $ 2.17     $ 2.03  
    Diluted   2.11       2.01  
                   
    Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.01     $ 0.01  
     
     
    NORTHEAST BANK
    AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND ANNUALIZED YIELDS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
      Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
          Interest   Average       Interest   Average
      Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/
      Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate
    Assets:                                          
    Interest-earning assets:                                      
    Investment securities $ 55,413     $ 595     4.26 %   $ 60,173     $ 483     3.19 %
    Loans (1) (2) (3)   2,838,352       65,338     9.13 %     2,503,429       59,114     9.39 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   16,465       330     7.95 %     22,357       413     7.35 %
    Short-term investments (4)   245,542       3,591     5.80 %     201,803       2,687     5.30 %
    Total interest-earning assets   3,155,772       69,854     8.78 %     2,787,762       62,697     8.95 %
    Cash and due from banks   2,112                   2,492              
    Other non-interest earning assets   94,071                   56,263              
    Total assets $ 3,251,955                 $ 2,846,517              
                                           
    Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity:                                      
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                      
    NOW accounts $ 563,730     $ 6,380     4.49 %   $ 487,445     $ 5,145     4.20 %
    Money market accounts   148,687       1,267     3.38 %     258,296       2,133     3.29 %
    Savings accounts   178,581       1,557     3.46 %     90,997       560     2.45 %
    Time deposits   1,389,832       17,386     4.96 %     977,220       11,419     4.65 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   2,280,830       26,590     4.63 %     1,813,958       19,257     4.22 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   362,594       4,030     4.41 %     510,514       6,145     4.79 %
    Lease liability   20,018       234     4.64 %     21,776       171     3.12 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,663,442       30,854     4.60 %     2,346,248       25,573     4.34 %
                                           
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                                      
    Demand deposits and escrow accounts   175,161                   169,338              
    Other liabilities   26,175                   25,065              
    Total liabilities   2,864,778                   2,540,651              
    Shareholders’ equity   387,177                   305,866              
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,251,955                 $ 2,846,517              
                                           
    Net interest income         $ 39,000                 $ 37,124      
                                           
    Interest rate spread                 4.18 %                   4.61 %
    Net interest margin (5)                 4.90 %                   5.30 %
                                           
    Cost of funds (6)                 4.31 %                   4.04 %
                                           
    (1) Interest income and yield are stated on a fully tax-equivalent basis using the statutory tax rate.
    (2) Includes loans held for sale.
    (3) Nonaccrual loans are included in the computation of average, but unpaid interest has not been included for purposes of determining interest income.
    (4) Short-term investments include FHLB overnight deposits and other interest-bearing deposits.
    (5) Net interest margin is calculated as net interest income divided by total interest-earning assets.
    (6) Cost of funds is calculated as total interest expense divided by total interest-bearing liabilities plus demand deposits and escrow accounts.
     
     
    NORTHEAST BANK
    SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND OTHER DATA
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      Three Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023
    Net interest income $ 39,000     $ 37,935     $ 36,512     $ 37,000     $ 37,124  
    Provision for credit losses   422       547       596       436       190  
    Noninterest income   4,119       2,092       1,542       1,466       779  
    Noninterest expense   17,685       17,079       16,429       15,669       15,389  
    Net income   17,106       15,140       13,865       14,054       15,172  
                       
    Weighted-average common shares outstanding:                  
    Basic   7,886,148       7,765,868       7,509,320       7,505,109       7,479,837  
    Diluted   8,108,688       7,910,692       7,595,124       7,590,913       7,554,315  
    Earnings per common share:                  
    Basic $ 2.17     $ 1.95     $ 1.85     $ 1.87     $ 2.03  
    Diluted   2.11       1.91       1.83       1.85       2.01  
                       
    Dividends declared per common share $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.01  
                       
    Return on average assets   2.09 %     1.99 %     1.87 %     1.93 %     2.12 %
    Return on average equity   17.53 %     16.56 %     16.45 %     17.35 %     19.73 %
    Net interest rate spread (1)   4.18 %     4.41 %     4.27 %     4.49 %     4.61 %
    Net interest margin (2)   4.90 %     5.13 %     5.01 %     5.20 %     5.30 %
    Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) (3)   41.01 %     42.67 %     43.17 %     40.73 %     40.60 %
    Noninterest expense to average total assets   2.16 %     2.24 %     2.21 %     2.15 %     2.15 %
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   118.48 %     118.78 %     119.28 %     118.52 %     118.82 %
                       
      As of:
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023
    Nonperforming loans:                  
    Originated portfolio:                  
    Residential real estate $ 3,976     $ 2,502     $ 2,573     $ 2,582     $ 289  
    Commercial real estate   4,682       1,407       2,075       2,075       1,973  
    Commercial and industrial   6,684       6,520       6,928       6,950       584  
    Consumer   –       –       –       –       –  
    Total originated portfolio   15,342       10,429       11,576       11,607       2,846  
    Total purchased portfolio   21,830       17,832       16,370       19,165       14,603  
    Total nonperforming loans   37,172       28,261       27,946       30,772       17,449  
    Real estate owned and other repossessed collateral, net   –       –       –       –       –  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 37,172     $ 28,261     $ 27,946     $ 30,772     $ 17,449  
                       
    Past due loans to total loans   0.89 %     0.95 %     1.13 %     1.22 %     1.01 %
    Nonperforming loans to total loans   1.06 %     1.02 %     1.05 %     1.18 %     0.69 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.94 %     0.90 %     0.93 %     1.04 %     0.61 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans   1.25 %     0.97 %     0.98 %     1.06 %     1.00 %
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans   117.40 %     94.51 %     92.83 %     89.67 %     145.01 %
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) $ 1,604     $ 1,347     $ 2,225     $ 995     $ 1,536  
    Commercial real estate loans to total capital (4)   604.38 %     482.13 %     509.08 %     544.34 %     546.91 %
    Net loans to deposits   110.70 %     116.88 %     118.15 %     121.31 %     127.24 %
    Purchased loans to total loans   69.11 %     61.88 %     60.99 %     63.07 %     59.98 %
    Equity to total assets   9.96 %     12.02 %     11.73 %     11.03 %     10.83 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   11.45 %     13.84 %     13.24 %     12.63 %     12.45 %
    Total risk-based capital ratio   12.70 %     14.82 %     14.22 %     13.71 %     13.46 %
    Tier 1 leverage capital ratio   12.06 %     12.30 %     11.79 %     11.28 %     10.95 %
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 392,557     $ 376,634     $ 351,913     $ 327,540     $ 311,569  
    Less: Preferred stock   –       –       –       –       –  
    Common shareholders’ equity   392,557       376,634       351,913       327,540       311,569  
    Less: Intangible assets (5)   –       –       –       –       –  
    Tangible common shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) $ 392,557     $ 376,634     $ 351,913     $ 327,540     $ 311,569  
                       
    Common shares outstanding   8,212,026       8,127,690       7,977,690       7,804,052       7,796,691  
    Book value per common share $ 47.80     $ 46.34     $ 44.11     $ 41.97     $ 39.96  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) (6)   47.80       46.34       44.11       41.97       39.96  
                       
    (1) The net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted-average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the period.
    (2) The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period.
    (3) The efficiency ratio represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income (before the credit loss provision) plus noninterest income.
    (4) For purposes of calculating this ratio, commercial real estate includes all non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans defined as such by regulatory guidance, including all land development and construction loans.
    (5) Includes the loan servicing rights asset.
    (6) Tangible book value per share represents total shareholders’ equity less the sum of preferred stock and intangible assets divided by common shares outstanding.
     

    For More Information:
    Richard Cohen, Chief Financial Officer
    Northeast Bank, 27 Pearl Street, Portland, Maine 04101
    207.786.3245 ext. 3249
    www.northeastbank.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Enstar Announces Changes to Executive Leadership Team

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Appoints Paul Brockman as Chief Commercial Officer

    • Names Adrian Thornycroft as Chief Administrative Officer from May 2025

    HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enstar Group Limited (“Enstar”) (Nasdaq: ESGR), today announces changes to its executive leadership team in connection with the upcoming retirement of Orla Gregory, President, at the end the year, and the expanding role of Enstar in the insurance industry.

    Paul Brockman has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer with immediate effect. Paul has been with Enstar since 2012, most recently in the role of Group Chief Operating Officer. This newly created role reflects the continued expansion of the scope of solutions Enstar can bring to the global insurance industry. Paul has over three decades of experience across the legacy and (re)insurance sectors. His new responsibilities will include corporate development, serving as one of the primary liaisons to the insurance market, engaging with industry leaders, and optimising market opportunities.

    Adrian Thornycroft will join as Chief Administrative Officer in May 2025. Adrian will be based in Bermuda and will assume a number of responsibilities from Orla as well as take a leading role with respect to change strategy. Adrian has extensive operational and leadership experience, having successfully delivered significant business and change programmes at companies such as Brit, Lloyd’s, and MS Amlin.

    The remaining responsibilities under the role of the outgoing President will be assumed by the wider leadership team.

    Dominic Silvester, Enstar CEO, said:

    “With Paul’s depth of legacy expertise and his versatile, wide-ranging experience, we are confident Paul will continue to make a significant impact as we continue to maintain and expand our industry relationships and drive forward our reputation as the leading provider of legacy solutions.

    Adrian’s skillset and expertise aligns perfectly with Enstar’s strategic direction with regard to our operating platform at an important juncture and will further strengthen Enstar’s leadership team.”

    About Enstar
    Enstar is a NASDAQ-listed leading global insurance group that offers capital release solutions through its network of group companies in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia and other international locations. A market leader in completing legacy acquisitions, Enstar has acquired over 117 companies and portfolios since its formation. For further information about Enstar, see www.enstargroup.com.

    Cautionary Statement
    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that include words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “may,” “will” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the federal securities laws or otherwise. These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management team. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those related to the satisfaction of any post-closing regulatory requirements.

    Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, in addition to those identified above, include: (i) the completion of the proposed transaction on the anticipated terms and timing, (ii) the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction, including obtaining required shareholder and regulatory approvals; (iii) the risk that the Company’s stock price may fluctuate during the pendency of the proposed transaction and may decline if the proposed transaction is not completed; (iv) potential litigation relating to the proposed transaction that could be instituted against the Company or its directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (v) the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction (including the ability of certain customers to terminate or amend contracts upon a change of control) will harm the Company’s business, including current plans and operations, including during the pendency of the proposed transaction; (vi) the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel; (vii) the diversion of management’s time and attention from ordinary course business operations to completion of the proposed transaction and integration matters; (viii) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction; (ix) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (x) potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships, during the pendency of the proposed transaction that could affect the Company’s financial performance; (xi) certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction that may impact the Company’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (xii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, outbreaks of war or hostilities or global pandemics, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; (xiii) the possibility that the proposed transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (xiv) unexpected costs, liabilities or delays associated with the transaction; (xv) the response of competitors to the transaction; (xvi) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the proposed transaction, including in circumstances requiring the Company to pay a termination fee; (xvii) those risks and uncertainties set forth under the headings “Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time, which are available via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov; and (xviii) those risks described in the Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on October 11, 2024 and available from the sources indicated below.

    These risks, as well as other risks associated with the proposed transaction, are more fully discussed in the Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on October 11, 2024 in connection with the proposed transaction. There can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will be completed, or if it is completed, that it will close within the anticipated time period. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statements or publicly announce any updates or revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein, or to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, except as required by law. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this communication that could cause actual results to differ. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect the Company.

    Contact:

    For Enstar:
    For Investors: Matthew Kirk (investor.relations@enstargroup.com)
    For Media: Jenna Kerr (communications@enstargroup.com)

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Zambia: African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa approves $8 million for development of 25 MW Solar Plant

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved an $8 million concessional loan to support the construction of a  25MW Solar Photovoltaic power plant in Zambia. The financing for the Ilute Plant will be sourced from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), a multi-donor Special Fund managed by the Bank. Ilute is expected to advance  Zambia’s sustainable development and help the country unlock its renewable energy potential.

    The venture has faced rising costs associated with  the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. Serengeti Energy Ltd and Western Solar Power Ltd are leading the plant development in Zambia’s Sesheke District. Competitively selected by GreenCo Power Services Ltd (GreenCo), this project will serve as a pilot for GreenCo’s energy aggregator model under the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) open grid access framework. Acting as an intermediary off-taker, GreenCo will purchase the generated electricity through a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement and sell it to the Southern African Power Pool Day-Ahead Market.

    “We are delighted to support the Ilute Solar PV project – which will be the first project to use Africa GreenCo as an intermediate off-taker. SEFA’s support has been instrumental in bridging the financing gap and will pave the way for future projects that contribute to Southern Africa’s energy transition,” said Dr Daniel Schroth, African Development Bank Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

    Anton-Louis Olivier, CEO of Serengeti Energy, acknowledged SEFA’s support. He said, “We appreciate the support from the African Development Bank Group and SEFA in helping us move the Ilute 25MW Solar PV project forward. This loan addresses the financial challenges we’ve faced due to the pandemic and rising costs. The Ilute project is a testament to innovative collaboration and serves as a pioneering model for future renewable energy initiatives in Zambia as well as the wider region.” Serengeti Energy is a leading renewable independent power producer specialising in the development, construction, and operation of utility-scale renewable energy plants tailored to the needs of both public and private off-takers.

    ABOUT SEFA

    SEFA is a multi-donor Special Fund that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. SEFA offers technical assistance and concessional finance instruments to remove market barriers, build a more robust pipeline of projects and improve the risk-return profile of individual investments. The Fund’s overarching goal is to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa, in line with the New Deal on Energy for Africa and Sustainable Development Goal 7.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 10/29/2024 Blackburn, Whitehouse, Colleagues Urge DEA to Extend Telehealth Flexibilities for Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) led a group of 11 Senators in sending a bipartisan letter calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to extend COVID-era regulatory flexibilities that increase access to telehealth services. 

    These rules have been a lifeline for many patients, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, as well as individuals managing mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and chronic illnesses. 

    “Telemedicine has proven to be an effective tool in reducing barriers to care, supporting those with the greatest need, and bridging the divide between patients and providers,” wrote the Senators. 

    “As bipartisan senators committed to safeguarding public health and promoting equitable access to health care, we are concerned that the reported proposed restrictions could have significant unintended consequences, including disrupting access to treatment for substance use disorder,” added the Senators.  “We urge the DEA to continue working with stakeholders on a proposal that prioritizes the public health benefit for continued access to telemedicine, and finalize an additional temporary extension well before the December 31, 2024 deadline so that both providers and patients have certainty that there will be no gap in their ongoing care.”

    BACKGROUND:
    • The bipartisan letter urges the Biden administration to extend the current flexibilities that safeguard access to necessary care while addressing the risks of prescription medication misuse, and recommends a final rule that creates no new barriers to care. 
    • The letter highlights that telemedicine has expanded access to life-saving treatments, particularly for opioid use disorder, mental health care, and chronic illnesses. 
    • Overdose deaths involving opioids rose to a peak of 84,181 Americans in 2022 before falling to 81,083 in 2023. Despite strong evidence that medication is the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder, only one in five Americans with opioid addiction receive medication treatment that could help them quit and stay in recovery.
    • The Senators’ letter also stresses the importance of ensuring there is no gap in services when the current rules expire at the end of 2024. 

    TREATS ACT:
    • The bipartisan legislation would waive regulatory restrictions for accessing care, preserving flexibilities put in place to save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services temporarily removed the in-person exam requirement for prescribing medication via telemedicine for people with opioid use disorder. Telehealth flexibilities helped a broad range of patients – including veterans, those living in rural areas, people experiencing homelessness, individuals in the criminal justice system, and racial and ethnic minorities – access treatment. The flexibilities are set to expire on December 31, 2024.
    • The TREATS Act would make the changes permanent, allowing providers to waive the in-person visit requirement and instead use audio-only or audio-visual telehealth technology. The TREATS Act has 20 bipartisan co-sponsors in the Senate.  

    CO-SIGNERS:
    • The letter is also signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.). Representatives Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) are leading a similar effort in the House.

    Full text of the letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – Ports Australia conference

    Source: Australian Ministers for Infrastructure and Transport

    **CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY**

    As always, I begin by acknowledging the Muwinina People as the custodians of this land. We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Tasmanian Aboriginal Communities.

    Tasmania is one of the most beautiful places in our nation and a fitting setting for the Ports Australia Conference.

    We recognise the ongoing custodianship that Indigenous Australians have shown towards these lands and I extend this respect to all First Nations people joining us today.

    Thank you as well to Mike for that kind introduction, and to Stewart, your Chair, thank you very much for the invitation and for all the work that you do throughout the course of the year.

    It is wonderful to see so many public and private leaders from around the world come together.

    I would also like to extend a particular welcome to the Minister for Infrastructure for the Kingdom of Tonga.

    Like Australia, your nation relies on shipping. It is wonderful to have you here.

    I also want to recognise Dr Patrick Verhoeven, the Managing Director of the International Association of Ports and Harbours, and Jens Meier, the CEO of Hamburg Port Authority, who have travelled such a long way.

    Your presence underlines the inherently global nature of this industry, and I hope you enjoy your time here in our beautiful country.

    This is in fact my second time in Tasmania in the last two weeks. 

    Last week I was in the north, this week I’m in the south.

    On both these visits, I have had the pleasure of engaging with Tasmania’s proud maritime industry.

    Last week, I was in Burnie to commission the new shiploader – a project which replaced an essential piece of infrastructure that had been in place for five decades.

    The new shiploader doubles the capacity of the old, and can serve ships up to Panamax size, creating local jobs and growing local industry.

    It is a project that pays tribute to both the maritime past and future of this great state, as well as setting the local economy up for decades of success to come.

    It also speaks to how essential maritime logistics are to our day-to-day lives.

    At the port I could see woodchips going to China, as well as cars and supermarket produce coming into the state.

    It is too easy to miss the magic that defines our modern world, but when you take even a moment to think about it, it is truly extraordinary. 

    That port in Burnie on the north coast of Tasmania is connected to a global network that stretches to every corner of our planet. 

    Everything that we rely on, relies in turn on shipping – which is why it is such a pleasure to be here today with some of the many, many hardworking people who underpin this essential industry.

    Events like these are key to fostering a strong, robust sector – and year after year, Ports Australia does a wonderful job bringing you together and advocating for your industry.

    I stand here today as a minister in a government that knows that ports are a primary driver of our economy and workforce. 

    As well as facilitating international trade and the movement of goods throughout the region, our ports are strategic assets and critical infrastructure.

    They are vital to sustaining our island nation. 

    The most recent report from Ports Australia shows exactly this. 

    Ports move an overwhelming 99 per cent of Australia’s international trade by volume, and importantly, over 694,000 local jobs are facilitated by Australia’s port activities. 

    This works out to a staggering one in every 20 jobs across the nation. 

    Container transport has seen a huge increase.

    As have vehicle imports. 

    The most recent numbers show that cruise ships have soared to 18% higher than pre-pandemic numbers.

    You take our goods to the world, and you bring the world to us.

    Of course, these numbers, while good news, bring pressures of their own. 

    This story of growth underlines the need to ensure that our infrastructure, our investments and our policies are positioned to support a sustainable, reliable and productive supply chain. 

    That’s why our government is making investments like those at the Port of Burnie, and it is also why my department led a review earlier this year into the national freight and supply chain strategy. 

    In total, 71 submissions were received from a variety of stakeholders, including from maritime and associated peak bodies.

    Of course, I acknowledge and thank Ports Australia for their submission and engagement throughout the Review process.  

    The review found that while the foundations of the strategy remain strong, productivity, resilience, decarbonisation and data should be strengthened in the strategy and new National Action Plan.

    We are already doing the work of refreshing the strategy and action plan to address the findings of the review, and I look forward to updating you further in due course.

    But, of course, the findings of the review touch on challenges that are faced across our entire economy and society – none more so than the need to act to mitigate climate change. 

    The Albanese Government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. 

    Achieving these ambitious economy-wide targets will require concerted action across all sectors, including this one. 

    Right now, transport contributes 21 percent of Australia’s direct emissions. 

    Adding to that challenge, transport is one of the hardest sectors to abate.

    So, our work here is vital.

    That is why we released the Transport Net Zero Roadmap for consultation earlier this year. 

    While that roadmap covered all modes of transport, it was of particular importance for the maritime sector.

    As we know, decarbonisation will rely on a combination of low carbon liquid fuels (LCLFs), hydrogen, electrification and efficiency improvements.

    Of these, LCLFs offer the clearest pathway for decarbonisation within liquid fuel-reliant sectors that cannot readily electrify in the near-term. 

    This includes maritime, aviation, heavy vehicle and rail, as well as mining, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

    The bad news is that we need a lot of liquid fuels, but the good news is that Australia is well-placed with comparative advantages in the production of LCLFs: 

    • We have rich renewable energy resources; 
    • We use advanced farming practices that embody low carbon emissions;  
    • We are able to achieve economies of scale;
    • We have significant refining and port infrastructure; 
    • And we have the ability to both enable and encourage domestic fuel consumption, as well as support export capability.

    As part of our Future Made in Australia agenda, the Government is fast-tracking support for an LCLF industry.

    The government announced $18.5 million as part of the recent Budget, to support a domestic LCLF industry through the development of a certification scheme for those fuels.

    And $1.7 billion over the next ten years will go towards a Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.

    This funding will be used in part to support nascent LCLF production technologies through research and development, to help de-risk developments, and to attract private sector investment.

    And we will continue to work with industry on further steps as needed.

    By successfully building a local LCLF industry we will increase fuel security, strengthen regional economies, diversify income streams for farmers, and meet our decarbonisation objectives – it’s hard to find a bigger win-win than that. 

    To speak even more specifically to the challenges of this sector, we’ve created a Maritime Emission Reduction National Action Plan, the MERNAP for short.

    The MERNAP aims to support Australia’s national emissions reduction targets, contribute to the global decarbonisation of shipping, and future-proof the Australian maritime sector to avoid costly and disruptive transitions later, ensuring an equitable transition, particularly for the maritime workforce, safeguarding jobs and skills for the future.

    The vision is that by 2050, Australia will fully leverage the global maritime decarbonisation transition, benefiting our ports, vessels, and the broader energy sector. 

    This will showcase Australia’s unique comparative advantages while supporting a fair and balanced transition for the industry.

    The MERNAP Consultative Group has played a vital role in shaping this action plan, and I’d like to acknowledge those here today, including: Maritime Industry Australia Limited, the Maritime Union of Australia, and of course, Ports Australia.

    To support the development of MERNAP, we undertook extensive public consultations that revealed to us that the future of the maritime sector will be powered by multiple energy sources, all of which will require new skills, and see us facing new challenges around technology readiness for alternative fuels. 

    Safety, operational efficiencies, and strong partnerships across the value chain will be critical to driving this transition.

    The Albanese Government remains committed to ensuring that Australia’s maritime industry is prepared for the future, ready to contribute to our national emissions targets, and able to thrive in a decarbonised global economy – including through initiatives like Green Shipping Corridors – partnering with nations, such as New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea. 

    I have focused a lot on what fuels our maritime sector, but there is, of course, an even more important element – the people who run it.

    I am proud to say that our plan to establish a Strategic Fleet is underway. 

    This fleet will provide assistance in times of crisis, supply chain disruption, or natural disaster. And it will support industries reliant on shipping, such as heavy manufacturing.

    Tenders to participate in the Strategic Fleet Pilot will close on 29 November. 

    Through this process, three vessels that will be privately owned and commercially operated will be selected for the pilot. 

    This is a major step towards fulfilling our commitment to establish a Strategic Fleet of up to twelve Australian flagged and crewed vessels. 

    This will strengthen our sovereign maritime capabilities while supporting our maritime workforce. 

    The creation of a strategic fleet is a central government policy that will shape our workforce for decades to come. 

    I strongly encourage all interested parties to take part in this process and to consider what role they can play.

    The tender process is being managed by my Department, which is seeking innovative tenders that will deliver the objectives of the Pilot Program. 

    These include providing the Commonwealth with certainty of access to the strategic fleet, to move cargo in times of need, crisis or national emergency. And to support of the needs of Defence —including in training and logistical capacities.

    The Albanese Government is seeking to have pilot vessels on the water as soon as possible.

    While it is not a silver bullet to solve all of the issues of our current and emerging seafarer shortage, the Strategic Fleet and the work being undertaken by Industry Skills Australia through the Maritime Industry Workforce Plan, will support our maritime workforce by increasing the amount of Australian qualified seafarers at a time of a growing global shortage. 

    The independent reviews of the Shipping Registration Act and the Coastal Trading Act being conducted by Ms Lynelle Briggs AO and Emeritus Professor Nicholas Gaskell will also contribute to the modernisation of Australia’s shipping regulatory framework, ensuring the Acts are fit for purpose and support the long-term sustainability of an Australian Maritime Strategic Fleet, and the maritime industry more broadly. 

    Public consultation has commenced and I encourage you all to make your voices heard.

    As you can see, there is a lot to do in your sector and we are a government that is determined to get on with doing it.

    The reforms the Albanese Government is delivering will do our part to support a productive, resilient supply chain, while positioning Australia to thrive in the new net zero economy.

    Thank you for having me, and all the best with the rest of your conference.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change,

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    October 30, 2024

    Scientists comment on the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change report.

    Dr Josh Foster, Lecturer in Human Environmental Physiology, King’s College London, said:

    “The report highlights the growing number of extreme heat events worldwide, which are associated with severe health impacts. Air conditioning is unaffordable for most in the UK, making us highly vulnerable to increased risks of indoor overheating. The UK’s older population are at particularly high risk due to slow uptake of adaptation measures, such as building modifications, development of personal cooling systems, and up to date public health messaging. During the 2022 heat wave, over 4,000 deaths were reported in the UK’s older population, and temperature extremes have worsened exponentially over the last decade. The trends highlighted in the Lancet report are therefore alarming and will result in more frequent mass mortality events in older people as the devastating impacts of climate changed are realised. At King’s, the Centre for Ageing Resilience in a Changing Environment (CARICE) is pioneering research into improving the resilience of older people to extreme heat. We focus on the urgent need to develop solutions to combat indoor overheating, decreasing strain on our already overstretched healthcare systems.”

    Dr Nathan Cheetham, Senior Postdoctoral Data Scientist, King’s College London, said:

    “The UK Met Office has recorded official heatwaves in each of the past 3 years, with the extreme heatwaves like the UK faced in summer 2022 set to become more regular.

    “As the latest Lancet Countdown report highlights, these changes in climate pose particular health risks for older people, especially those living in poorer areas of cities where houses cope less well in heat.

    “And, similar to what we saw with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is key workers who tend to be most exposed and unable to shield as easily during heatwaves, such as those working in one of our many hospitals without air conditioning, or outdoor construction workers.

    “The report also emphasises that emergency responses and adaptations to deal with the health risks of climate change are currently generally lacking. So there’s a responsibility by governments to support adaptation of housing, as well as where and how we work when these extreme weather events happen.”

    ‘The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: facing record-breaking threats from delayed action’ by Marina Romanello et al. was published in The Lancet at 00:01 UK time on Wednesday 30th October. 

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01822-1

    Declared interests:

    Dr Nathan Cheetham: “Receive a minority of funding in part by the King’s College London Centre for Ageing Resilience in a Changing Environment (CARICE). One of the focuses of the centre is how to improve resilience of older people in the face of climate change. Majority funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), on a project trying to understand the long-term consequences of COVID-19. Previously worked for an NHS organisation. Nothing else to declare such as industry funding.”

    Dr Josh Foster: No interests to declare.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ9: Promoting digital nomadism

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ9: Promoting digital nomadism
    LCQ9: Promoting digital nomadism
    ********************************

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (October 30): Question:      It has been reported that digital nomadism (i.e. working remotely online while living abroad) has become a lifestyle with growing popularity in recent years. Some studies have estimated that the population of digital nomads worldwide would increase to 1 billion by 2035. There are views that hiring digital nomads is conducive to business operation by reducing employers’ costs and expenses, while the presence of digital nomads in the host communities will also contribute to local economic growth. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) whether the Government will or has estimate(d) and assess(ed) the economic benefits that can be brought to Hong Kong by implementing digital nomad policies to attract talents to work and live in Hong Kong; (2) as there are views pointing out that digital nomads can help expand the talent pool to a worldwide scale, and it is learnt that at present, about 60 countries and places across the globe have already introduced digital nomad visas (e.g. the digital nomad visa launched by Thailand this year has a validity of five years, permitting a stay of up to 180 days per visit, while the digital nomad visa introduced by Japan this year allows holders to bring along with them their family members), whether the Government will, by drawing reference from the relevant practices, issue digital nomad visas to overseas and Mainland talents, or even roll out related preferential policies (including temporary resident visas, accommodation allowance, family-friendly measures and tax incentives, etc) in order to attract specific types of digital nomads (e.g. talents related to Web 3.0, quantum computation and artificial intelligence), thereby attracting more talents to come to Hong Kong; if so, of the details of the plan and the timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and (3) whether the Government will, in the long run, consider launching an e-Residency programme to offer digital citizenship to foreigners, so as to attract more talents and enterprises from abroad to settle in Hong Kong? Reply: President,      In consultation with the Financial Secretary’s Office (including the Office of the Government Economist and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises), the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, I give the reply on behalf of the Government as follows:           “Digital nomads” are essentially similar to visitors, who can live in one place but at the same time work remotely under an employment outside such place. “Digital nomads” will return to their places of origin or move to other places after a certain period of time.      In the case of Hong Kong, the Government has implemented a series of enhanced talent admission measures since the end of 2022 to entice global talents of diverse backgrounds and professions to settle and pursue development in Hong Kong. Talents will alleviate the post-pandemic manpower shortage in Hong Kong, fill local job vacancies and enrich the local talent pool for promoting economic development. As the objective of the Government’s talents policy is to alleviate manpower shortage, we hope that admitted talents can make Hong Kong their home, inject impetus and contribute to the development of Hong Kong. “Digital nomads” are mobile. Although they will spend on various aspects in daily living during their stay in Hong Kong, they are no different from ordinary visitors. They do not fit well under the Government’s talent attraction policy. The Government has no plan to introduce “digital nomad” visa arrangement under the talent admission regime.      At present, “digital nomad” visa arrangement is implemented in a small number of regions only. With limited statistics on relevant economic activities available, the Government is not able to estimate the potential economic benefits brought by adopting similar practice in Hong Kong. The “e-Residency programme” allows freelance workers to obtain some of the rights or facilitation granted to the citizens of the issuing place, or they may live and work in the issuing place. Such an arrangement involves complex issues such as taxation, civil rights and obligations, etc. It is currently implemented in a small number of regions only. The Government has difficulty in assessing its benefit and has no plan to implement such arrangement neither at present.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 11:05

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: COVID Review a good start, but human toll must be recognised

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    The findings of a federal review into the country’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted more needs to be done by all levels of governments to acknowledge the human cost of the pandemic response and ultimately restore public trust, says Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay. 

    The COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report outlines nine guiding recommendations and 26 actions for change to improve Australia’s preparedness and response systems to manage future public health emergencies. The Federal Government has already moved to implement one recommendation, announcing a new Australian Centre for Disease Control. 

    “The Inquiry is a good first step in helping to improve Australia’s response to any future pandemic, but much more needs to be done to rebuild trust,” said Commissioner Finlay. 

    “While the review concludes that Australians should be proud overall of what we achieved during the pandemic, with rates of infection, hospitalisation and death among the world’s lowest in the first 18 months, we need to recognise that there was a substantial – and ongoing – human cost.  

    “The Report highlights the lack of transparency, fairness, compassion and proportionality in aspects of the response. This contributed to the suffering of many people; including those separated from loved ones – either by state border closures, being stranded overseas, or being unable to comfort elderly parents confined to aged care homes – and continuing impacts such as children still struggling to re-engage at school following lengthy lockdowns. 

    “If we only talk about Australia’s ‘successful’ response to the pandemic, we diminish the personal toll that it took on so many Australians.” 

    The Australian Human Rights Commission is currently developing a human rights emergency response framework that will put rights and freedoms at the heart of all future emergency and disaster responses.  

    To understand the impacts of the pandemic response on individual Australians, the Commission opened the ‘Your Story’ portal, which received more than 2300 submissions from people who shared how they were affected by COVID-19 measures. More than 3000 Australians were also surveyed as part of the project, with its findings to be released in early 2025. 

    “These voices need to be heard if we want to ensure that future responses are not only ‘successful’ in terms of public health and economic outcomes, but also in terms of fairness and compassion,” Commissioner Finlay said. 

    “The number one lesson should be that response measures do not operate in a vacuum. The full human impact needs to be understood. We need to put human rights at the heart of all future emergency responses in Australia to ensure that this never happens again.” 

    ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or 0457 281 897 

    MIL OSI News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Eligibility criteria for Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ18: Eligibility criteria for Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme
    LCQ18: Eligibility criteria for Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme
    ******************************************************************

         Following is a question by the Hon Holden Chow and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (October 30): Question:      Currently, applicants for the Old Age Allowance (OAA) under the Guangdong Scheme and the Fujian Scheme (the Schemes) must reach the age of 70 or above and must have resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least one year immediately before the date of application (the requirement of continuous residence in Hong Kong). However, some members of the public have relayed that they had moved to Guangdong Province before they turned 70, and are still ineligible to receive the OAA even though they now reach the age of 70 because they fail to meet the requirement of residing in Hong Kong continuously for at least one year immediately before the date of application, and are even required to return to Hong Kong and reside for one year in order to meet the eligibility criteria. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the respective numbers of applications for OAA under the Schemes received, approved and rejected by the Government in each of the past five years; among the approved applications, the number of cases for which the authorities exercised discretionary power and granted OAA (set out in a table); (2) of the criteria for exercising discretionary power for the cases mentioned in (1), and whether the criteria include special circumstances of the persons concerned (such as chronic disease patients receiving treatment in Guangdong Province); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and (3) whether it will consider making special arrangements for people who are currently aged 70 but have previously moved to Guangdong or Fujian, so that as long as they meet all other requirements except the requirement of continuous residence in Hong Kong, the Government will, by discretion, grant the OAA to them? Reply: President,      The Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme (including the Old Age Allowance (OAA), Old Age Living Allowance (OALA), Disability Allowance, Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme) is a non-contributory social security scheme. Applicants must have resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least one year immediately before the date of application, while enjoying a limit of 90 days of absence from Hong Kong within that year. This one-year continuous residence (OYCR) requirement ensures that applicants have close connections with Hong Kong, and that persons who have lived outside Hong Kong for a long time cannot immediately benefit from non-contributory cash allowances upon their return to Hong Kong, thereby concentrating resources on supporting persons in need and the elderly.      I reply to the three parts of the question raised by the Member as follows: (1) and (2) In the past five financial years (2019-20 to 2023-24), the numbers of OAA applications received, approved and rejected by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) are tabulated below:

     
    2019-20
    2020-21
    2021-22
    2022-23
    2023-24

    Applications received (Note)
    35 652
    37 059
    35 173
    40 263
    40 825

    Applications approved
    32 646
    38 360
    36 173
    39 984
    41 139

    Applications rejected
    2 127
    577
    241
    334
    523

    Note: The processing of some of the applications may be completed in the subsequent financial year.     Where an applicant has been absent from Hong Kong in the one year immediately before the date of application for receiving medical treatments outside Hong Kong due to illnesses or for taking up paid work outside Hong Kong, the SWD may consider exercising discretion to disregard the absences exceeding the 90-day limit subject to sufficient reasons and documentary proofs.      In the past five financial years (2019-20 to 2023-24), the numbers of cases in which the absences of the OAA applicants were disregarded for the aforementioned reasons are tabulated below: 

     
    2019-20
    2020-21
    2021-22
    2022-23
    2023-24

    Receiving medical treatments outside Hong Kong due to illnesses
    7
    0
    0
    0
    3

    Taking up paid work outside Hong Kong
    39
    1
    0
    0
    17

         In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in tandem with an enhancement measure of the SSA Scheme, the SWD implemented a special arrangement from January 2020 to August 2023 to disregard the absences from Hong Kong of applicants and beneficiaries of the various social security schemes (including the SSA Scheme). The SWD does not maintain a record of the number of OAA applications that benefited from the relevant special arrangement. (3) As mentioned above, the OYCR requirement ensures that SSA applicants have close connections with Hong Kong, with a view to reasonably allocating finite public resources. Since September 2023, the Government has suitably relaxed the absence limit of the OYCR requirement from 56 days to 90 days, increasing it by more than half.  This can practically accommodate the applicants’ need for leaving Hong Kong temporarily before the application (such as visits to family and travel outside Hong Kong). The Government currently has no plan to further relax the OYCR requirement. With an ageing population, the number of beneficiaries and the expenditure of the SSA Scheme will continue to rise. The Government should take into account the long-term financial sustainability when considering various enhancement measures. 

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 11:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Will 2025 See Lower Salary Increases? Salary.com Releases Latest National Salary Budget Survey

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Salary.com, a leading provider of compensation market data and software, shared the results of its annual National Salary Budget Survey. Now in its 14th year, the survey collected responses from over 1,000 human resource professionals across 20 industries in the U.S. and Canada to see how companies are planning salary increases.

    This year’s survey found that the median salary increase stayed at 4 percent, but average increases dropped from 4.3 percent to 3.9 percent.

    Salary.com says this drop is because fewer companies are giving higher raises. The number of companies giving raises between 5 and 6.9 percent fell from 25 percent to 14 percent. This trend could be linked to lower inflation and stable unemployment after the economic instability caused by the pandemic and the Great Resignation. The survey also showed a return to typical salary increases of 3 to 3.9 percent, as reported by 38 percent of respondents in 2024, compared to 25 percent in 2023. Expectations for 2025 are similar to 2024.

    “Last year, we noted that salary increases might be at a peak, even with 4 percent becoming the norm. While 4 percent remained the median in 2024, further analysis suggests a shift is happening,” said Andy Miller, Vice President, Compensation Consulting at Salary.com. “This is important for HR and compensation teams as they plan budgets for next year, considering factors like industry, location and work arrangements.”

    The 2024-2025 National Salary Budget Survey also showed:

    • Geographically, the Northeast U.S. had the lowest salary increases, while the West Coast had the highest. The Northeast averaged 3.6 percent, compared to the national average of 3.9 percent. New York City (3.7%) and Boston (3.3%) had lower increases compared to San Francisco (4%) and Seattle (4.3%).
    • Regarding industries, Construction (4.2 percent) and Education, Government & Non-Profit (4.3 percent) had the largest increases. Hospitality (3.4 percent) and Transportation (3.6 percent) had smaller increases. Hospitality continues to adjust to local and regional minimum wage changes while recovering from the pandemic.
    • Defining pay for remote employees is still a challenge. The most common approach in 2024 was to set pay based on the employee’s primary residence (29 percent). Other methods included using a national pay rate (24 percent), regional pay rates (14 percent), or the closest employer location (12 percent). About 14 percent of respondents did not have remote employees.

    Miller added, “In 2024, many organizations experienced a level-set moment. Some sectors and regions saw increases, while others saw decreases, matching changes in labor markets, new laws, and evolving situations. Staying on top of these trends is key to good planning.”

    To buy a copy of Salary.com’s 2024-2025 National Salary Budget Survey, visit https://store.salary.com/national-salary-budget-survey.

    About Salary.com
    Salary.com has been helping organizations with human capital needs for over 20 years. The company leads the industry in compensation data, software, and services. More than 30,000 organizations in 22 countries use Salary.com’s solutions to hire and keep talent and compete in a changing world.

    Salary.com provides over 10 billion data points across more than 225 industries using a proprietary AI framework to ensure fair pay. The company’s main product, CompAnalyst®, helps organizations simplify hiring, reduce guesswork, and increase retention. Employee trust depends on fair pay, and Salary.com helps get it right. Please visit www.salary.com/business.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: DT Midstream Reports Strong Third Quarter 2024 Results; Raises Adjusted EBITDA Guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DETROIT, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DT Midstream, Inc. (NYSE: DTM) today announced third quarter 2024 reported net income of $88 million, or $0.90 per diluted share. For the third quarter of 2024, Operating Earnings were also $88 million, or $0.90 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $241 million.

    Reconciliations of Operating Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measures) to reported net income are included at the end of this news release.

    The company also announced that the DT Midstream Board of Directors declared a $0.735 per share dividend on its common stock payable January 15, 2025 to stockholders of record at the close of business December 16, 2024.

    “We continue our strong performance in 2024,” said David Slater, President and CEO. “And we have made great progress advancing new opportunities which will support our future growth.”

    Slater noted the following significant business updates:

    • Reached final investment decision on the Phase 4 expansion of the LEAP system, which will expand the system to 2.1 Bcf/d by the first half of 2026
    • Upsized the future interconnect between our Stonewall System and Mountain Valley Pipeline
    • Upgraded to investment-grade by Fitch Ratings

    “Our year-to-date results are ahead of plan,” said Jeff Jewell, Executive Vice President and CFO. “Our strong performance is leading us to increase our Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2024 to $950 – $980 million.”

    The company has scheduled a conference call to discuss results for 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT) today. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live internet broadcast of the call at this link. The participant toll-free telephone dial-in number in the U.S. and Canada is 888.596.4144, and the toll number is 646.968.2525; the passcode is 4749988. International access numbers are available here. The webcast will be archived on the DT Midstream website at investor.dtmidstream.com.

    About DT Midstream

    DT Midstream (NYSE: DTM) is an owner, operator and developer of natural gas interstate and intrastate pipelines, storage and gathering systems, compression, treatment and surface facilities. The company transports clean natural gas for utilities, power plants, marketers, large industrial customers and energy producers across the Southern, Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Canada. The Detroit-based company offers a comprehensive, wellhead-to-market array of services, including natural gas transportation, storage and gathering. DT Midstream is transitioning towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including a goal of achieving 30% of its carbon emissions reduction by 2030. For more information, please visit the DT Midstream website at www.dtmidstream.com.

    Why DT Midstream Uses Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow

    Use of Operating Earnings Information – Operating Earnings exclude non-recurring items, certain mark-to-market adjustments and discontinued operations. DT Midstream management believes that Operating Earnings provide a more meaningful representation of the company’s earnings from ongoing operations and uses Operating Earnings as the primary performance measurement for external communications with analysts and investors. Internally, DT Midstream uses Operating Earnings to measure performance against budget and to report to the Board of Directors.

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as GAAP net income attributable to DT Midstream before expenses for interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and loss from financing activities, further adjusted to include the proportional share of net income from equity method investees (excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), and to exclude certain items the company considers non-routine. DT Midstream believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to the company and external users of DT Midstream’s financial statements in understanding operating results and the ongoing performance of the underlying business because it allows management and investors to have a better understanding of actual operating performance unaffected by the impact of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-routine charges noted in the table below. We believe the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is meaningful to investors because it is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the midstream industry to evaluate a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such measure, which can vary substantially from company to company depending on accounting methods, book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors. DT Midstream uses Adjusted EBITDA to assess the company’s performance by reportable segment and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

    Distributable Cash Flow (DCF) is calculated by deducting earnings from equity method investees, depreciation and amortization attributable to noncontrolling interests, cash interest expense, maintenance capital investment (as defined below), and cash taxes from, and adding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, certain items we consider non-routine and dividends and distributions from equity method investees to, Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream. Maintenance capital investment is defined as the total capital expenditures used to maintain or preserve assets or fulfill contractual obligations that do not generate incremental earnings. We believe DCF is a meaningful performance measurement because it is useful to us and external users of our financial statements in estimating the ability of our assets to generate cash earnings after servicing our debt, paying cash taxes and making maintenance capital investments, which could be used for discretionary purposes such as common stock dividends, retirement of debt or expansion capital expenditures.

    DT Midstream does not forecast net income as it cannot, without unreasonable efforts, estimate or predict with certainty the components of net income. These components, net of tax, may include, but are not limited to, impairments of assets and other charges, divestiture costs, acquisition costs, or changes in accounting principles. All of these components could significantly impact such financial measures. At this time, DT Midstream is not able to estimate the aggregate impact, if any, of these items on future period reported earnings. Accordingly, DT Midstream is not able to provide a corresponding GAAP equivalent for Adjusted EBITDA.

    Forward-looking Statements

    This release contains statements which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute “forward-looking statements” under the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management’s current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, business prospects, outcomes of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, and other matters, based on what we believe to be reasonable assumptions and on information currently available to us.

    Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “expectations,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “will,” “should,” “see,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “confident” and other words of similar meaning. The absence of such words, expressions or statements, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. In particular, express or implied statements relating to future earnings, cash flow, results of operations, uses of cash, tax rates and other measures of financial performance, future actions, conditions or events, potential future plans, strategies or transactions of DT Midstream, and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions, but rather are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual future results to be materially different from those contemplated, projected, estimated, or budgeted. Many factors may impact forward-looking statements of DT Midstream including, but not limited to, the following: changes in general economic conditions, including increases in interest rates and associated Federal Reserve policies, a potential economic recession, and the impact of inflation on our business; industry changes, including the impact of consolidations, alternative energy sources, technological advances, infrastructure constraints and changes in competition; global supply chain disruptions; actions taken by third-party operators, processors, transporters and gatherers; changes in expected production from Expand Energy and other third parties in our areas of operation; demand for natural gas gathering, transmission, storage, transportation and water services; the availability and price of natural gas to the consumer compared to the price of alternative and competing fuels; our ability to successfully and timely implement our business plan; our ability to complete organic growth projects on time and on budget; our ability to finance, complete, or successfully integrate acquisitions; the price and availability of debt and equity financing; restrictions in our existing and any future credit facilities and indentures; the effectiveness of our information technology and operational technology systems and practices to detect and defend against evolving cyber attacks on United States critical infrastructure; changing laws regarding cybersecurity and data privacy, and any cybersecurity threat or event; operating hazards, environmental risks, and other risks incidental to gathering, storing and transporting natural gas; geologic and reservoir risks and considerations; natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control; the impact of outbreaks of illnesses, epidemics and pandemics, and any related economic effects; the impacts of geopolitical events, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; labor relations and markets, including the ability to attract, hire and retain key employee and contract personnel; large customer defaults; changes in tax status, as well as changes in tax rates and regulations; the effects and associated cost of compliance with existing and future laws and governmental regulations, such as the Inflation Reduction Act; changes in environmental laws, regulations or enforcement policies, including laws and regulations relating to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; ability to develop low carbon business opportunities and deploy greenhouse gas reducing technologies; changes in insurance markets impacting costs and the level and types of coverage available; the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices; the success of our risk management strategies; the suspension, reduction or termination of our customers’ obligations under our commercial agreements; disruptions due to equipment interruption or failure at our facilities, or third-party facilities on which our business is dependent; the effects of future litigation; and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our reports and registration statements filed from time to time with the SEC.

    The above list of factors is not exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time. We cannot predict what factors may arise or how such factors may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see the discussion under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on Form 10-K and any other reports filed with the SEC. Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

    Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. We are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

                                         
    DT Midstream, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Reported to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP, unaudited)
              Three Months Ended
              September 30,   June 30,
              2024   2024
              Reported Earnings   Pre-tax Adjustments   Income Taxes(1)   Operating Earnings   Reported Earnings   Pre-tax Adjustments   Income Taxes(1)   Operating Earnings
              (millions)
      Adjustments
    		     $ —   $ —           $ —   $ —    
      Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream
    		 $ 88   $ —   $ —   $ 88   $ 96   $ —   $ —   $ 96
                                           
              Nine Months Ended
              September 30,   September 30,
               2024    2023
              Reported Earnings   Pre-tax Adjustments   Income Taxes(1)   Operating Earnings   Reported Earnings   Pre-tax Adjustments   Income Taxes(1)   Operating Earnings
              (millions)
      Adjustments
    		     $ —   $ —           $ —   $ —    
      Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream
    		 $ 281   $ —   $ —   $ 281   $ 263   $ —   $ —   $ 263
                                           
      (1) Excluding tax related adjustments, the amount of income taxes was calculated based on a combined federal and state income tax rate, considering the applicable jurisdictions of the respective segments and deductibility of specific operating adjustments
                                           
                                                           
    DT Midstream, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Reported to Operating Earnings per diluted share(2) (non-GAAP, unaudited)
                                         
            Three Months Ended
            September 30,   June 30,
            2024   2024
            Reported Earnings   Pre-tax Adjustments   Income Taxes(1)   Operating Earnings   Reported Earnings   Pre-tax Adjustments   Income Taxes(1)   Operating Earnings
            (per share)
      Adjustments
    		     $ —   $ —           $ —   $ —    
      Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream
    		 $ 0.90   $ —   $ —   $ 0.90   $ 0.98   $ —   $ —   $ 0.98
                                         
            Nine Months Ended
            September 30,   September 30,
            2024   2023
            Reported Earnings   Pre-tax Adjustments   Income Taxes(1)   Operating Earnings   Reported Earnings   Pre-tax Adjustments   Income Taxes(1)   Operating Earnings
            (per share)
      Adjustments
    		     $ —   $ —           $ —   $ —    
      Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream
    		 $ 2.87   $ —   $ —   $ 2.87   $ 2.70   $ —   $ —   $ 2.70
                                         
      (1) Excluding tax related adjustments, the amount of income taxes was calculated based on a combined federal and state income tax rate, considering the applicable jurisdictions of the respective segments and deductibility of specific operating adjustments  
      (2) Per share amounts are divided by Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding — Diluted, as noted on the Consolidated Statements of Operations  
                                         
     
    DT Midstream, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP, unaudited)
                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2024       2023  
    Consolidated (millions)
    Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream $ 88     $ 96     $ 281     $ 263  
    Plus: Interest expense   38       39       117       111  
    Plus: Income tax expense   30       33       94       102  
    Plus: Depreciation and amortization   53       53       156       133  
    Plus: Loss from financing activities   4       —       4       —  
    Plus: EBITDA from equity method investees(1)   70       67       212       212  
    Less: Interest income   (1 )     —       (2 )     (1 )
    Less: Earnings from equity method investees   (40 )     (39 )     (125 )     (132 )
    Less: Depreciation and amortization attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1 )     (1 )     (3 )     (3 )
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 241     $ 248     $ 734     $ 685  
                     
    (1) Includes share of our equity method investees’ earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which we refer to as “EBITDA.” A reconciliation of earnings from equity method investees to EBITDA from equity method investees follows:  
        
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2024       2023  
        (millions)
      Earnings from equity methods investees $ 40     $ 39     $ 125     $ 132  
      Plus: Depreciation and amortization attributable to equity method investees   20       21       61       61  
      Plus: Interest expense attributable to equity method investees   10       7       26       19  
      EBITDA from equity method investees $ 70     $ 67     $ 212     $ 212  
                     
                     
     
    DT Midstream, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream to Adjusted EBITDA
    Pipeline Segment (non-GAAP, unaudited)
                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2024       2023  
    Pipeline (millions)
    Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream $ 71     $ 71     $ 216     $ 185  
    Plus: Interest expense   12       12       37       42  
    Plus: Income tax expense   24       24       72       72  
    Plus: Depreciation and amortization   18       19       55       50  
    Plus: Loss from financing activities   2       —       2       —  
    Plus: EBITDA from equity method investees(1)   70       67       212       212  
    Less: Interest income   —       —       (1 )     (1 )
    Less: Earnings from equity method investees   (40 )     (39 )     (125 )     (132 )
    Less: Depreciation and amortization attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1 )     (1 )     (3 )     (3 )
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 156     $ 153     $ 465     $ 425  
                     
    (1) Includes share of our equity method investees’ earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which we refer to as “EBITDA.” A reconciliation of earnings from equity method investees to EBITDA from equity method investees follows:  
             
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024       2024       2023  
        (millions)
      Earnings from equity methods investees $ 40     $ 39     $ 125     $ 132  
      Plus: Depreciation and amortization attributable to equity method investees   20       21       61       61  
      Plus: Interest expense attributable to equity method investees   10     $ 7       26       19  
      EBITDA from equity method investees $ 70     $ 67     $ 212     $ 212  
                     
     
    DT Midstream, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream to Adjusted EBITDA
    Gathering Segment (non-GAAP, unaudited)
                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2024     2024       2023
      Gathering (millions)
      Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream $ 17     $ 25   $ 65     $ 78
      Plus: Interest expense   26       27     80       69
      Plus: Income tax expense   6       9     22       30
      Plus: Depreciation and amortization   35       34     101       83
      Plus: Loss from financing activities   2       —     2       —
      Less: Interest income   (1 )     —     (1 )     —
      Adjusted EBITDA $ 85     $ 95   $ 269     $ 260
                     
     
    DT Midstream, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream to Distributable Cash Flow (non-GAAP, unaudited)
                         
            Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
            September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
              2024       2024       2024       2023  
       Consolidated
    		 (millions)
       Net Income Attributable to DT Midstream $ 88     $ 96     $ 281     $ 263  
       Plus: Interest expense   38       39       117       111  
       Plus: Income tax expense   30       33       94       102  
       Plus: Depreciation and amortization   53       53       156       133  
       Plus: Loss from financing activities   4       —       4       —  
       Plus: Adjustments for non-routine items(1)   (416 )     —       (416 )     (371 )
       Less: Earnings from equity method investees   (40 )     (39 )     (125 )     (132 )
       Less: Depreciation and amortization attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1 )     (1 )     (3 )     (3 )
       Plus: Dividends and distributions from equity method investees   465       50       590       557  
       Less: Cash interest expense   (6 )     (64 )     (80 )     (76 )
       Less: Cash taxes   (4 )     (1 )     (7 )     (21 )
       Less: Maintenance capital investment(2)   (4 )     (6 )     (17 )     (22 )
       Distributable Cash Flow $ 207     $ 160     $ 594     $ 541  
                         
      (1) Distributable Cash Flow calculation excludes certain items we consider non-routine. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, adjustments for non-routine items included the $416 million Millennium financing distribution. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, adjustments for non-routine items included the $371 million NEXUS financing distribution.
      (2) Maintenance capital investment is defined as the total capital expenditures used to maintain or preserve assets or fulfill contractual obligations that do not generate incremental earnings.
                         

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “I would be interested in talking to Chinese farmers”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Veronika Smirnova studies the Chinese approach to global food security and spent a year at the Renmin University of China in Beijing. In an interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, she spoke about Xi Jinping’s flagship initiatives, her interest in FAO’s John Boyd Orr, and her love of malatan and xiao long bao.

    How I got started in science

    It wasn’t a strategic plan. Science chose me, like many future scientists who enjoyed studying many subjects at school. Surprisingly, math and physics were the easiest for me, but I ended up choosing the humanities.

    Around the 9th grade, I thought about what direction I would like to choose in the future, and the topic of international relations seemed interesting to me. At that time, I was not yet interested in Chinese culture, I only heard in the news that Russian-Chinese relations were developing at a rapid pace. When it was time to choose a second language (internationalists always learn two), I spent a long time choosing between German and French. But then something sank in my heart, and I began to study Chinese, not yet knowing what awaited me in the future. This is how my love for China began, I gradually began to take an interest in culture and politics.

    In my undergraduate studies at Nizhny Novgorod State University, we had amazing courses on analytics for government bodies. I really liked this subject, and I became interested in working in this field. When I went to the master’s program at HSE, I saw that CCEMI, where I now work, was recruiting interns, and I applied. That’s how my path in science began. Then I went to graduate school and continued scientific research.

    What am I studying?

    China’s participation in the global food security system. Interest in this topic did not develop immediately. In my bachelor’s degree, I studied more about culture and soft power. But in my master’s degree, I thought: I would like to study something more practice-oriented, which could contribute to the improvement of Russian-Chinese relations. The food topic found me itself.

    The HSE education system involves earning several credits for projects during the course of study. In my Master’s program, I chose a project that was conducted by the School of Oriental Studies together with Azbuka Vkusa. Against the backdrop of Covid, we studied how retail is developing in Asian countries. I was doing research on China. And then one of the teachers said that there was an opportunity to do an internship at the UN.

    At first I wasn’t interested, but my friend, who had this experience, explained that it was a very interesting track where you act as a manager of an educational course.

    I applied for the next intake and was accepted to this project. The internship was online. I helped organize a course for UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) and FAO (FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). The course was designed for officials from the post-Soviet space on the topic of agriculture in international trade agreements.

    I thought it was an interesting topic because China and Russia were developing relations in the agricultural sector, so I decided to take it up more seriously and continued to study it in graduate school.

    What was my master’s thesis about?

    I studied Chinese concepts in global governance. This topic is close to my PhD thesis, where I examine how China promotes its approaches to food security co-operation internationally.

    In my master’s degree, I was interested to see how China’s policy ambitions are growing in practical terms, what approaches it offers – whether it is trying to take the place of the United States or is offering something unique.

    I decided to look at the theoretical approaches of Chinese scholars and compare them with the statements of Chinese leaders Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping. And I saw that, in principle, the same thing happened to the concept of global governance developed in the West as to many other Western concepts in China – from complete rejection to active participation.

    At first, China came out with sharp criticism, claiming that the concept was aimed at Western countries controlling global development. Then with interest – how to apply it with Chinese specifics. Then, gradual testing began in specific areas. For example, Chinese scientists separately studied issues of sovereignty, participation of non-profit organizations. And already at the next stage, they proposed their own approaches.

    At the same time, Chinese leader Xi Jinping put forward the concept of a Community of Shared Future for Humanity and the flagship Belt and Road Initiative, and Chinese scholars were studying how to develop global governance together with other countries through these projects.

    What is the Community of Shared Destiny for Humanity?

    Xi Jinping put forward this concept in 2013 — by the way, he first spoke about it in Moscow, at MGIMO. At the first stage, it was quite simple, it could be characterized by his words: “In me there is you, in you there is me.” The world is interconnected, and we need to manage things together, because if one participant starts having problems (as we saw during the pandemic), they arise for others as well.

    A more correct translation of the name is “the concept of a common destiny.” “A common destiny” implies unification. And China insists that everyone has the right to follow their own path of development, and this community is expressed in the fact that we develop together, but in different ways.

    Why China Believes the World Needs Food Security

    China is primarily interested in ensuring internal security. It relies on the concept of self-sufficiency. This issue is particularly sensitive for it. In the past, periods of famine were associated with political instability.

    During the Cold War, when China suffered famine, the country also faced a food embargo from the United States. And now China believes that “it must hold the rice bowl firmly in its own hands,” as Xi Jinping says.

    But having joined the WTO and participated in world trade, one cannot be completely autonomous. If there are problems in the food security sphere somewhere, it affects everyone. China is interested in maintaining general world stability. It is also developing cooperation in the “south-south” direction. This is cooperation between a developing country and a similar country, where it acts not as a donor, but as a partner, sharing its experience in solving problems.

    In the area of food security, China’s experience is a strong case: the country was able to defeat hunger with very few resources, land and water. Therefore, this is one of the key areas for cooperation with developing countries. China focuses on them, and mainly seeks to develop partnerships with them.

    Russian-Chinese relations

    Our relations are now at the peak of prosperity. During the Cold War, Sinologists had a hard time. Relations were tense, we had different views on what communism should be. The Chinese reacted quite sharply to the debunking of Stalin’s personality cult. We had border conflicts. China then, especially against the backdrop of rapprochement with the United States, diverged even more from the USSR.

    I remember my first academic supervisor in my bachelor’s degree told me that he was criticized in his close circle for studying the language of a country where he would never go, with which we are at odds. But he said that he was right. The prerequisites for normalizing relations began to emerge in the Brezhnev era, later the issues of demarcation and delimitation of the border were resolved, economic relations also developed, and now our relations have become the best.

    What results and achievements I am proud of

    I spent the last year in China, and returned in July. I was accepted to the New Sinology program for postgraduate students. It is designed to develop new approaches to China studies, building connections so that scholars can see their subject up close. I chose Renmin University of China, one of the largest in Beijing. I was able to work on my topic with a Chinese supervisor, Professor Song Wei, who is developing the theoretical framework I used in my work.

    My other achievements are not really in the scientific sphere. Within my center, I am actively involved in the implementation of joint humanitarian projects between Russia and China.

    We organized a Russian-Chinese summer school for students, and we had a project called “China Perspective,” where students from our department met with China experts and learned how to build a career in cooperation with the PRC.

    Basically, my journey of getting to know HSE and CCEIS began with me being a participant in the Russian-Chinese summer school — the 9th intake. And the next time, I was already on the organizing committee. The school was held online because of COVID, but there were many participants, some even joined from Brazil.

    What I dream about

    I am very interested in getting more field experience. For example, going to Chinese villages and talking to farmers. In China, most agricultural products are still produced on small farmsteads.

    Where I was in China

    I traveled a lot around China, visited ten cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Xi’an, Luoyang, Tianjin, Chengdu and Chongqing. In Shanghai, colleagues from my center organized a conference of the Valdai Club together with the East China Normal University. I was included in the delegation.

    There was also a trip to a conference in Shenzhen, to MSU-PPI – a joint university of Moscow State University and Beijing Polytechnic University. I already went to other cities with friends, to immerse myself in Chinese culture. A guy from India studied with me on the program, we became friends, he was more advanced in studying Chinese culture, and I went on my first trip with him.

    Science for me is a way of life, a space of connections. You are constantly looking for something to talk about, something to study.

    If I hadn’t become a scientist, I could have become a manager or producer of educational courses in the humanities. I still combine this with my scientific career, but I would have concentrated on it.

    Who would I like to meet?

    For my dissertation, I would like to meet the first FAO Secretary-General, John Boyd Orr, and talk more about his failed initiatives. My research is more in the area of international cooperation, while his research is specifically looking at how certain policies reduce malnutrition in the world.

    I was very inspired by the history of the creation of FAO. Boyd Orr was the first Secretary-General, he stood at its origins. He advocated a comprehensive approach to food security. At that time, food security was considered to be only access to products and their availability. He suggested looking at the problem more broadly and advocated that the newly formed organization should control not only development issues and information collection, but also trade, production, and food delivery.

    For example, during World War II, scientists discovered that if you increase the rations for pregnant women, then infant mortality drops sharply. They made several such discoveries, were inspired, and thought that this new knowledge would allow them to significantly reduce hunger within the organization.

    But due to the onset of the Cold War, due to the importance and criticality of this topic for the world’s major powers, there was not enough space for trust to be created so that a common supranational structure in the form of a UN institution could control all these processes.

    What my typical day looks like

    Now my typical day is loaded with work: the last year of graduate school, finishing my dissertation, going to the pre-defense. So I wake up, have breakfast, go to work and sit here for a long time. I solve work issues, and when I have a free minute, I finish the text of the dissertation.

    What will I do after my defense?

    I will continue working at CCEMI. I think that there will be more time for scientific work. I would like to study the topic of Russian-Chinese agricultural cooperation in more detail. It is also interesting to look at the development of the foodtech sphere in China, startups in this area. I would also try to publish in Chinese journals. They are not taken into account in our systems, which is critical for a postgraduate student, and after the defense this issue will no longer be so acute.

    Do I get burnout?

    I think it was at the beginning, when I didn’t understand how to combine work and study, but here my colleagues helped. We have a friendly atmosphere in the team, everyone supports each other. I adhere to the approach that there are always many interesting projects, but it is important to refuse most of them and concentrate on the most important, otherwise burnout can occur.

    What are my interests besides science?

    I love yoga. It helps me maintain a sports regimen during periods of intense work. I also like digital drawing, sometimes I even do something design-related. At the launch stage of our project “Chinese Perspective”, I made posters for the VKontakte group.

    Where do I recommend starting your acquaintance with China?

    I would recommend looking at VK groups dedicated to China. In our Russian-speaking community, for example, there is a group called “Grey Mocha” that publishes cultural notes about China. The Vyshka Chinese Club also provides a lot of useful information.

    China has its own social networks. If you want to watch Chinese videos, you should go not to YouTube, but to Bilibili and Kuaishou. WeChat is a must to communicate with Chinese colleagues. They have an interesting service called “Little Red Book” — something like a combination of Instagram and Telegram, it helped me a lot while traveling around China. You can type in “Tasty places there,” and it will show you. You could even find out which of the many cafeterias at my university serves the best food. Or figure out how to take a photo in the Temple of Heaven without people being visible. But to immerse yourself in the Chinese blogosphere, you need to know the language and understand how it works. If you come to China with only English, it will be more difficult.

    The leading contemporary Chinese writer

    Probably Mo Yan. In the book “Frogs” he describes the social reality of the “One Family – One Child” era. I also liked the plot of the book “Children of the Herd Age” written by Liu Zhenyun. One of the stories describes how a man gave a large ransom for a woman, and she ran away with this ransom without marrying him, and his sister tries to find her.

    Popular Chinese Attractions Among Russians

    Beijing, Shanghai and Harbin — because of the proximity of the border. In Beijing, the heritage of ancient culture is interesting: the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall of China. In Shanghai, people walk along the embankment, look at the Pearl Tower, there are more monuments of Western culture there. Hainan Island is also popular, especially among residents of Siberia and the Far East. The sea there is very clean. There are many interesting delicacies, for example, candies made from shark meat. Other destinations are for more advanced tourists who are also interested in nature. For example, the province of Sichuan, where pandas live and there are national parks.

    Differences between Western and Chinese culture

    There are, and very strong ones. In China, they tend to be collectivist, not individualistic. We have the concept of conscience, and they have shame. This is a capacious topic, it is difficult to talk about briefly, but it can be outlined with a series of illustrations by Chinese artist Yan Liu.

    What was the last thing I read and watched?

    Our colleague Ivan Yuryevich Zuenko recently published a book, “China in the Era of Xi Jinping.” I read it and even attended the presentation.

    Because of my dissertation, everything is about China now, and I watch something to support Chinese. For example, the talk show “This is China” with Professor Zhang Weiwei and the program “Round Table” with the popular host Dou Wentao.

    Advice to young scientists

    Get involved in the scientific community early on, as talking to colleagues helps you understand early on what to watch out for and what new and interesting perspectives there are on the issues you’re studying.

    Try to publish and speak at conferences. The sooner you gain such experience, the easier it will be to move along this path. And for a sinologist, it is especially important to have your own knowledge base and know exactly where to find certain materials. Order disciplines and helps in scientific work.

    Favorite place in Moscow

    VDNKh. I lived there during my first year of graduate school, and often walked there. This place is associated with my first pleasant memories after moving to Moscow.

    Favorite places in Beijing

    First of all, Beihai Park. Chinese parks are different from ours. When I came there for the first time in the evening, I felt like I was in a fairy tale. I also love Houhai, it’s also in the center, a walking place around the lake. And Qianmen Street, it’s quite lively, there are a lot of Chinese eateries, street food.

    At first, I didn’t quite have the right idea of Beijing. I thought it was high-rise and modern. But if you travel around southern cities, you’ll notice that Beijing has many low buildings in the center and it’s not so densely built up. There are hutongs on Qianmen Street – ancient buildings. And a nice coffee shop called Metal Hands.

    Chinese cuisine

    I like it. I often ate xiao long bao (steamed meat buns like dumplings), malatan (a spicy soup where you put the ingredients yourself), and different types of beef noodles. Because of my Indian friends, I also fell in love with Indian food. But in general, there are a couple of places in Beijing where you can eat Russian food. When I started missing mashed potatoes with a cutlet, it was easy to get them.

    Where would I go in China

    See the natural attractions near the cities of Chengdu and Chongqing. You need to go there in a group and think everything through in advance. There are two large national parks near Chengdu. And next to Chongqing is the Wulong Karst geological park. And there is also a beautiful place Zhangjiajie, you also need to go there for five days, preferably with a group and a guide.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Consolidated net sales of $531.4 million, a decrease of 1% to the prior year
    • Water Systems and Distribution net sales increased 2% and 1%, respectively, while Fueling Systems net sales decreased 10%
    • Operating income was $73.5 million with operating margin of 13.8%
    • GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.17

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. today announced its third quarter financial results for fiscal year 2024.

    Third quarter 2024 net sales were $531.4 million, compared to third quarter 2023 net sales of $538.4 million. Third quarter 2024 operating income was $73.5 million, compared to third quarter 2023 operating income of $78.1 million. Third quarter 2024 EPS was $1.17, versus EPS in the third quarter 2023 of $1.23.

    “Our third quarter results were softer than expected due to continued macro pressure from lower home sales and starts, along with weather being wetter than normal. However, the demand environment remains healthy across our key end markets, which has normalized following record levels of sales in recent years. Margins remained stable due to our disciplined cost management, and we are actively pursuing opportunities to further reduce expenses across the enterprise,” commented Joe Ruzynski, Franklin Electric’s CEO.

    “As we close out the year, we expect tempered order activity in-line with seasonal patterns. That said, having spent time with our incredible global team members over the past few months, I am energized by the potential of Franklin Electric. With our wide range of capabilities, strategic footprint, and flexible balance sheet, we have the ability to drive differentiated growth and accelerate productivity for years to come,” concluded Mr. Ruzynski.

    Segment Summaries

    Water Systems net sales were $302.2 million, a new third quarter record, an increase of $6.4 million or 2 percent compared to the third quarter 2023. The sales increase was driven by higher sales of groundwater products, all other surface products and water treatment products. The sales increase was partially offset by lower sales of large dewatering pumps, which had a record quarter last year. Water Systems operating income in the third quarter 2024 was $52.8 million, a new third quarter record. Third quarter 2023 Water Systems operating income was $52.7 million.

    Distribution net sales were $190.8 million, an increase of $1.6 million or 1 percent compared to the third quarter 2023. Sales increases were driven by sales from a recent acquisition. The Distribution segment operating income in the third quarter 2024 was $12.2 million. Third quarter 2023 Distribution operating income was $10.7 million.

    Fueling Systems net sales were $69.7 million in the third quarter 2024, a decrease of $8.0 million or 10 percent compared to the third quarter 2023. Sales decreases were driven by lower volumes. Fueling Systems operating income in the third quarter 2024 was $24.1 million. Third quarter 2023 Fueling Systems operating income was $25.8 million.

    2024 Guidance

    The Company is lowering its sales guidance for full year 2024 to be approximately $2.00 billion and reducing its EPS guidance for full year 2024 to be in the range of $3.75 to $3.85 which incorporates the Company’s first nine months performance and its outlook for the fourth quarter.

    Earnings Conference Call

    A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The third quarter 2024 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/cp5pmtx9

    For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.

    https://register.vevent.com/register/BIa5e3e952cc2d47c28144fef8683c97e0

    All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

    A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, October 29, 2024, through 9:00 am ET on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.

    Forward Looking Statements

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases,  raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    About Franklin Electric

    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be named in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies and Most Trustworthy Companies for 2023 and America’s Climate Leaders 2023 by USA Today.

    Franklin Electric Contact:

    Jeffery L. Taylor
    Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    InvestorRelations@fele.com 

     
     
    FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
                   
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)              
                   
      Third Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023   September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023
                   
    Net sales $ 531,438     $ 538,431     $ 1,535,596     $ 1,592,163  
                   
    Cost of sales   341,775       352,178       982,556       1,055,164  
                   
    Gross profit   189,663       186,253       553,040       536,999  
                   
    Selling, general, and administrative expenses   115,998       107,687       352,290       324,651  
                   
    Restructuring expense   139       462       139       735  
                   
    Operating income   73,526       78,104       200,611       211,613  
                   
    Interest expense   (1,556 )     (2,984 )     (4,980 )     (10,309 )
    Other (expense) income, net   (181 )     277       709       1,865  
    Foreign exchange income (expense), net   88       (2,483 )     (5,228 )     (8,098 )
                   
    Income before income taxes   71,877       72,914       191,112       195,071  
                   
    Income tax expense   16,983       14,746       43,795       39,167  
                   
    Net income $ 54,894     $ 58,168     $ 147,317     $ 155,904  
                   
    Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (298 )     (370 )     (663 )     (1,181 )
                   
    Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc. $ 54,596     $ 57,798     $ 146,654     $ 154,723  
                   
    Earnings per share:              
    Basic $ 1.19     $ 1.25     $ 3.18     $ 3.34  
    Diluted $ 1.17     $ 1.23     $ 3.14     $ 3.29  
     
    FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited)
           
    (In thousands)      
           
      September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
    ASSETS      
           
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 106,273     $ 84,963  
    Receivables (net)   272,003       222,418  
    Inventories   524,647       508,696  
    Other current assets   39,560       37,718  
    Total current assets   942,483       853,795  
           
    Property, plant, and equipment, net   226,072       229,739  
    Lease right-of-use assets, net   62,694       57,014  
    Goodwill and other assets   575,994       587,574  
    Total assets $ 1,807,243     $ 1,728,122  
           
           
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
           
    Accounts payable $ 173,935     $ 152,419  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   124,865       104,949  
    Current lease liability   17,963       17,316  
    Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings   76,402       12,355  
    Total current liabilities   393,165       287,039  
           
    Long-term debt   11,581       88,056  
    Long-term lease liability   43,484       38,549  
    Income taxes payable non-current   –       4,837  
    Deferred income taxes   31,128       29,461  
    Employee benefit plans   30,781       35,973  
    Other long-term liabilities   23,219       33,914  
     
    Redeemable noncontrolling interest   1,179       1,145  
           
    Total equity   1,272,706       1,209,148  
    Total liabilities and equity $ 1,807,243     $ 1,728,122  
     
    FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (Unaudited)
      Nine Months Ended
    (In thousands)      
      September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net income $ 147,317     $ 155,904  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization   41,825       39,582  
    Non-cash lease expense   15,223       12,664  
    Share-based compensation   10,127       8,449  
    Other   5,178       10,894  
    Changes in assets and liabilities:      
    Receivables   (51,440 )     (20,427 )
    Inventory   (18,760 )     2,537  
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   17,218       4,376  
    Operating leases   (15,700 )     (12,847 )
    Income taxes-U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act   (3,870 )     (2,902 )
    Other   3,968       399  
           
    Net cash flows from operating activities   151,086       198,629  
           
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Additions to property, plant, and equipment   (28,897 )     (30,155 )
    Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment   704       –  
    Acquisitions and investments   (1,151 )     (6,641 )
    Other investing activities   37       26  
           
    Net cash flows from investing activities   (29,307 )     (36,770 )
           
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Net change in debt   (12,477 )     (87,653 )
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock   5,269       9,010  
    Purchases of common stock   (56,989 )     (29,888 )
    Dividends paid   (35,442 )     (31,315 )
    Deferred payments for acquisitions   (348 )     (448 )
           
    Net cash flows from financing activities   (99,987 )     (140,294 )
           
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (482 )     (4,848 )
    Net change in cash and cash equivalents   21,310       16,717  
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   84,963       45,790  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 106,273     $ 62,507  


    Key Performance Indicators:     Net Sales Summary

                       
      Net Sales
      United States Latin Europe, Middle Asia Total        
    (in millions) & Canada America East & Africa Pacific Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
                       
    Q3 2023   $182.0     $45.5     $48.7     $19.6     $295.8     $77.7     $189.2     ($24.3 )   $538.4  
    Q3 2024   $183.6     $43.5     $53.4     $21.7     $302.2     $69.7     $190.8     ($31.3 )   $531.4  
    Change   $1.6     ($2.0 )   $4.7     $2.1     $6.4     ($8.0 )   $1.6     ($7.0 )   ($7.0 )
    % Change   1 %   -4 %   10 %   11 %   2 %   -10 %   1 %     -1 %
                       
    Foreign currency translation *   ($0.3 )   ($4.4 )   ($0.3 )   $0.0     ($5.0 )   $0.1     $0.0       ($4.9 )
    % Change   0 %   -10 %   -1 %   0 %   -2 %   0 %   0 %     -1 %
                       
    Acquisitions   $4.5     $0.0     $0.0     $0.0     $4.5     $0.0     $4.7       $9.2  
    % Change   2 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   2 %   0 %   2 %     2 %
                       
    Volume/Price   ($2.6 )   $2.4     $5.0     $2.1     $6.9     ($8.1 )   ($3.1 )   ($7.0 )   ($11.3 )
    % Change   -1 %   5 %   10 %   11 %   2 %   -10 %   -2 %   29 %   -2 %
                       
    *The Company has presented local currency price increases used to offset currency devaluation in the Argentina and Turkey hyperinflationary economies within the foreign currency translation, net row above.


    Key Performance Indicators:     Operating Income and Margin Summary

               
    Operating Income and Margins          
    (in millions) For the Third Quarter 2024
      Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
    Operating Income / (Loss) $ 52.8   $ 24.1   $ 12.2   $ (15.6 ) $ 73.5  
    % Operating Income To Net Sales   17.5 %   34.6 %   6.4 %     13.8 %
               
               
    Operating Income and Margins          
    (in millions) For the Third Quarter 2023
      Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
    Operating Income / (Loss) $ 52.7   $ 25.8   $ 10.7   $ (11.1 ) $ 78.1  
    % Operating Income To Net Sales   17.8 %   33.2 %   5.7 %     14.5 %
               

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Elizabeth McCaul: Fading crises, shifting priorities – a supervisory perspective on the regulatory cycle

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Thank you very much for inviting me to today’s conference.

    I regret that I am not able to join you in person but I am sure that you are having very productive and insightful discussions.

    The title of the conference, “EU banking regulation at a turning point”, indicates that the regulatory environment seems to be undergoing a fundamental shift. While the years following the global financial crisis have been devoted to reinforcing the regulatory framework to prevent a recurrence of similar failures, the public debate seems to have shifted away from focusing on safety and stability towards placing greater emphasis on competitiveness.

    Shifts in public opinion on regulation are nothing new. There is a natural ebb and flow of regulatory intensity driven by crises, economic conditions and political priorities. After a crisis, there is often strong public support for stricter regulation, which tends to weaken over time as the crisis recedes.

    In today’s remarks, I want to give you a supervisory perspective on the regulatory cycle and its shifting priorities.

    I would like to make three main points.

    First, it is a fundamental misconception to frame safety and competitiveness as opposing forces. A stable and secure financial system forms the bedrock of long-term competitiveness.

    Second, the post-crisis reform agenda in Europe is not yet complete. Notably, the banking union is still unfinished and the capital markets union requires more ambition. For me, there is a clear link here between these important policy objectives and buttressing the competitiveness of the sector.

    Third, we need to tackle emerging risks, such as the growth of the non-bank financial intermediation (NBFI) sector, and the rising geopolitical risk, which manifests itself in a number of ways, including in concerns about cyberattacks. Tackling these risks will contribute towards ensuring the continued resilience of the financial system.

    Heeding the lessons from the past

    As the great financial crisis fades into the rearview mirror, it seems that competitiveness considerations have taken the wheel. However, just as guardrails on a motorway do not impede drivers but ensure they stay on the road, a robust regulatory framework sets safe boundaries for banks, enabling them to fulfil their role of lending to the real economy.

    Let me take this traffic metaphor even further. There are countless studies showing that speed limits not only reduce danger but also minimise congestion, thereby reducing the overall travel time. It’s a fallacy to think that higher speed limits mean faster travel, just as laxer regulation does not lead to more sustainable growth. Similarly, regulatory competition between jurisdictions is more likely to lead to a race to the bottom than to a robust regulatory framework.

    Research consistently shows that well-capitalised banks are better positioned to support the real economy thanks to their enhanced capacity to absorb losses and maintain stability, even under financial stress. Specifically, impact assessments for the Basel reforms have demonstrated that while there may be short-term economic costs, these are far outweighed by the long-term benefits, most notably increased economic resilience.

    As for concerns over competitive advantages or disadvantages, I am not convinced that EU banks are at a disadvantage. In fact, the notion that regulatory requirements are more stringent in the EU than in the United States does not hold up to scrutiny. Evidence shows that global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) in the United States face slightly higher capital requirements than their EU counterparts.

    Furthermore, when we account for differences in how banks calculate risk-weighted assets, it becomes clear that average capital requirements for significant institutions in the banking union would be somewhat higher under US rules. This directly challenges some of the industry reports that suggest otherwise.1

    Completing the banking union and the capital markets union

    Let me now move to my second point: the need to complete the banking union and the capital markets union.

    In recent years, Europe’s banking sector has demonstrated resilience amid unforeseen challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic, the energy supply shock following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and high inflation.

    This resilience is reflected in the numbers: in 2015 the average ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) for significant banks in the banking union was 7.5%, at a time when some banking systems had ratios close to 50%. At the end of the second quarter of this year, this ratio had decreased to 2.3%, driven mainly by the reduction of NPLs in high-NPL banks.

    Similarly, the Common Equity Tier 1 ratio for significant banks has risen from 12.7% in 2015 to 15.8% today. Bank profitability has increased considerably in recent quarters, benefiting from higher interest rates, and return on equity now stands at 10.1%.

    This resilience is also a result of the strengthened supervisory and regulatory framework after the global financial crisis, including the creation of European banking supervision. The limited repercussions from the March 2023 banking sector turmoil stand as a testament to the robustness of our banking union.

    However, while we have made significant strides to build a more resilient banking union, the journey is far from complete. Without a European deposit insurance scheme, there cannot be a truly single banking system. Depositors across the banking union should have a uniform level of confidence that their deposits are safeguarded during crises, irrespective of their Member State or the location of their bank.

    We must also enhance the crisis management and deposit insurance (CMDI) framework to effectively manage the failures of small and medium-sized banks. It is crucial that authorities have the flexibility to act and that adequate funding is available for a diverse range of scenarios.

    Losses from bank failures should primarily be borne by the bank’s shareholders and creditors. Nonetheless, the framework should also allow for the use of industry-funded safety nets when necessary to protect financial stability.

    In particular, deposit guarantee schemes should be equipped to support the use of crisis management tools, for example by contributing to meeting the bail-in conditions for gaining access to the Single Resolution Fund. Smaller banks, which often rely heavily on deposits as a funding source, may face challenges in issuing financial instruments that could be bailed in if the bank fails.

    This issue can be mitigated by clarifying and broadening the least cost test and introducing a general depositor preference based on an equal ranking of all deposits.

    The current review of the CMDI framework is an opportunity to bring durable fixes to the flaws I have just described. We hope the co-legislators will reach an ambitious agreement and not settle for small-scale tweaks that would largely preserve the current – and less than satisfactory – status quo.

    Liquidity in resolution is another important aspect of crisis management where progress is needed. A resolved bank should primarily rely on market funding for liquidity, but a public liquidity backstop can be critical to maintain confidence in the resolution process, as demonstrated by recent crises in other jurisdictions.

    Unlike other jurisdictions, however, the banking union lacks an effective public sector backstop mechanism to provide this temporary liquidity funding. We therefore encourage all EU stakeholders to resume discussions on setting up a European-level public backstop to ensure liquidity is provided to banks facing resolution in a timely and effective manner.

    The incompleteness of the banking union is a significant impediment to creating a truly integrated banking sector in Europe and optimising its competitiveness. Achieving this goal means removing unnecessary barriers to cross-border banking and enabling cross-border groups to manage liquidity and capital at the group level. A fully integrated, cross-border European banking landscape would not only make banks more efficient but also more resilient to domestic shocks, by enabling them to diversify their risks and revenue streams. This would contribute to private risk sharing and enhance the overall economy’s robustness and efficiency, benefiting European citizens.

    Let me now turn to the second element of what is missing in Europe’s financial architecture: the capital markets union.

    The capital markets union and the banking union are complementary projects. Progress on the capital markets union provides opportunities for banks and vice versa. And deepening the capital markets union is vital for the European economy to attract the necessary private investments to support innovation and the digital and green transitions, thus bolstering EU competitiveness.

    For banks, this means more cross-border activities, which would make them more competitive compared with their international counterparts. In a more integrated pan-European capital market, banks could fully exploit economies of scale by offering similar products and services across multiple countries.

    Targeted harmonisations across Member States could facilitate such cross-border lending, enabling banks to better assess risks and opportunities from borrowers in other Member States. Completing the banking union would significantly accelerate the push towards a truly integrated European banking landscape.

    Securitisation is another measure to advance the capital markets union where banks play a key role. Given the constraints on banks’ balance sheets, capital markets can complement bank lending and increase the financing available to the private sector while transferring risks to other intermediaries. Securitisation is crucial as it provides a diversified funding base for banks, a tool to transfer credit risks and new assets for investors. This can also create space for additional lending to the economy.

    Tackling emerging risks – non-bank financial institutions and rising geopolitical risks

    While non-banks may help in financing the significant needs of the twin green and digital transition, they also necessitate adequate regulation and close monitoring.

    The growth in the NBFI sector is staggering. In the euro area the sector has more than doubled in size, from €15 trillion in 2008 to €32 trillion in 2024. Globally, the numbers are even more worrying, with the sector growing from €87 trillion in 2008 to €200 trillion in 2022.

    The private credit market is a particular concern. It accounts for €1.6 trillion of the global market and has also seen significant growth recently. The European private credit market growth is accelerating by 29% in the last three years, but the market is still much smaller than the market in the United States, which is where investors and asset managers are often based. The end investors are pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance firms, but banks play a significant role in leveraging and providing bridge loans at various levels to credit funds. We recently completed a deep dive on the topic and found that banks are not able to fully identify the myriad ways they have exposure to private credit funds. Therefore, concentration risk could be significant.

    We know that risk from the NBFI sector can materialise through various channels. One such channel is the correlation of exposures, especially given the growth in private credit and equity markets. We supervisors do not have a full picture of the level of exposure and correlations between NBFI balance sheets and bank lending arrangements, lines of credit or derivatives to and from NBFIs.

    To make the market less opaque, we should further harmonise, enhance and expand reporting requirements and make information-sharing between authorities easier at the global level.

    The growth in the NBFI market is not the only concern we have about the current risk environment. There is ample evidence in our constant media feeds of rising risks. We need only switch on our news channels to see frightening images of human tragedy, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the widening conflagration in the Middle East, and even what may be the most significant military exercise yet conducted by Chinese armed forces encircling Taiwan. There are many reasons to be concerned about rising geopolitical risk, such as supply chain disruptions, energy disruptions and inflationary pressures. They all pose threats to resilience. I’d like to highlight one resulting risk – the increased risk of cyberattacks, in particular the increased threat from nation state actors. Our IT risk questionnaire shows a significant uptick year after year. In 2022, 50% of our supervised entities were subject to at least one successful cyber attack, rising to 68% percent in 2023 as the upcoming publication of our annual horizontal analysis will show. On an absolute basis the number of reports has also risen significantly. The number of cyber incident reports that we have received in 2023 was 77% higher than in 2022, and we expect the total number of incident reports in 2024 to be similar to 2023. The IMF also reports that the number of attacks has doubled since the pandemic.

    Conclusion

    Let me conclude.

    While the public debate on banking regulation may have shifted, we need to continue to uphold robust regulatory frameworks that balance safety with competitiveness. Completing the banking union and the capital markets union remains a critical priority and one that can enhance the overall competitiveness of the sector. In addition, we must remain vigilant in addressing the emerging risks posed by the growing NBFI sector and rising geopolitical risks that threaten resilience.

    By staying committed to these priorities, we can build a stronger, more integrated European financial system that supports innovation, protects consumers and enhances the overall resilience of our economy for all Europe’s citizens. Crises fading in the rearview mirror should not be a harbinger of shifting supervisory and regulatory priorities such that a weaker, less competitive and less resilient sector is the result. 

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Ida Wolden Bache: Monetary policy trade-offs in a small open economy – the case of Norway

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Presentation accompanying the speech

    Introduction

    Good afternoon. Let me start by thanking the Peterson Institute for the invitation and for giving me the opportunity to address this distinguished audience. It’s a pleasure to be here.

    [Chart: The tightening was synchronised across countries]

    The tightening of monetary policy by central banks over the past few years has been unprecedented in several respects. By some measures, this has been the most globally synchronised of all tightening episodes in the past half century.

    In Norway, as in many other countries, global supply chain disruptions contributed to a rise in prices for a broad range of goods during the pandemic. When pandemic restrictions were lifted, economic activity quickly rebounded. The high level of household saving gave an additional impetus to demand. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, energy and commodity prices soared. Since Norway is a major exporter of oil and gas, those price increases constituted a positive terms-of-trade shock, and they generated large inflows into the Norwegian government’s sovereign wealth fund, the Government Pension Fund Global. But at the same time, the increases in energy prices contributed to pushing up domestic business costs and spilled over into consumer prices.

    [Chart: Policy rate at 4.5% to end of year, according to forecast]

    Norges Bank started a gradual normalisation of interest rates in September 2021, and our key policy rate now stands at 4.5 percent. The policy rate forecast in our latest Monetary Policy Report in September implies that the policy rate will remain at 4.5 percent to the end of this year, before being gradually reduced from first quarter 2025.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: RFK Jr.’s pivot to Trump is a journey taken by many populists swept along the left-to-right alternative media pipeline

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rachel Meade, Lecturer of Political Science, Boston University

    When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended his independent presidential run in August 2024 and endorsed Republican Donald Trump, it might have seemed a surprising turn of events.

    Kennedy began his presidential run as a Democrat and is the scion of a Democratic dynasty. Nephew to former President John F. Kennedy and the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Kennedy spent most of his career as a lawyer representing environmental groups that sued polluting corporations and municipalities.

    Yet Kennedy, 70, has long held positions that put him at odds with the Democratic mainstream. He pushes public health misinformation around vaccines and HIV/AIDS, opposes U.S. military involvement in foreign wars, including in Ukraine, and claims that the CIA assassinated his uncle.

    Kennedy’s ideologically mixed politics are hard to categorize in traditional left-right terms.

    My political science research finds that Kennedy’s journey from left-aligned skepticism into Trumpism is part of a broader trend of contemporary left-to-right populist transformations happening across the United States.

    Rise of the populist alternative media

    Populism is a political story that presents the good “people” of a nation as in a struggle against its “elites,” who have corrupted democratic institutions to further their own selfish interests. It cuts across the ideological spectrum, often combining left-wing economic critiques with right-wing cultural ones.

    Based on my research, I find that Kennedy uses a populist style of speech that matches the rhetoric of today’s online alternative media, also known as the “alternative influence network.”

    If populism cuts across the ideological spectrum, so does the alternative media.

    This network of politically diverse independent podcasters, YouTube hosts and other creators connects with young, politically disaffected audiences by mixing politics with comedy and pop culture, and presenting themselves as embattled defenders of free thinking – in opposition to mainstream media and mainstream parties.

    Top-rated shows include “Breaking Points,” “Stay Free with Russell Brand,” “The Joe Rogan Experience,” The Culture War with Tim Pool and “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von.”

    While many of these shows have been around since the 2010s, the network expanded throughout the Trump era. Their popularity skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public distrust in government, anger over pandemic restrictions and vaccine skepticism surged.

    These shows hosted Kennedy frequently throughout his presidential run in 2023 and 2024.

    Kennedy finds his audience

    I analyzed a set of Kennedy’s appearances for this story. Both Kennedy and alternative media hosts claim to care about “the real issues” facing Americans such as war, corporate and political malfeasance and economic troubles. They condemn the “mainstream” for promoting frivolous “culture war” topics related to race and identity politics.

    Kennedy and the alternative media hosts also combine left and right arguments in a typically populist way. They claim that corporations control the government and that liberals and corporations censor free speech.

    For example, on a May 2024, episode of “Stay Free with Russell Brand,” Brand asserted that corrupt institutions are backed by the “deep state.” He asked Kennedy how he would fight these powerful interests.

    “The major agencies of government have all been captured by the industries they’re supposed to regulate and act as sock puppets serving the mercantile interests of these big corporations,” responded Kennedy. “I have a particular ability to unravel that because I’ve litigated against so many of these agencies.”

    My research found that Kennedy often bonded with his alternative media hosts over his perception that liberal media sources – allegedly controlled by the Democratic National Committee or the CIA – were censoring his campaign.

    Like Kennedy, alternative media hosts often identify as former or disaffected Democrats. Many used to work at mainstream left news sites, where they say they experienced censorship.

    ‘This little island of free speech’

    In a June 2023 episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan explained that he no longer identifies as a liberal because of the “orthodoxy it preaches” around issues like vaccines. He then cited YouTube’s removal of some of Kennedy’s vaccine-related videos for violating its COVID-19 misinformation policy.

    Kennedy had just spent 90 minutes outlining his journey toward vaccine skepticism, which started with meeting a mother who believed vaccines caused her son’s autism.

    “If a woman tells you something about her child, you should listen,” he said.

    Kennedy also described being convinced by a set of studies that public health officials had ignored.

    “Trust the experts is not a function of science, it’s a function of religion,” he said. “I’ve been litigating 40 years; there’s experts on both sides.”

    Afterward, he thanked Rogan for maintaining “this little island of free speech in a desert of suppression and of critical thinking.”

    Kennedy reiterated this point in the Aug. 23, 2024, speech that ended his campaign, saying the “alternative media” had kept his ideas alive, while the mainstream networks had shut him out despite his historically high third-party poll numbers of 15% to 20%.

    “The DNC-allied mainstream media networks maintained a near-perfect embargo on interviews with me,” Kennedy said.

    Speaking directly to the reporters in the room, he added, “Your institutions and media made themselves government mouthpieces and stenographers for the organs of power.”

    Left-to-right pipeline

    Trust in a range of U.S. institutions is at historical lows. Americans on both the right and the left are skeptical of power and crave radical change.

    Alternative media hosts tap into this desire, helping to push some disaffected listeners down the same left-to-right pipeline that landed Kennedy in Trump’s orbit.

    Trump and his allies are adept at harnessing the power of the alternative media ecosystem. Trump has appeared on male-centric shows like “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von and ”The Joe Rogan Experience,“ and he founded the alternative social media platform Truth Social.

    Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon hosts an influential podcast called the “War Room” on another MAGA alternative media platform, Rumble. Known for its fiery populist rhetoric, the “War Room” broadcasts live for an astonishing 22 hours a week.

    Until recently, Democrats have largely embraced traditional media. During the first months of her 2024 presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” ABC’s “The View” and MSNBC’s “Stephanie Ruhle.”

    Then, on Oct. 12, Harris appeared on “Call her Daddy.” Spotify’s second-most popular podcast, it has a young, female audience. Days later, she sat down for an interview with Fox News and is reportedly in talks to appear on Joe Rogan’s show.

    Kennedy might approve of all this aisle-crossing.

    “Step outside the culture war!” he tweeted in July 2024. “Step outside the politics of hating the other side!”

    Rachel Meade does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. RFK Jr.’s pivot to Trump is a journey taken by many populists swept along the left-to-right alternative media pipeline – https://theconversation.com/rfk-jr-s-pivot-to-trump-is-a-journey-taken-by-many-populists-swept-along-the-left-to-right-alternative-media-pipeline-236828

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: On foreign policy, Trump opts for disruption and Harris for engagement − but they share some of the same concerns

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Garret Martin, Senior Professorial Lecturer, Co-Director Transatlantic Policy Center, American University School of International Service

    Who will represent the U.S. better on the global stage? Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    According to conventional wisdom, U.S. voters are largely motivated by domestic concerns and especially the economy.

    But the upcoming presidential election may be somewhat of an outlier. In a September 2024 poll, foreign policy actually ranks quite high in voters’ concerns – with more Democrats and Republicans combined saying it was “very important” to their vote than, say, immigration and abortion.

    As such, understanding where Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic rival Kamala Harris stand on the significant international issues of the day is important. And we can do so by looking at the records of their respective administrations in the three regions they prioritized: the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

    Donald Trump: Disrupter-in-chief

    In his 2017 inaugural address, Trump painted a dark picture of the U.S. In his telling, his country was being taken advantage of by other nations, especially in trade and security, while neglecting domestic challenges.

    To disrupt this, Trump promised an “America First” approach to guide his administration.

    And in practice, his foreign policy certainly proved disruptive. He showed a clear willingness to buck traditions and undid some of former President Barack Obama’s signature policies, such as the Iran nuclear deal, which exchanged sanctions relief for restrictions on Tehran’s domestic nuclear program, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

    In so doing, he ruffled the feathers of allies and foes alike.

    Trans-Atlantic relations were tense under Trump, especially because of his hostility toward NATO. After deriding the Atlantic alliance on the campaign trail, Trump stuck to the same tune while in office. He routinely insulted allies at high-level summits and allegedly came close to withdrawing from the alliance altogether in 2018.

    While NATO did make inroads in bolstering its Eastern flank in that period, the alliance was primarily defined by internal turmoil and limited cohesion during Trump’s time in office. U.S. relations with the European Union hardly fared better. In 2018, the U.S. imposed steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union, citing national security concerns.

    Trump also broke with previous U.S. presidents in his administration’s Asia policy. One of his first moves in 2017 was to abandon the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal negotiated by Obama. Trump’s late 2017 national security strategy also announced a major shift toward China, labeling it as a “strategic competitor” – implying a greater emphasis on containing China as opposed to cooperating with it.

    This hawkish turn played out especially in the field of trade. Trump’s administration imposed four rounds of tariffs in 2018-19, affecting US$360 billion of Chinese goods. Beijing, of course, responded with tariffs of its own. The two countries did sign a so-called phase-one deal in January 2020 that sought to lower the stakes of this trade war. But the COVID-19 pandemic nullified any chance of success, and relations soured further with each Trump utterance of the pandemic being a “Chinese virus.”

    Trump showcased somewhat contradictory impulses toward the Middle East and other issues. He pushed for disengagement and to undo Obama’s major policies. Besides withdrawing from the Paris climate accords in 2017, Trump abandoned the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. His administration also signed a deal to end the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, and it withdrew forces from northern Syria.

    But at the same time, Trump continued the bombing campaign against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq and authorized the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani in 2020. The latter was consistent with a policy that aimed to pressure and isolate Iran economically and diplomatically. The key example of the diplomatic pressure came through especially via the Abraham Accords through which Trump helped facilitate the establishment of normal diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco.

    Kamala Harris: Alliance and engagement

    Although not taking a driving role in foreign policy, Harris has been part of an administration that has committed the U.S. to repairing alliances and engaging with the world.

    This came across by undoing some major actions from the Trump administration. For example, the U.S. quickly rejoined the Paris climate accords and overturned a decision to leave the World Health Organization.

    But in other areas, the Biden administration has shown more continuity with Trump than many expected.

    For instance, the U.S. under Biden has not fundamentally deviated from strategic competition with China, even though the tactics have differed a little. The administration maintained Trump’s tariff approach, even adding its own targeted rounds against Beijing on electric vehicles.

    Moreover, it cultivated different diplomatic platforms in the Indo-Pacific to act as a counterweight to China. This included the cultivation of the Quad dialogue with Australia, India and Japan, and the AUKUS deal with Australia and the U.K., both of which attempted to further the Biden administration’s strategy of containing China’s influence by enlisting regional allies. Finally, the Biden administration did maintain some channels of communication with China at the highest level as well, with Biden meeting Xi Jinping twice during his presidency.

    Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walks alongside Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House compound on Sept. 26, 2024.
    Tom Brenner/Getty Images

    The Biden administration’s Middle Eastern policy displayed significant continuity with Trump’s approach – at first. While it turned out to be chaotic, the U.S. completed the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan in summer 2021, as had been agreed under Trump. The Biden administration also embraced the format and goals of the Abraham Accords. It even tried to build on them, with the goal of fostering Israeli-Saudi diplomatic ties.

    Of course, the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, in Israel completely changed the equation in the Middle East. Preventing the spiral of violence in the region has become an all-consuming task. Since then, Biden and Harris have tried, largely unsuccessfully, to balance support for Israel with mediation efforts to liberate the hostages and to ensure a cease-fire.

    Trans-Atlantic relations, however, are an area where there were marked differences in the past four years. The tone of the Biden-Harris administration has been in sharp contrast with that of Trump, reaffirming frequently its clear commitment to NATO. And once Russia launched its illegal invasion in February 2022, the U.S. placed itself at the forefront of supporting Ukraine.

    Harris has suggested that she would continue Biden’s policy of providing Kyiv with extensive and continuous military support. In conjunction with allies, the White House of Biden and Harris also implemented a broad range of sanctions against Russia. But the U.S. under Biden has not yet been willing to support Ukraine’s immediate entry into NATO.

    What next?

    Based on their records, what could we expect of a Trump or Harris presidency?

    It’s unlikely either candidate will abandon strategic competition with China. But Trump is more likely to seriously escalate the trade war, promising extensive tariffs against Beijing. Trump’s commitment to defending Taiwan is also more ambiguous in comparison with Harris’ pledges.

    U.S. policy toward Europe will largely depend on the results of the election. Harris has frequently underlined her steadfast support for NATO, as well as for Ukraine. Trump, on the other hand, is showing signs that he is unwilling to further aid the regime in Kyiv.

    And for the Middle East, it remains to be seen whether either Trump or Harris would be able to better shape events in the region.

    Garret Martin receives funding from the European Union for the research institute he co-directs, the Transatlantic Policy Center.

    – ref. On foreign policy, Trump opts for disruption and Harris for engagement − but they share some of the same concerns – https://theconversation.com/on-foreign-policy-trump-opts-for-disruption-and-harris-for-engagement-but-they-share-some-of-the-same-concerns-238847

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Pan-European Strategy aims to align Transport, Health and Environment policies by 2050

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Transport plays a crucial role in society and in the economy, enabling access to jobs, services and people, while driving trade and tourism. However, it also brings significant socioeconomic, environmental and health challenges. In most countries, public policies at all levels do not deal with transport, health, environment, and urban planning issues holistically.

    This is about to change thanks to the adoption of the first Pan-European Strategy on Transport, Health and Environment – the result of a vision that connects transport policies with health and environmental goals. The strategy, adopted today in Geneva at the 22nd session of the Steering Committee of the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP), lays out a road map for the transformation of transport systems by 2050, promoting sustainable urban mobility, cleaner technologies and climate resilience. This brings synergies with other UNECE initiatives, such as the Inland Transport Committee’s Strategy on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Inland Transport.

    The strategy aims to:  

    • Recognize the positive role of transport

    The strategy recognizes the transport sector as crucial to sustainable development, promoting health as well as the quality and livability of the environment. By working together, the transport, health and environment sectors can contribute significantly to improving people’s lives.

    • Adopt a holistic approach

    National, regional and local authorities must address transport, health and environmental issues together, in order to develop integrated policies and frameworks. In some countries, financing mechanisms for public transport and infrastructure for walking and cycling are neither sustainable nor adequate. The adoption of a holistic approach will lead to more effective regulations, better budget allocations and improved living conditions.

    • Allow for tailor-made solutions

    The strategy recognizes the diverse realities across the region and calls for tailored solutions that include all stakeholders – Governments, communities, businesses and civil society – to build an inclusive, greener mobility.

    • Support the shift to public transport and active mobility  

    The strategy aims to shift the modal split from the current car-dominated model towards increased public transport and active mobility (cycling and walking). These different modes will need to be treated equally across UNECE member States, with sustainable transport solutions being applied to rural and peri-urban areas. Cargo and freight transport will also become more sustainable. The approach to transport demand will promote proximity to services and enhance sustainable mobility through technology.

    • Address air and noise pollution

    Air pollution is a leading environmental risk to health, causing nearly 570,000 premature deaths in 53 countries of the region according to a 2023 World Health Organization publication. Over 90% of the region’s population is exposed to harmful levels of air pollutants, with road transport being a major source of such pollutants through exhaust and non-exhaust emissions. Road transport accounts for about 25% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and is thus a key contributor to climate change.

    The current shift towards vehicle electrification and fleet renewals will allow for the transition to cleaner mobility. At present, transport is the principal source of background noise pollution in urban areas in the region.

    • Maximize health benefits

    Active mobility can significantly reduce health risks, in particular obesity and non-communicable diseases, lessening the burden on healthcare systems. Expanding green spaces and infrastructure for active mobility will also foster mental well-being through greater social interaction.

    • Reinforce social inclusion  

    Lower-income groups tend to live in areas with poorer transport infrastructure, limiting access to services, jobs and social activities. Transport systems also often fail to address the varying needs of people according to gender, age and ability. Road traffic accidents are the main cause of death among people aged 5–29 years worldwide.

    The strategy emphasizes the inclusion of gender, age and disability needs in transport planning, ensuring that mobility is accessible to all. Green finance and fiscal incentives will have an important role to play in driving investment in sustainable transport, creating jobs, and stimulating the economy.

    • Collect and manage data

    The lack or limited quality of data is a recurring challenge and one of the most serious obstacles to informed policymaking in some UNECE member States. This prevents an objective assessment of the impact of transport on the environment and health from being carried out.

    Consistent data on transport, greenhouse gas emissions and mobility will inform policy across the region.

     

    In implementing the Strategy, under the framework of THE PEP, member States will also work on:

    • Directing investments, fiscal incentives and green finance initiatives towards sustainable transport, stimulating job creation and the economy;
    • Making the most of digitalization of transport and mobility services;
    • Increasing the resilience of transport systems to climate change, pandemics and other disasters.

    The next step will be for member States, within the framework of THE PEP and with other stakeholders, to discuss how to implement the Strategy and mobilize the appropriate resources to facilitate implementation, drawing on the knowledge-sharing and good practices of each member State.

    Note to editors

    At the Fifth High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and Environment (Vienna (online), 17–18 May 2021), member States agreed to develop a comprehensive pan-European strategy on transport, health and the environment, including a clear pathway for its implementation, to achieve the agreed vision, and to guide the further work of THE PEP. The Vienna Declaration is available at https://unece.org/pep/publications/vienna-declaration.

    In addition to being the first and only international programme designed to integrate environmental and health aspects into transport, mobility and urban planning policies, THE PEP is a policy framework that brings together the transport, health and environment sectors. It is jointly serviced by UNECE and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. All member States are invited to actively contribute to and support THE PEP and more information in its regard is available at https://unece.org/thepep.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: First Financial Northwest, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RENTON, Wash., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Financial Northwest, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ GS: FFNW), the holding company for First Financial Northwest Bank (the “Bank”), today reported a net loss of $608,000, or $(0.07) per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $1.6 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and net income of $1.5 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported a net loss of $128,000, or $(0.01) per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.1 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2023.

    The net loss for the quarter was primarily the result of a $1.6 million provision for credit losses. Our allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) analysis determined that a provision for credit losses of $1.6 million was appropriate as of September 30, 2024. This provision mainly relates to two participation loans totaling $6.0 million, for which we are not the lead lender. These loans, secured by short-term rehabilitation and assisted living facilities, have been individually evaluated and classified as “substandard” since March 2022 due to a decline in demand for the services provided at such facilities post-COVID. While payments on the loans were current as of September 30, 2024, updated appraisals received during the quarter resulted in an increase in our ACL. The loan guarantors are under contract to sell another property, with the sale expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. Proceeds from this sale are expected to be applied to the two loans, which would improve our position. Additionally, the guarantors reported interest from a national real estate developer in purchasing one of the facilities, though no purchase agreement was entered into as of September 30, 2024. The ACL was also impacted by higher forecasted unemployment rates and increased construction and land development loan balances. Additionally, reserves for unfunded commitments increased by $75,000 due to increased construction lending activity during the quarter.

    “While we recorded a provision for credit losses during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, our credit quality remained strong, with only $853,000 in nonaccrual loans relative to our $1.14 billion total loan portfolio. Our strong credit quality is directly related to our top-notch lending department employees who originate, document and underwrite these loans,” stated Joseph W. Kiley III, President and CEO.

    “We also continue to work closely with Global Federal Credit Union (“Global”) to prepare for the closing of the pending transaction and to ensure a smooth transition for our customers and employees. I truly appreciate the efforts and patience of our employees, customers, and shareholders as we await the final required approval from the National Credit Union Administration before we can close the transaction,” concluded Kiley.

    Highlights for the quarter ended September 30, 2024:

    • Net loans receivable totaled $1.13 billion at September 30, 2024, down $8.9 million from the prior quarter end.
    • Book value per share was $17.39 at September 30, 2024, compared to $17.51 at June 30, 2024, and $17.35 at September 30, 2023.
    • The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage and total capital ratios were 10.9% and 16.7% at September 30, 2024, compared to 10.9% and 16.6% at June 30, 2024, and 10.3% and 16.0% at September 30, 2023, respectively.
    • Credit quality remained strong with nonaccrual loans totaling only $853,000, or 0.07% of total loans.
    • A $1.6 million provision for credit losses was recorded in the current quarter, compared to a $200,000 recapture of provision for credit losses in the prior quarter and a $300,000 recapture of provision for credit losses in the comparable quarter in 2023.

    Deposits totaled $1.17 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $1.09 billion at June 30, 2024, and $1.21 billion at September 30, 2023. The $79.2 million increase in deposits at September 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2024, was due primarily to a $81.9 million increase in retail certificates of deposit and a $624,000 increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by a $1.5 million, $1.4 million, $392,000, and $104,000 decline in interest-bearing demand deposits, money market deposits, savings and brokered deposits, respectively. The increased deposits were used to pay down our FHLB advances to $100.0 million at September 30, 2024, from $176.0 million at June 30, 2024.

    Advances from the FHLB totaled $100.0 million at September 30, 2024, down from $176.0 million at June 30, 2024, and $125.0 million at September 30, 2023, as the increase in deposits during the current quarter allowed us to reduce our reliance on FHLB advances. At September 30, 2024, the $100.0 million in FHLB advances were tied to cash flow hedge agreements where the Bank pays a fixed rate and receives a variable rate in return to assist in the Bank’s interest rate risk management efforts. These cash flow hedge agreements had a weighted average remaining term of 30.8 months and a weighted average fixed interest rate of 1.93% as of September 30, 2024. The average cost of borrowings was 3.19% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.64% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and 2.42% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    The following table presents a breakdown of our total deposits (unaudited):

      Sep 30,
    2024    		   Jun 30,
    2024    		   Sep 30,
    2023    		   Three
    Month
    Change    		   One
    Year
    Change
    Deposits: (Dollars in thousands)
    Noninterest-bearing demand $ 100,466   $ 99,842   $ 104,164   $ 624     $ (3,698 )
    Interest-bearing demand   55,506     57,033     60,816     (1,527 )     (5,310 )
    Savings   17,031     17,423     18,844     (392 )     (1,813 )
    Money market   495,978     497,345     501,168     (1,367 )     (5,190 )
    Certificates of deposit, retail   447,474     365,527     349,446     81,947       98,028  
    Brokered deposits   50,900     51,004     175,972     (104 )     (125,072 )
    Total deposits $ 1,167,355   $ 1,088,174   $ 1,210,410   $ 79,181     $ (43,055 )
     

    The following tables present an analysis of total deposits by branch office (unaudited):

    September 30, 2024
      Noninterest-bearing demand Interest-bearing demand Savings Money
    market    		 Certificates of deposit, retail Brokered
    deposits    		 Total
      (Dollars in thousands)
    King County              
    Renton $ 29,388 $ 14,153 $ 10,654 $ 305,836 $ 315,721 $ – $ 675,752
    Landing   3,442   1,660   237   8,348   12,733   –   26,420
    Woodinville   1,968   2,234   959   8,852   11,522   –   25,535
    Bothell   2,965   1,151   401   1,536   5,918   –   11,971
    Crossroads   14,770   2,039   107   31,665   18,136   –   66,717
    Kent   5,417   10,502   44   16,053   8,562   –   40,578
    Kirkland   10,967   1,890   206   11,243   2,240   –   26,546
    Issaquah   1,186   294   18   2,547   6,580   –   10,625
    Total King County   70,103   33,923   12,626   386,080   381,412   –   884,144
    Snohomish County              
    Mill Creek   3,990   2,171   384   14,628   10,312   –   31,485
    Edmonds   9,254   6,831   330   18,549   13,281   –   48,245
    Clearview   5,587   5,242   1,462   21,206   12,251   –   45,748
    Lake Stevens   3,970   4,282   1,244   23,257   15,571   –   48,324
    Smokey Point   2,994   1,664   969   29,353   11,387   –   46,367
    Total Snohomish County   25,795   20,190   4,389   106,993   62,802   –   220,169
    Pierce County              
    University Place   2,940   53   4   1,848   1,458   –   6,303
    Gig Harbor   1,628   1,340   12   1,057   1,802   –   5,839
    Total Pierce County   4,568   1,393   16   2,905   3,260   –   12,142
                   
    Brokered deposits   –   –   –   –   –   50,900   50,900
                   
    Total deposits $ 100,466 $ 55,506 $ 17,031 $ 495,978 $ 447,474 $ 50,900 $ 1,167,355
    June 30, 2024
      Noninterest-bearing demand Interest-bearing demand Savings Money
    market    		 Certificates of deposit, retail Brokered
    deposits    		 Total
      (Dollars in thousands)
    King County              
    Renton $ 30,336 $ 14,380 $ 11,186 $ 306,176 $ 246,076 $ – $ 608,154
    Landing   2,079   566   113   7,895   9,881   –   20,534
    Woodinville   1,953   2,949   987   10,931   10,845   –   27,665
    Bothell   3,336   847   398   1,595   6,055   –   12,231
    Crossroads   13,585   2,858   28   25,599   17,748   –   59,818
    Kent   7,729   8,142   42   14,525   7,448   –   37,886
    Kirkland   8,326   1,789   210   15,007   1,752   –   27,084
    Issaquah   1,287   232   22   3,971   6,202   –   11,714
    Total King County   68,631   31,763   12,986   385,699   306,007   –   805,086
    Snohomish County              
    Mill Creek   5,823   2,306   420   15,209   9,578   –   33,336
    Edmonds   10,418   9,470   402   20,255   12,753   –   53,298
    Clearview   4,810   4,888   1,444   18,695   9,504   –   39,341
    Lake Stevens   4,111   4,445   1,171   22,618   14,090   –   46,435
    Smokey Point   2,700   3,152   982   31,808   10,435   –   49,077
    Total Snohomish County   27,862   24,261   4,419   108,585   56,360   –   221,487
    Pierce County              
    University Place   2,385   41   2   1,819   1,503   –   5,750
    Gig Harbor   964   968   16   1,242   1,657   –   4,847
    Total Pierce County   3,349   1,009   18   3,061   3,160   –   10,597
                   
    Brokered deposits   –   –   –   –   –   51,004   51,004
                   
    Total deposits $ 99,842 $ 57,033 $ 17,423 $ 497,345 $ 365,527 $ 51,004 $ 1,088,174
     

    Net loans receivable totaled $1.13 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $1.14 billion at June 30, 2024, and $1.17 billion at September 30, 2023. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, loan repayments outpaced new loan fundings across all loan categories except construction and land development. The average balance of net loans receivable totaled $1.13 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $1.14 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and $1.17 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    The ACL represented 1.42% of total loans receivable at September 30, 2024, compared to 1.29% at both June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023.

    Nonaccrual loans totaled $853,000 at September 30, 2024, compared to $4.7 million at June 30, 2024, and $201,000 at September 30, 2023. The decrease compared to the prior quarter was due primarily to the payoff of a $4.1 million commercial real estate loan that had been reported as nonaccrual as of June 30, 2024. The Bank did not incur any loss related to this credit. Additionally, there was no other real estate owned at September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024, or September 30, 2023.

    Net interest income totaled $8.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $9.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and $9.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    Total interest income was $19.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $19.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and $19.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase in total interest income during the current quarter was primarily due to interest income on interest-earning deposits held with banks which increased to $863,000 in the quarter ended September 30, 2024, up 79.0% from $482,000 in the quarter ended June 30, 2024, partially offset by decreases in interest income on loans and investments of $147,000 or 0.9% and $142,000 or 7.5%, respectively. The decrease in total interest income during the current quarter compared to the comparable quarter in 2023, was primarily due to decreases in interest income on loans of $260,000 or 1.5% and on investments of $374,000 or 17.7%, partially offset by increases in interest income on interest-earning deposits held with banks and dividends on FHLB stock of $338,000 or 64.4% and $37,000 or 32.7%, respectively.

    Yield on loans decreased to 5.86% during the recent quarter from 5.93% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and increased from 5.73% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. During the June 30, 2024 quarter, the Bank modified over $130 million in loans under its agreement with Global, resulting in a $214,000 increase in net deferred loan fees and costs, which increased the loan yield. In the most recent quarter, these fees and costs decreased by $266,000. The yield on investment securities for the current quarter was 4.30%, down from 4.38% last quarter and up from 3.98% a year ago.

    Total interest expense was $11.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $10.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and $10.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase from the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, was due to increases in funding costs. Interest expense on deposits increased $250,000 or 2.6% to $9.7 million, while interest expense on other borrowings increased $364,000 or 42.9% to $1.2 million during the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter. The increase in interest expense on deposits was primarily due to a $32.5 million increase in the average balances of certificates of deposit, partially offset by declines of $28.9 million and $10.7 million in the average balances of brokered deposits and money market deposits, respectively. In addition, the average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 3.80% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, up from 3.71% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The increase in interest expense on other borrowings was due to a $22.4 million increase in the average balance of borrowings, coupled with a 55-basis point increase in the average cost of other borrowings to 3.19% during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to the prior quarter. The increase in interest expense during the current quarter compared to the same quarter in 2023, was also due to increases in both the average balance and cost of outstanding borrowings, which increased by $26.1 million and 77 basis points, respectively.

    Net interest margin was 2.46% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.66% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and 2.69% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was due primarily to continued pressure on funding costs. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased seven basis points to 5.66% during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, from 5.73% during the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and increased 20 basis points from 5.46% during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 13 basis points to 3.72% during the quarter, from 3.59% during the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and increased 48 basis points from 3.24% during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The net interest margin for the month of September 2024 was 2.49%.

    Noninterest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, totaled $677,000, up slightly from $673,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and unchanged from $677,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2024, was primarily due to fluctuations related to our fintech focused venture capital investment more than offsetting the decreases in BOLI income, wealth management revenue and deposit and loan related fees in the quarter.

    Noninterest expense totaled $8.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $7.9 million for the prior quarter, and $8.8 million for the same period in 2023. The increase from the June 30, 2024 quarter was primarily due to a $789,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits. This was because the June 2024 quarter included $939,000 in deferred loan costs related to loan modifications, which reduced salary and employee benefit expenses, compared to $117,000 in deferred loan costs in the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Partially offsetting this was a $411,000 refund from the defined benefit plan buyout following a final census review of remaining plan participants. Professional fees also declined by $164,000 in the current quarter, largely due to a $101,000 decline in transaction-related expenses and a $54,000 decline in legal fees. Compared to the September 30, 2023 quarter, the decline in noninterest expense was primarily due to a $412,000 decrease in salaries and employee benefits, a $51,000 decrease in marketing expenses, a $35,000 decline in regulatory assessments, and $10,000 in lower occupancy and equipment expense. These reductions were partially offset by higher data processing, other general and administrative expenses and professional fees.

    First Financial Northwest, Inc. is the parent company of First Financial Northwest Bank; an FDIC insured Washington State-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Renton, Washington, serving the Puget Sound Region through 15 full-service banking offices. For additional information about us, please visit our website at ffnwb.com and click on the “Investor Relations” link at the bottom of the page.

    Forward-looking statements:
    When used in this press release and in other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in press releases or other public stockholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “believe,” “will,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “plans,” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management’s current expectations and forecasts regarding future events many of which are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, assumptions and statements about, among other things, our pending transaction with Global Federal Credit Union (“Global”) whereby Global, pursuant to the definitive purchase and assumption agreement (the “P&A Agreement”), will acquire substantially all of the assets and assume substantially all of the liabilities of the Bank, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance or financial items, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, and statements regarding our mission and vision. These forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ, possibly materially from those currently expected or projected in these forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us and could negatively affect our operating and stock performance. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the following: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or all of the parties to terminate the P&A Agreement; delays in completing the P&A Agreement; the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the Global transaction, including the P&A Agreement, on a timely basis or at all; delays or other circumstances arising from the dissolution of the Bank and the Company following completion of the P&A Agreement; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities during the pending Global transaction; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement of the Global transaction; adverse impacts to economic conditions in our local market areas, other markets where the Company has lending relationships, or other aspects of the Company’s business operations or financial markets, including, without limitation, as a result of employment levels, labor shortages and the effects of inflation, a recession or slowed economic growth; changes in the interest rate environment, including increases or decreases in the Federal Reserve benchmark rate and duration at which such interest rate levels are maintained, which could adversely affect our revenues and expenses, the value of assets and obligations, and the availability and cost of capital and liquidity; the impact of inflation and the current and future monetary policies of the Federal Reserve in response thereto; the effects of any federal government shutdown; increased competitive pressures; legislative and regulatory changes; the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, our information technology systems or on the third-party vendors who perform several of our critical processing functions; effects of critical accounting policies and judgments, including the use of estimates in determining the fair value of certain of our assets, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant declines in valuation; the effects of climate change, severe weather events, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, civil unrest and other external events on our business; and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission – that are available on our website at www.ffnwb.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this Press Release and in the other public statements are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made and may turn out to be wrong because of the inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. Therefore, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    For more information, contact:
    Joseph W. Kiley III, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Rich Jacobson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (425) 255-4400

    FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
    Assets Sep 30,
    2024    		   Jun 30,
    2024    		   Sep 30,
    2023    		   Three
    Month
    Change    		   One
    Year
    Change
                       
    Cash on hand and in banks $ 8,423     $ 10,811     $ 8,074     (22.1 )%   4.3 %
    Interest-earning deposits with banks   72,884       48,173       49,618     51.3     46.9  
    Investments available-for-sale, at fair value   156,609       160,693       204,975     (2.5 )   (23.6 )
    Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost   2,462       2,456       2,450     0.2     0.5  
    Loans receivable, net of allowance of $16,265, $14,796, and $15,306 respectively   1,126,146       1,135,067       1,168,079     (0.8 )   (3.6 )
    Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock, at cost   5,403       8,823       6,803     (38.8 )   (20.6 )
    Accrued interest receivable   6,638       6,632       7,263     0.1     (8.6 )
    Deferred tax assets, net   2,690       2,360       3,156     14.0     (14.8 )
    Premises and equipment, net   18,584       19,007       19,921     (2.2 )   (6.7 )
    Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”), net   38,661       38,368       37,398     0.8     3.4  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets   8,898       11,447       13,673     (22.3 )   (34.9 )
    Right of use asset (“ROU”), net   2,473       2,670       2,818     (7.4 )   (12.2 )
    Goodwill   889       889       889     0.0     0.0  
    Core deposit intangible, net   326       357       451     (8.7 )   (27.7 )
    Total assets $ 1,451,086     $ 1,447,753     $ 1,525,568     0.2     (4.9 )
                       
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                  
                       
    Deposits                  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 100,466     $ 99,842     $ 104,164     0.6     (3.6 )
    Interest-bearing deposits   1,066,889       988,332       1,106,246     7.9     (3.6 )
    Total deposits   1,167,355       1,088,174       1,210,410     7.3     (3.6 )
    Advances from the FHLB   100,000       176,000       125,000     (43.2 )   (20.0 )
    Advance payments from borrowers for taxes and insurance   5,211       2,764       4,760     88.5     9.5  
    Lease liability, net   2,673       2,866       3,011     (6.7 )   (11.2 )
    Accrued interest payable   294       1,117       2,646     (73.7 )   (88.9 )
    Other liabilities   15,340       16,139       20,506     (5.0 )   (25.2 )
    Total liabilities   1,290,873       1,287,060       1,366,333     0.3     (5.5 )
                       
    Commitments and contingencies                  
                       
    Stockholders’ Equity                  
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding   –       –       –     n/a   n/a
    Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 90,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding                  
    9,213,969 shares at September 30, 2024; 9,179,825 shares at June 30, 2024; and 9,179,510 shares at September 30, 2023   92       92       92     0.0     0.0  
    Additional paid-in capital   72,916       72,953       72,926     (0.1 )   (0.0 )
    Retained earnings   93,692       94,300       96,206     (0.6 )   (2.6 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax   (6,487 )     (6,652 )     (9,989 )   (2.5 )   (35.1 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   160,213       160,693       159,235     (0.3 )   0.6  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,451,086     $ 1,447,753     $ 1,525,568     0.2 %   (4.9 )%
    FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Income Statements
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Quarter Ended        
      Sep 30,
    2024    		   Jun 30,
    2024    		   Sep 30,
    2023    		   Three
    Month
    Change    		   One
    Year
    Change
    Interest income                  
    Loans, including fees $ 16,658     $ 16,805     $ 16,918     (0.9 )%   (1.5 )%
    Investments   1,744       1,886       2,118     (7.5 )   (17.7 )
    Interest-earning deposits with banks   863       482       525     79.0     64.4  
    Dividends on FHLB Stock   150       144       113     4.2     32.7  
    Total interest income   19,415       19,317       19,674     0.5     (1.3 )
    Interest expense                  
    Deposits   9,748       9,498       9,205     2.6     5.9  
    Other borrowings   1,213       849       766     42.9     58.4  
    Total interest expense   10,961       10,347       9,971     5.9     9.9  
    Net interest income   8,454       8,970       9,703     (5.8 )   (12.9 )
    Provision (recapture of provision) for credit losses   1,575       (200 )     (300 )   (887.5 )   (625.0 )
    Net interest income after provision (recapture of provision) for credit losses   6,879       9,170       10,003     (25.0 )   (31.2 )
                       
    Noninterest income                  
    BOLI income   295       310       244     (4.8 )   20.9  
    Wealth management revenue   42       54       53     (22.2 )   (20.8 )
    Deposit related fees   236       240       247     (1.7 )   (4.5 )
    Loan related fees   96       97       79     (1.0 )   21.5  
    Other income (expense), net   8       (28 )     54     (128.6 )   (85.2 )
    Total noninterest income   677       673       677     0.6     0.0  
                       
    Noninterest expense                  
    Salaries and employee benefits   4,606       3,817       5,018     20.7     (8.2 )
    Occupancy and equipment   1,183       1,225       1,193     (3.4 )   (0.8 )
    Professional fees   585       749       553     (21.9 )   5.8  
    Data processing   838       856       742     (2.1 )   12.9  
    Regulatory assessments   165       170       200     (2.9 )   (17.5 )
    Insurance and bond premiums   113       118       111     (4.2 )   1.8  
    Marketing   46       47       97     (2.1 )   (52.6 )
    Other general and administrative   952       959       856     (0.7 )   11.2  
    Total noninterest expense   8,488       7,941       8,770     6.9     (3.2 )
    (Loss) income before federal income tax (benefit) provision   (932 )     1,902       1,910     (149.0 )   (148.8 )
    Federal income tax (benefit) provision   (324 )     347       409     (193.4 )   (179.2 )
    Net (loss) income $ (608 )   $ 1,555     $ 1,501     (139.1 )%   (140.5 )%
                       
    Basic (loss) earnings per share $ (0.07 )   $ 0.17     $ 0.16          
    Diluted (loss) earnings per share $ (0.07 )   $ 0.17     $ 0.16          
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding   9,190,146       9,168,414       9,127,568          
    Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding   9,190,146       9,235,446       9,150,059          
     

    The following table presents a breakdown of the loan portfolio (unaudited):

      September 30, 2024 June 30, 2024 September 30, 2023
      Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Commercial real estate:                      
    Residential:                      
    Multifamily $ 132,811     11.6 %   $ 134,302     11.7 %   $ 140,022     11.7 %
    Total multifamily residential   132,811     11.6       134,302     11.7       140,022     11.7  
                           
    Non-residential:                      
    Retail   118,840     10.4       118,154     10.4       130,101     11.0  
    Office   73,778     6.5       74,032     6.4       72,773     6.1  
    Hotel / motel   54,716     4.8       55,018     4.8       63,954     5.4  
    Storage   32,443     2.8       32,636     2.8       33,229     2.8  
    Mobile home park   22,443     2.0       23,159     2.0       21,285     1.8  
    Warehouse   18,743     1.6       18,868     1.6       19,446     1.6  
    Nursing Home   11,407     1.0       11,474     1.0       11,676     1.0  
    Other non-residential   30,719     2.7       32,139     2.8       42,227     3.7  
    Total non-residential   363,089     31.8       365,480     31.8       394,691     33.4  
                           
    Construction/land:                      
    One-to-four family residential   42,846     3.8       39,908     3.5       43,532     3.7  
    Multifamily   7,227     0.6       6,078     0.5       2,043     0.2  
    Land development   10,148     0.8       9,800     0.8       9,766     0.8  
    Total construction/land   60,221     5.2       55,786     4.8       55,341     4.7  
                           
    One-to-four family residential:                      
    Permanent owner occupied   279,744     24.5       283,516     24.7       260,970     22.1  
    Permanent non-owner occupied   221,127     19.4       225,423     19.6       232,238     19.6  
    Total one-to-four family residential   500,871     43.9       508,939     44.3       493,208     41.7  
                           
    Business:                      
    Aircraft   –     0.0       –     0.0       1,981     0.2  
    Small Business Administration (“SBA”)   1,745     0.2       1,763     0.2       1,810     0.3  
    Paycheck Protection Plan (“PPP”)   238     0.0       316     0.0       551     0.0  
    Other business   12,416     1.1       12,984     1.1       23,633     1.9  
    Total business   14,399     1.3       15,063     1.3       27,975     2.4  
                           
    Consumer:                      
    Classic, collectible and other auto   58,085     5.1       56,758     4.9       59,955     5.1  
    Other consumer   12,935     1.1       13,535     1.2       12,193     1.0  
    Total consumer   71,020     6.2       70,293     6.1       72,148     6.1  
                           
    Total loans   1,142,411     100.0 %     1,149,863     100.0 %     1,183,385     100.0 %
    Less:                      
    ACL   16,265           14,796           15,306      
    Loans receivable, net $ 1,126,146         $ 1,135,067         $ 1,168,079      
                           
    Concentrations of credit: (1)                      
    Construction loans as % of total capital   36.8 %         34.8 %         37.8 %    
    Total non-owner occupied commercial
    real estate as % of total capital    		   296.2 %         298.8 %         328.1 %    
     

    (1) Concentrations of credit percentages are for First Financial Northwest Bank only using classifications in accordance with FDIC regulatory guidelines.

    FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Key Financial Measures
    (Unaudited)
     
      At or For the Quarter Ended
      Sep 30,   Jun 30,   Mar 31,   Dec 31,   Sep 30,
        2024       2024       2024       2023       2023  
      (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Performance Ratios: (1)                  
    Return on assets   (0.17 )%     0.43 %     (0.29 )%     0.31 %     0.39 %
    Return on equity   (1.50 )     3.88       (2.67 )     2.97       3.71  
    Dividend payout ratio   0.00       76.47       (108.33 )     100.00       79.26  
    Equity-to-assets ratio   11.04       11.10       10.91       10.74       10.44  
    Tangible equity ratio (2)   10.97       11.02       10.83       10.66       10.36  
    Net interest margin   2.46       2.66       2.55       2.54       2.69  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   116.46       117.01       116.40       115.84       116.94  
    Efficiency ratio   92.96       82.35       116.97       85.17       84.49  
    Noninterest expense as a percent of average total assets   2.32       2.21       3.05       2.18       2.29  
    Book value per common share $ 17.39     $ 17.51     $ 17.46     $ 17.61     $ 17.35  
    Tangible book value per share (2)   17.26       17.37       17.32       17.47       17.20  
                       
    Capital Ratios: (3)                  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   10.86 %     10.91 %     10.41 %     10.18 %     10.25 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   15.43       15.39       14.98       14.90       14.75  
    Tier 1 capital ratio   15.43       15.39       14.98       14.90       14.75  
    Total capital ratio   16.68       16.64       16.24       16.15       16.00  
                       
    Asset Quality Ratios: (4)                  
    Nonaccrual loans as a percent of total loans   0.07 %     0.41 %     0.02 %     0.02 %     0.02 %
    Nonaccrual loans as a percent of total assets   0.06       0.32       0.01       0.01       0.01  
    ACL as a percent of total loans   1.42       1.29       1.30       1.28       1.29  
    Net charge-offs to average loans receivable, net   0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00  
                       
    Allowance for Credit Losses:                  
    ACL ‒ loans                  
    Beginning balance $ 14,796     $ 14,996     $ 15,306     $ 15,306     $ 15,606  
    Provision (recapture of provision) for credit losses   1,500       (200 )     (300 )     –       (300 )
    Charge-offs   (31 )     –       (10 )     –       –  
    Recoveries   –       –       –       –       –  
    Ending balance $ 16,265     $ 14,796     $ 14,996     $ 15,306     $ 15,306  
                       
    Allowance for unfunded commitments                  
    Beginning balance $ 564     $ 564     $ 439     $ 439     $ 439  
    Provision for credit losses   75       –       125       –       –  
    Ending balance $ 639     $ 564     $ 564     $ 439     $ 439  
                       
    Provision (recapture of provision) for credit losses                  
    ACL – loans $ 1,500     $ (200 )   $ (300 )   $ –     $ (300 )
    Allowance for unfunded commitments   75       –       125       –       –  
    Total $ 1,575     $ (200 )   $ (175 )   $ –     $ (300 )
     

    (1) Performance ratios are calculated on an annualized basis.
    (2) Non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this press release for a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP equivalents.
    (3) Capital ratios are for First Financial Northwest Bank only.
    (4) Loans are reported net of undisbursed funds.

    FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Key Financial Measures
    (Unaudited)
     
      At or For the Quarter Ended
      Sep 30,   Jun 30,   Mar 31,   Dec 31,   Sep 30,
        2024       2024       2024       2023       2023  
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Yields and Costs: (1)                  
    Yield on loans   5.86 %     5.93 %     5.88 %     5.83 %     5.73 %
    Yield on investments   4.30       4.38       4.11       4.11       3.98  
    Yield on interest-earning deposits   5.27       5.25       5.28       5.32       5.18  
    Yield on FHLB stock   7.73       8.63       7.79       7.29       6.57  
    Yield on interest-earning assets   5.66 %     5.73 %     5.62 %     5.56 %     5.46 %
                       
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits   3.80 %     3.71 %     3.69 %     3.62 %     3.33 %
    Cost of borrowings   3.19       2.64       2.65       2.40       2.42  
    Cost of interest-bearing liabilities   3.72 %     3.59 %     3.58 %     3.50 %     3.24 %
                       
    Cost of total deposits (2)   3.47 %     3.38 %     3.38 %     3.31 %     3.03 %
    Cost of funds (3)   3.44 %     3.30 %     3.31 %     3.23 %     2.97 %
                       
    Average Balances:                  
    Loans $ 1,131,473     $ 1,139,017     $ 1,160,156     $ 1,167,339     $ 1,171,483  
    Investments   161,232       173,102       202,106       206,837       211,291  
    Interest-earning deposits   65,149       36,959       37,032       65,680       40,202  
    FHLB stock   7,719       6,714       6,554       6,584       6,820  
    Total interest-earning assets $ 1,365,573     $ 1,355,792     $ 1,405,848     $ 1,446,440     $ 1,429,796  
                       
    Interest-bearing deposits $ 1,021,041     $ 1,029,608     $ 1,082,168     $ 1,127,690     $ 1,097,324  
    Borrowings   151,478       129,126       125,604       120,978       125,402  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,172,519       1,158,734       1,207,772       1,248,668       1,222,726  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   96,003       101,196       99,173       102,869       109,384  
    Total deposits and borrowings $ 1,268,522     $ 1,259,930     $ 1,306,945     $ 1,351,537     $ 1,332,110  
                       
    Average assets $ 1,453,431     $ 1,446,207     $ 1,495,753     $ 1,538,955     $ 1,522,224  
    Average stockholders’ equity   161,569       161,057       161,823       159,659       160,299  
     

    (1) Yields and costs are annualized.
    (2) Includes noninterest-bearing deposits.
    (3) Includes total borrowings and deposits (including noninterest-bearing deposits).

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) utilized in the United States, this earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures that include tangible equity, tangible assets, tangible book value per share, and the tangible equity-to-assets ratio. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures and ratios as presented are useful for both investors and management to understand the effects of goodwill and core deposit intangible, net and provides an alternative view of the Company’s performance over time and in comparison to the Company’s competitors. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. They should not be considered in isolation and are not a substitute for other measures in this earnings release that are presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

    The following tables provide a reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures:

      Quarter Ended
        Sep 30,
    2024    		       Jun 30,
    2024    		       Mar 31,
    2024    		       Dec 31,
    2023    		       Sep 30,
    2023    		  
      (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Tangible equity to tangible assets and tangible book value per share:
                                           
    Total stockholders’ equity (GAAP) $ 160,213     $ 160,693     $ 160,183     $ 161,660     $ 159,235  
    Less:                  
    Goodwill   889       889       889       889       889  
    Core deposit intangible, net   326       357       388       419       451  
    Tangible equity (Non-GAAP) $ 158,998     $ 159,447     $ 158,906     $ 160,352     $ 157,895  
                       
    Total assets (GAAP) $ 1,451,086     $ 1,447,753     $ 1,468,350     $ 1,505,082     $ 1,525,568  
    Less:                  
    Goodwill   889       889       889       889       889  
    Core deposit intangible, net   326       357       388       419       451  
    Tangible assets (Non-GAAP) $ 1,449,871     $ 1,446,507     $ 1,467,073     $ 1,503,774     $ 1,524,228  
                       
    Common shares outstanding at period end   9,213,969       9,179,825       9,174,425       9,179,510       9,179,510  
                       
    Equity-to-assets ratio (GAAP)   11.04 %     11.10 %     10.91 %     10.74 %     10.44 %
    Tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio (Non-GAAP)   10.97       11.02       10.83       10.66       10.36  
    Book value per common share (GAAP) $ 17.39     $ 17.51     $ 17.46     $ 17.61     $ 17.35  
    Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP)   17.26       17.37       17.32       17.47       17.20  

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Eagle Bancorp Montana Earns $2.7 Million, or $0.34 per Diluted Share, in the Third Quarter of 2024; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.1425 Per Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HELENA, Mont., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBMT), (the “Company,” “Eagle”), the holding company of Opportunity Bank of Montana (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $2.7 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $1.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the preceding quarter, and $2.6 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023. In the first nine months of 2024, net income was $6.3 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, compared to $7.9 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2023.

    Eagle’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.1425 per share on October 17, 2024. The dividend will be payable December 6, 2024, to shareholders of record November 15, 2024. The current dividend represents an annualized yield of 3.49% based on recent market prices.

    “We produced improved top and bottom line operating results during the third quarter of 2024, with net interest income and noninterest income both increasing compared to the second quarter of 2024,” said Laura F. Clark, President and CEO. “As in previous quarters, we continued to remain selective on the loans we added during the quarter, while adhering to disciplined loan pricing. The result was tempered loan growth during the third quarter of 1.1%, and 4.0% year-over-year. Total deposits increased 2.0% during the quarter over the linked quarter, as we continue to maintain our attractive deposit mix. With our strong deposit franchise, pristine credit quality, and ample capital levels, we are well positioned for growth throughout the remainder of the year and into 2025.”

    Third Quarter 2024 Highlights (at or for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, except where noted):

    • Net income was $2.7 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $1.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the preceding quarter, and $2.6 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the third quarter a year ago.
    • Net interest margin (“NIM”) was 3.34% in the third quarter of 2024, a seven basis point contraction compared to 3.41% in the preceding quarter and the third quarter a year ago.
    • Revenues (net interest income before the provision for credit losses, plus noninterest income) were $20.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $19.9 million in the preceding quarter and $21.6 million in the third quarter a year ago.
    • The accretion of the loan purchase discount into loan interest income from acquisitions was $167,000 in the third quarter of 2024, compared to accretion on purchased loans from acquisitions of $304,000 in the preceding quarter.
    • Total loans increased 4.0% to $1.53 billion, at September 30, 2024, compared to $1.48 billion a year earlier, and increased 1.1% compared to $1.52 billion at June 30, 2024.
    • Total deposits increased $35.0 million or 2.2% to $1.65 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to a year earlier, and increased $31.6 million or 2.0%, compared to June 30, 2024.
    • The allowance for credit losses represented 1.12% of portfolio loans and 356.7% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2024, compared to 1.10% of portfolio loans and 209.3% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2023.
    • The Company’s available borrowing capacity was approximately $348.1 million at September 30, 2024.
            September 30, 2024
    (Dollars in thousands)     Borrowings Outstanding Remaining Borrowing Capacity
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances $ 219,167 $ 219,365
    Federal Reserve Bank discount window   –   28,734
    Correspondent bank lines of credit   –   100,000
    Total       $ 219,167 $ 348,099
               
    • The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend in the second quarter of $0.1425 per share on September 6, 2024, to shareholders of record August 16, 2024.

    Balance Sheet Results

    Eagle’s total assets increased 4.0% to $2.15 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $2.06 billion a year ago, and increased 2.2% compared to $2.10 billion three months earlier. The investment securities portfolio totaled $307.0 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $308.8 million a year ago, and $306.9 million at June 30, 2024.

    Eagle originated $58.0 million in new residential mortgages during the quarter and sold $51.0 million in residential mortgages, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 3.31%. This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $60.6 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $53.2 million and an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 3.01%. Mortgage volumes remain low as rates have continued to be elevated relative to rates on existing mortgages.

    Total loans increased $58.9 million, or 4.0%, compared to a year ago, and $17.2 million, or 1.1%, from three months earlier. Commercial real estate loans increased 5.2% to $644.0 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $612.0 million a year earlier. Commercial real estate loans were comprised of 69.3% non-owner occupied and 30.7% owner occupied at September 30, 2024. Agricultural and farmland loans increased 5.8% to $290.0 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $274.1 million a year earlier. Residential mortgage loans increased 6.7% to $156.8 million, compared to $146.9 million a year earlier. Commercial loans increased 10.2% to $143.2 million, compared to $130.0 million a year ago. Commercial construction and development loans decreased 17.3% to $125.3 million, compared to $151.6 million a year ago. Home equity loans increased 12.5% to $93.6 million, residential construction loans increased 8.5% to $52.2 million, and consumer loans decreased 1.3% to $29.4 million, compared to a year ago.

    “Our deposit mix continued to shift towards higher yielding deposits due to the higher interest rate environment. However, we anticipate deposit rates will continue to stabilize or improve following the recent Fed rate cuts,” said Miranda Spaulding, CFO.

    Total deposits increased to $1.65 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $1.62 billion at September 30, 2023, and at June 30, 2024. Noninterest-bearing checking accounts represented 25.4%, interest-bearing checking accounts represented 12.7%, savings accounts represented 12.9%, money market accounts comprised 21.3% and time certificates of deposit made up 27.7% of the total deposit portfolio at September 30, 2024. Time certificates of deposit include $22.1 million in brokered certificates at September 30, 2024, compared to $40.0 million at September 30, 2023, and $26.2 million at June 30, 2024. The average cost of total deposits was 1.76% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 1.70% in the preceding quarter and 1.28% in the third quarter of 2023. The estimated amount of uninsured deposits was approximately $307.0 million, or 18% of total deposits, at September 30, 2024, compared to $284.0 million, or 17% of total deposits, at June 30, 2024.

    Shareholders’ equity was $177.7 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $157.3 million a year earlier and $170.2 million three months earlier. Book value per share increased to $22.17 at September 30, 2024, compared to $19.69 a year earlier and $21.23 three months earlier. Tangible book value per share, a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by dividing shareholders’ equity, less goodwill and core deposit intangible, by common shares outstanding, was $17.23 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.55 a year earlier and $16.25 three months earlier.  

    Operating Results

    “Our core NIM declined slightly during the third quarter, compared to the preceding quarter, due to relatively flat yields on interest earning assets and cost of funds expansion,” said Clark. “We anticipate continued stabilization and eventual improvement in our cost of funds as we continue through this rate cycle.”

    Eagle’s NIM was 3.34% in the third quarter of 2024, a seven basis point contraction compared to 3.41% in both the preceding quarter and the third quarter a year ago. The interest accretion on acquired loans totaled $167,000 and resulted in a three basis-point increase in the NIM during the third quarter of 2024, compared to $304,000 and a seven basis-point increase in the NIM during the preceding quarter. Funding costs for the third quarter of 2024 were 2.89%, compared to 2.78% in the second quarter of 2024 and 2.37% in the third quarter of 2023. Average yields on interest earning assets for the third quarter of 2024 increased to 5.66%, compared to 5.64% in the second quarter of 2024 and 5.27% in the third quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of 2024, the NIM was 3.36% compared to 3.57% for the first nine months of 2023.

    Net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, increased to $15.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $15.6 million in both the second quarter of 2024, and in the third quarter of 2023. Year-to-date, net interest income decreased 1.3% to $46.6 million, compared to $47.3 million in the same period one year earlier.

    Revenues for the third quarter of 2024 increased 4.4% to $20.8 million, compared to $19.9 million in the preceding quarter and decreased 3.9% compared to $21.6 million in the third quarter a year ago. In the first nine months of 2024, revenues were $59.9 million, compared to $64.2 million in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease compared to the first nine months a year ago was largely due to lower volumes in mortgage banking activity.

    Total noninterest income increased 16.7% to $5.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $4.3 million in the preceding quarter, and decreased 17.4% compared to $6.0 million in the third quarter a year ago. The increase from the preceding quarter was largely due to income from bank owned life insurance of $724,000. Net mortgage banking income, the largest component of noninterest income, totaled $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $2.4 million in the preceding quarter and $4.3 million in the third quarter a year ago. This decrease compared to the third quarter a year ago was largely driven by a decline in net gain on sale of mortgage loans. This was impacted by lower mortgage loan volumes. In the first nine months of 2024, noninterest income decreased 21.9% to $13.2 million, compared to $16.9 million in the first nine months of 2023. Net mortgage banking income decreased 36.0% to $7.2 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared to $11.3 million in the first nine months of 2023. These decreases were driven by a decline in net gain on sale of mortgage loans.

    Third quarter noninterest expense was $17.3 million, which was unchanged compared to the preceding quarter and a 3.4% decrease compared to $17.9 million in the third quarter a year ago. Lower salaries and employee benefits contributed to the decrease compared to the year ago quarter. In the first nine months of 2024, noninterest expense decreased 3.0% to $51.6 million, compared to $53.2 million in the first nine months of 2023.

    For the third quarter of 2024, the Company recorded income tax expense of $529,000. This compared to income tax expense of $444,000 in the preceding quarter and $524,000 in the third quarter of 2023. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2024 was 16.3%, compared to 16.6% for the third quarter of 2023. The year-to-date effective tax rate was 17.5% for 2024 compared to 19.5% for the same period in 2023.

    Credit Quality

    During the third quarter of 2024, Eagle recorded a provision for credit losses of $277,000. This compared to a $412,000 provision for credit losses in the preceding quarter and $588,000 in the third quarter a year ago. The allowance for credit losses represented 356.7% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2024, compared to 330.8% three months earlier and 209.3% a year earlier. Nonperforming loans were $4.8 million at September 30, 2024, $5.1 million at June 30, 2024, and $7.8 million a year earlier.

    Net loan charge-offs totaled $17,000 in the third quarter of 2024, compared to net loan charge-offs of $2,000 in the preceding quarter and net loan charge-offs of $108,000 in the third quarter a year ago. The allowance for credit losses was $17.1 million, or 1.12% of total loans, at September 30, 2024, compared to $16.8 million, or 1.11% of total loans, at June 30, 2024, and $16.2 million, or 1.10% of total loans, a year ago.

    Capital Management

    The ratio of tangible common shareholders’ equity (shareholders’ equity, less goodwill and core deposit intangible) to tangible assets (total assets, less goodwill and core deposit intangible) was 6.56% at September 30, 2024, from 5.75% a year ago and 6.33% three months earlier. As of September 30, 2024, the Bank’s regulatory capital was in excess of all applicable regulatory requirements and is deemed well capitalized. The Bank’s Tier 1 capital to adjusted total average assets was 9.87% as of September 30, 2024.

    About the Company

    Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Helena, Montana, and is the holding company of Opportunity Bank of Montana, a community bank established in 1922 that serves consumers and small businesses in Montana through 29 banking offices. Additional information is available on the Bank’s website at www.opportunitybank.com. The shares of Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “EBMT.”

    Forward Looking Statements

    This release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “will” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.” These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements of our goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, mergers, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements; general economic conditions and political events, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected including the ability of the U.S. Congress to increase the U.S. statutory debt limit, as needed, as well as the impact of the 2024 U.S. presidential election; the emergence or continuation of widespread health emergencies or pandemics including the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to vaccine efficacy and immunization rates, new variants, steps taken by governmental and other authorities to contain, mitigate and combat the pandemic, adverse effects on our employees, customers and third-party service providers, the increase in cyberattacks in the current work-from-home environment, the ultimate extent of the impacts on our business, financial position, results of operations, liquidity and prospects, continued deterioration in general business and economic conditions could adversely affect our revenues and the values of our assets and liabilities, lead to a tightening of credit and increase stock price volatility, and potential impairment charges; the impact of volatility in the U.S. banking industry, including the associated impact of any regulatory changes or other mitigation efforts taken by governmental agencies in response thereto; the possibility that future credit losses may be higher than currently expected due to changes in economic assumptions, customer behavior, adverse developments with respect to U.S. economic conditions and other uncertainties, including the impact of supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and labor shortages on economic conditions and our business; an inability to access capital markets or maintain deposits or borrowing costs; competition among banks, financial holding companies and other traditional and non-traditional financial service providers; loan demand or residential and commercial real estate values in Montana; the concentration of our business in Montana; our ability to continue to increase and manage our commercial real estate, commercial business and agricultural loans; the costs and effects of legal, compliance and regulatory actions, changes and developments, including the initiation and resolution of legal proceedings (including any securities, bank operations, consumer or employee litigation); inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments; adverse changes in the securities markets that lead to impairment in the value of our investment securities and goodwill; other economic, governmental, competitive, regulatory and technological factors that may affect our operations; our ability to implement new technologies and maintain secure and reliable technology systems including those that involve the Bank’s third-party vendors and service providers; cyber incidents, or theft or loss of Company or customer data or money; our ability to appropriately address social, environmental, and sustainability concerns that may arise from our business activities; the effect of our recent or future acquisitions, including the failure to achieve expected revenue growth and/or expense savings, the failure to effectively integrate their operations, the outcome of any legal proceedings and the diversion of management time on issues related to the integration.

    Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. All information set forth in this press release is current as of the date of this release and the company undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles utilized in the United States, or GAAP, the Financial Ratios and Other Data contains non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures include: 1) core efficiency ratio, 2) tangible book value per share and 3) tangible common equity to tangible assets. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance and performance trends, and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of such financial performance. In particular, the use of tangible book value per share and tangible common equity to tangible assets is prevalent among banking regulators, investors and analysts.

    The numerator for the core efficiency ratio is calculated by subtracting acquisition costs and intangible asset amortization from noninterest expense. Tangible assets and tangible common shareholders’ equity are calculated by excluding intangible assets from assets and shareholders’ equity, respectively. For these financial measures, our intangible assets consist of goodwill and core deposit intangible. Tangible book value per share is calculated by dividing tangible common shareholders’ equity by the number of common shares outstanding. We believe that this measure is consistent with the capital treatment by our bank regulatory agencies, which exclude intangible assets from the calculation of risk-based capital ratios and present this measure to facilitate the comparison of the quality and composition of our capital over time and in comparison, to our competitors.

    Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied, and are not audited. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. Further, the non-GAAP financial measure of tangible book value per share should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for book value per share or total shareholders’ equity determined in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure reported by other companies. Reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures are presented below.

                   
    Balance Sheet              
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)       (Unaudited)  
                September 30, June 30, September 30,
                  2024     2024     2023  
                     
    Assets:              
      Cash and due from banks       $ 22,954   $ 22,361   $ 19,743  
      Interest bearing deposits in banks       19,035     1,401     1,040  
      Federal funds sold           200     –     –  
      Total cash and cash equivalents       42,189     23,762     20,783  
      Securities available-for-sale, at fair value       306,982     306,869     308,786  
      Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock       11,218     10,136     10,438  
      Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock       4,131     4,131     4,131  
      Mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value       13,429     10,518     17,880  
      Loans:              
      Real estate loans:            
      Residential 1-4 family         156,811     157,053     146,938  
      Residential 1-4 family construction       52,217     50,228     48,135  
      Commercial real estate         644,019     627,326     611,963  
      Commercial construction and development     125,323     137,427     151,614  
      Farmland           145,356     142,353     143,789  
      Other loans:              
      Home equity           93,646     93,213     83,221  
      Consumer           29,445     29,118     29,832  
      Commercial           143,190     143,641     129,952  
      Agricultural           144,645     137,134     130,329  
      Total loans           1,534,652     1,517,493     1,475,773  
      Allowance for credit losses         (17,130 )   (16,830 )   (16,230 )
      Net loans           1,517,522     1,500,663     1,459,543  
      Accrued interest and dividends receivable       14,844     13,195     13,657  
      Mortgage servicing rights, net         15,443     15,614     15,738  
      Assets held-for-sale, at cost         257     257     –  
      Premises and equipment, net         100,297     98,397     92,979  
      Cash surrender value of life insurance, net       52,852     48,529     47,647  
      Goodwill           34,740     34,740     34,740  
      Core deposit intangible, net         4,834     5,168     6,264  
      Other assets           26,375     26,976     30,478  
      Total assets         $ 2,145,113   $ 2,098,955   $ 2,063,064  
                     
    Liabilities:              
      Deposit accounts:              
      Noninterest bearing       $ 419,760   $ 400,113   $ 435,655  
      Interest bearing           1,230,752     1,218,752     1,179,823  
      Total deposits         1,650,512     1,618,865     1,615,478  
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities       38,593     35,804     31,597  
      FHLB advances and other borrowings       219,167     215,050     199,757  
      Other long-term debt, net         59,111     59,074     58,962  
      Total liabilities         1,967,383     1,928,793     1,905,794  
                     
    Shareholders’ Equity:              
      Preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000 shares      
      authorized; no shares issued or outstanding)     –     –     –  
      Common stock (par value $0.01; 20,000,000 shares authorized;      
      8,507,429 shares issued; 8,016,784, 8,016,784 and 7,988,132      
      shares outstanding at September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 and      
      September 30, 2023, respectively       85     85     85  
      Additional paid-in capital         109,040     108,962     109,422  
      Unallocated common stock held by Employee Stock Ownership Plan   (4,154 )   (4,297 )   (4,727 )
      Treasury stock, at cost (490,645, 490,645 and 519,297 shares at      
      September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)           (11,124 )   (11,124 )   (11,574 )
      Retained earnings           98,979     97,413     94,979  
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax     (15,096 )   (20,877 )   (30,915 )
      Total shareholders’ equity       177,730     170,162     157,270  
      Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,145,113   $ 2,098,955   $ 2,063,064  
                     
    Income Statement      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)     Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                  September 30, June 30, September 30,   September 30,
                    2024   2024   2023     2024   2023  
    Interest and dividend income:                
      Interest and fees on loans     $ 23,802 $ 22,782 $ 21,068   $ 68,526 $ 57,942  
      Securities available-for-sale       2,598   2,631   2,794     7,953   8,586  
      FRB and FHLB dividends       266   264   212     777   480  
      Other interest income       94   145   20     268   66  
        Total interest and dividend income       26,760   25,822   24,094     77,524   67,074  
    Interest expense:                  
      Interest expense on deposits       7,190   6,884   5,152     20,622   11,767  
      FHLB advances and other borrowings       3,084   2,625   2,672     8,206   5,993  
      Other long-term debt       684   681   683     2,048   2,035  
        Total interest expense       10,958   10,190   8,507     30,876   19,795  
    Net interest income         15,802   15,632   15,587     46,648   47,279  
    Provision for credit losses       277   412   588     554   1,186  
        Net interest income after provision for credit losses     15,525   15,220   14,999     46,094   46,093  
                             
    Noninterest income:                
      Service charges on deposit accounts       430   428   447     1,258   1,313  
      Mortgage banking, net       2,602   2,417   4,338     7,196   11,252  
      Interchange and ATM fees       662   640   643     1,865   1,861  
      Appreciation in cash surrender value of life insurance     1,038   320   382     1,646   1,165  
      Net loss on sale of available-for-sale securities       –   –   –     –   (222 )
      Other noninterest income       251   464   225     1,239   1,541  
        Total noninterest income       4,983   4,269   6,035     13,204   16,910  
                             
    Noninterest expense:                
      Salaries and employee benefits       9,894   10,273   10,837     29,885   31,614  
      Occupancy and equipment expense       2,134   2,104   1,956     6,337   6,100  
      Data processing       1,587   1,382   1,486     4,494   4,270  
      Advertising         277   316   340     846   930  
      Amortization         337   348   386     1,054   1,201  
      Loan costs         385   412   517     1,195   1,426  
      FDIC insurance premiums       295   284   301     878   862  
      Professional and examination fees       438   423   408     1,345   1,484  
      Other noninterest expense       1,923   1,765   1,644     5,576   5,311  
        Total noninterest expense       17,270   17,307   17,875     51,610   53,198  
                             
    Income before provision for income taxes       3,238   2,182   3,159     7,688   9,805  
    Provision for income taxes       529   444   524     1,343   1,913  
    Net income         $ 2,709 $ 1,738 $ 2,635   $ 6,345 $ 7,892  
                             
    Basic earnings per common share     $ 0.35 $ 0.22 $ 0.34   $ 0.81 $ 1.01  
    Diluted earnings per common share     $ 0.34 $ 0.22 $ 0.34   $ 0.81 $ 1.01  
                             
    Basic weighted average shares outstanding       7,836,921   7,830,925   7,784,279     7,830,947   7,787,987  
                             
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding       7,860,138   7,845,272   7,791,966     7,848,196   7,792,593  
                             
    ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION   (Unaudited)  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three or Nine Months Ended
          September 30, June 30, September 30,
            2024     2024     2023  
               
    Mortgage Banking Activity (For the quarter):      
      Net gain on sale of mortgage loans $ 1,691   $ 1,600   $ 3,591  
      Net change in fair value of loans held-for-sale and derivatives   159     12     (71 )
      Mortgage servicing income, net   752     805     818  
      Mortgage banking, net   $ 2,602   $ 2,417   $ 4,338  
               
    Mortgage Banking Activity (Year-to-date):      
      Net gain on sale of mortgage loans $ 4,705     $ 8,551  
      Net change in fair value of loans held-for-sale and derivatives   (2 )     234  
      Mortgage servicing income, net   2,493       2,467  
      Mortgage banking, net   $ 7,196     $ 11,252  
               
    Performance Ratios (For the quarter):      
      Return on average assets   0.51 %   0.33 %   0.51 %
      Return on average equity   6.56 %   4.30 %   6.63 %
      Yield on average interest earning assets   5.66 %   5.64 %   5.27 %
      Cost of funds     2.89 %   2.78 %   2.37 %
      Net interest margin   3.34 %   3.41 %   3.41 %
      Core efficiency ratio*   81.47 %   85.22 %   80.89 %
               
    Performance Ratios (Year-to-date):      
      Return on average assets   0.41 %     0.53 %
      Return on average equity   5.19 %     6.54 %
      Yield on average interest earning assets   5.59 %     5.07 %
      Cost of funds     2.78 %     1.94 %
      Net interest margin   3.36 %     3.57 %
      Core efficiency ratio*   84.47 %     81.01 %
               
    * The core efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP ratio that is calculated by dividing non-interest expense, exclusive of acquisition
    costs and intangible asset amortization, by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.    
               
               
    ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION      
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)      
            (Unaudited)  
    Asset Quality Ratios and Data: As of or for the Three Months Ended
          September 30, June 30, September 30,
            2024     2024     2023  
               
      Nonaccrual loans   $ 3,859   $ 4,012   $ 7,753  
      Loans 90 days past due and still accruing   944     1,076     –  
      Total nonperforming loans     4,803     5,088     7,753  
      Other real estate owned and other repossessed assets   4     4     –  
      Total nonperforming assets   $ 4,807   $ 5,092   $ 7,753  
               
      Nonperforming loans / portfolio loans   0.31 %   0.34 %   0.53 %
      Nonperforming assets / assets   0.22 %   0.24 %   0.38 %
      Allowance for credit losses / portfolio loans   1.12 %   1.11 %   1.10 %
      Allowance for credit losses/ nonperforming loans   356.65 %   330.78 %   209.34 %
      Gross loan charge-offs for the quarter $ 22   $ 12   $ 122  
      Gross loan recoveries for the quarter $ 5   $ 10   $ 14  
      Net loan charge-offs for the quarter $ 17   $ 2   $ 108  
               
               
          September 30, June 30, September 30,
            2024     2024     2023  
    Capital Data (At quarter end):      
      Common shareholders’ equity (book value) per share $ 22.17   $ 21.23   $ 19.69  
      Tangible book value per share** $ 17.23   $ 16.25   $ 14.55  
      Shares outstanding   8,016,784     8,016,784     7,988,132  
      Tangible common equity to tangible assets***   6.56 %   6.33 %   5.75 %
               
    Other Information:        
      Average investment securities for the quarter $ 305,730   $ 306,207   $ 319,308  
      Average investment securities year-to-date $ 308,688   $ 310,168   $ 335,898  
      Average loans for the quarter **** $ 1,547,246   $ 1,513,313   $ 1,476,584  
      Average loans year-to-date **** $ 1,519,951   $ 1,506,303   $ 1,417,291  
      Average earning assets for the quarter $ 1,874,669   $ 1,837,418   $ 1,812,610  
      Average earning assets year-to-date $ 1,847,468   $ 1,833,867   $ 1,768,361  
      Average total assets for the quarter $ 2,116,839   $ 2,077,448   $ 2,052,443  
      Average total assets year-to-date $ 2,086,951   $ 2,072,013   $ 1,999,864  
      Average deposits for the quarter $ 1,622,254   $ 1,625,882   $ 1,602,770  
      Average deposits year-to-date $ 1,624,936   $ 1,625,826   $ 1,596,201  
      Average equity for the quarter $ 165,162   $ 161,533   $ 158,933  
      Average equity year-to-date $ 163,106   $ 162,084   $ 160,917  
               
    ** The tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP ratio that is calculated by dividing shareholders’ equity,  
    less goodwill and core deposit intangible, by common shares outstanding.      
    *** The tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP ratio that is calculated by dividing shareholders’  
    equity, less goodwill and core deposit intangible, by total assets, less goodwill and core deposit intangible.  
    **** Includes loans held for sale      
           
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures              
                           
    Core Efficiency Ratio     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
    (Dollars in thousands)   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended  
              September 30, June 30, September 30,   September 30,  
                2024     2024     2023       2024     2023    
    Calculation of Core Efficiency Ratio:              
      Noninterest expense $ 17,270   $ 17,307   $ 17,875     $ 51,610   $ 53,198    
      Intangible asset amortization   (337 )   (348 )   (386 )     (1,054 )   (1,201 )  
        Core efficiency ratio numerator   16,933     16,959     17,489       50,556     51,997    
                           
      Net interest income   15,802     15,632     15,587       46,648     47,279    
      Noninterest income   4,983     4,269     6,035       13,204     16,910    
        Core efficiency ratio denominator   20,785     19,901     21,622       59,852     64,189    
                           
      Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)   81.47 %   85.22 %   80.89 %     84.47 %   81.01 %  
                           
    Tangible Book Value and Tangible Assets   (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   September 30, June 30, September 30,
                  2024     2024     2023  
    Tangible Book Value:            
      Shareholders’ equity     $ 177,730   $ 170,162   $ 157,270  
      Goodwill and core deposit intangible, net     (39,574 )   (39,908 )   (41,004 )
        Tangible common shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) $ 138,156   $ 130,254   $ 116,266  
                     
      Common shares outstanding at end of period   8,016,784     8,016,784     7,988,132  
                     
      Common shareholders’ equity (book value) per share (GAAP) $ 22.17   $ 21.23   $ 19.69  
                     
      Tangible common shareholders’ equity (tangible book value)      
        per share (non-GAAP)     $ 17.23   $ 16.25   $ 14.55  
                     
    Tangible Assets:            
      Total assets       $ 2,145,113   $ 2,098,955   $ 2,063,064  
      Goodwill and core deposit intangible, net     (39,574 )   (39,908 )   (41,004 )
        Tangible assets (non-GAAP)   $ 2,105,539   $ 2,059,047   $ 2,022,060  
                     
      Tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets      
        (non-GAAP)         6.56 %   6.33 %   5.75 %
                     
    Contacts: Laura F. Clark, President and CEO
      (406) 457-4007
      Miranda J. Spaulding, SVP and CFO
      (406) 441-5010  

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Air Transport, Rail Leaders Elected to Top ITF Positions as Transportation Workers Unite in Global Solidarity; Put Women, Young Workers at Forefront

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM air transport and rail industry leaders from across the United States and Canada were elected to top positions at the recent International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Global Congress.

    The IAM, North America’s largest transportation union, is taking a leading role worldwide as transport workers find themselves at the forefront of multiple crises – from war, political instability and the rise of far-right governments to the climate crisis.

    “The IAM has long known that our strength relies greatly on workers uniting worldwide to confront the multi-national corporations we deal with every day,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “Together with the ITF and its affiliates in the transportation sector, we are closer than ever to balancing the scales for industry workers across the globe.”

    The Congress, held in Marrakech, Morocco, focused on building a comprehensive vision for the ITF for the next five years. Six critical demands – rights, equality, safety, accountability, sustainability and a future that works for workers – are forming the basis to build a safer, fairer and more sustainable transport industry.

    “As the theme of this ITF Congress says, the IAM has always been proud to move the world forward,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “As we turn the page from a global pandemic, it is more important than ever that transportation workers across the world unite.”

    The following IAM leaders were elected to ITF positions:

    • Richie Johnsen, IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President: ITF Executive Board
    • Edison Fraser, IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff: ITF North America and Caribbean Civil Aviation Chairperson
    • Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President: ITF Railway Workers Section Co-Chair
    • Julie Frietchen, IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director: ITF North America Regional Representative USA – Women’s Committee
    • Keith Aiken, IAM Canadian Airline Coordinator: ITF Vice Chairperson – Ground Handling Committee
    • Zach Coker, IAM District 142 Organizing Director: ITF North America Regional Representative USA – Young Workers

    “Rail workers are standing up and fighting back against corporate greed and the short-sighted profit goals of Wall Street,” said TCU/IAM National President Arthur Maratea. “It’s critical that these fights be waged on at a global scale and with the backing of every rail worker across the world.”

    The ITF represents 18.5 million transport workers worldwide from more than 150 countries.

    “Women and young people are helping to lead a worldwide resurgence of union activism,” said IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director Julie Frietchen. “In the IAM and the ITF, we are proud to be leading the way toward making our diversity our greatest strength.”

    Click here for more coverage of ITF’s 46th Congress, the first of which to be held in the Arab world.

    “The strength of the IAM has always been our ability to bring workers together and fight for a common cause,” said IAM Canadian Airline Coordinator Keith Aiken. “Transportation workers in Canada and across the globe are ready for a new era of worker power that transforms our industries for the betterment of working families and passengers.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Councillors asked to endorse new ‘social contract’ to eradicate poverty

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Despite being a relatively affluent area, Perth and Kinross has around 30,000 people living below the poverty line, with approximately 27,200 in deep or very deep poverty.

    Tackling poverty is one of the Council’s main priorities and the local authority helped establish the Anti-Poverty Taskforce jointly chaired by the Chief Executives of PKAVS and Giraffe to address poverty across Perth and Kinross. The Taskforce brings together a range of partners, including the Council, to work together on addressing poverty.

    Councillors will also discuss the sixth Annual Child Poverty Action report, which reveals there are still 5,750 children living in poverty in Perth and Kinross and sets out the actions that are being taken to reduce this number.

    Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “Many people view Perth and Kinross as an affluent area but the truth is poverty is a real and growing problem for many of our residents.

    “The Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have both contributed to a situation that requires dedicated and co-ordinated action to solve.

    “For those living in poverty every day is a struggle and things that are an inconvenience to many of us – an unexpected bill or a spell of cold weather – can lead to a crisis for those on or close to the breadline. It is vitally important we support those people who find themselves in poverty.

    “Those living in rural areas, as many do in Perth and Kinross, also face additional challenges regarding employment, housing, transport and more.”

    Councillor Laing added: “The actions we are taking are showing results – there are now around 200 fewer children living in poverty now than there were last year. But that still leaves nearly 6,000 in poverty.”

    The social contract sets out four key principles that will guide the Council, and its partners, as they strive to lift residents out of poverty.

    These are:

    • No one should be in deep poverty: 
    • Those unable to work should not be in poverty: 
    • People should try to increase their earnings: 
    • Low earners should not be in poverty: Commitment to Collaboration:

    As part of these efforts, the Council is being asked to renew its commitment to collaborating with community partners, the third sector, and local communities to secure extra resources and support for those in deep poverty and provide addition resources for those unable to work due to health, disability or caregiving responsibilities.

    It is also being asked to support job seekers and those wanting to work more hours and help those on low incomes to achieve a better standard of living.

    Shaheena Din, joint chair of the Anti-Poverty Taskforce said: “Change happens when we come together.

    “By working as one, we can make a real difference in lifting people out of poverty, because no one person or organisation can tackle this challenge alone.”

    She added the Anti-Poverty Taskforce supports a range of people who are struggling to make ends meet. These include:

    • People facing ongoing hardship: Those on low incomes, whether they are receiving benefits or not, and may not be getting the support they’re entitled to.
    • People in deep poverty: Including single individuals without children, people from ethnic minorities, and households where someone has a disability.
    •  Those on or just below the poverty line: those struggling to make ends meet.
    •  People just getting by: managing on their own but often have little or no money left at the end of the month.
    •  Asset rich but cash poor: Homeowners with limited savings and financial assets that are hard to access and facing hardship.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Op-Ed For The Financial Times: Breaking Up Concentrated Economic Power Must Be A Foreign Policy Priority

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    October 29, 2024

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday authored an op-ed for the Financial Times arguing that American foreign and domestic policies must align to break up concentrated economic power and revitalize local communities. Pointing to the Biden-Harris administration’s work to break up corporate monopolies, rebuild local economies, and create a new industrial policy, Murphy called for America’s foreign policy to be similarly reshaped.

    Murphy described how the Biden-Harris Administration’s decision at the World Trade Organization to block new data transit rules reflects a larger effort to combat the consequences of neoliberalism: “They saw the negotiations through the prism of America’s twin crises of alienation and the concentration of economic power. While all the key economic indicators point to a country that has bounced back from the pandemic, rates of addiction, self-harm and political extremism continue to rise as more Americans report feeling unhappy and disconnected from their communities. This alienation is the wreckage left in the wake of a half century of shared, bipartisan faith in economic neoliberalism — the doctrine that unrestricted free trade and market forces would best uphold the public good. The unchecked gobbling up of economic power by a few large corporations has left us with broken supply chains and uncompetitive markets.”

    Murphy underscored the need for a post-neoliberal foreign policy that aims to break up concentrated global economic power, protect fair trade, and breathe life back into local communities: “Trade agreements should be put to a simple test: will the terms concentrate or distribute private economic power? When new rules clearly give large global companies too much power over workers and citizens in individual nation states, then the answer must be to rewrite or reject them, as demonstrated by Tai. A post-neoliberal foreign policy must also challenge the ability of state-run economies to rig the rules of the global marketplace. Too often US foreign policy is focused on military threats. Yes, China and Russia present conventional military threats to global order; but America must expend equal effort on confronting our adversaries’ growing economic influence. This should involve speeding up renewable energy adoption to weaken the power of Russia and other petro-dictatorships and continued work to contest Chinese dominance of critical supply chains for products such as solar panels or advanced batteries.”

    “Our foreign policy must also buttress growing bipartisan efforts to create a new industrial and commercial approach rooted in localism,” Murphy continued. “Americans do not want to be part of a homogenized, flattened global economy. They want vibrant local economies where worker power is prioritized over shareholder power, community wellness prevails over the cult of efficiency, and values such as generosity and fairness matter more than greed and excess. Through carefully constructed tariffs and subsidies for domestic manufacturing and research and development, foreign and trade policy can be the vehicle for this change.”

    Murphy concluded: “Americans will continue to lose faith in their country’s democracy if we do not marry foreign and domestic policy in an effort to prioritize the common good over shameless profit-seeking. That decision at the WTO to rethink global data rules offers proof that the Biden-Harris administration understands the scale of the crisis the America faces and that it has laid the foundations of a coherent way forward for US foreign policy. The next generation of national security leaders must now build on and finish this work.”

    Read the full op-ed here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Midwest Manufacturer To Pay Over $3.6 Million To Resolve Allegations It Received Paycheck Protection Program Loan In Violation Of Employee Size Rules

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

              GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Exo-s US LLC, a manufacturing company with plants and offices located in Coldwater, Michigan, and Howe, Indiana, has agreed to pay $3,628,819.44 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by falsely obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for which it was ineligible.

              “The Paycheck Protection Program provided important relief to eligible small businesses and other entities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Today’s resolution demonstrates our continued commitment to work with the Small Business Administration to protect taxpayer dollars and investigate allegations of fraud on critical government programs.”

              When Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, it enacted a program to provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and businesses suffering economic and public health effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ARPA continued the CARES Act’s PPP loan program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), creating a second-draw PPP loan that allowed eligible businesses that had previously received a PPP loan to apply for a second loan.  One of the eligibility requirements for receiving this second-draw loan was that the applicant had no more than 300 employees, including employees of affiliated entities.

              In March 2021, Exo-s US LLC obtained a second-draw PPP loan, which the SBA subsequently forgave. The United States alleges that the company was not eligible for this loan because Exo-s US LLC and its affiliates had more than 300 employees.

              “The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as financial institutions or private individuals who uncover misconduct to recover the lending program’s damages,” said Therese Meers, SBA General Counsel.

              The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act against Exo-s US LLC. Under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the settlement or judgment. Here, the United States elected to take over the case, investigated it, and negotiated the settlement. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. GNGH2 Inc. v. Exo-s US LLC, No. 1:24-cv-264 (W.D. Mich.).

              The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and the SBA. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hull investigated this case.

              The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Pennsylvania’s election results will take time to count

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alauna Safarpour, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Gettysburg College

    John Zapf drops off a mail-in ballot on Oct. 15, 2024, in Doylestown, Pa. Hannah Beier/Getty Images

    The country is unlikely to know who wins the battleground state of Pennsylvania on election night. That’s because of a quirk in Pennsylvania’s laws.

    I am an assistant professor of political science at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where I teach and conduct research in American politics, public opinion, voting and elections. I have previously explained why Pennsylvania is crucial to both the Harris and Trump campaigns, and why Pennsylvania will likely prove pivotal in determining the presidency.

    Here are five things that are important to understand about the timing of the election outcome in Pennsylvania.

    The state sets the rules for voting and counting

    Under the U.S. Constitution, states and the federal government share power. Some powers are exclusively reserved for the states, while other powers are exclusively under the control of the federal government, for instance signing treaties, or declaring war on a foreign nation. Under this system, known as federalism, states – not the federal government – run elections. Individual states and local jurisdictions within states determine polling locations, how citizens vote and other rules surrounding election administration.

    Elections are run differently across states. Some states require photo identification at the polls when you vote, while some verify identities of voters in other ways.

    An official Pennsylvania mail-in ballot, seen in Pittsburgh, Oct. 3, 2024.
    AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

    Differences also extend to how ballots are counted and how long it takes for states to report results.

    Nearly all states prohibit releasing election results until after the polls close on Election Day. However some states begin to count mail-in and early ballots as they are cast. This means that they can report the results of an election sooner on Election Day, because the work of processing and counting is already done.

    Under Pennsylvania law, voters may cast ballots through the mail. Local election officials are prohibited from opening the envelopes containing mail-in ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day.



    Read more:
    Why Pennsylvania is the key to a Harris or Trump Electoral College victory

    Prior to 2020, the only Pennsylvania voters permitted to vote by mail needed an excuse – for instance, serving overseas in the armed forces. The first time Pennsylvania voters were able to vote by mail without an excuse was in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a record number of voters nationwide chose to vote by mail when that option was allowed, including in Pennsylvania.

    Out of the nearly 7 million total Pennsylvania voters in the 2020 presidential election, roughly 2.6 million voted by mail. Prior to 2020, local election officials never needed to count such a large number of ballots received through the mail, and news organizations could typically announce Pennsylvania’s unofficial winner quickly.

    For instance, in 2016, media organizations could project a Trump victory in Pennsylvania at 2:29 a.m. the Wednesday after Election Day. But in 2020, it took four days for enough ballots to be counted for news organizations to project that Joe Biden won Pennsylvania and would be the next president.

    As of 10 a.m. on Oct. 28, 2024, about 2.09 million Pennsylvania voters had requested mail-in ballots. That number was likely to increase, as Pennsylvanians could request a mail-in ballot until Oct. 29. County boards of elections must receive mail-in ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day for those ballots to be counted. Members of the military and overseas absentee ballots have until Nov. 12.

    Mail-in ballots take time to count

    It’s impossible to definitively say how long it will take to know who won Pennsylvania. The more ballots there are to count, the longer America will need to wait.

    The length of time it will take to determine the winner will also depend on how close the election turns out to be.

    If the margin of victory for the winning candidate is very small – say tens of thousands of votes – then election officials will need to count enough ballots that it becomes mathematically impossible for the other candidate to catch up, regardless of how the remaining ballots voted and only then will credible news organizations announce a projected winner of each state.

    If the election is within half a percentage point, Pennsylvania state law dictates that an automatic recount is required, although recounts are unlikely to change the winner of a statewide race.

    But the wait may not be as long as it was in 2020

    Although no one can say for certain how long it will take – anyone who says otherwise is wrong – there are indications that it might not take as long as it did in 2020.

    First, it is highly likely that fewer Pennsylvanians will choose to vote by mail in 2024. A smaller proportion of voters opted to vote by mail in the 2022 midterm election than in the 2020 general election, and that trend is likely to continue in 2024. Thus far, fewer voters have requested mail-in ballots than in 2020, so that assertion is supported by the available data at this point.

    Counting may also take less time because election officials have more experience counting the mail-in ballots now than in 2020. That year was the first time election officials counted so many mail-in ballots.

    Counties have also secured better machines to assist in the process. For instance, Philadelphia County will use new machines to help them open the envelopes faster. This should speed up the process, according to Pennsylvania’s chief elections official, Secretary of State Al Schmidt, a Republican, although Schmidt recently told NPR news it is unlikely that a winner will be declared in Pennsylvania on election night.

    In the 2020 presidential election, roughly 2.6 million Pennsylvanians voted by mail. On Nov. 4, 2020, Luzerne County employees open mail-in ballots to be counted at the elections board in Wilkes-Barre.
    Aimee Dilger/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    One more thing to expect

    According to the Associated Press, Pennsylvania will report small batches of mail-in ballots first, followed by in-person Election Day votes. After that, the remaining mail-in ballots will be tabulated and released. This process will likely result in predictable patterns in the results of the election.

    We know several things because of who in Pennsylvania has requested mail-in ballots this cycle, which follows a similar pattern as in 2020. Most voters who opted to vote by mail in 2020 were Democrats, while Republicans were more likely to vote in person on Election Day.

    The results for in-person, Election Day voters can generally be reported faster. That’s because voters themselves will feed their ballots into vote tabulating machines at various precincts, which count them immediately. Election Day ballots in 2020 generally supported Trump, although the Republican party has recently tried to encourage more of their voters to vote by mail.

    The results will then likely change as mail-in ballots are counted, which takes time. As they are counted, you should expect to see Trump’s vote share decline and Harris’ share increase. That expectation is based on the voters who have requested mail-in ballots so far.

    As of 10 a.m. on Oct. 28, 2024, data from the Pennsylvania Department of State indicated that 56% of the mail-in ballots requested at that point in Pennsylvania were from registered Democrats, about 32% from Republicans, with the remaining 13% from voters who did not register with a party or listed a third party. In 2020, over 6 in 10 mail-in ballots were requested by Democrats and about 1 in 4 by Republicans.

    Be patient

    Although conspiracy theories are prevalent in American politics these days, resist the temptation to believe unfounded claims. Such claims are often advanced by individuals or groups with a personal motivation to do so – to get more clicks or likes on social media, make money or gain political power.

    American elections are administered by dedicated public servants on both sides of the political aisle who are observed by representatives from both political parties as well as nonpartisan watchdog groups. Academics and journalists across the nation also closely monitor elections and would be the first to ring the alarm if there were evidence of malfeasance.

    Ballot counting in Pennsylvania will take time, and ultimately election officials have said they prioritize “accuracy over speed.” We will know the results of the election in time. Until then, be patient and watch one of the world’s oldest democracies at work.

    Professor Safarpour has previously published articles on election administration, including a paper published in 2022 that used data provided by the State of Pennsylvania’s Board of Elections in the 2016 election. Professor Safarpour did not consult with state election officials prior to the publication of this article and does not receive funding or support from any state government or board of elections for her research. The analysis presented here represents the best available data at the time of publication.

    – ref. Why Pennsylvania’s election results will take time to count – https://theconversation.com/why-pennsylvanias-election-results-will-take-time-to-count-240305

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025
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