Category: Taxation

  • 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

  • MIL-OSI: Leading Fastener Distributor Chooses Bridgeline’s AI-Driven HawkSearch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WOBURN, Mass., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bridgeline Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLIN), a provider of AI-driven marketing technology, announced that a leading distributor of fasteners, tools, maintenance, shop, and industrial supplies has selected HawkSearch to enhance their on-site search capabilities.

    The distributor will leverage HawkSearch to optimize their customer experience and product discovery on the Optimizely platform. The solution will address common challenges and use cases for complex part number searches as well as dimensional products with data discrepancies in unit of measure. They will also utilize HawkSearch’s merchandising features including Instant Engage, boost and bury rules, machine learning multipliers, product recommendations, campaigns, as well as entitlements and Visitor Targets for their multiple branch locations.

    This marks the first lead from HawkSearch’s partner Xngage. The distributor will use the Xngage XConnect connector for HawkSearch to power their product discovery. Combining Xngage’s digital commerce expertise with Bridgeline’s AI-driven technology opens new growth opportunities. This initial success lays the groundwork for future joint initiatives that will drive innovation and deliver impactful results.

    “We’re excited to see our partnership with Xngage take off with this first lead. Their expertise in digital commerce, combined with HawkSearch’s advanced capabilities, will help us unlock new growth,” said Carl Prizzi, EVP of Revenue at Bridgeline. “Together, we’re ready to deliver AI-driven solutions that enhance customer experiences and drive revenue growth.”

    About Bridgeline Digital

    Bridgeline helps companies grow online revenue by increasing traffic, conversion rates, and average order value. To learn more, please visit www.bridgeline.com.

    Contact:
    Danielle Colvin
    SVP of Marketing
    Bridgeline Digital
    press@bridgeline.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Sky Quarry Appoints Darryl Delwo as Chief Financial Officer and Cyla Apache as VP of Finance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WOODS CROSS, Utah, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sky Quarry Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYQ) (“Sky Quarry ” or the “Company”), an integrated energy solutions company committed to revolutionizing the waste asphalt shingle recycling industry, today announced two key appointments. Darryl Delwo, CPA, a seasoned finance and accounting executive, was previously named Chief Financial Officer effective August 20, 2024, and Cyla Apache has recently been promoted to Vice President of Finance. These appointments reflect Sky Quarry’s focus on strengthening its finance leadership as it advances its growth strategy as a publicly listed company on Nasdaq.

    Darryl Delwo brings over 28 years of experience to the role and was promoted after serving as Vice President of Finance at Sky Quarry since 2020. Previously, Mr. Delwo served as Chief Financial Officer of Noralta Technologies Inc., an integrated SaaS provider primarily servicing the oil & gas market. Prior to that, Mr. Delwo was Controller and Acting CFO for the start-up company Sulvaris Inc., supporting the venture funding to recommence project construction. He has also served in Controller roles at Black Diamond Energy Services, Wholesale Sports, and Regus Canada. Mr. Delwo holds CPA and CMA designations in Canada, along with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Athabasca University.

    Cyla Apache brings over six years of controllership experience. She is a motivated leader with a strong background in implementing software and developing efficient workflows. Additionally, Ms. Apache has extensive knowledge of tax law and demonstrates how an accounting department can drive revenue and profitability. She holds an MBA, an MS in Accounting, a CPA designation from the California State Board of Accountancy, and an Enrolled Agent designation from the IRS.

    “After more than four years as VP of Finance, Mr. Delwo’s promotion to CFO is a natural step,” said David Sealock, CEO of Sky Quarry. “His 28 years of experience and proven leadership will be invaluable as we grow as a Nasdaq-listed company and advance our capital markets strategy. Alongside Ms. Apache’s promotion to Vice President of Finance, these leadership additions enhance our ability to drive operational excellence and execute our strategic and financial priorities, all with a focus on value-added growth and commitment to our shareholders.”

    About Sky Quarry Inc.

    Sky Quarry Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYQ) and its subsidiaries are, collectively, an oil production, refining, and a development-stage environmental remediation company formed to deploy technologies to facilitate the recycling of waste asphalt shingles and remediation of oil-saturated sands and soils. Our waste-to-energy mission is to repurpose and upcycle millions of tons of asphalt shingle waste, diverting them from landfills. By doing so, we can contribute to improved waste management, promote resource efficiency, conserve natural resources, and reduce environmental impact. For more information, please visit skyquarry.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may include ”forward-looking statements.” All statements pertaining to our future financial and/or operating results, future events, or future developments may constitute forward-looking statements. The statements may be identified by words such as “expect,” “look forward to,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “will,” “project,” or words of similar meaning. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of our management, of which many are beyond our control. These are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and factors, including but not limited to those described in our disclosures. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying expectations not occur or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance, or our achievements may (negatively or positively) vary materially from those described explicitly or implicitly in the relevant forward-looking statement. We neither intend, nor assume any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and the Company’s other disclosures, including the statements made under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the offering statement filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained.

    Investor Relations
    Chris Tyson
    Executive Vice President
    MZ Group – MZ North America
    949-491-8235
    SKYQ@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    Company Website

    https://investor.skyquarry.com/

    The MIL Network

  • 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

  • MIL-OSI: First Northwest Bancorp Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORT ANGELES, Wash., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    CEO Commentary
    “This was a quarter of mixed results. Progress on customer deposit gathering and the termination of the FDIC Consent Order was overshadowed by a quarterly loss driven by additional provisions primarily related to certain equity loans made to high net worth, accredited investors.

    The teamwork and collaboration between Staff, Management and the Board to address the matters identified in the Consent Order is demonstrative of the qualifications, determination and capabilities of the First Fed team. We appreciate that the FDIC acknowledged the planning, monitoring and execution required to comply with the Order and validation that all of these matters were properly addressed. I am very proud of this accomplishment, and I would like to thank all of the many people within the bank who worked tirelessly to reach this achievement less than one year after the Order was issued.

    Through an internal review of our loan portfolio and with consultation with our prudential regulators, it was determined that larger provisions were required in the second quarter of 2024. As a result, we decided it was appropriate to file a restated quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and identified a material weakness in the design of certain internal controls. The loans for which we increased reserves were originated between 2020 and 2023. More recent vintages of our loan portfolio are performing well as we have engaged in lending and partnerships that we have evaluated as having a relatively lower risk profile. The provision for credit losses after the amendment was $8.7 million in the second quarter of 2024.

    Management and the Board of Directors take the reported material weakness very seriously. We have taken corrective action to address the basis for the restatement and are working to promptly remediate. 

    We also acknowledge the ongoing lawsuits filed by some of the Water Station equipment borrowers. We intend to vigorously defend against these claims, which we believe are meritless. We also intend to continue pursuing collection of all monies owed by the litigants using all available legal means.

    Moving forward, the highly capable bankers at First Fed are focused on continuing to build relationships with small businesses and individuals in the communities we serve. We continue to pursue inroads in SBA, treasury, maritime lending, first and second mortgage lending and community banking. We are introducing products and services to meet our customers where they are and to enhance their overall experience with First Fed. We believe that focusing on these fundamentals of Community Banking will improve our results and our overall franchise value.”

    — Matthew P. Deines, President and CEO, First Northwest Bancorp

    2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS   3Q 24     2Q 24     3Q 23     2024 YTD     2023 YTD  
    OPERATING RESULTS (in millions)                                        
    Net (loss) income   $ (2.0 )   $ (2.2 )   $ 2.5     $ (3.8 )   $ 7.8  
    Pre-provision net interest income     14.0       14.2       15.0       42.2       47.2  
    Provision for credit losses     3.1       8.7       0.4       12.8       0.2  
    Noninterest expense     15.8       15.6       14.4       45.8       44.5  
    Total revenue, net of interest expense *     15.8       21.6       17.9       53.5       54.2  
    PER SHARE DATA                                        
    Basic and diluted (loss) earnings   $ (0.23 )   $ (0.25 )   $ 0.28     $ (0.43 )   $ 0.87  
    Book value     17.17       16.81       16.20       17.17       16.20  
    Tangible book value *     17.00       16.64       16.03       17.00       16.03  
    BALANCE SHEET (in millions)                                        
    Total assets   $ 2,255     $ 2,216     $ 2,154     $ 2,255     $ 2,154  
    Total loans     1,735       1,698       1,635       1,735       1,635  
    Total deposits     1,712       1,708       1,658       1,712       1,658  
    Total shareholders’ equity     161       159       156       161       156  
    ASSET QUALITY                                        
    Net charge-off ratio(1)     0.10 %     1.70 %     0.30 %     0.67 %     0.10 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     1.35       1.07       0.11       1.35       0.11  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans                                        
    to total loans     1.27       1.14       1.04       1.27       1.04  
    Nonaccrual loan coverage ratio     72       82       714       72       714  
    (1)  Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
    *See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.
                                             
    2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS (Continued)   3Q 24     2Q 24     3Q 23     2024 YTD     2023 YTD  
    SELECTED RATIOS                                        
    Return on average assets(1)     -0.36 %     -0.40 %     0.46 %     -0.23 %     0.50 %
    Return on average equity(1)     -4.91       -5.47       6.17       -3.14       6.50  
    Return on average tangible common equity(1) *     -4.96       -5.53       6.23       -3.17       6.57  
    Net interest margin     2.70       2.76       2.97       2.74       3.22  
    Efficiency ratio     100.31       72.32       80.52       85.54       82.06  
    Bank common equity tier 1 (CETI) ratio     12.20       12.40       13.43       12.20       13.43  
    Bank total risk-based capital ratio     13.44       13.49       14.38       13.44       14.38  
    (1)  Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
    *See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.
                                             
      2024 Significant Items as of September 30, 2024
    Year-to-date net loss of $3.8 million was primarily due to a provision for credit losses of $12.8 million as the collectability of a small number of loan relationships continued to deteriorate and additional reserves were taken on purchased loan pools.
    First Fed Bank (“First Fed” or the “Bank”) balance sheet restructuring contributed to an improved year-to-date yield on earning assets by 16-basis points over the prior year end to 5.44%.
      –  Sale-leaseback transaction completed in the second quarter, resulting in a $7.9 million gain on sale of premises and equipment.
      –  Sold $23.2 million of lower-yielding security investments which resulted in $2.1 million year-to-date loss on sale.
      –  Purchased $53.3 million of higher-yielding security investments year-to-date.
      –  Continued conversion of lower-yielding bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) with one conversion completed in the first quarter and an exchange in the third quarter. Two additional policy restructures expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
    Net interest margin decreased over the prior year end from 3.13% to 2.74%, impacted by the increase in deposit and borrowing costs outpacing increased yields on loans and investments.
    Loan mix shifted away from construction and commercial real estate into commercial business, auto, multi-family real estate, one-to-four family and home equity compared to the prior year end. The weighted-average rate on new loans year-to-date was 8.5%.
    Borrowings increased $14.1 million, or 4.4%, to $335.0 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $320.9 million at December 31, 2023.
    Repurchased 214,132 shares during the first quarter, which closed out the October 2020 Stock Repurchase Plan.
    Repurchased 98,156 shares during the third quarter under the new share repurchase plan approved in April 2024. 
    Year-to-date deposit growth of $34.7 million, or 2.0%, to $1.71 billion, with a $30.0 million shift from savings to money market accounts. Cost of total deposits increased over the prior year end from 1.66% to 2.49%.
    Estimated insured deposits totaled $1.3 billion, or 77% of total deposits at September 30, 2024. Available liquidity to uninsured deposit coverage remained strong at 142% at September 30, 2024.
    Classified loans increased to 2.71% of total loans at September 30, 2024, compared to 2.12% at December 31, 2023.
    Nonperforming assets increased $11.7 million year-to-date mainly due to three commercial loan relationships included in commercial construction, commercial real estate and commercial business.
    Completed a reduction-in-force impacting 9% of our workforce on July 24, 2024. This action, along with year-to-date headcount management through attrition, is expected to result in a reduction in current levels of compensation expense by approximately $820,000 per quarter starting in the fourth quarter of 2024.
       

    First Northwest Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWB) (“First Northwest” or the “Company”) today reported a net loss of $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a net loss of $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2024 and net income of $2.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted loss per share were $0.23 for the third quarter of 2024, compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.25 for the second quarter of 2024 and basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.28 for the third quarter of 2023. In the third quarter of 2024, the Company generated a return on average assets of -0.36%, a return on average equity of -4.91% and a return on average tangible common equity* of -4.96%. Loss before provision for income taxes was $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a loss before provision for income taxes of $2.8 million for the preceding quarter, a decrease of $417,000, or 15.1%, and decreased $6.3 million compared to income of $3.1 million for the third quarter of 2023.

    The Bank recorded reserves on individually analyzed loans totaling $1.9 million due to the uncertain future cash flows from specific loan relationships in the third quarter of 2024. An additional credit loss on loans of $1.8 million was attributable to an increase in the reserve on pooled commercial business loans, with a reserve loss rate of 3.4% applied to that segment of the loan portfolio at period end. We believe the reserve on individually analyzed loans does not represent a universal decline in the collectability of all loans in the portfolio. We continue to work on resolution plans for all troubled borrowers. The provision for credit losses on loans had a significant negative impact on net income and was the only reason for the net loss recorded for the third quarter of 2024.

    Steps taken to restructure the Bank’s balance sheet continue to have a positive impact. The fair value hedge on loans, tied to the compounded overnight index swap using the secured overnight financing rate index, established in the first quarter of 2024 added $946,000 to interest income year-to-date. The fair value hedge on loans reduces interest rate risk by reducing liability sensitivity while increasing interest income. We estimate that if rates remain unchanged, this hedge will add $1.3 million of annualized interest income in 2024. The estimated impact will be reduced if the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) implements additional rate cuts during the year. The Bank expects to maintain a positive carry on its derivative for up to 75-basis points of additional rate cuts.

    The balance sheet restructure plan also includes the conversion of BOLI policies in order to reinvest in higher yielding products. The first $6.1 million policy earning 2.58% was surrendered during the first quarter and reinvested into a policy earning 5.18%. In the third quarter of 2024, a $1.3 million policy earning 3.18% was exchanged and reinvested into a policy earning 5.73%. The remaining surrender and exchange transactions are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

    Net Interest Income
    Total interest income decreased $405,000 to $28.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $28.6 million in the previous quarter, and increased $2.4 million compared to $25.8 million in the third quarter of 2023. Interest income decreased in the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to interest reversals for loans placed on nonaccrual totaling $619,000. The interest adjustments were partially offset by higher yields on performing loans combined with increased loan volume. Interest and fees on loans increased year-over-year as the loan portfolio grew as a result of draws on new and existing lines of credit, originations of commercial real estate, commercial business and home equity loans, and auto and manufactured home loan purchases. Loan yields increased over the prior year due to higher rates on new originations as well as the repricing of variable and adjustable-rate loans tied to the Prime Rate or other indices.

    Total interest expense decreased $190,000 to $14.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $14.4 million in the second quarter of 2024, and increased $3.3 million compared to $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was lower primarily due to lower rates on advances combined with decreased advance volumes. The decrease was partially offset by a 9-basis point increase in the cost of deposits to 2.56% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, from 2.47% for the prior quarter as a result of customers continuing to shift deposit balances into higher earning products. The increase over the third quarter of 2023 was the result of a 71-basis point increase in the cost of deposits from 1.85% in the third quarter one year ago. A shift in the deposit mix from transaction and savings accounts to money market accounts and time deposits also added to the higher cost of deposits compared to the third quarter of 2023. Higher costs of brokered time deposits also contributed to additional deposit costs with a 57-basis point increase to 4.88% for the current quarter compared to 4.31% for the third quarter one year ago.

    Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2024 decreased $215,000, or 1.5%, to $14.0 million, compared to $14.2 million for the preceding quarter, and decreased $930,000, or 6.2%, from the third quarter one year ago. The impact of the September FRB rate cut will be reflected beginning with fourth quarter 2024 interest income and expenses.

    The Company recorded a $3.1 million provision for credit losses on loans in the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to reserves taken individually analyzed loans and Current Expected Credit Loss model loss factor increases attributable to pooled commercial business and multi-family loans at quarter end. Credit loss provision increases were offset by decreases to the loss factors applied to consumer, commercial real estate and one-to-four family loans. Higher loss factors applied to unfunded commitments and a moderate increase in commitment balances also resulted in a provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $57,000 for the quarter. The total provision for credit loss recorded for the third quarter of 2024 was $3.1 million, compared to a credit loss provision of $8.7 million for the preceding quarter and a provision of $371,000 for the third quarter of 2023.

    The net interest margin decreased to 2.70% for the third quarter of 2024, from 2.76% for the prior quarter, and decreased 27-basis points from 2.97% for the third quarter of 2023. The decrease over the linked quarter is primarily due to the accrued interest reversed on three nonperforming commercial loans during the three months ended September 30, 2024, partially offset by an increase in interest income earned on a higher volume of loans. Investment securities also had decreased volume due to regular payments and lower yields due to variable-rate securities compared to the preceding quarter. The Company reported reduced rates and declining volume of borrowings during the quarter which lowered costs; however, these savings were partially offset by an increase in cost due to a higher volume of retail customer deposits. The decrease in net interest margin from the same quarter one year ago is due to higher funding costs for deposits and borrowed funds. Organic loan production comprised 73% of new loan commitments for the third quarter with the remaining 27% added through purchases of higher-yielding loans from established third-party relationships. The Bank’s fair value hedging agreements on securities and loans added $188,000 and $395,000, respectively, to interest income for the third quarter of 2024.

    The yield on average earning assets for the third quarter of 2024 decreased 11-basis points to 5.44% compared to 5.55% for the second quarter of 2024 and increased 30-basis points from 5.14% for the third quarter of 2023. The third quarter decrease is attributable to the accrued interest reversed on nonperforming loans, a lower yield and volume of investment securities and a decrease in the balance of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock. The year-over-year increase in interest income was primarily due to higher average loan balances augmented by increases in yields on all earning assets, which were positively impacted by the higher rate environment.

    The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities decreased 5-basis points to 3.23% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 3.28% for the second quarter of 2024, and increased 63-basis points from 2.60% for the third quarter of 2023. Total cost of funds decreased to 2.82% for the third quarter of 2024 from 2.87% in the prior quarter and increased from 2.23% for the third quarter of 2023. Current quarter decreases were due to lower average balances and costs on borrowings. The Bank continues to offer higher rate specials on money market and CD accounts to attract and retain retail customer deposits. The average brokered CD balance decreased $5.5 million from the linked quarter with a 6-basis point decrease in the average rate paid on brokered funds.

    The increase in cost of average interest-bearing liabilities over the same quarter last year was driven by higher rates paid on deposits and borrowings and higher average CD balances. The Company attracted and retained funding through the use of promotional products and a focus on digital account acquisition. The mix of retail deposit balances shifted from no or low-cost transaction and savings accounts towards higher cost term certificate and higher yield money market accounts. Retail CDs represented 29.3%, 26.8% and 27.6% of retail deposits at September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. Average interest-bearing deposit balances increased $44.8 million, or 3.2%, to $1.45 billion for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2024 and increased $75.0 million, or 5.4%, compared to $1.38 billion for the third quarter of 2023.

    Selected Yields   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Loan yield     5.51 %     5.62 %     5.51 %     5.38 %     5.31 %
    Investment securities yield     4.90       5.01       4.75       4.53       4.18  
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits     3.00       2.91       2.86       2.52       2.22  
    Cost of total deposits     2.56       2.47       2.43       2.12       1.85  
    Cost of borrowed funds     4.35       4.76       4.52       4.50       4.45  
    Net interest spread     2.21       2.27       2.28       2.40       2.54  
    Net interest margin     2.70       2.76       2.76       2.84       2.97  
                                             

    Noninterest Income
    Noninterest income decreased to $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $7.4 million for the second quarter of 2024. Nonrecurring second quarter transactions included a sale-leaseback transaction which resulted in a gain on sale of premises and equipment of $7.9 million, partially offset by a $2.1 million loss on the sale of lower-yielding available-for-sale securities. Income from the gain on sale of loans in the third quarter of 2024 includes $51,000 from SBA loans, compared to $116,000 in the prior quarter. Write-downs on sold loan servicing rights mark-to-market valuation totaled $161,000 for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $103,000 in the prior quarter. Other noninterest income includes a valuation gain on partnership investments of $279,000 compared to a loss of $56,000 in the preceding quarter.

    Noninterest income decreased 38.7% from $2.9 million in the same quarter one year ago. The third quarter of 2023 included $750,000 in credit enhancements reimbursed to the Company on Splash charge-offs recorded in other noninterest income. The quarter ended September 30, 2023, also included a $102,000 gain on sale of mortgage loans, compared to a $6,000 gain in the third quarter of 2024.

    Noninterest Income                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Loan and deposit service fees   $ 1,059     $ 1,076     $ 1,102       1,068     $ 1,068  
    Sold loan servicing fees and servicing rights mark-to-market     10       74       219       276       98  
    Net gain on sale of loans     58       150       52       33       171  
    Net (loss) gain on sale of investment securities           (2,117 )           (5,397 )      
    Net gain on sale of premises and equipment           7,919                    
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance     315       293       243       260       252  
    Other income     337       (48 )     572       831       1,315  
    Total noninterest income   $ 1,779     $ 7,347     $ 2,188     $ (2,929 )   $ 2,904  
                                             

    Noninterest Expense
    Noninterest expense totaled $15.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $15.6 million for the preceding quarter and $14.4 million for the third quarter a year ago. Increases were primarily due to one-time severance payouts of $704,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy due to the one-time tax assessment on the sale-leaseback of $359,000 paid in the previous quarter. Other expense increased this quarter primarily due to $161,000 of additional credit related expenses.

    The increase in total noninterest expenses compared to the third quarter of 2023 is mainly due to current quarter one-time severance payouts of $704,000, additional payroll tax expense of $342,000 and additional medical benefit expense of $162,000. Payroll tax expense in the third quarter of 2023 included accretion of the employee retention credit (“ERC”) which reduced the expense by $293,000. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Bank stopped the recognition of the ERC for the foreseeable future. Occupancy increased due to the additional rent of $416,000 from the previous quarter sale-leaseback transaction. Other increases compared to the third quarter of 2023 included $51,000 in stockholder communications, $103,000 of state taxes, $163,000 in FDIC insurance premiums, and $269,000 of additional credit related expenses. These increases were partially offset by lower legal fees of $204,000, consulting fees of $146,000 and advertising costs of $91,000. The Company continues to focus on controlling compensation expense and reducing advertising and other discretionary spending to improve earnings.

    Noninterest Expense                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Compensation and benefits   $ 8,582     $ 8,588     $ 8,128     $ 7,397     $ 7,795  
    Data processing     2,085       2,008       1,944       2,107       1,945  
    Occupancy and equipment     1,553       1,799       1,240       1,262       1,173  
    Supplies, postage, and telephone     360       317       293       351       292  
    Regulatory assessments and state taxes     548       457       513       376       446  
    Advertising     409       377       309       235       501  
    Professional fees     698       684       910       1,119       929  
    FDIC insurance premium     533       473       386       418       369  
    Other expense     1,080       906       580       3,725       926  
    Total noninterest expense   $ 15,848     $ 15,609     $ 14,303     $ 16,990     $ 14,376  
                                             
    Efficiency ratio     100.31 %     72.32 %     88.75 %     150.81 %     80.52 %
                                             

    Investment Securities
    Investment securities increased $4.2 million, or 1.4%, to $310.9 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $306.7 million three months earlier, and increased $1.5 million compared to $309.3 million at September 30, 2023. The market value of the portfolio increased $8.1 million during the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to the market rally in the second half the third quarter which drove the yield curve lower. At September 30, 2024, municipal bonds totaled $81.4 million and comprised the largest portion of the investment portfolio at 26.2%. Agency issued mortgage-backed securities (“MBS agency”) were the second largest segment, totaling $78.5 million, or 25.3%, of the portfolio at quarter end. Included in MBS non-agency were $29.6 million of commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), of which 89.8% were in “A” tranches and the remaining 10.2% were in “B” tranches. Our largest exposure in the CMBS portfolio at September 30, 2024, was to long-term care facilities, which comprised 65.0%, or $19.2 million, of our private label CMBS securities. All of the CMBS bonds had credit enhancements ranging from 28.8% to 71.8%, with a weighted-average credit enhancement of 55.3%, that further reduced the risk of loss on these investments.

    The estimated average life of the securities portfolio was approximately 7.4 years at September 30, 2024, 7.8 years at the prior quarter end and 7.7 years for the third quarter of 2023. The effective duration of the portfolio was approximately 3.9 years at September 30, 2024, compared to 4.3 years in the prior quarter and 4.9 years at the end of the third quarter of 2023. Our recent investment purchases have primarily been floating rate securities to take advantage of higher short-term rates above those offered on cash and to reduce our liability sensitivity.

    Investment Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Value                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Municipal bonds   $ 81,363     $ 78,825     $ 87,004     $ 87,761     $ 93,995  
    U.S. Treasury notes                             2,377  
    International agency issued bonds (Agency bonds)                             1,703  
    U.S. government agency issued asset-backed securities (ABS agency)     13,296       13,982       14,822       11,782        
    Corporate issued asset-backed securities (ABS corporate)     16,391       16,483       13,929       5,286        
    Corporate issued debt securities (Corporate debt):                                        
    Senior positions     10,241       9,066       13,617       9,270       16,975  
    Subordinated bank notes     43,817       43,826       39,414       42,184       37,360  
    U.S. Small Business Administration securities (SBA)     9,317       9,772       7,911              
    Mortgage-backed securities:                                        
    U.S. government agency issued mortgage-backed securities (MBS agency)     78,549       77,301       83,271       63,247       66,946  
    Non-agency issued mortgage-backed securities (MBS non-agency)     57,886       57,459       65,987       76,093       89,968  
    Total securities available for sale, at fair value   $ 310,860     $ 306,714     $ 325,955     $ 295,623     $ 309,324  
                                             

    Loans and Unfunded Loan Commitments
    Net loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $36.7 million, or 2.2%, to $1.71 billion at September 30, 2024, from $1.68 billion at June 30, 2024, and increased $96.4 million, or 6.0%, from $1.62 billion one year ago.

    Commercial business loans increased $38.2 million, primarily attributable to a $29.0 million increase in our Northpointe Bank Mortgage Purchase Program participation, organic originations totaling $7.9 million and draws on existing lines of credit of $5.7 million which were partially offset by payments. One-to-four family loans increased $5.9 million during the third quarter of 2024 as a result of $14.2 million in residential construction loans that converted to permanent amortizing loans, partially offset by payoffs and scheduled payments. Home equity loans increased $4.3 million over the previous quarter due to organic home equity loan production of $5.5 million and draws on new and existing commitments of $4.6 million, partially offset by payoffs and scheduled payments. Multi-family loans increased $3.7 million during the current quarter. The increase was primarily the result of $9.2 million of construction loans converting into permanent amortizing loans, partially offset by payoffs and scheduled payments. Commercial real estate loans increased $497,000 during the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter as originations of $8.6 million were offset by payoffs and scheduled payments.

    Construction loans decreased $11.6 million during the quarter, with $23.4 million converting into fully amortizing loans, partially offset by draws on new and existing loans. New single-family residence construction loan commitments totaled $4.1 million in the third quarter, compared to $2.7 million in the preceding quarter. Auto and other consumer loans decreased $4.4 million during the third quarter of 2024 as payoffs and scheduled payments were higher than $5.8 million of new auto loan purchases, a $4.3 million manufactured home loan pool and individual manufactured home loan purchases totaling $1.2 million. 

    The Company originated $3.4 million in residential mortgages during the third quarter of 2023 and sold $3.9 million, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 2.06%. This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $5.0 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $4.9 million, and an average gross margin of 2.05%. Single-family home inventory remained historically low and higher market rates on mortgage loans continued to limit saleable mortgage loan production through much of the third quarter.

    Loans by Collateral and Unfunded Commitments                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    One-to-four family construction   $ 51,607     $ 49,440     $ 70,100     $ 60,211     $ 72,991  
    All other construction and land     45,166       58,346       55,286       69,484       71,092  
    One-to-four family first mortgage     469,053       434,840       436,543       426,159       409,207  
    One-to-four family junior liens     14,701       13,706       12,608       12,250       12,859  
    One-to-four family revolving open-end     48,459       44,803       45,536       42,479       38,413  
    Commercial real estate, owner occupied:                                        
    Health care     29,407       29,678       29,946       22,523       22,677  
    Office     17,901       19,215       17,951       18,468       18,599  
    Warehouse     11,645       14,613       14,683       14,758       14,890  
    Other     64,535       56,292       55,063       61,304       57,414  
    Commercial real estate, non-owner occupied:                                        
    Office     49,770       50,158       53,099       53,548       53,879  
    Retail     49,717       50,101       50,478       51,384       51,466  
    Hospitality     62,282       62,628       66,982       67,332       61,339  
    Other     82,573       84,428       93,040       94,822       96,083  
    Multi-family residential     354,118       350,382       339,907       333,428       325,338  
    Commercial business loans     86,904       79,055       90,781       76,920       75,068  
    Commercial agriculture and fishing loans     15,369       14,411       10,200       5,422       4,437  
    State and political subdivision obligations     404       405       405       405       439  
    Consumer automobile loans     144,036       151,121       139,524       132,877       134,695  
    Consumer loans secured by other assets     132,749       129,293       122,895       108,542       104,999  
    Consumer loans unsecured     4,411       5,209       6,415       7,712       9,093  
    Total loans   $ 1,734,807     $ 1,698,124     $ 1,711,442     $ 1,660,028     $ 1,634,978  
                                             
    Unfunded commitments under lines of credit or existing loans   $ 166,446     $ 155,005     $ 148,736     $ 149,631     $ 154,722  
                                             

    Deposits
    Total deposits increased $3.4 million to $1.71 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $1.71 billion at June 30, 2024, and increased $53.9 million, or 3.3%, compared to $1.66 billion one year ago. During the third quarter of 2024, total retail customer deposit balances increased $23.4 million and brokered deposit balances decreased $20.0 million. Compared to the preceding quarter, there were balance increases of $18.1 million in consumer time deposits, $17.7 million in business money market accounts, $7.9 million in consumer demand accounts and $7.7 million in business time deposits. These increases were partially offset by decreases in business demand accounts of $26.4 million, brokered time deposits of $20.0 million, consumer money market accounts of $7.4 million, business savings accounts of $6.5 million, consumer savings accounts of $5.3 million and public fund time deposits of $941,000, during the third quarter of 2024. Increases in time deposits and money market accounts were driven by customer behavior as they sought out higher rates. Overall, the current rate environment continues to contribute to greater competition for deposits with ongoing deposit rate specials offered to attract new funds.

    The Company estimates that $401.0 million, or 23%, of total deposit balances were uninsured at September 30, 2024. Approximately $265.7 million, or 16%, of total deposits were uninsured business and consumer deposits with the remaining $135.3 million, or 8%, consisting of uninsured public funds at September 30, 2024. Uninsured public fund balances were fully collateralized. The Bank holds an FHLB standby letter of credit as part of our participation in the Washington Public Deposit Protection Commission program which covered $115.5 million of related deposit balances while the remaining $19.8 million of uninsured tribal accounts was fully covered through pledged securities at September 30, 2024.

    As of September 30, 2024, consumer deposits made up 58% of total deposits with an average balance of $24,000 per account, business deposits made up 22% of total deposits with an average balance of $51,000 per account, public fund deposits made up 8% of total deposits with an average balance of $1.6 million per account and the remaining 12% of account balances are brokered time deposits. We have maintained the majority of our public fund relationships for over 10 years. Approximately 70% of our customer base is located in rural areas, with 18% in urban areas and the remaining 12% are brokered deposits as of September 30, 2024.

    Deposits                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits   $ 252,999     $ 276,543     $ 252,083     $ 269,800     $ 280,475  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     167,202       162,201       169,418       182,361       179,029  
    Money market accounts     433,307       423,047       362,205       372,706       374,269  
    Savings accounts     212,763       224,631       242,148       253,182       260,279  
    Certificates of deposit, retail     441,665       398,161       443,412       410,136       379,484  
    Total retail deposits     1,507,936       1,484,583       1,469,266       1,488,185       1,473,536  
    Certificates of deposit, brokered     203,705       223,705       207,626       169,577       179,586  
    Total deposits   $ 1,711,641     $ 1,708,288     $ 1,676,892     $ 1,657,762     $ 1,653,122  
                                             
    Public fund and tribal deposits included in total deposits   $ 139,729     $ 138,439     $ 132,652     $ 128,627     $ 130,974  
    Total loans to total deposits     101 %     99 %     102 %     100 %     99 %
                                             
    Deposit Mix   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     14.8 %     16.2 %     15.0 %     16.3 %     17.0 %
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     9.8       9.5       10.1       11.0       10.8  
    Money market accounts     25.3       24.8       21.6       22.5       22.6  
    Savings accounts     12.4       13.1       14.4       15.3       15.7  
    Certificates of deposit, retail     25.8       23.3       26.5       24.7       23.0  
    Certificates of deposit, brokered     11.9       13.1       12.4       10.2       10.9  
                                             
    Cost of Deposits for the Quarter Ended   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     0.45 %     0.47 %     0.45 %     0.45 %     0.46 %
    Money market accounts     2.65       2.40       2.08       1.48       1.22  
    Savings accounts     1.64       1.62       1.63       1.54       1.42  
    Certificates of deposit, retail     4.16       4.10       4.13       3.92       3.52  
    Certificates of deposit, brokered     4.88       4.94       4.94       4.72       4.31  
    Cost of total deposits     2.56       2.47       2.43       2.12       1.85  
                                             

    Asset Quality
    The allowance for credit losses on loans (“ACLL”) increased $2.6 million from $19.3 million at June 30, 2024, to $22.0 million at September 30, 2024. The ACLL as a percentage of total loans was 1.27% at September 30, 2024, increasing from 1.14% at June 30, 2024, and increasing from 1.04% one year earlier. The current quarter increase can be attributed to $1.9 million of additional reserves taken on individually evaluated commercial business loans due uncertainty in the collectability of these loans. The pooled loan reserve increased $1.2 million due to higher loss factors applied to commercial business and multi-family loans, partially offset by lower loss factors applied to one-to-four family, commercial real estate, home equity, auto and other consumer loans. Loss factors were revised based on the results of an annual loss driver analysis, in conjunction with other relevant factors, to update each segment’s sensitivity to qualitative factors used in the calculation of the pooled reserve at September 30, 2024.

    Nonperforming loans totaled $30.4 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $6.8 million from June 30, 2024, primarily attributable to a $5.6 million delinquent commercial real estate relationship and two commercial business loans with an aggregate total of $1.7 million placed on nonaccrual due to credit concerns. The percentage of the allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans decreased to 72% at September 30, 2024, from 82% at June 30, 2024, and from 714% at September 30, 2023. This ratio continues to decline as higher balances of real estate loans are included in nonperforming assets with no significant corresponding increase to the ACLL as these secured loans are considered adequately reserved for based on information currently available.

    Classified loans increased $7.2 million to $46.9 million at September 30, 2024, due to the downgrade of one $6.4 million commercial real estate loan and ten commercial business loans totaling $5.6 million during the third quarter, partially offset by loan payoffs totaling $5.0 million. An $11.2 million construction loan relationship, which became a classified loan in the fourth quarter of 2022; an $8.1 million commercial construction loan relationship, which became classified in the previous quarter; and a $6.2 million commercial loan relationship, which became classified in the fourth quarter of 2023, account for 55% of the classified loan balance at September 30, 2024. The Bank has exercised legal remedies, including the appointment of a third-party receiver and foreclosure actions, to liquidate the underlying collateral to satisfy the real estate loans in two of these three collateral dependent relationships. The Bank is also closely monitoring certain equity program loans, with 14 loans totaling $5.9 million included in classified loans at September 30, 2024, and an additional nine loans totaling $3.1 million included in the special mention risk grading category.

    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans     1.27 %     1.14 %     1.05 %     1.05 %     1.04 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans     72       82       92       94       714  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     1.75       1.39       1.14       1.12       0.15  
    Net charge-off ratio (annualized)     0.10       1.70       0.19       0.14       0.30  
                                             
    Total nonaccrual loans   $ 30,376     $ 23,631     $ 19,481     $ 18,644     $ 2,374  
    Reserve for unfunded commitments   $ 704     $ 647     $ 548     $ 817     $ 828  
                                             

    Capital
    Total shareholders’ equity increased to $160.8 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $158.9 million three months earlier, due to an increase in the after-tax fair market values of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio of $6.3 million, partially offset by a net loss of $2.0 million, a decrease in the after-tax fair market values of derivatives of $1.2 million, share repurchases totaling $1.0 million and dividends declared of $659,000.

    Book value per common share was $17.17 at September 30, 2024, compared to $16.81 at June 30, 2024, and $16.20 at September 30, 2023. Tangible book value per common share* was $17.00 at September 30, 2024, compared to $16.64 at June 30, 2024, and $16.03 at September 30, 2023.

    Capital levels for both the Company and its operating bank, First Fed, remain in excess of applicable regulatory requirements and the Bank was categorized as “well-capitalized” at September 30, 2024. Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios at September 30, 2024, were 12.2% and 13.4%, respectively.

        3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Equity to total assets     7.13 %     7.17 %     7.17 %     7.42 %     7.25 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets *     7.06       7.10       7.10       7.35       7.17  
    Capital ratios (First Fed Bank):                                        
    Tier 1 leverage     9.39       9.38       9.74       9.90       10.12  
    Common equity Tier 1 capital     12.20       12.40       12.56       13.12       13.43  
    Tier 1 risk-based     12.20       12.40       12.56       13.12       13.43  
    Total risk-based     13.44       13.49       13.57       14.11       14.38  
                                             

    Share Repurchase Program and Cash Dividend
    First Northwest continued to return capital to our shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases during the third quarter of 2024. We repurchased 98,156 shares of common stock under the Company’s April 2024 Stock Repurchase Plan (“Repurchase Plan”) at an average price of $10.19 per share for a total of $1.0 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, leaving 846,123 shares remaining under the plan. In addition, the Company paid cash dividends totaling $652,000 in the third quarter of 2024.

    ____________________
    *
     See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.

    Awards/Recognition
    The Company received several accolades as a leader in the community in the last year.

    In September 2024, the First Fed team was recognized in the 2024 Best of Olympic Peninsula surveys, winning Best Bank and Best Lender in Clallam County; Best Bank and Best Financial Advisor in the West End; and Best Lender in Jefferson County. First Fed was also a finalist for Best Bank, Best Customer Service, Best Employer and Best Financial Advisor in Jefferson County; Best Customer Service, Best Employer and Best Financial Advisor in Clallam County; and Best Customer Service and Best Employer in the West End.
    In May 2024, First Fed, along with the First Fed Community Foundation, were honored to be ranked second on the Puget Sound Business Journal Midsize Corporate Philanthropists list.
    In October 2023, the First Fed team was honored to bring home the Gold for Best Bank in the Best of the Northwest survey hosted by Bellingham Alive for the second year in a row.
    In September 2023, the First Fed team was recognized in the 2023 Best of Olympic Peninsula surveys as a finalist for Best Employer in Kitsap County and Best Bank and Best Financial Institution in Bainbridge.
       

    About the Company
    First Northwest Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWB) is a financial holding company engaged in investment activities including the business of its subsidiary, First Fed Bank. First Fed is a Pacific Northwest-based financial institution which has served its customers and communities since 1923. Currently First Fed has 16 locations in Washington state including 12 full-service branches. First Fed’s business and operating strategy is focused on building sustainable earnings by delivering a full array of financial products and services for individuals, small businesses, non-profit organizations and commercial customers. In 2022, First Northwest made an investment in The Meriwether Group, LLC, a boutique investment banking and accelerator firm. Additionally, First Northwest focuses on strategic partnerships to provide modern financial services such as digital payments and marketplace lending. First Northwest Bancorp was incorporated in 2012 and completed its initial public offering in 2015 under the ticker symbol FNWB. The Company is headquartered in Port Angeles, Washington.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, including our ability to collect, the outcome of litigation and statements regarding our mission and vision, and include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions that are not historical facts, and other statements often identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management beliefs and expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Our actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety of factors including, but not limited to: increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; the credit risks of lending activities; pressures on liquidity, including as a result of withdrawals of deposits or declines in the value of our investment portfolio; changes in general economic conditions and conditions within the securities markets; legislative and regulatory changes; the risk of inaccuracies in the reporting of our financial condition as a result of the material weakness in our internal controls; and other factors described in the Companys latest Annual Report on Form 10-K under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”),which are available on our website at www.ourfirstfed.com and on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

    Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this press release and in the other public statements we make may turn out to be incorrect because of the inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf and the Company’s operating and stock price performance may be negatively affected. 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. These risks could cause our actual results for 2024 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of, us and could negatively affect the Companys operations and stock price performance.

    For More Information Contact:
    Matthew P. Deines, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Geri Bullard, EVP, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
    IRGroup@ourfirstfed.com
    360-457-0461

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Dollars in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     Three Month Change     One Year Change  
    ASSETS                                        
    Cash and due from banks   $ 17,953     $ 19,184     $ 20,609       -6.4 %     -12.9 %
    Interest-earning deposits in banks     64,769       63,995       63,277       1.2       2.4  
    Investment securities available for sale, at fair value     310,860       306,714       309,324       1.4       0.5  
    Loans held for sale     378       1,086       689       -65.2       -45.1  
    Loans receivable (net of allowance for credit losses on loans $21,970, $19,343, and $16,945)     1,714,416       1,677,764       1,618,033       2.2       6.0  
    Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost     14,435       13,086       12,621       10.3       14.4  
    Accrued interest receivable     8,939       9,466       8,093       -5.6       10.5  
    Premises and equipment, net     10,436       10,714       17,954       -2.6       -41.9  
    Servicing rights on sold loans, at fair value     3,584       3,740       3,729       -4.2       -3.9  
    Bank-owned life insurance, net     41,429       41,113       40,318       0.8       2.8  
    Equity and partnership investments     14,912       15,085       14,623       -1.1       2.0  
    Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     1,083       1,084       1,087       -0.1       -0.4  
    Deferred tax asset, net     10,802       12,216       16,611       -11.6       -35.0  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     41,490       40,715       26,577       1.9       56.1  
    Total assets   $ 2,255,486     $ 2,215,962     $ 2,153,545       1.8 %     4.7 %
                                             
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                                        
    Deposits   $ 1,711,641     $ 1,708,288     $ 1,657,762       0.2 %     3.3 %
    Borrowings     334,994       302,575       300,416       10.7       11.5  
    Accrued interest payable     2,153       3,143       2,276       -31.5       -5.4  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     43,424       41,771       34,651       4.0       25.3  
    Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance     2,485       1,304       2,375       90.6       4.6  
    Total liabilities     2,094,697       2,057,081       1,997,480       1.8       4.9  
                                             
    Shareholders’ Equity                                        
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding                       n/a       n/a  
    Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,365,979 at September 30, 2024; issued and outstanding 9,453,247 at June 30, 2024; and issued and outstanding 9,630,735 at September 30, 2023     94       94       96       0.0       -2.1  
    Additional paid-in capital     93,218       93,985       95,658       -0.8       -2.6  
    Retained earnings     100,660       103,322       113,579       -2.6       -11.4  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax     (26,424 )     (31,597 )     (45,850 )     16.4       42.4  
    Unearned employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) shares     (6,759 )     (6,923 )     (7,418 )     2.4       8.9  
    Total shareholders’ equity     160,789       158,881       156,065       1.2       3.0  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,255,486     $ 2,215,962     $ 2,153,545       1.8 %     4.7 %
                                             

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

        Quarter Ended                  
        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     Three Month Change     One Year Change  
    INTEREST INCOME                                        
    Interest and fees on loans receivable   $ 23,536     $ 23,733     $ 21,728       -0.8 %     8.3 %
    Interest on investment securities     3,786       3,949       3,368       -4.1       12.4  
    Interest on deposits in banks     582       571       524       1.9       11.1  
    FHLB dividends     302       358       214       -15.6       41.1  
    Total interest income     28,206       28,611       25,834       -1.4       9.2  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                                        
    Deposits     10,960       10,180       7,699       7.7       42.4  
    Borrowings     3,226       4,196       3,185       -23.1       1.3  
    Total interest expense     14,186       14,376       10,884       -1.3       30.3  
    Net interest income     14,020       14,235       14,950       -1.5       -6.2  
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES                                        
    Provision for credit losses on loans     3,077       8,640       880       -64.4       249.7  
    Provision for (recapture of) credit losses on unfunded commitments     57       99       (509 )     -42.4       111.2  
    Provision for credit losses     3,134       8,739       371       -64.1       744.7  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     10,886       5,496       14,579       98.1       -25.3  
    NONINTEREST INCOME                                        
    Loan and deposit service fees     1,059       1,076       1,068       -1.6       -0.8  
    Sold loan servicing fees and servicing rights mark-to-market     10       74       98       -86.5       -89.8  
    Net gain on sale of loans     58       150       171       -61.3       -66.1  
    Net loss on sale of investment securities           (2,117 )           100.0       n/a  
    Net gain on sale of premises and equipment           7,919             -100.0       n/a  
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance     315       293       252       7.5       25.0  
    Other income     337       (48 )     1,315       802.1       -74.4  
    Total noninterest income     1,779       7,347       2,904       -75.8       -38.7  
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE                                        
    Compensation and benefits     8,582       8,588       7,795       -0.1       10.1  
    Data processing     2,085       2,008       1,945       3.8       7.2  
    Occupancy and equipment     1,553       1,799       1,173       -13.7       32.4  
    Supplies, postage, and telephone     360       317       292       13.6       23.3  
    Regulatory assessments and state taxes     548       457       446       19.9       22.9  
    Advertising     409       377       501       8.5       -18.4  
    Professional fees     698       684       929       2.0       -24.9  
    FDIC insurance premium     533       473       369       12.7       44.4  
    Other expense     1,080       906       926       19.2       16.6  
    Total noninterest expense     15,848       15,609       14,376       1.5       10.2  
    (Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes     (3,183 )     (2,766 )     3,107       -15.1       -202.4  
    (Benefit) provision for income taxes     (1,203 )     (547 )     603       -119.9       -299.5  
    Net (loss) income   $ (1,980 )   $ (2,219 )   $ 2,504       10.8 %     -179.1 %
                                             
    Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share   $ (0.23 )   $ (0.25 )   $ 0.28       8.0 %     -182.1 %
                                             

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

        Nine Months Ended September 30,     Percent  
        2024     2023     Change  
    INTEREST INCOME                        
    Interest and fees on loans receivable   $ 70,036     $ 62,531       12.0 %
    Interest on investment securities     11,367       9,886       15.0  
    Interest on deposits in banks     1,798       1,545       16.4  
    FHLB dividends     942       628       50.0  
    Total interest income     84,143       74,590       12.8  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                        
    Deposits     31,252       18,261       71.1  
    Borrowings     10,708       9,092       17.8  
    Total interest expense     41,960       27,353       53.4  
    Net interest income     42,183       47,237       -10.7  
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES                        
    Provision for credit losses on loans     12,956       1,195       984.2  
    (Recapture of) provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments     (113 )     (1,024 )     89.0  
    Provision for credit losses     12,843       171       7,410.5  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     29,340       47,066       -37.7  
    NONINTEREST INCOME                        
    Loan and deposit service fees     3,237       3,273       -1.1  
    Sold loan servicing fees and servicing rights mark-to-market     303       400       -24.3  
    Net gain on sale of loans     260       405       -35.8  
    Net loss on sale of investment securities     (2,117 )           100.0  
    Net gain on sale of premises and equipment     7,919             100.0  
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance     851       668       27.4  
    Other income     861       2,203       -60.9  
    Total noninterest income     11,314       6,949       62.8  
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE                        
    Compensation and benefits     25,298       23,812       6.2  
    Data processing     6,037       6,063       -0.4  
    Occupancy and equipment     4,592       3,596       27.7  
    Supplies, postage, and telephone     970       1,082       -10.4  
    Regulatory assessments and state taxes     1,518       1,259       20.6  
    Advertising     1,095       2,471       -55.7  
    Professional fees     2,292       2,619       -12.5  
    FDIC insurance premium     1,392       939       48.2  
    Other     2,566       2,623       -2.2  
    Total noninterest expense     45,760       44,464       2.9  
    (Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes     (5,106 )     9,551       -153.5  
    (Benefit) provision for income taxes     (1,303 )     1,903       -168.5  
    Net (loss) income     (3,803 )     7,648       -149.7  
    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Quin Ventures, Inc.           160       -100.0  
    Net (loss) income attributable to parent   $ (3,803 )   $ 7,808       -148.7 %
                             
    Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share   $ (0.43 )   $ 0.87       -149.4 %
                             

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

        As of or For the Quarter Ended  
        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     March 31, 2024     December 31, 2023     September 30, 2023  
    Performance ratios:(1)                                        
    Return on average assets     -0.36 %     -0.40 %     0.07 %     -1.03 %     0.46 %
    Return on average equity     -4.91       -5.47       0.98       -14.05       6.17  
    Average interest rate spread     2.21       2.27       2.28       2.40       2.54  
    Net interest margin(2)     2.70       2.76       2.76       2.84       2.97  
    Efficiency ratio(3)     100.3       72.3       88.8       150.8       80.5  
    Equity to total assets     7.13       7.17       7.17       7.42       7.25  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     118.0       117.6       118.3       118.2       120.0  
    Book value per common share   $ 17.17     $ 16.81     $ 17.00     $ 16.99     $ 16.20  
                                             
    Tangible performance ratios:(1)                                        
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(4)     7.06 %     7.10 %     7.10 %     7.35 %     7.17 %
    Return on average tangible common equity(4)     -4.96       -5.53       0.99       -14.20       6.23  
    Tangible book value per common share(4)   $ 17.00     $ 16.64     $ 16.83     $ 16.83     $ 16.03  
                                             
    Asset quality ratios:                                        
    Nonperforming assets to total assets at end of period(5)     1.35 %     1.07 %     0.87 %     0.85 %     0.11 %
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans(6)     1.75       1.39       1.14       1.12       0.15  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans(6)     72.33       81.85       92.18       93.92       713.77  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans     1.27       1.14       1.05       1.05       1.04  
    Annualized net charge-offs to average outstanding loans     0.10       1.70       0.19       0.14       0.30  
                                             
    Capital ratios (First Fed Bank):                                        
    Tier 1 leverage     9.4 %     9.4 %     9.7 %     9.9 %     10.1 %
    Common equity Tier 1 capital     12.2       12.4       12.6       13.1       13.4  
    Tier 1 risk-based     12.2       12.4       12.6       13.1       13.4  
    Total risk-based     13.4       13.5       13.6       14.1       14.4  
                                             
    Other Information:                                        
    Average total assets   $ 2,209,333     $ 2,219,370     $ 2,166,187     $ 2,127,655     $ 2,139,734  
    Average total loans     1,718,402       1,717,830       1,678,656       1,645,418       1,641,206  
    Average interest-earning assets     2,061,970       2,072,280       2,027,821       1,980,226       1,994,251  
    Average noninterest-bearing deposits     252,911       251,442       249,283       259,845       276,294  
    Average interest-bearing deposits     1,452,817       1,408,018       1,422,116       1,379,059       1,377,734  
    Average interest-bearing liabilities     1,747,649       1,762,858       1,714,474       1,675,044       1,661,996  
    Average equity     160,479       163,079       161,867       155,971       160,994  
    Average common shares — basic     8,756,765       8,783,086       8,876,236       8,928,620       8,906,526  
    Average common shares — diluted     8,756,765       8,783,086       8,907,184       8,968,828       8,934,882  
    Tangible assets(4)     2,253,914       2,214,361       2,238,446       2,200,230       2,151,849  
    Tangible common equity(4)     159,217       157,280       158,932       161,773       154,369  
    (1) Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
    (2) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
    (3) Total noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income and total other noninterest income.
    (4) See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.
    (5) Nonperforming assets consists of nonperforming loans (which include nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due), real estate owned and repossessed assets.
    (6) Nonperforming loans consists of nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due.
       

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

        As of or For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
    Performance ratios:(1)                
    Return on average assets     -0.23 %     0.50 %
    Return on average equity     -3.14       6.50  
    Average interest rate spread     2.25       2.83  
    Net interest margin(2)     2.74       3.22  
    Efficiency ratio(3)     85.54       82.06  
    Equity to total assets     7.13       7.25  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     117.9       121.0  
    Book value per common share   $ 17.17     $ 16.20  
                     
    Tangible performance ratios:(1)                
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(4)     7.06 %     7.17 %
    Return on average tangible common equity(4)     -3.17       6.57  
    Tangible book value per common share(4)   $ 17.00     $ 16.03  
                     
    Asset quality ratios:                
    Nonperforming assets to total assets at end of period(5)     1.35 %     0.11 %
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans(6)     1.75       0.15  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans(6)     72.33       713.77  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans     1.27       1.04  
    Annualized net charge-offs to average outstanding loans     0.67       0.10  
                     
    Capital ratios (First Fed Bank):                
    Tier 1 leverage     9.4 %     10.1 %
    Common equity Tier 1 capital     12.2       13.4  
    Tier 1 risk-based     12.2       13.4  
    Total risk-based     13.4       14.4  
                     
    Other Information:                
    Average total assets   $ 2,198,337     $ 2,102,980  
    Average total loans     1,705,088       1,698,394  
    Average interest-earning assets     2,054,052       1,959,946  
    Average noninterest-bearing deposits     251,218       284,282  
    Average interest-bearing deposits     1,427,743       1,333,696  
    Average interest-bearing liabilities     1,741,683       1,619,763  
    Average equity     161,803       160,573  
    Average common shares — basic     8,805,124       8,910,391  
    Average common shares — diluted     8,805,124       8,930,404  
    Tangible assets(4)     2,253,914       2,151,849  
    Tangible common equity(4)     159,217       154,369  
    (1) Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
    (2) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
    (3) Total noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income and total other noninterest income.
    (4) See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.
    (5) Nonperforming assets consists of nonperforming loans (which include nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due), real estate owned and repossessed assets.
    (6) Nonperforming loans consists of nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due.
       

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     Three Month Change     One Year Change  
        (In thousands)  
    Real Estate:                                        
    One-to-four family   $ 395,792     $ 389,934     $ 369,950     $ 5,858     $ 25,842  
    Multi-family     353,813       350,076       325,496       3,737       28,317  
    Commercial real estate     376,008       375,511       381,508       497       (5,500 )
    Construction and land     95,709       107,273       143,434       (11,564 )     (47,725 )
    Total real estate loans     1,221,322       1,222,794       1,220,388       (1,472 )     934  
    Consumer:                                        
    Home equity     76,960       72,613       64,424       4,347       12,536  
    Auto and other consumer     281,198       285,623       248,786       (4,425 )     32,412  
    Total consumer loans     358,158       358,236       313,210       (78 )     44,948  
    Commercial business     155,327       117,094       101,380       38,233       53,947  
    Total loans receivable     1,734,807       1,698,124       1,634,978       36,683       99,829  
    Less:                                        
    Derivative basis adjustment     (1,579 )     1,017             (2,596 )     (1,579 )
    Allowance for credit losses on loans     21,970       19,343       16,945       2,627       5,025  
    Total loans receivable, net   $ 1,714,416     $ 1,677,764     $ 1,618,033     $ 36,652     $ 96,383  
                                             

    Selected loan detail:

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     Three Month Change     One Year Change  
        (In thousands)  
    Construction and land loans breakout                                        
    1-4 Family construction   $ 43,125     $ 56,514     $ 63,371     $ (13,389 )   $ (20,246 )
    Multifamily construction     29,109       43,341       54,318       (14,232 )     (25,209 )
    Nonresidential construction     17,500       1,015       18,746       16,485       (1,246 )
    Land and development     5,975       6,403       6,999       (428 )     (1,024 )
    Total construction and land loans   $ 95,709     $ 107,273     $ 143,434     $ (11,564 )   $ (47,725 )
                                             
    Auto and other consumer loans breakout                                        
    Triad Manufactured Home loans   $ 129,600     $ 125,906     $ 101,339     $ 3,694     $ 28,261  
    Woodside auto loans     126,129       131,151       124,833       (5,022 )     1,296  
    First Help auto loans     15,971       17,427       5,079       (1,456 )     10,892  
    Other auto loans     2,064       2,690       5,022       (626 )     (2,958 )
    Other consumer loans     7,434       8,449       12,513       (1,015 )     (5,079 )
    Total auto and other consumer loans   $ 281,198     $ 285,623     $ 248,786     $ (4,425 )   $ 32,412  
                                             
    Commercial business loans breakout                                        
    PPP loans   $     $ 5     $ 45     $ (5 )   $ (45 )
    Northpointe Bank MPP     38,155       9,150       162       29,005       37,993  
    Secured lines of credit     37,686       28,862       35,833       8,824       1,853  
    Unsecured lines of credit     1,571       1,133       919       438       652  
    SBA loans     7,219       7,146       9,149       73       (1,930 )
    Other commercial business loans     70,696       70,798       55,272       (102 )     15,424  
    Total commercial business loans   $ 155,327     $ 117,094     $ 101,380     $ 38,233     $ 53,947  
                                             

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    This press release contains financial measures that are not in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP measures are presented where management believes the information will help investors understand the Company’s results of operations or financial position and assess trends. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure is also provided. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Other banking companies may use names similar to those the Company uses for the non-GAAP financial measures the Company discloses, but may calculate them differently. Investors should understand how the Company and other companies each calculate their non-GAAP financial measures when making comparisons. Reconciliations of the GAAP and non-GAAP measures are presented below.

    Calculation of Total Revenue:

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     March 31, 2024     December 31, 2023     September 30, 2023  
        (Dollars in thousands)  
    Net interest income   $ 14,020     $ 14,235     $ 13,928     $ 14,195     $ 14,950  
    Noninterest income     1,779       7,347       2,188       (2,929 )     2,904  
    Total revenue, net of interest expense(1)   $ 15,799     $ 21,582     $ 16,116     $ 11,266     $ 17,854  
     
    (1)  We believe this non-GAAP metric provides an important measure with which to analyze and evaluate income available for noninterest expenses.
     

    Calculations Based on Tangible Common Equity:

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     March 31, 2024     December 31, 2023     September 30, 2023  
        (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 160,789     $ 158,881     $ 160,506     $ 163,340     $ 156,065  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,083       1,084       1,085       1,086       1,087  
    Disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     489       517       489       481       609  
    Total tangible common equity   $ 159,217     $ 157,280     $ 158,932     $ 161,773     $ 154,369  
                                             
    Total assets   $ 2,255,486     $ 2,215,962     $ 2,240,020     $ 2,201,797     $ 2,153,545  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,083       1,084       1,085       1,086       1,087  
    Disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     489       517       489       481       609  
    Total tangible assets   $ 2,253,914     $ 2,214,361     $ 2,238,446     $ 2,200,230     $ 2,151,849  
                                             
    Average shareholders’ equity   $ 160,479     $ 163,079     $ 161,867     $ 155,971     $ 160,994  
    Less: Average goodwill and other intangible assets     1,084       1,085       1,085       1,086       1,087  
    Average disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     517       489       481       608       557  
    Total average tangible common equity   $ 158,878     $ 161,505     $ 160,301     $ 154,277     $ 159,350  
                                             
    Net (loss) income   $ (1,980 )   $ (2,219 )   $ 396     $ (5,522 )   $ 2,504  
    Common shares outstanding     9,365,979       9,453,247       9,442,796       9,611,876       9,630,735  
    GAAP Ratios:                                        
    Equity to total assets     7.13 %     7.17 %     7.17 %     7.42 %     7.25 %
    Return on average equity     -4.91 %     -5.47 %     0.98 %     -14.05 %     6.17 %
    Book value per common share   $ 17.17     $ 16.81     $ 17.00     $ 16.99     $ 16.20  
    Non-GAAP Ratios:                                        
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)     7.06 %     7.10 %     7.10 %     7.35 %     7.17 %
    Return on average tangible common equity(1)     -4.96 %     -5.53 %     0.99 %     -14.20 %     6.23 %
    Tangible book value per common share(1)   $ 17.00     $ 16.64     $ 16.83     $ 16.83     $ 16.03  
     
    (1)  We believe these non-GAAP metrics provide an important measure with which to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength. In addition, we believe that use of tangible equity and tangible assets improves the comparability to other institutions that have not engaged in acquisitions that resulted in recorded goodwill and other intangibles.
     

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)

        September 30, 2024     September 30, 2023  
        (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 160,789     $ 156,065  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,083       1,087  
    Disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     489       609  
    Total tangible common equity   $ 159,217     $ 154,369  
                     
    Total assets   $ 2,255,486     $ 2,153,545  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,083       1,087  
    Disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     489       609  
    Total tangible assets   $ 2,253,914     $ 2,151,849  
                     
    Average shareholders’ equity   $ 161,803     $ 160,573  
    Less: Average goodwill and other intangible assets     1,085       1,088  
    Average disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     496       690  
    Total average tangible common equity   $ 160,222     $ 158,795  
                     
    Net (loss) income   $ (3,803 )   $ 7,808  
    Common shares outstanding     9,365,979       9,630,735  
    GAAP Ratios:                
    Equity to total assets     7.13 %     7.25 %
    Return on average equity     -3.14 %     6.50 %
    Book value per common share   $ 17.17     $ 16.20  
    Non-GAAP Ratios:                
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)     7.06 %     7.17 %
    Return on average tangible common equity(1)     -3.17 %     6.57 %
    Tangible book value per common share(1)   $ 17.00     $ 16.03  
     
    (1)  We believe these non-GAAP metrics provide an important measure with which to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength. In addition, we believe that use of tangible equity and tangible assets improves the comparability to other institutions that have not engaged in acquisitions that resulted in recorded goodwill and other intangibles.
     

    Images accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e387e9e8-0a9a-4306-8623-41b739acb402
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a433c9b-6823-47f3-8843-0d8138f89182
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5ca9bb6-4a5d-45aa-8336-dd1ae06f0786
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b9aaf8c-4fd4-437d-af24-7ba8fc60616c

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Stopping schemes to illegally access super

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    How we are protecting super

    We’re working to protect Australians’ retirement savings from schemes to illegally access super by:

    These approaches will help prevent the creation of an SMSF for the purpose of illegal access of super.

    Find out more about illegal early release of super.

    SMSF registration process

    The SMSF registration process helps safeguard retirement savings by preventing the inappropriate establishment of SMSFs. It can take up to 56 days before an SMSF is shown on SFLU as a regulated fund.

    Once a new SMSF is displayed on SFLU, it will initially be given a status of ‘Registered’. This status is allocated to all SMSFs on registration and will be updated within 7 days to ‘Complying’ when the SMSF receives its Notice of Compliance.

    An Australian business number (ABN) for the fund will be issued before the election to be regulated is processed. This means that you can use the ABN to establish a bank account for the SMSF.

    If we identify a problem with a new registration, we will immediately contact the authorised contact for the SMSF.

    We have updated SFLU to provide clearer information about the complying and regulatory status of SMSFs and identify SMSFs that we have concerns about.

    SMSF member verification system

    When Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) regulated funds and SMSFs receive a request to rollover their member’s super balance to an SMSF, they must use the SMSF verification service (SVS) to confirm:

    • the ABN in the request is registered as an SMSF
    • SMSF status (complying or regulated)
    • the tax file number (TFN) of the member requesting the rollover is associated with the SMSF
    • the TFN of the member requesting the rollover is not compromised
    • no verified date of death exists for that member
    • SMSF bank details in the rollover request match those held by the ATO
    • Electronic Service Address (ESA) in the rollover request matches that held by the ATO.

    If a fund suspects fraud or illegal early access

    When an APRA-regulated fund receives a transfer or rollover request and they suspect they’re dealing with fraud or illegal early access activity, you should:

    We will investigate all reports of suspicious transactions.

    Depending on the suspicious transaction, you may also have obligations to report to Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC)External Link and relevant law enforcement agencies.

    Keep your SMSF details up to date with us

    Keeping your details up to date with us will help reduce the risk of fraud and illegal early access.

    It’s also important because when someone initiates a rollover request into an SMSF, the SVS will verify the fund and member details. If the SVS indicates the SMSF doesn’t have a ‘registered’ or ‘complying’ status, they will not be able to receive a rollover. If the transferring fund suspects any illegal activity, they will report it to us and may also be required to report it to relevant law enforcement agencies.

    You need to ensure your SMSF membership details are recorded correctly and notify us of changes. This includes your fund’s:

    • bank account
    • electronic service address.
    • trustees
    • directors of the corporate trustee
    • members
    • contact details (contact person, phone, email address and fax numbers)
    • address (postal, registered or address for service of fund notices)
    • fund status.

    Alerts for changes

    To safeguard retirement savings and reduce the risk of fraud, we send an email or text alert (or both) when there is a change to the SMSF’s:

    • financial institution account details
    • ESA
    • authorised contact
    • members.

    If you receive an alert and did not authorise or know about the changes outlined, you should take action immediately.

    Phone us on 13 10 20 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday if you’re concerned that without your consent or knowledge:

    • an SMSF has been established, or
    • changes have been made to your existing SMSF.

    Have your TFN or ABN ready to establish your identity before you phone us.

    MIL OSI News

  • 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

  • MIL-OSI: New CINQ by Coinstar™ Digital Wallet Launches Crypto and Stablecoin Capabilities Powered by Zero Hash

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zero Hash, the leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform, today announced its partnership with Coinstar®, LLC, a global financial services leader, to embed crypto payments capabilities within CINQ by Coinstar, a new digital wallet designed to expand how consumers use and manage their finances. This collaboration allows up to 9,500 of Coinstar’s 17,000+ network of kiosks across the U.S. to facilitate cash-to-crypto transactions.

    Through a partnership with Zero Hash, CINQ by Coinstar has launched with the initial ability to purchase cryptocurrency and stablecoins with cash at more than 9,500 Coinstar kiosks across the U.S., or through the CINQ by Coinstar mobile app. Users of the CINQ by Coinstar app, powered by Zero Hash, can seamlessly move in, out and between cash, stablecoins and crypto. A broader range of digital payment services for the CINQ by Coinstar wallet are expected to follow in 2025 as recently announced by Coinstar.

    The overarching objective of the partnership is to provide a seamless mechanism of dollar digitalization to the large percentage of underbanked and underserved households within the United States. Specifically: 

    • The unbanked who now have access to an electronic cash account
      • 6% of Adult Americans are unbanked; 24.6 million Americans are underbanked (Source: Fed Reserve, 2024)
    • The immigrant remitting money home
      • About half of all remittances are cash-based among the most common users (Source: Visa, 2023)

    “Zero Hash is delighted to partner with Coinstar, a household brand in money transformation for more than 30 years. Its vast network of self-serve kiosks and mobile apps will help further expand access to the underbanked and immigrants looking to remit funds. Upwards of 50% of remittances are cash-based and the multiple “hops” in remittance often mean these transfers incur high fees. Linking this cash infrastructure to the “network of networks” which is crypto and stablecoins, provides a key unlock for cheaper and quicker remittances for example,” said Edward Woodford, CEO and Founder at Zero Hash. “ CINQ by Coinstar has been able to seamlessly embed our regulatory compliant infrastructure to support new ways for cash-preferred customers to move safely and seamlessly between fiat and crypto use cases.”

    Powered by Zero Hash’s identity verification service, every customer is validated before cash can be entered into the kiosk for crypto, stablecoin and fiat transactions. Additional controls include Documentary Verification and Liveness Verification before certain services may be enabled. Users can buy over 25 crypto and stablecoin assets with paper currency at Coinstar kiosks in major grocery stores across North America as well as through the CINQ by Coinstar mobile app. Users can also connect multiple bank accounts, with Zero Hash’s platform facilitating USD deposits via ACH, allowing users to hold balances in cash or crypto and easily manage their financial needs.

    “Zero Hash has been an incredible partner in helping us extend our trusted services into the digital world,” said Kevin McColly, CEO of Coinstar. “Their secure and industry leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure has allowed us to seamlessly bridge the gap between cash and cryptocurrency, making it easier for our customers to access and manage their finances.” 

    There are two ways to get started buying cryptocurrency through Zero Hash at Coinstar kiosks:

    1. Download the CINQ by Coinstar app, verify your account and visit a Coinstar kiosk with your cash. Or connect your bank account in the app and get started immediately.
    2. Visit a Coinstar kiosk, select cryptocurrency from the options and choose CINQ by Coinstar to get started with your crypto purchase through Zero Hash. Enter your mobile number at the kiosk and last 4 SSN or Date of Birth, then download the CINQ by Coinstar app and complete your account setup.

    To learn more about CINQ by Coinstar and follow along for additional product innovations, visit www.cinqwallet.com, or to find a CINQ by Coinstar enabled kiosk, visit our kiosk finder here.1

    1: The CINQ by Coinstar wallet is available in all 50 states. However, Zero Hash enabled Kiosks are not currently available in all states, including the state of New York.  Transactional limits may also apply.

    About Zero Hash  
    Zero Hash is the leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure provider that seamlessly connects fiat, crypto and stablecoins in one platform, enabling a better way to move and transfer money and value globally.

    Through its embeddable infrastructure, start-ups, enterprises and Fortune 500 companies build a diverse range of use cases: cross-border payments, commerce, trading, remittance, payroll, tokenization, wallets and on and off-ramps.

    Zero Hash Holdings is backed by investors, including Point72 Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and NYCA.

    Zero Hash LLC is a FinCen-registered Money Service Business and a regulated Money Transmitter that can operate in 51 US jurisdictions. Zero Hash LLC and Zero Hash Liquidity Services LLC are licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. In Canada, Zero Hash LLC is registered as a Money Service Business with FINTRAC.

    Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider, with DCE registered provider number DCE100804170-001.  This registration enables Zero Hash to offer its crypto services in Australia.  Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered on the New Zealand register of financial service providers, with Financial Service Provider (FSP)  number FSP1004503.  A FSP in New Zealand is a registration and does not mean that Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is licensed by a New Zealand regulator to provide crypto services.  Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd.’s registration on the New Zealand register of financial service providers does not mean that Zero Hash Australia is subject to active regulation or oversight by a New Zealand regulator.  Zero Hash Europe B.V. is registered as a Virtual Asset Services Provider (VASP) registration by the Dutch Central Bank (Relation number: R193684).  Zero Hash Europe Sp. Zoo is registered as a VASP by the Tax Administration Chamber of Poland in Katowice (Registration number RDWW – 1212).

    Connect with Zero Hash
    Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Medium

    Zero Hash Contact

    Shaun O’keeffe

    (855) 744-7333

    media@zerohash.com

    Zero Hash Disclosures
    Zero Hash services and product offerings, including the availability of kiosk services, may not be available in all jurisdictions. Zero Hash accounts are not subject to FDIC or SIPC protections, or any such equivalent protections that may exist outside of the US. Zero Hash’s technical support and enablement of any asset is not an endorsement of such asset and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any crypto asset. The value of any cryptocurrency, including digital assets pegged to fiat currency, commodities, or any other asset, may go to zero. Zero Hash is not registered with the SEC or FINRA. Zero Hash does not provide any securities services and is not a custodian of securities, including security tokens, on behalf of customers. 

    About Coinstar, LLC
    Coinstar® is a global leader in money transformation and the largest physical self-serve financial network with a digital wallet, CINQ by Coinstar. Through its digital wallet, mobile app and network of 24,000 kiosks in North America and Europe, Coinstar offers a wide range of financial services which enable users to transform their physical currency. Its reliable payment solutions offer one-stop shopping experiences at convenient kiosk locations including coin conversion to cash, NO FEE eGift cards and charitable donations as well as account transfer services powered by our bank partners. Users can also move money and transact more seamlessly in the digital world through CINQ by Coinstar with the ability to buy, sell and transfer cryptocurrencies in its initial rollout. For brand advertisers, Coinstar offers adPlanet™ Retail Media Group, which enables lead generation on the interactive kiosk screen and a digital out of home network that delivers advertising via high-definition screens on top of Coinstar kiosks at select retail and grocery locations. For more information on Coinstar, visit www.coinstar.com.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: ASM announces third quarter 2024 results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Almere, The Netherlands
    October 29, 2024, 6 p.m. CET

    AI-related demand drives robust growth in bookings and revenue

    ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today reports its Q3 2024 results (unaudited).

    Financial highlights

    € million Q3 2023 Q2 2024 Q3 2024
    New orders 627.4 755.4 815.3
    yoy change % at constant currencies 0% 56% 30%
           
    Revenue 622.3 706.1 778.6
    yoy change % at constant currencies 9% 6% 26%
           
    Gross profit margin % 48.1  % 49.8  % 49.4 %
    Adjusted gross profit margin 1 48.9  % 49.8  % 49.4 %
           
    Operating result 147.3 177.6 215.2
    Operating result margin % 23.7  % 25.1  % 27.6  %
           
    Adjusted operating result 1 157.2 182.3 219.9
    Adjusted operating result margin 1 25.3  % 25.8  % 28.2  %
           
    Net earnings 129.6 159.0 127.9
    Adjusted net earnings 1 139.1 164.7 133.6

    1 Adjusted figures are non-IFRS performance measures (previously referred to as “normalized”). Refer to Annex 3 for a reconciliation of non-IFRS performance measures.

    • New orders of €815 million in Q3 2024 increased by 30% at constant currencies (also 30% as reported) mainly driven by strong demand for gate-all-around (GAA) and high-bandwidth memory (HBM).
    • Revenue of €779 million increased by 26% at constant currencies (increased by 25% as reported) from Q3 of last year and at the upper end of the guidance (€740-780 million).
    • YoY improvement in adjusted gross profit margin is due to mix including slightly stronger-than-expected sales to China.
    • Adjusted operating result margin increased to 28.2%, compared to 25.3% in Q3 last year and increased from 25.8% last quarter mainly due to higher revenue and a one-off positive result of €7 million related to the sale of a building.
    • Revenue for Q4 2024 is expected to be in the range of €770-810 million.

    Comment

    “ASM delivered strong results against a backdrop of continued mixed market conditions,” said Hichem M’Saad, CEO of ASM. “Revenue increased 26% at constant currencies to €779 million in the third quarter of 2024, which is a new quarterly high and at the upper end of our guidance of €740-780 million. With a gross margin of 49.4%, and ongoing focus on cost control, adjusted operating result increased by 40% to €220 million compared to Q3 2023.
    Orders were up 30% to €815 million in Q3 2024 compared to last year’s Q3, driven by a further increase in orders for gate-all-around (GAA) technology and continued solid demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) DRAM applications. Total orders were ahead of our expectations at the start of the quarter due to some bookings that were pulled in from Q4.
    AI continues to be the dominant semiconductor end market driver, while recovery in other markets such as PCs and smartphones is still sluggish, and the automotive/industrial segments remain in a cyclical downturn. AI is increasingly driving the demand for the most advanced devices, both in logic/foundry and HBM DRAM, and this plays to the strengths of ASM.
    While recently announced capex reductions have somewhat impacted the outlook for advanced logic/foundry spending, we still project a substantial increase in our GAA-related sales in 2025. Leading customers have reiterated their plans to ramp the GAA node in high-volume manufacturing next year. With this transition we continue to expect meaningful increases in our served available market.  
    Sales and orders in China held up slightly better than expected in Q3. We still expect sales in China to be lower in the second half compared to the first half, and Q4 to be lower than Q3. While visibility for FY 2025 is still limited, we currently assume sales from Chinese customers to be moderately lower in the first half of 2025 compared to the second half of 2024.
    For SiC Epi, we still expect a double-digit percentage increase in sales in FY 2024, despite the current market slowdown in this segment, and reflecting the contribution from previously won new customers. We believe that SiC Epi remains an attractive long-term growth market. ASM is well positioned, in particular on the back of our recently launched PE2O8 SiC Epi tool, which combines our proven best-in-class film performance with a new dual-chamber high-productivity platform for 200mm applications.”

    Outlook

    On a currency-comparable level, we project revenue of €770-810 million for Q4 2024. At constant currencies and taking into account the guidance for Q4, we project revenue in the second half of 2024 to increase by slightly more than 15% compared to the first half, and for FY 2024, we expect revenue to show a year-on-year increase of approximately 10%.
    For WFE spending, a slight increase is expected in 2024, followed by continued growth in 2025. Based on this, we now expect revenue to be in the range of €3.2-3.6 billion for 2025, in particular driven by GAA related sales, and taking into account continued mixed end market conditions. This compares to our previous revenue target of €3.0-3.6 billion for 2025.
    In terms of order intake we expect the level in Q4 to be again solid, albeit lower than in the third quarter. GAA related orders are expected to further increase, offset by a drop in China orders and the effect of aforementioned order pull-ins in Q3.

    Share buyback program

    On February 27, 2024, ASM announced the authorization of a new share buyback program of up to €150 million. The program started on May 15, 2024, and was completed on July 25, 2024. In total, we repurchased 228,389 shares at an average price of €656.77, under the 2024 program.

    About ASM

    ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International’s common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: ASM). For more information, visit ASM’s website at www.asm.com.

    Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, changes in import/export regulations, epidemics, pandemics and other risks indicated in the company’s reports and financial statements. The company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

    This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

    Quarterly earnings conference call details

    ASM will host the quarterly earnings conference call and webcast on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. CET.

    Conference-call participants should pre-register using this link to receive the dial-in numbers, passcode and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call.

    A simultaneous audio webcast and replay will be accessible at this link.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: C&F Financial Corporation Announces Net Income for Third Quarter and First Nine Months

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TOANO, Va., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — C&F Financial Corporation (the Corporation) (NASDAQ: CFFI), the holding company for C&F Bank, today reported consolidated net income of $5.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $5.8 million for the third quarter of 2023. The Corporation reported consolidated net income of $13.9 million for the first nine months of 2024, compared to $18.7 million for the first nine months of 2023. The following table presents selected financial performance highlights for the periods indicated:

                                     
        For The Quarter Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
    Consolidated Financial Highlights (unaudited)   9/30/2024     9/30/2023     9/30/2024     9/30/2023  
    Consolidated net income (000’s)   $ 5,420     $ 5,777     $ 13,889     $ 18,658  
                                     
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted   $ 1.65     $ 1.71     $ 4.15     $ 5.41  
                                     
    Annualized return on average equity     9.74 %     11.28 %     8.47 %     12.22 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity1     11.16 %     13.19 %     9.74 %     14.18 %
    Annualized return on average assets     0.86 %     0.96 %     0.75 %     1.04 %

    ________________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below.

    “We are pleased with our results from the third quarter,” commented Tom Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer of C&F Financial Corporation. “Both loans and deposits demonstrated solid growth, and the community banking segment showed increased earnings when compared to the previous quarter. Despite market and industry challenges, the consumer finance and mortgage banking segments remained profitable. Our net interest margin was relatively flat when compared to the second quarter, which was expected, and asset quality, liquidity and capital all remain strong.”

    Key highlights for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 are as follows.

    • Community banking segment loans grew $158.5 million, or 16.6 percent annualized, and $185.6 million, or 14.9 percent, compared to December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively;
    • Consumer finance segment loans grew $8.8 million, or 2.5 percent annualized, and $6.1 million, or 1.3 percent, compared to December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively;
    • Deposits increased $69.8 million, or 4.5 percent annualized, and $107.5 million, or 5.3 percent, compared to December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively;
    • Consolidated annualized net interest margin was 4.13 percent for the third quarter of 2024 compared to 4.29 percent for the third quarter of 2023 and 4.12 percent in the second quarter of 2024;
    • The community banking segment recorded provision for credit losses of $700,000 and $1.7 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, respectively, compared to $500,000 and $1.6 million for the same periods in 2023;
    • The consumer finance segment recorded provision for credit losses of $3.0 million and $8.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, respectively, compared to $1.6 million and $4.3 million for the same periods in 2023;
    • The consumer finance segment experienced net charge-offs at an annualized rate of 2.36 percent of average total loans for the first nine months of 2024, compared to 1.75 percent for the first nine months of 2023;
    • Mortgage banking segment loan originations were $157.0 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $27.3 million, or 21.1 percent, and an increase of $11.0 million, or 7.5 percent, compared to the third quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2024, respectively;
    • During the third quarter of 2024, the community banking segment opened a new retail banking branch in Colonial Heights, Virginia and announced the closure of its Hampton, Virginia branch in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Community Banking Segment. The community banking segment reported net income of $5.3 million and $13.9 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, respectively, compared to $5.7 million and $17.7 million for the same periods in 2023. The decreases in community banking segment net income were due primarily to:

    • higher interest expense due primarily to higher rates on deposits and higher balances of interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by lower balances of borrowings;
    • higher salaries and employee benefits expense for the first nine months of 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023, which have generally increased in line with market conditions. Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased to $8.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $9.1 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively, due primarily to a reduction in headcount through attrition;
    • higher occupancy expense related to branch network improvements, including the relocation of a branch and the opening of a new branch; and
    • higher data processing and consulting costs related to investments in operational technology to improve resilience, efficiency and customer experience;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest income resulting from the effects of higher interest rates on asset yields and higher average balances of loans, offset in part by lower average balances of securities; and
    • higher wealth management services income as assets under management increased 19.0 percent for the first nine months of 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023.

    Average loans increased $186.5 million, or 15.2 percent, for the third quarter of 2024 and increased $158.4 million, or 13.2 percent, for the first nine months of 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023, due primarily to growth in the construction, commercial real estate, and residential mortgage segments of the loan portfolio. Average deposits increased $135.8 million, or 6.8 percent, for the third quarter of 2024 and increased $101.2 million, or 5.1 percent, for the first nine months of 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023, due primarily to higher balance of time deposits, partially offset by decreases in savings and interest-bearing demand deposits and noninterest-bearing demand deposits.

    Average loan yields and average costs of interest-bearing deposits were higher for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, compared to the same periods of 2023, due primarily to the effects of the higher interest rate environment.

    The community banking segment’s nonaccrual loans were $628,000 at September 30, 2024 compared to $406,000 at December 31, 2023. The community banking segment recorded provision for credit losses of $700,000 and $1.7 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, respectively, compared to $500,000 and $1.6 million for the same periods of 2023. At September 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses increased to $17.5 million, compared to $16.1 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.22 percent at September 30, 2024 from 1.26 percent at December 31, 2023. The increases in provision and allowance for credit losses are due primarily to growth in the loan portfolio. Management believes that the level of the allowance for credit losses is adequate to reflect the net amount expected to be collected.

    Mortgage Banking Segment. The mortgage banking segment reported net income of $351,000 for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a net loss of $5,000 for the same period of 2023, due primarily to:

    • higher gains on sales of loans due to higher volume of mortgage loan originations; and
    • higher mortgage banking fee income;

    partially offset by:

    • higher variable expenses tied to mortgage loan origination volume such as commissions and bonuses, reported in salaries and employee benefits, and data processing expenses.

    The mortgage banking segment reported net income of $1.0 million for the first nine months of 2024, compared to $568,000 for the same period of 2023, due primarily to:

    • lower variable expenses tied to mortgage loan origination volume such as commissions and bonuses, reported in salaries and employee benefits, as well as mortgage banking loan processing expenses and data processing expenses;
    • lower occupancy expense due to an effort to reduce overhead costs;
    • higher mortgage banking fee income; and
    • relatively unchanged gains on sales of loans and mortgage loan production volume;

    partially offset by:

    • lower mortgage lender services income due lower mortgage loan production volume across the industry.

    The sustained elevated level of mortgage interest rates, combined with higher home prices and lower levels of inventory, has led to a level of mortgage loan originations in 2024 and 2023 for the industry that is lower than recent historical averages. Mortgage loan originations for the mortgage banking segment were $157.0 million for the third quarter of 2024, comprised of $15.0 million refinancings and $142.0 million home purchases, compared to $129.7 million, comprised of $11.9 million refinancings and $117.8 million home purchases, for the same period in 2023. Mortgage loan originations for the mortgage banking segment were $397.3 million for the first nine months of 2024, comprised of $34.3 million refinancings and $363.0 million home purchases, compared to $400.6 million, comprised of $40.2 million refinancings and $360.4 million home purchases, for the same period in 2023. Mortgage loan originations in the third quarter of 2024 increased $11.0 million compared to the second quarter of 2024 due in part to normal industry seasonal fluctuations. Mortgage loan segment originations include originations of loans sold to the community banking segment, at prices similar to those paid by third-party investors. These transactions are eliminated to reach consolidated totals.

    During the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, the mortgage banking segment recorded a reversal of provision for indemnification losses of $100,000 and $375,000, respectively, compared to a reversal of provision for indemnification losses of $200,000 and $435,000 in the same periods of 2023. The mortgage banking segment increased reserves for indemnification losses during 2020 based on widespread forbearance on mortgage loans and economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The release of indemnification reserves in 2024 and 2023 was due primarily to improvement in the mortgage banking segment’s assessment of borrower payment performance, lower volume of mortgage loan originations in recent years and other factors affecting expected losses on mortgage loans sold in the secondary market, such as time since origination. Management believes that the indemnification reserve is sufficient to absorb losses related to loans that have been sold in the secondary market.

    Consumer Finance Segment.   The consumer finance segment reported net income of $311,000 and $1.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, respectively, compared to net income of $682,000 and $2.3 million for the same periods in 2023. The decreases in consumer finance segment net income were due primarily to:

    • higher provision for credit losses due primarily to increased net charge-offs and loan growth; and
    • higher interest expense on variable rate borrowings from the community banking segment as a result of higher interest rates and higher balances of borrowings;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest income resulting from the effects of higher interest rates on loan yields and higher average balances of loans;
    • lower salaries and employee benefits expense due to an effort to reduce overhead costs; and
    • lower loan recovery expense related to growth in loans with stronger credit quality and efficiency initiatives within the collections department.

    Average loans increased $8.3 million, or 1.8 percent, for the third quarter of 2024 and increased $3.0 million, or less than one percent, for the first nine months of 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023. The consumer finance segment experienced net charge-offs at an annualized rate of 2.36 percent of average total loans for the first nine months of 2024, compared to 1.75 percent for the first nine months of 2023, due primarily to an increase in the number of delinquent loans and repossessions and a higher average charge-off per unit as a result of larger loan amounts due to higher automobile values during 2020 and 2021 and a decline in wholesale values of used automobiles since then. At September 30, 2024, total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans was 3.49 percent, compared to 4.09 percent at December 31, 2023, 3.30 percent at September 30, 2023, and 3.51 percent at June 30, 2024. Delinquency and loss rates have generally returned to pre-pandemic levels due to the passage of time since the expiration of stimulus and enhanced unemployment benefits that benefitted borrowers.

    The consumer finance segment, at times, offers payment deferrals as a portfolio management technique to achieve higher ultimate cash collections on select loan accounts. A significant reliance on deferrals as a means of managing collections may result in a lengthening of the loss confirmation period, which would increase expectations of credit losses inherent in the portfolio. The average amounts deferred on a monthly basis during the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 were 1.91 percent and 1.70 percent of average automobile loans outstanding compared to 2.20 percent and 1.83 percent during the same periods during 2023. The allowance for credit losses was $23.2 million at September 30, 2024 and $23.6 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans decreased to 4.87 percent at September 30, 2024 from 5.03 percent at December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of growth in loans with stronger credit quality while balances of loans with lower credit quality declined. Management believes that the level of the allowance for credit losses is adequate to reflect the net amount expected to be collected. If loan performance deteriorates resulting in further elevated delinquencies or net charge-offs, the provision for credit losses may increase in future periods.

    Liquidity. The objective of the Corporation’s liquidity management is to ensure the continuous availability of funds to satisfy the credit needs of our customers and the demands of our depositors, creditors and investors. Uninsured deposits represent an estimate of amounts above the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance coverage limit of $250,000. As of September 30, 2024, the Corporation’s uninsured deposits were approximately $607.6 million, or 28.5 percent of total deposits. Excluding intercompany cash holdings and municipal deposits, which are secured with pledged securities, amounts uninsured were approximately $455.6 million, or 21.3 percent of total deposits as of September 30, 2024. The Corporation’s liquid assets, which include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits at other banks and nonpledged securities available for sale, were $287.4 million and borrowing availability was $583.8 million as of September 30, 2024, which in total exceed uninsured deposits, excluding intercompany cash holdings and secured municipal deposits, by $415.6 million as of September 30, 2024.

    In addition to deposits, the Corporation utilizes short-term and long-term borrowings as sources of funds. Short-term borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) may be used to fund the Corporation’s day-to-day operations. Short-term borrowings also include securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Total borrowings increased to $142.3 million at September 30, 2024 from $109.5 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to higher borrowings from the FHLB. Borrowings decreased $4.7 million from $147.0 million at September 30, 2023.

    Additional sources of liquidity available to the Corporation include cash flows from operations, loan payments and payoffs, deposit growth, maturities, calls and sales of securities and the issuance of brokered certificates of deposit.

    Capital and Dividends.   The Corporation declared a quarterly cash dividend for the third quarter of 2024 of $0.44 per share, which was paid on October 1, 2024. This dividend represents a payout ratio of 26.7 percent of earnings per share for the third quarter of 2024. The Board of Directors of the Corporation continually reviews the amount of cash dividends per share and the resulting dividend payout ratio in light of changes in economic conditions, current and future capital requirements, and expected future earnings.

    Total consolidated equity increased $10.4 million at September 30, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023, due primarily to net income and lower unrealized losses in the market value of securities available for sale, which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income, partially offset by share repurchases and dividends paid on the Corporation’s common stock. The Corporation’s securities available for sale are fixed income debt securities and their unrealized loss position is a result of rising market interest rates since they were purchased. The Corporation expects to recover its investments in debt securities through scheduled payments of principal and interest and unrealized losses are not expected to affect the earnings or regulatory capital of the Corporation or C&F Bank. The accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Corporation’s securities available for sale decreased to $17.2 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $25.0 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to fluctuations in market interest rates of debt securities.

    As of September 30, 2024, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the C&F Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized under regulations applicable at September 30, 2024, C&F Bank was required to maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, CET1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios. In addition to the regulatory risk-based capital requirements, C&F Bank must maintain a capital conservation buffer of additional capital of 2.5 percent of risk-weighted assets as required by the Basel III capital rules. The Corporation and C&F Bank exceeded these ratios at September 30, 2024. For additional information, see “Capital Ratios” below. The above mentioned ratios are not impacted by unrealized losses on securities available for sale. In the event that all of these unrealized losses became realized into earnings, the Corporation and C&F Bank would both continue to exceed minimum capital requirements, including the capital conservation buffer, and be considered well capitalized.

    In December 2023, the Board of Directors authorized a program, effective January 1, 2024, to repurchase up to $10.0 million of the Corporation’s common stock through December 31, 2024. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, the Corporation repurchased 60,520 shares, or $3.2 million, and 149,594 shares, or $7.3 million, of its common stock under this share repurchase program, respectively.

    About C&F Financial Corporation.  The Corporation’s common stock is listed for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CFFI. The common stock closed at a price of $61.78 per share on October 28, 2024. At September 30, 2024, the book value per share of the Corporation was $70.29 and the tangible book value per share was $62.13. For more information about the Corporation’s tangible book value per share, which is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below.

    C&F Bank operates 32 banking offices and four commercial loan offices located throughout eastern and central Virginia and offers full wealth management services through its subsidiary C&F Wealth Management, Inc. C&F Mortgage Corporation and its subsidiary C&F Select LLC provide mortgage loan origination services through offices located in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. C&F Finance Company provides automobile, marine and recreational vehicle loans through indirect lending programs offered in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia from its headquarters in Henrico, Virginia.

    Additional information regarding the Corporation’s products and services, as well as access to its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are available on the Corporation’s website at http://www.cffc.com.

    Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures. The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to GAAP in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of the Corporation’s performance. These include adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted return on average equity, adjusted return on average assets, return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE), adjusted ROTCE, tangible book value per share, price to tangible book value ratio, and the following fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) measures: interest income on loans-FTE, interest income on securities-FTE, total interest income-FTE and net interest income-FTE.

    Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP measures provides meaningful information about operating performance by enhancing comparability with other financial periods, other financial institutions, and between different sources of interest income. The non-GAAP measures used by management enhance comparability by excluding the effects of balances of intangible assets, including goodwill, that vary significantly between institutions, and tax benefits that are not consistent across different opportunities for investment. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP-basis financial statements, and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these or similar measures differently. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation to evaluate and measure the Corporation’s performance to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below.

    Forward-Looking Statements.   This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Corporation’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Corporation’s management, and reflect management’s current views with respect to certain events that could have an impact on the Corporation’s future financial performance. These statements, including without limitation statements made in Mr. Cherry’s quote and statements regarding future interest rates and conditions in the Corporation’s industries and markets, relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical fact, may express “belief,” “intention,” “expectation,” “potential” and similar expressions, and may use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “intend,” “target,” “should,” “could,” or similar expressions. These statements are inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the underlying assumptions will prove to be accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, without limitation, statements regarding expected future operations and financial performance, expected trends in yields on loans, expected future recovery of investments in debt securities, future dividend payments, deposit trends, charge-offs and delinquencies, changes in cost of funds and net interest margin and items affecting net interest margin, strategic business initiatives and the anticipated effects thereof, changes in interest rates and the effects thereof on net interest income, mortgage loan originations, expectations regarding C&F Bank’s regulatory risk-based capital requirement levels, technology initiatives, our diversified business strategy, asset quality, credit quality, adequacy of allowances for credit losses and the level of future charge-offs, market interest rates and housing inventory and resulting effects in mortgage loan origination volume, sources of liquidity, adequacy of the reserve for indemnification losses related to loans sold in the secondary market, the effect of future market and industry trends, the effects of future interest rate fluctuations, cybersecurity risks, and inflation. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation include, but are not limited to, changes in:

    • interest rates, such as volatility in short-term interest rates or yields on U.S. Treasury bonds, increases in interest rates following actions by the Federal Reserve and increases or volatility in mortgage interest rates
    • general business conditions, as well as conditions within the financial markets
    • general economic conditions, including unemployment levels, inflation rates, supply chain disruptions and slowdowns in economic growth
    • general market conditions, including disruptions due to pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises, war and other military conflicts (including the ongoing military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East) or other major events, or the prospect of these events
    • average loan yields and average costs of interest-bearing deposits
    • financial services industry conditions, including bank failures or concerns involving liquidity
    • labor market conditions, including attracting, hiring, training, motivating and retaining qualified employees
    • the legislative/regulatory climate, regulatory initiatives with respect to financial institutions, products and services, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the CFPB) and the regulatory and enforcement activities of the CFPB
    • monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the FDIC, U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the effect of these policies on interest rates and business in our markets
    • demand for financial services in the Corporation’s market area
    • the value of securities held in the Corporation’s investment portfolios
    • the quality or composition of the loan portfolios and the value of the collateral securing those loans
    • the inventory level, demand and fluctuations in the pricing of used automobiles, including sales prices of repossessed vehicles
    • the level of automobile loan delinquencies or defaults and our ability to repossess automobiles securing delinquent automobile finance installment contracts
    • the level of net charge-offs on loans and the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses
    • the level of indemnification losses related to mortgage loans sold
    • demand for loan products
    • deposit flows
    • the strength of the Corporation’s counterparties
    • the availability of lines of credit from the FHLB and other counterparties
    • the soundness of other financial institutions and any indirect exposure related to the closing of other financial institutions and their impact on the broader market through other customers, suppliers and partners, or that the conditions which resulted in the liquidity concerns experienced by closed financial institutions may also adversely impact, directly or indirectly, other financial institutions and market participants with which the Corporation has commercial or deposit relationships
    • competition from both banks and non-banks, including competition in the non-prime automobile finance markets and marine and recreational vehicle finance markets
    • services provided by, or the level of the Corporation’s reliance upon third parties for key services
    • the commercial and residential real estate markets, including changes in property values
    • the demand for residential mortgages and conditions in the secondary residential mortgage loan markets
    • the Corporation’s technology initiatives and other strategic initiatives
    • the Corporation’s branch expansions and consolidations plans
    • cyber threats, attacks or events
    • C&F Bank’s product offerings
    • accounting principles, policies and guidelines, and elections by the Corporation thereunder

    These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. For additional information on risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein, see the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other reports filed with the SEC. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

       
    C&F Financial CorporationSelected Financial Information
    (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)
    (unaudited)
     
       
    Financial Condition   9/30/2024    12/31/2023    9/30/2023  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   $ 32,507   $ 58,777   $ 53,407  
    Investment securities – available for sale, at fair value     409,045     462,444     460,653  
    Loans held for sale, at fair value     44,677     14,176     25,469  
    Loans, net:                    
    Community Banking segment     1,414,576     1,257,557     1,230,694  
    Consumer Finance segment     454,062     444,931     446,787  
    Total assets     2,550,904     2,438,498     2,421,705  
    Deposits     2,135,891     2,066,130     2,028,429  
    Repurchase agreements     28,643     30,705     28,660  
    Other borrowings     113,683     78,834     118,388  
    Total equity     227,958     217,516     200,380  
                                     
        For The     For The  
        Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    Results of Operations   9/30/2024     9/30/2023     9/30/2024     9/30/2023  
    Interest income   $ 36,131     $ 31,686     $ 103,151     $ 91,729  
    Interest expense     11,442       7,224       31,476       17,964  
    Provision for credit losses:                                
    Community Banking segment     700       500       1,650       1,550  
    Consumer Finance segment     3,000       1,550       8,100       4,250  
    Noninterest income:                                
    Gains on sales of loans     1,825       1,220       4,814       4,930  
    Other     6,947       4,994       18,774       16,882  
    Noninterest expenses:                                
    Salaries and employee benefits     13,921       12,921       41,625       40,841  
    Other     9,170       8,605       26,989       25,969  
    Income tax expense     1,250       1,323       3,010       4,309  
    Net income     5,420       5,777       13,889       18,658  
                                     
    Fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) amounts1                                
    Interest income on loans-FTE     33,070       28,423       94,166       81,999  
    Interest income on securities-FTE     2,958       3,134       9,033       9,589  
    Total interest income-FTE     36,417       31,936       104,010       92,424  
    Net interest income-FTE     24,975       24,712       72,534       74,460  

    ________________________
    1For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                                       
        For the Quarter Ended  
          9/30/2024      9/30/2023     
        Average      Income/      Yield/   Average      Income/      Yield/  
    Yield Analysis   Balance     Expense     Rate   Balance     Expense     Rate  
    Assets                                  
    Securities:                                  
    Taxable   $ 318,834     $ 1,828   2.29 % $ 414,036     $ 2,207   2.13 %
    Tax-exempt     119,253       1,130   3.79     110,182       927   3.37  
    Total securities     438,087       2,958   2.70     524,218       3,134   2.39  
    Loans:                                  
    Community banking segment     1,411,337       19,797   5.58     1,224,791       15,887   5.15  
    Mortgage banking segment     40,232       597   5.90     30,210       517   6.79  
    Consumer finance segment     481,124       12,676   10.48     472,811       12,019   10.09  
    Total loans     1,932,693       33,070   6.81     1,727,812       28,423   6.53  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks     38,756       389   3.99     38,507       379   3.90  
    Total earning assets     2,409,536       36,417   6.02     2,290,537       31,936   5.54  
    Allowance for credit losses     (40,879 )               (41,014 )            
    Total non-earning assets     158,063                 151,070              
    Total assets   $ 2,526,720               $ 2,400,593              
                                       
    Liabilities and Equity                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 323,019       540   0.67   $ 341,707       505   0.59  
    Money market deposit accounts     293,789       1,104   1.49     304,309       782   1.02  
    Savings accounts     178,417       23   0.05     204,042       29   0.06  
    Certificates of deposit     801,669       8,524   4.23     571,499       4,316   3.00  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,596,894       10,191   2.54     1,421,557       5,632   1.57  
    Borrowings:                                  
    Repurchase agreements     27,207       117   1.72     29,440       95   1.29  
    Other borrowings     93,961       1,134   4.83     122,250       1,497   4.90  
    Total borrowings     121,168       1,251   4.13     151,690       1,592   4.20  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,718,062       11,442   2.65     1,573,247       7,224   1.83  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     537,796                 577,382              
    Other liabilities     48,330                 45,124              
    Total liabilities     2,304,188                 2,195,753              
    Equity     222,532                 204,840              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,526,720               $ 2,400,593              
    Net interest income         $ 24,975             $ 24,712      
    Interest rate spread               3.37 %             3.71 %
    Interest expense to average earning assets               1.89 %             1.25 %
    Net interest margin               4.13 %             4.29 %
                                       
        For the Nine Months Ended  
          9/30/2024      9/30/2023     
        Average      Income/      Yield/   Average      Income/      Yield/  
    Yield Analysis   Balance     Expense     Rate   Balance     Expense     Rate  
    Assets                                  
    Securities:                                  
    Taxable   $ 340,297     $ 5,665   2.22 % $ 441,204     $ 7,017   2.12 %
    Tax-exempt     119,931       3,368   3.74     104,549       2,572   3.28  
    Total securities     460,228       9,033   2.62     545,753       9,589   2.34  
    Loans:                                  
    Community banking segment     1,357,962       55,671   5.48     1,199,560       45,375   5.06  
    Mortgage banking segment     30,759       1,411   6.13     26,713       1,312   6.57  
    Consumer finance segment     477,768       37,084   10.37     474,738       35,312   9.94  
    Total loans     1,866,489       94,166   6.74     1,701,011       81,999   6.45  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks     30,197       811   3.59     33,072       836   3.38  
    Total earning assets     2,356,914       104,010   5.89     2,279,836       92,424   5.42  
    Allowance for loan losses     (40,670 )               (41,192 )            
    Total non-earning assets     155,935                 150,826              
    Total assets   $ 2,472,179               $ 2,389,470              
                                       
    Liabilities and Equity                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 326,540       1,569   0.64   $ 359,157       1,578   0.59  
    Money market deposit accounts     295,257       3,177   1.44     323,630       2,121   0.88  
    Savings accounts     181,880       85   0.06     213,940       91   0.06  
    Certificates of deposit     753,114       23,140   4.10     509,424       9,447   2.48  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,556,791       27,971   2.40     1,406,151       13,237   1.26  
    Borrowings:                                  
    Repurchase agreements     26,774       325   1.62     32,048       273   1.14  
    Other borrowings     91,024       3,180   4.66     122,984       4,454   4.83  
    Total borrowings     117,798       3,505   3.97     155,032       4,727   4.07  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,674,589       31,476   2.51     1,561,183       17,964   1.54  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     533,113                 582,573              
    Other liabilities     45,835                 42,108              
    Total liabilities     2,253,537                 2,185,864              
    Equity     218,642                 203,606              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,472,179               $ 2,389,470              
    Net interest income         $ 72,534             $ 74,460      
    Interest rate spread               3.38 %             3.88 %
    Interest expense to average earning assets               1.78 %             1.05 %
    Net interest margin               4.11 %             4.37 %
                       
        9/30/2024
    Funding Sources    Capacity      Outstanding      Available
    Unsecured federal funds agreements   $ 75,000   $   $ 75,000
    Borrowings from FHLB     254,445     60,000     194,445
    Borrowings from Federal Reserve Bank     314,385         314,385
    Total   $ 643,830   $ 60,000   $ 583,830
                   
    Asset Quality   9/30/2024   12/31/2023  
    Community Banking              
    Total loans   $ 1,432,109   $ 1,273,629  
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 628   $ 406  
                   
    Allowance for credit losses (ACL)   $ 17,533   $ 16,072  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.04 %   0.03 %
    ACL to total loans     1.22 %   1.26 %
    ACL to nonaccrual loans     2,791.88 %   3,958.62 %
    Annualized year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans     0.01 %   0.01 %
                   
    Consumer Finance              
    Total loans   $ 477,300   $ 468,510  
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 1,101   $ 892  
    Repossessed assets   $ 522   $ 646  
    ACL   $ 23,238   $ 23,579  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.23 %   0.19 %
    ACL to total loans     4.87 %   5.03 %
    ACL to nonaccrual loans     2,110.63 %   2,643.39 %
    Annualized year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans     2.36 %   1.99 %
                                     
        For The     For The  
        Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    Other Performance Data   9/30/2024     9/30/2023     9/30/2024     9/30/2023  
    Net Income (Loss):                                
    Community Banking   $ 5,337       $ 5,685       $ 13,920       $ 17,742    
    Mortgage Banking     351         (5 )       1,021         568    
    Consumer Finance     311         682         1,142         2,261    
    Other1     (579 )       (585 )       (2,194 )       (1,913 )  
    Total   $ 5,420       $ 5,777       $ 13,889       $ 18,658    
                                     
    Net income attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 5,389       $ 5,789       $ 13,797       $ 18,536    
                                     
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted   $ 1.65       $ 1.71       $ 4.15       $ 5.41    
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted     3,258,420         3,391,624         3,323,942         3,426,845    
                                     
    Annualized return on average assets     0.86   %     0.96   %     0.75   %     1.04   %
    Annualized return on average equity     9.74   %     11.28   %     8.47   %     12.22   %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity2     11.16   %     13.19   %     9.74   %     14.18   %
    Dividends declared per share   $ 0.44       $ 0.44       $ 1.32       $ 1.32    
                                     
    Mortgage loan originations – Mortgage Banking   $ 156,968       $ 129,658       $ 397,324       $ 400,559    
    Mortgage loans sold – Mortgage Banking     146,143         140,214         367,449         389,465    

    ________________________
    1 Includes results of the holding company that are not allocated to the business segments and elimination of inter-segment activity.
    2 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                   
    Market Ratios   9/30/2024     12/31/2023
    Market value per share   $ 58.35     $ 68.19
    Book value per share   $ 70.29     $ 64.28
    Price to book value ratio     0.83       1.06
    Tangible book value per share1   $ 62.13     $ 56.40
    Price to tangible book value ratio1     0.94       1.21
    Price to earnings ratio (ttm)     10.30       9.87

    ________________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                         
                         
                    Minimum Capital
    Capital Ratios   9/30/2024   12/31/2023   Requirements3
    C&F Financial Corporation1                    
    Total risk-based capital ratio     13.8 %   14.8 %   8.0 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio     11.6 %   12.6 %   6.0 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio     10.5 %   11.3 %   4.5 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     9.8 %   10.1 %   4.0 %
                         
    C&F Bank2                    
    Total risk-based capital ratio     13.4 %   14.1 %   8.0 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio     12.1 %   12.9 %   6.0 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio     12.1 %   12.9 %   4.5 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     10.1 %   10.3 %   4.0 %

    ________________________
    1 The Corporation, a small bank holding company under applicable regulations and guidance, is not subject to the minimum regulatory capital regulations for bank holding companies. The regulatory requirements that apply to bank holding companies that are subject to regulatory capital requirements are presented above, along with the Corporation’s capital ratios as determined under those regulations.
    2 All ratios at September 30, 2024 are estimates and subject to change pending regulatory filings. All ratios at December 31, 2023 are presented as filed.
    3 The ratios presented for minimum capital requirements are those to be considered adequately capitalized.

                                     
        For The Quarter Ended     For The Nine Months Ended  
        9/30/2024     9/30/2023     9/30/2024     9/30/2023  
    Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures                        
    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity                                
    Average total equity, as reported   $ 222,532       $ 204,840       $ 218,642       $ 203,606    
    Average goodwill     (25,191 )       (25,191 )       (25,191 )       (25,191 )  
    Average other intangible assets     (1,242 )       (1,507 )       (1,303 )       (1,572 )  
    Average noncontrolling interest     (573 )       (484 )       (670 )       (668 )  
    Average tangible common equity   $ 195,526       $ 177,658       $ 191,478       $ 176,175    
                                     
    Net income   $ 5,420       $ 5,777       $ 13,889       $ 18,658    
    Amortization of intangibles     65         69         195         205    
    Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest     (31 )       12         (92 )       (122 )  
    Net tangible income attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 5,454       $ 5,858       $ 13,992       $ 18,741    
                                     
    Annualized return on average equity, as reported     9.74   %     11.28   %     8.47   %     12.22   %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity     11.16   %     13.19   %     9.74   %     14.18   %
                                 
        For The Quarter Ended     For The Nine Months Ended
        9/30/2024     9/30/2023     9/30/2024   9/30/2023
    Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income1                            
    Interest income on loans   $ 33,021     $ 28,369     $ 94,014   $ 81,845
    FTE adjustment     49       54       152     154
    FTE interest income on loans   $ 33,070     $ 28,423     $ 94,166   $ 81,999
                                 
    Interest income on securities   $ 2,721     $ 2,938     $ 8,326   $ 9,048
    FTE adjustment     237       196       707     541
    FTE interest income on securities   $ 2,958     $ 3,134     $ 9,033   $ 9,589
                                 
    Total interest income   $ 36,131     $ 31,686     $ 103,151   $ 91,729
    FTE adjustment     286       250       859     695
    FTE interest income   $ 36,417     $ 31,936     $ 104,010   $ 92,424
                                 
    Net interest income   $ 24,689     $ 24,462     $ 71,675   $ 73,765
    FTE adjustment     286       250       859     695
    FTE net interest income   $ 24,975     $ 24,712     $ 72,534   $ 74,460

    ____________________
    1 Assuming a tax rate of 21%.

                   
        9/30/2024     12/31/2023
    Tangible Book Value Per Share          
    Equity attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 227,340       $ 216,878  
    Goodwill     (25,191 )       (25,191 )
    Other intangible assets     (1,211 )       (1,407 )
    Tangible equity attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 200,938       $ 190,280  
                   
    Shares outstanding     3,234,363         3,374,098  
                   
    Book value per share   $ 70.29       $ 64.28  
    Tangible book value per share   $ 62.13       $ 56.40  
       
    Contact: Jason Long, CFO and Secretary
      (804) 843-2360

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bringing Affordable, Supportive Housing to the Bronx

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of St. James Terrace, a new $64 million development adjacent to the historic St. James Episcopal Church with 102 affordable apartments, including 51 with on-site supportive services for people struggling with homelessness and a Community Center that will offer a variety of programs and a weekly food pantry. In the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has financed 14,000 affordable homes in The Bronx. St. James Terrace continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

    “St. James Terrace is the product of a caring community,” Governor Hochul said. “The church recognized the value of the underused property and has put it to the best use for our most urgent need – creating new, affordable, supportive homes for those most in need, along with a community facility and home for a food pantry. We thank St. James Episcopal Church and all our partners for helping to bring urgently-needed housing to The Bronx.”

    The nine-story building includes a new, ground-floor community facility that will provide a range of services and programs benefiting residents and the community at large, including a weekly food pantry and hot meal service, financial and wellness seminars and an after-school program that will provide tutoring and snacks to school-aged children in the neighborhood.

    A landscaped courtyard connects the church and the residential building, and residents will have access to a rooftop terrace, lounges, multi-purpose rooms, a laundry room, bicycle storage, fitness room and office and social service space for use by Concern for Independent Living’s social service staff.

    State financing includes $28 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, $10.6 million in subsidy from HCR and $6 million from HCR’s Office of Resilient Homes and Communities Affordable Housing Fund Program, which was designed to increase the supply of affordable housing in areas less prone to flooding. The project received $433,000 in program development funding from the New York State Office of Mental Health. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is administering a $4.9 million Homeless Housing and Assistance Program contract to provide capital subsidy for the development of St. James Terrace’s permanent supportive housing. Concern Housing led the development team.

    The supportive apartments are affordable to individuals with income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income and benefit from Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative awards which are administered by OMH. Support services, provided by Concern for Independent Living, include case management, care coordination, self-sufficiency and mental health support. Referrals for supportive housing are provided by the New York City Department of Homeless Services and local hospitals and health homes. In addition, the development benefits from a Homeless Housing Assistance Program contract administered by the New York State Office for People with Temporary Disabilities.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Not only does St. James Terrace bring more than 100 homes to this neighborhood, but it allows the church and other organizations to expand services to children and adults and provides a solid base of support for the entire community. This $64 million investment underscores our ongoing commitment to The Bronx that includes both housing and a new community center that will provide a food pantry and hot meal service – creating a meaningful development that will benefit the borough for years to come.”

    New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “Supportive housing is a critical component of our efforts to ensure New Yorkers living with mental illness have a stable place to call home. St. James Terrace will provide a beautiful new residence and life-changing services that will help individuals live and thrive in the Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx. This project, like many other supportive housing developments taking root with State funding, are demonstrating Governor Hochul’s steadfast commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable housing.”

    New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The opening of St. James Terrace provides formerly homeless individuals with much-needed safe, affordable housing and easy access to essential support services they need to build and maintain stable lives. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for rightly recognizing the power of supportive housing to transform the lives of some of our most vulnerable fellow New Yorkers and to Concern Housing and all of the state and local partners who supported this project.”

    State Senator Gustavo Rivera said, “I commend the opening of St. James Terrace in the Bronx, which will provide families with an affordable place to live along with the supportive services they need to achieve long-term stability. It is essential that we continue to prioritize affordable housing in our City.”

    Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia said, “We don’t just need affordable housing; we need affordable and supportive housing that will enable its residents to get back on their feet and regain their independence. St. James Terrace will do just that. This project sends a message that we are committed to addressing the homeless crisis across New York City’s five boroughs and doing so in a way that will move the needle for those who are most acutely impacted.”

    Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said, “Affordable housing is crucial in addressing the housing crisis in the Bronx. The completion of St. James Terrace is a significant step forward, providing 102 new homes and essential services for our most vulnerable residents. I want to thank Governor Hochul, St. James Episcopal Church and everyone else who was involved in bringing this project to fruition.”

    Concern Housing Executive Director Ralph Fasano said, “St. James Terrace represents not only the hard work and dedication of all those who made this possible, but also a brighter future for the members of the community who will call it home. New York City is in desperate need of more affordable and supportive housing and we are grateful for our partners who have helped make this moment possible. Providing a stable place to live against this beautiful and historic backdrop is an immense source of pride for our organization.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
    Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain State-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on State-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 45,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY25 Enacted Budget also strengthened the Pro-Housing Community Program which the Governor launched in 2023. Pro Housing Certification is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in discretionary funding. To date, more than 200 communities have been certified, including New York City.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Peoria Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Multi-Year Fraud Scheme

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois, man, Chad Duane Campen, 35, was sentenced on October 24, 2024, to 135 months (11.3 years) following his convictions for bank fraud (one count), wire fraud (three counts), illegal monetary transaction (one count), bankruptcy fraud (one count), and false statements under oath (one count).

    At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, the government presented evidence that Campen successfully swindled dozens of individuals and financial institutions between 2013 and 2021. During the course of the sentencing, the court heard from several of Campen’s victims who described themselves as “survivors” of Campen’s crimes. Campen pretended to be engaged in various business ventures ranging from farming to the construction of a solar farm. Via this elaborate scheme, Campen obtained loans from multiple banks using each fraudulent loan to not only enrich himself but also to pay off his previous victim. By the time his scheme collapsed, the government showed that Campen had obtained more than $17 million from these banks, of which almost $5 million was still outstanding.

    Campen, however, did not limit himself to stealing from banks, he also defrauded individuals. Witnesses, victim letters, and other evidence demonstrated how Campen would pretend to befriend people over the course of years and be welcomed into their families and homes only to steal from them. Campen caused a family farm to have its equipment repossessed after he claimed their equipment as his to secure one of his fraudulent loans. In another instance, Campen offered to assist an elderly man, gained access to his home, and stole more than $50,000 from him. And Campen convinced a family to invest in a purported farming opportunity. The family took out a loan using their own farm as collateral. When Campen’s fraud scheme collapsed, the family not only lost the money they had given Campen, but their farm—which had been in their family for more than 100 years—had to be sold.

    Another victim of Campen’s fraud was the Village of Bartonville, Illinois. Campen with co-conspirator Richard Weiss, convinced the Village to extend loans and additional funds to tear down the old Bowen Building in Bartonville. Campen lied to the Village and made promises that he could recoup the Village’s loan and investments through the sale of materials from the building. Campen secured these funds by falsely claiming that he already had buyers lined up for the stone for the building. As a result of Campen’s fraud, the Village lost the equivalent of half of all its property tax revenue for an entire year.

    Campen’s co-conspirator in certain acts connected with that fraud, the owner of the Bowen building, Richard Weiss, 62, of Pekin, Illinois, was charged in a separate case in February 2024 with bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, related to his and Campen’s receipt of funds from the Village. He pleaded guilty to both counts in February and was sentenced the same day as Campen to 15 months of imprisonment. Weiss’s sentence took into account his unique personal characteristics and significantly smaller role in the offense. In imposing the sentence, Judge Shadid noted that Weiss himself was a victim of Campen’s fraud.

    As Campen’s scheme began to unravel, he tried to use the mechanisms of bankruptcy court to delay his creditors and prevent discovery of his fraud. Campen committed additional fraud in the bankruptcy court by filing counterfeit documents and making false statements in his pleadings and under oath. Campen’s fraud was quickly detected by the professionals with the Office of the United States Trustee for Region 10, who added to the growing investigation of Campen by providing a criminal referral to the United States Attorney’s Office.

    A seventeen-count indictment was filed January 19, 2022, and Campen was arrested and detained five days later. Although he has filed several motions and appeals requesting bond, he has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest. Campen entered into a written plea agreement in March 2024, pleading guilty to seven of the seventeen counts.

    The statutory penalties for the charges are:

    Charge

    Imprisonment Time

    Supervised Release

    Bank Fraud (Ct. 5) Not more than 30 years 5 years
    Wire Fraud (Cts. 6, 12, 13) Not more than 20 years 3 years
    Illegal Monetary Transaction (Ct. 14) Not more than 10 years 3 years
    Bankruptcy Fraud (Ct. 16) Not more than 5 years 3 years
    False Statements Under Oath (Ct. 17) Not more than 5 years 3 years

    During his term of supervised release, Campen is to refrain from engaging in any occupation, business or profession related to the banking industry, including, but not limited to, employment by a bank or any other financial institution.

    “The defendant’s repeated acts of fraud caused great damage not only to financial institutions, but also to members of our community, including but not limited to the Village of Bartonville and its taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris. “Our office is committed to protecting individuals and banks from predatory acts like those of the defendant and will vigorously pursue such cases. We are grateful to our federal law enforcement partners, the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Office of the United States Trustee for Region 10.”

    “Today’s sentence will go a long way in protecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system,” said Nancy J. Gargula, United States Trustee for Indiana and the Central and Southern Districts of Illinois (Region 10).  “We are grateful to U.S. Attorney Harris and our law enforcement partners for their commitment to protect the interests of creditors and the public.”

    “Driven by an unquenchable thirst for ill-gotten gains, Chad Campen embarked on an eight-year fraud spree which led to devastating results for those who put their trust in him,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “This sentence sends a clear message about the consequences of greed and demonstrates the resolve of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to follow the money trail and ensure justice.”

    “Over several years, Chad Campen defrauded dozens of victims, creating severe economic distress for families and straining resources for institutions that fell victim to his fraud scheme,” said Marta C. Grijalva, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “This sentencing reflects the consequences of actions that caused significant financial pain to not only institutions and communities, but also individual families. That is why IRS Criminal Investigation and its fellow law enforcement partners remain committed to safeguarding the financial security of our communities and holding accountable those who exploit the system for personal gain.”

    The case investigation was conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office. The bankruptcy fraud charge was referred for criminal prosecution by the Office of the United States Trustee for Region 10, Nancy J. Gargula. The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis, with additional offices in South Bend, Indiana, and Peoria, Illinois. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas F. McMeyer represented the government in the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Protecting reproductive freedom by preventing abuse of charitable status

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Concerns have been raised that some registered charities that offer reproductive health services to women, including pregnancy options counselling, may be spreading misinformation by presenting themselves as neutral, full-service pregnancy support service organizations when they are in fact anti-choice organizations that push women away from accessing the reproductive care of their choice.

    October 29, 2024

    Registered charities are provided federal, as well as provincial or territorial, supports under the tax system that includes an exemption from income tax and the ability to issue official donation receipts for any gifts that they receive. In return, all registered charities are expected to follow the rules and principles set out in the Income Tax Act to ensure that they are operating for charitable purposes and providing activities for the benefit of the public.

    Concerns have been raised that some registered charities that offer reproductive health services to women, including pregnancy options counselling, may be spreading misinformation by presenting themselves as neutral, full-service pregnancy support service organizations when they are in fact anti-choice organizations that push women away from accessing the reproductive care of their choice.

    By concealing the true nature of their services, these anti-choice organizations are restricting the rights of vulnerable pregnant women to choose the reproductive care appropriate to them and their circumstances.

    To address these concerns, the federal government intends to introduce legislation to amend the Income Tax Act and Income Tax Regulations to require registered charities that provide services, advice, or information in respect of the prevention, preservation, or termination of pregnancy to disclose where they do not provide specific services, including abortions or birth control.  Disclosure of such information would be required in any form of public communication that advertises these services. This legislation would also require that reproductive health charities explicitly disclose this information on their annual information return, which is publicly available on the website of the Canada Revenue Agency.

    In specific terms, if adopted by Parliament, the legislation would require that any registered charity whose purpose or main activity is to provide reproductive health services would be required to disclose where applicable:

    • If it does not provide abortion services, it must disclose that it does not provide abortion services;
    • If it does not provide abortion services and it does not provide information on abortion services, it must further disclose that it does not provide information on how to obtain such services;
    • If it does not provide abortion services and it does not provide the contact information for a provider of such services, it must further disclose that it does not provide the contact information for a provider of such services;
    • If it does not provide birth control services or does not provide a range of birth control services, it must disclose whichever case applies;
    • If it does not provide birth control services or does not provide a range of birth control services, it must further disclose if it does not provide information on how to obtain a range of birth control services; and,
    • If it does not provide birth control services or does not provide a range of birth control services, it must further disclose if it does not provide the contact information for a provider of a range of birth control services or providers that collectively provide such a range of services.

    Birth control services in this context would mean services relating to the provision or prescription of medications, devices or medical procedures that aid in the prevention of conception and are recognized in Canada. 

    Under this legislation, a registered charity that provides reproductive health services would need to disclose if, at a minimum, it does not provide the contact information for an abortion services provider and a birth control service provider.  

    For the purposes of this legislation, a public communication would generally include any advertisement, such as bus ad, poster, billboard, social media posts, or websites, put out by the charity or on the charity’s behalf, or any other communication aimed at the public, that advertises the information, advice, or services that it provides relating to the prevention, preservation, or termination of pregnancy.

    Where a charity fails to meet the requirements specified in the legislation, the Minister of National Revenue would be permitted to revoke its registration. 

    These changes would come into force 90 days after Royal Assent, with the new information disclosure requirements applying as of the 2025 taxation year. 

    Related product

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Smucker, Moore Introduce Bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

    Washington—Reps. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Gwen Moore (WI-04), members of the Ways and Means Committee, announce jointly-introducing the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 10055). This legislation will amend the nation’s tax code to ensure survivors of sexual abuse and unwanted and illegal sexual contact do not have to pay taxes on settlement income when they prevail legally against their abuser. The Members have introduced this legislation during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

    Under current law and practice of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), payments for damages awarded on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness are exempt from gross income for federal income tax purposes. In implementing the requirement of a “physical injury” the IRS has imposed a standard that the victim must show visible physical conditions such as bruising, cuts or bleeding for the settlement to qualify for tax-free treatment. The observable harm standard can be especially difficult to meet and unfair in circumstances of sexual assault or sexual contact where such physical injuries may not be visible or have healed. 

    Representatives Smucker and Moore’s legislation narrowly expands current law to help survivors of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact by tying the IRS tax exemption to the definitions of sexual act and sexual contact in federal criminal code.

    “This legislation provides certainty for survivors of sexual assault and ensures that monetary settlements are exempt from federal income tax. I encourage my colleagues to stand with survivors by supporting this narrowly tailored legislation. I want to thank Rep. Gwen Moore for joining me in introducing this legislation,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).

    Right now, sexual abuse survivors who prevail in legal actions against their abusers must pay federal tax on monetary awards they receive unless they prove to the IRS they suffered physical harm. I am honored to partner with Representative Smucker to remove the burdensome and unfair requirement on survivors of sexual abuse and highlight our joint work during Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04).  

    The legislation is supported by a number of organizations who are calling for the legislation to be passed without delay.

    “On behalf of the thousands of courageous survivors of gender-based violence that the YWCA network supports each year, I applaud Representatives Lloyd Smucker and Gwen Moore for championing this legislation to provide certainty to all victims of sexual violence that monetary settlements are exempt from federal income tax,” said YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell. “We stand with survivors in all their steps of healing and this thoughtful and bipartisan bill is a helpful step.”

    “On behalf of the members of the American Association of Settlement Consultants (AASC), whose professional efforts protect injured parties’ long term financial interests, we are grateful for the leadership of Reps. Smucker and Moore in advancing the commonsense and bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act. Their efforts to support survivors are deserving of praise. We call on their colleagues to support this legislation which should be advanced without delay,” said AASC President Joanna Wynes and AASC President-Elect Louis Masry.

    “As a survivor and advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how civil judgments provide a rare form of justice that can help survivors reclaim some control over their lives and begin to heal,” said Grace French, founder and president of the Army of Survivors. “But taxing these settlements forces survivors to give back part of what they sacrificed so much to attain. This legislation will allow us to receive full settlements, unencumbered by tax burdens that devalue the painful journey to justice. It’s a crucial step in helping survivors move forward with dignity, knowing they have the financial support they deserve.”

    “Sexual assault and unwanted sexual contact are pervasive, devastating problems in our country and it can be extremely challenging to seek justice,” said MomsRising Elyssa Schmier, Vice President of Government Relations. “Those who do so successfully, and win the settlements they deserve, should not have those settlements taxed simply because their injuries are not visible or observable. That’s an unacceptable, harmful double standard that we must end. So America’s moms thank Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) for championing the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act, and urge Congress to pass it quickly.”

    # # #

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moore, Smucker Introduce Bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04)

    Moore, Smucker Introduce Bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act

    Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), both members of the Ways and Means Committee, are jointly introducing the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 10055). This legislation will amend the nation’s tax code to ensure survivors of sexual abuse and unwanted and illegal sexual contact do not have to pay taxes on settlement income when they prevail legally against their abuser. The Members have introduced this legislation during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

    Under current law and practice of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), payments for damages awarded on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness are exempt from gross income for federal income tax purposes. In implementing the requirement of a “physical injury” the IRS has imposed a standard that the victim must show visible physical conditions such as bruising, cuts or bleeding for the settlement to qualify for tax-free treatment. The observable harm standard can be especially difficult to meet and unfair in circumstances of sexual assault or sexual contact where such physical injuries may not be visible or have healed. 

    Representatives Smucker and Moore’s legislation narrowly expands current law to help survivors of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact by tying the IRS tax exemption to the definitions of sexual act and sexual contact in federal criminal code.

    Right now, sexual abuse survivors who prevail in legal actions against their abusers must pay federal tax on monetary awards they receive unless they prove to the IRS they suffered physical harm. I am honored to partner with Representative Smucker to remove the burdensome and unfair requirement on survivors of sexual abuse and highlight our joint work during Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04).  

    “This legislation provides certainty for survivors of sexual assault and ensures that monetary settlements are exempt from federal income tax. I encourage my colleagues to stand with survivors by supporting this narrowly tailored legislation. I want to thank Rep. Gwen Moore for joining me introducing this legislation,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).

     

    The legislation is supported by a number of organizations who are calling for the legislation to be passed without delay.

    “On behalf of the thousands of courageous survivors of gender-based violence that the YWCA network supports each year, I applaud Representatives Lloyd Smucker and Gwen Moore for championing this legislation to provide certainty to all victims of sexual violence that monetary settlements are exempt from federal income tax,” said YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell. “We stand with survivors in all their steps of healing and this thoughtful and bipartisan bill is a helpful step.”

    “On behalf of the members of the American Association of Settlement Consultants (AASC), whose professional efforts protect injured parties’ long term financial interests, we are grateful for the leadership of Reps. Smucker and Moore in advancing the commonsense and bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act. Their efforts to support survivors are deserving of praise. We call on their colleagues to support this legislation which should be advanced without delay,” said AASC President Joanna Wynes and AASC President-Elect Louis Masry.

    “As a survivor and advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how civil judgments provide a rare form of justice that can help survivors reclaim some control over their lives and begin to heal,” said Grace French, founder and president of the Army of Survivors. “But taxing these settlements forces survivors to give back part of what they sacrificed so much to attain. This legislation will allow us to receive full settlements, unencumbered by tax burdens that devalue the painful journey to justice. It’s a crucial step in helping survivors move forward with dignity, knowing they have the financial support they deserve.”

    “Sexual assault and unwanted sexual contact are pervasive, devastating problems in our country and it can be extremely challenging to seek justice,” said MomsRising Elyssa Schmier, Vice President of Government Relations. “Those who do so successfully, and win the settlements they deserve, should not have those settlements taxed simply because their injuries are not visible or observable. That’s an unacceptable, harmful double standard that we must end. So America’s moms thank Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) for championing the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act, and urge Congress to pass it quickly.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: Century View Will Provide 40 Families With Affordable Housing, Helping Address One of North Dakota’s Greatest Needs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    10.29.24
    BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today marked the grand opening of the Century View affordable housing complex. The $11.2 million project primarily serves low-income families and individuals, consisting of 40 housing units across three apartment buildings with three-, two- and one-bedroom floor plans available, as well as an additional community building. Amenities include balconies and walk-out patios, in-unit laundry, outdoor green space, a community room and kitchen and office space.
    The project is supported by more than $3 million in federal funding, which Hoeven worked to secure as a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriation Committee. This includes:
    $2.25 million in Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds.
    $813,000 in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which were leveraged by the project developer to secure an estimated $7 million in project equity.
    Ongoing support from Section 8 housing vouchers, which will provide rental assistance to eligible residents.
    “Century View will serve as an important asset for the Bismarck community, providing 40 families with affordable housing and helping address one of the biggest challenges our communities face. This project is now a reality, with amenities that any tenant would want, because the developers were able to leverage more than $3 million of federal funding to secure private investment of $7 million,” said Hoeven. “Through partnerships like this, we can provide the affordable, high-quality housing stock that our state needs, supporting our ongoing growth and a higher quality of life.”
              Century View is the latest example of affordable housing efforts Hoeven has helped advance through his support for federal programs like HOME, LIHTC and other initiatives. Earlier this year, Hoeven marked the completion of the Milton Earl Apartments in Fargo, which serve low-income seniors, and he continues working to support development of the Lashkowitz Riverfront Project, among other efforts.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Address to AFR Super and Wealth Summit, Sydney

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    Introduction

    I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on.

    I pay my respects to their Elders past and present, and I acknowledge any First Nations Australians in attendance.

    At this very forum 2 years ago, I made a promise –

    A promise that the Albanese government will deliver a stronger superannuation system that provides the best outcomes for members.

    A stronger system where workers are paid what they are owed.

    A system where funds deliver strong investment performance.

    A system where the member is at the centre.

    A system that is fair.

    On current trends, the superannuation sector will exceed $4 trillion in the next term of government.

    As the stewards of the system, we are committed to ensuring that translates to a dignified retirement for all Australians.

    To do that, we have been improving every interaction with the system.

    From the first dollar of superannuation accumulated –

    To the final dollar drawn down –

    We want to ensure Australians share in the dividend of the nation’s prosperity.

    Every dollar of superannuation needs to be paid

    Superannuation relies on the premise that wealth will accumulate over your working life to be drawn down upon in retirement.

    This all falls over from the outset if workers are not paid what they are owed.

    In the most recent data available, in a single year, it is estimated that workers had $3.6 billion stolen from them through unpaid super.

    Not good enough.

    We don’t accept workers being underpaid wages.

    We shouldn’t accept workers being underpaid super.

    So we have acted decisively.

    We enshrined the right to super in the National Employment Standards.

    We’ve criminalised the theft of superannuation.

    And we’re fulfilling our election commitment to set new targets for the Tax Office to recover unpaid super.

    Yet the most important policy in this regard is our commitment to payday super.

    From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages.

    Workers will benefit by getting their super earlier and more frequently.

    The Tax Office will have greater ability to track employers meeting their obligations.

    And it will help prevent the build‑up of debts of unpaid super, which are too often lost forever if a business becomes insolvent.

    This is one of the biggest reforms to the payment of superannuation since it was introduced over 30 years ago.

    And it will deliver for workers.

    Funds must deliver strong investment returns

    We need to make sure super is paid on time.

    And we need to make sure super is invested in the best financial interests of members.

    Upon coming to government, the annual superannuation performance test only applied to around 70 MySuper products.

    It has now been expanded to around 650 products, including the choice sector.

    The test now covers around 80 per cent of benefits held in the accumulation phase.

    This drives accountability for trustees to deliver good investment returns.

    And it delivers transparency for members to know how their fund is performing.

    And it’s working.

    The tail of underperformance is being cleaned up.

    After almost 100 products failed last year, that number is down to 37 this year.

    But this is not a policy that is set and forget.

    We have had a look under the hood of the test to ensure that it is delivering for members.

    That it is not limiting the returns that funds can achieve.

    And to ensure that it is fit‑for‑purpose as the system continues to mature.

    As we work through the views and feedback we have received, you can judge our record to decipher what the future of the test looks like.

    How do we ensure funds invest in the best financial interests of members.

    And how do we help more Australians retire with dignity.

    Superannuation will be increasingly judged by its member service

    Now for a long time, the superannuation system has been judged simply by how well it accumulates wealth.

    And this is a key metric for its success.

    A metric – might I add – that it has generally hit out of the park.

    But more and more, this is not going to be the only marker against which success is judged.

    The superannuation industry will be judged by the standard of member service received throughout a person’s working life and retirement.

    And members are not judging their superannuation fund against another fund.

    They’re judging their fund against the service they receive from their bank or their insurer.

    And if they don’t receive an acceptable level of service, members might just start to question the value proposition of superannuation.

    There are plenty of bad answers to the question of what superannuation should be used for.

    In fact, you can spot these bad ideas when they put forward an answer that is anything but retirement income.

    In recent weeks, the Opposition have revealed their true colours when it comes to the superannuation system.

    The Shadow Treasurer let the cat out of the bag – they don’t believe in a universal superannuation system.

    And they don’t want superannuation to be kept for retirement as they continue to promote using super to buy a house.

    It’s an idea that is both bad retirement policy and bad housing policy.

    The entry price for a good idea is that it has to work.

    But this one doesn’t build a single home.

    And in a supply‑constrained market, it will only push house prices up and up.

    Their sales pitch to a young person is to drain your super, while pushing home ownership further away.

    And housing is just the tip of the iceberg.

    There is not a policy problem that the Opposition believe can’t be met by ripping open super.

    Like when they encouraged $38 billion in retirement savings to be drained during the pandemic.

    However, if the superannuation system doesn’t meet the members’ needs, these ideas become more attractive.

    Let’s be clear – the expectation on funds is only going to increase.

    The government has made its views clear.

    And this is a key strategic priority for ASIC as well and they will continue to work across industry to hold funds to account.

    Members are going to want help to meet their retirement goals.

    To be in the right products.

    And to be supported when things go wrong.

    Upon coming to government, the standard was not good enough.

    Pleasingly, this has started to turn around as funds have dedicated time and resources to lifting their performance.

    And I welcome the recent guidance note that ASFA has published –

    And I acknowledge the collaboration from others in the sector, including the Super Members Council and Financial Services Council.

    This is trending in the right direction, with more to be done to serve the members of the system.

    Reforming the financial advice laws will improve member outcomes

    While superannuation funds can do a lot more to meet their members’ expectations and needs –

    There is one area of the law that funds have almost unanimously said is holding them back and leading to bad outcomes for members.

    The financial advice laws in the country are not fit‑for‑purpose.

    It’s too expensive.

    Too hard to access.

    And too strangled by red tape to be helpful.

    4 in 5 Australians aged 45 to 54 said they needed financial advice, but did not have the capacity to pay for it.

    74 per cent of Australians aged 18 to 34 have been found to have unmet advice needs.

    Funds have to hang up on members or turn them away because the laws prevent them from providing answers to, often, simple questions.

    This means members might get no advice or information, which means they are likely not able to maximise their savings.

    Treasury analysis shows around 50 per cent of accounts have a balance of at least $100,000 in the year before a person’s passing.

    But worse still, if members cannot get advice from regulated sources, they may be led by ‘finfluencers’ and ‘armchair’ commentators to expose themselves to the dangerous world of scammers.

    No one can defend the current financial advice laws when presented with these outcomes.

    This is an acute challenge for the superannuation industry.

    We have over 5 million Australians at or approaching retirement.

    And they are hungry for advice and information.

    And so we have set out to implement the most significant reforms to the financial advice laws in a decade.

    We are committed to improving the retirement phase of superannuation.

    And the foundation stone for this project is helping more Australians access quality and affordable financial advice.

    We have delivered the first tranche of reforms.

    And the next tranche of reforms is being drafted and prepared for introduction.

    In this tranche of reforms, we will modernise the best interests duty and remove the safe harbour steps.

    We will reform statements of advice so that they are actually usable by the consumer who paid for it to make informed decisions.

    And we will create a new class of adviser who will be able to provide simple and safe advice.

    Advice will be safe – so that we protect Australians from bad advice.

    Advice will be helpful – so that it is useful and fit‑for‑purpose.

    And advice will be quality – so that it delivers the best outcomes for Australians.

    An Australian retirement system must be fair

    Strengthening the system also means that we need to ensure it reflects society’s expectations around fairness.

    In just the past week, the Tax Office revealed that there are 42 self‑managed superannuation funds with assets in excess of $100 million.

    No one is decrying that success.

    But you’ll have a hard time convincing me that these accounts need their current level of taxpayer support.

    The top 10 per cent receive over 40 per cent of the current earnings concessions.

    And the cost of superannuation concessions will exceed the cost of the Age Pension by the 2040s.

    So we think it is a fairer outcome if we modestly reduce the tax concessions for some of these accounts with very high balances.

    We’re not capping how much can be held in superannuation.

    And the tax concessions will still be generous for everyone.

    But budgets are about trade‑offs.

    If you think the current tax concessions are appropriate, then you will need to find those savings by cutting services somewhere else.

    Our decisions mean we can go further to improve the equity of the system.

    Where we believe more support has been needed is in paid parental leave.

    By 2026, we will have expanded the government‑funded scheme to a full 6 months, an extra 6 weeks of paid leave.

    And we don’t think this time off work should impact your retirement income.

    For births and adoptions from 1 July next year, all parents who receive PPL will be eligible for an additional 12 per cent payment directly into their super fund.

    This is a landmark reform for families that could see them up to $3,000 better off.

    That’s a fairer outcome.

    Conclusion

    Our superannuation policy agenda is comprehensive.

    But the thread that binds it together is what we have proposed as the objective of superannuation.

    That savings would be preserved to deliver income for a dignified retirement – alongside government support – in an equitable and sustainable way.

    So we are committed to a system where every dollar of super is paid.

    A system that maximises performance.

    And a system that puts the member’s needs at the centre.

    This is the vision for better retirement incomes for all Australians.

    That’s the objective of super.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Lufthansa Group reports an operating profit of 1.3 billion euros for the third quarter following a strong summer travel season

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

    “Today, we are reporting on another strong summer travel season, with a record seat load factor of 88 percent in August. Particularly in view of the fact that global air traffic again reached its capacity limits this summer, I would like to thank our employees for their efforts and our customers for the patience we sometimes had to ask for.
    Global demand remains intact and bookings for the fourth quarter are also at a high level compared to the previous year, particularly in the premium classes.

    With all passenger airlines operating at a profit, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines even generated record results in the third quarter. Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo also remain on track. 
    At the same time, delayed aircraft deliveries, punctuality issues at our hubs in Germany and regulatory disadvantages are impacting our core brand. Lufthansa Airlines has therefore launched the “Turnaround” program to address these and structural internal challenges.

    Across the group, we are continuing to invest in the largest fleet modernization in our history, in premium offers for our guests and in an even more international positioning. These three central pillars of our strategy will enable us to further expand our role as the leading airline group in Europe.”

    Results
    The Group increased its revenue by five percent year-on-year to 10.7 billion euros (previous year: 10.3 billion euros) in the third quarter due to the higher number of flights and the revenue growth at Lufthansa Technik. This was the strongest quarter in terms of revenue in the history of the Lufthansa Group. The Group generated an operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of 1.3 billion euros (previous year: 1.5 billion euros), resulting in an operating margin of 12.5 percent (previous year: 14.3 percent). The year-on-year decline was due to significant cost increases, particularly in fees, MRO expenses and personnel. Net profit fell to 1.1 billion euros (previous year: 1.2 billion euros).

    Lufthansa Group Passenger Airlines expand capacity

    The Lufthansa Group airlines welcomed more than 40 million guests on board their aircraft in the third quarter, an increase of six percent over the previous year. At 94 percent of available capacity (prior-year period: 88 percent), the seat load factor rose to 87 percent in the third quarter (previous year: 86 percent). In terms of the seat load factor, August was the strongest month in the company’s history, with a load factor of 88 percent.

    Due to the industry-wide capacity growth, average yields fell by 3.5 percent compared to the previous year, although the development in the various traffic regions was mixed: While average yields in continental traffic in the third quarter remained almost at the previous year’s level (-0.4 percent), they fell significantly by 14 percent in the Asia/Pacific region. Due to the improved passenger load factor, the decline in unit revenues (RASK) was less pronounced at minus 2.7 percent. Unit costs increased by 4.5 percent compared to the previous year due to higher fees, as well as higher material and personnel costs. 

    Overall, the Group’s passenger airlines generated an Adjusted EBIT of 1.2 billion euros in the third quarter (previous year: 1.4 billion euros). The decline in the operating profit of the passenger airlines is mainly driven by the 234 million euros decline in the result of Lufthansa Airlines. Delays in the delivery of new aircraft and the associated need to continue operating older aircraft, increased location costs, higher staff costs and expenses for compensation payments following flight irregularities had an above-average impact on the result of Lufthansa Airlines.

    Turnaround program at Lufthansa Airlines is making progress

    Lufthansa Airlines is consistently implementing its Turnaround program. The aim is to increase efficiency, reduce complexity and improve product quality, thereby making the airline fit for the future. Among other things, the Turnaround plan envisages shifting more short-haul traffic to more cost-efficient flight operations. Further efficiency gains are to be achieved by optimizing the network and increasing flexibility and automation. By 2026, the measures will have a gross EBIT effect of around 1.5 billion euros.

    Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

    “The Lufthansa Group will continue to focus on generating cash flow and creating value for our shareholders. For this, the Turnaround program at Lufthansa Airlines and the fleet modernization are core elements. I am confident that on this basis we will position all our passenger airlines to be sustainably efficient and profitable.”

    Lufthansa Technik’s result on par with last year, positive performance at Lufthansa Cargo

    In the third quarter, Lufthansa Technik continued to benefit from the high demand for air travel and the associated increase in demand from airlines worldwide for maintenance and repair services. Lufthansa Technik generated an Adjusted EBIT of 167 million euros in the third quarter (previous year: 168 million euros).

    The airfreight business continued to recover in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter. Lufthansa Cargo achieved an operating profit of 38 million euros (previous year: 1 million euros) in the traditionally seasonally weak third quarter for air freight. This trend confirms the anticipated normalization in the air freight market. Furthermore, Lufthansa Cargo is optimally positioned to benefit from strong e-commerce business with Asia, which has prompted Lufthansa Cargo to shift capacity from the transatlantic to the Asia/Pacific region. 

    Adjusted free cash flow clearly positive, balance sheet further strengthened

    The Lufthansa Group generated an operating cash flow of 635 million euros in the third quarter of 2020 (previous year: 1.2 billion euros). After deducting net capital expenditure, primarily for new fuel-efficient aircraft, the Group recorded an Adjusted free cash flow of 128 million euros in the quarter. In the first nine months, the Adjusted free cash flow was 1.0 billion euros (previous year: 1.7 billion euros).

    The Group continued to strengthen its balance sheet during the first nine months of the year, supported by the positive cash flow. At 5.1 billion euros, net debt was below the year-end level 2023 (December 31, 2023: 5.7 billion euros). Net pension liabilities decreased to 2.6 billion euros (December 31, 2023: 2.7 billion euros). Compared to the beginning of the year, available liquidity increased by around 1 billion euros to 11.4 billion euros and was therefore well above the target range of 8-10 billion euros as of the reporting date.

    Outlook

    The Lufthansa Group expects demand for air travel to remain strong in the remaining months of the year. The load factors booked for November and December are well above the levels observed at the same time last year. Demand remains particularly high in the premium classes, i.e. Business Class and First Class.

    The Lufthansa Group plans to increase its capacity in the fourth quarter further compared to the previous year. For the full year 2024, it expects a capacity of around 91 percent compared to the pre-crisis level.

    The Group also expects to report a positive operating result in the fourth quarter. Overall, the Lufthansa Group is therefore confirming its expectation of achieving an Adjusted EBIT of 1.4 to 1.8 billion euros for the full year.

    Further information

    Further information on the results of individual business segments will be published in the report for the third quarter of 2024. This will be published at the same time as this press release on October 29, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. at

    https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/investor-relations.html.

    The traffic figures for the third quarter of 2024 will also be published at 7:00 a.m. at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/financial-reports-publications/traffic-figures.html

     
     
    Jan. – Sept.
    2024
     
    Jan. – Sept. 2023
     
    Change in %
     
    July – Sept.
    2024
     
    July – Sept. 2023
     
    Change in %
    Revenue and result
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Total revenue
     
    €m
     
    28,137
     
    26,681
     
    5
     
    10,738
     
    10,275
     
    5
    Of which traffic revenue
     
    €m
     
    23,578
     
    22,583
     
    4
     
    9,246
     
    8,832
     
    5
    Adjusted EBIT
     
    €m
     
    1,177
     
    2,280
     
    -48
     
    1,340
     
    1,468
     
    -9
    Adjusted EBIT margin
     
    %
     
    4.2%
     
    8.5%
     
    -4.3%p
     
    12.5
     
    14.3
     
    -1.8%p
    EBIT
     
    €m
     
    1,249
     
    2,218
     
    -44
     
    1,461
     
    1,441
     
    1
    Net profit / loss
     
    €m
     
    830
     
    1,606
     
    -48
     
    1,095
     
    1,192
     
    -8
    Earnings per Share
     
     
    0,69
     
    1,34
     
    -49
     
    0,92
     
    1,00
     
    -8
    Key balance sheet and cash flow statement figures
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Total assets
     
    €m
     
    46,439
     
    46,591
     
    0
     
     
     
    Cash flow from operating activities
     
    €m
     
    3,423
     
    4,320
     
    -21
     
    635
     
    1,220
     
    -48
    Net capital expenditures
     
    €m
     
    1,815
     
    2,421
     
    -25
     
    61
     
    550
     
    -89
    Adjusted free cash flow
     
    €m
     
    1,006
     
    1,663
     
    -40
     
    128
     
    592
     
    -78
    Employees
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Employees as of 30 September
     
    Number
     
    100,518
     
    117,187
     
    -14
     
     
     

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics interim report for the third quarter of 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, Norway – 29 October 2024 – IDEX Biometrics ASA’s interim report for the third quarter is attached to this notice (link below). The interim report is also available on the IDEX Biometrics website: www.idexbiometrics.com/investors/interim-results/

    A webcast presentation of the interim report will be held by Catharina Eklof, Chief Executive Officer, today at 09:00 CET. The webcast presentation is attached to this notice (link below), and can be viewed at the following link:

    https://idexbiometrics.videosync.fi/q3-2024

    “Transitioning into the CEO role this quarter, my focus has been on executing our transformation program and implementing key initiatives to achieve the targeted cash quarterly operating expense run rate of $2.5 million. By the end of the third quarter, IDEX had executed on targeted reorganization initiatives, significantly reducing operating expenses. We have consolidated our technology and administrative teams into the UK and Europe, and optimized our entire workforce to capture the fast growing opportunity across the APAC region.” Said Catharina Eklof, Chief Executive Officer at IDEX Biometrics.

    Ms. Eklof added, “On the customer side, we continue to expand our manufacturing partners and solution integrators with our open software platforms and flexible operating system. Focus over the last quarters has been on supporting manufacturers from certification to industrialized production. As a result, KONA I has achieved Mastercard approval for the world first metal biometric card, based on the IDEX Pay platform. A first commercial program is now in the planning phase of being rolled out in Asia.”

    In September, IDEX demonstrated a successful live transaction on the India based RuPay network with IDEX Pay, together with our manufacturing partners. This is a leading indicator of the IDEX biometric platform readiness to bring trusted identity solutions to consumers around the world.

    Financials:

    • Revenues in the third quarter totaled $0.1M.
    • Net Income in Q3 was $1.4M with Adjusted Net Loss of $4.8M. Adjustments are related to the restructuring charges and the derivative value changes.
    • Operating expenses reduced to $4.1M, a reduction of $2.0M from last quarter.
    • Restructuring cost during Q3 were $0.4M including severance and other items.  Restructuring gain of $0.7M resulting from two lease cancellations.
    • On track to achieve a cash operating run-rate of $2.5M per quarter by the end of this year.
    • Recorded a gain of $5.5M from a change in the derivative value related to outstanding warrants and the favorable renegotiation of our outstanding convertible bond.

    For further information contact:
    Marianne Bøe, Head of Investor Relations
    E-mail: ir@idexbiometrics.com
    Tel: + 47 67 83 91 19

    About IDEX Biometrics
    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market. 

    For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com

    TRADEMARK STATEMENT
    IDEX, TrustedBio, IDEX Biometrics and the IDEX logo are trademarks owned by IDEX Biometrics ASA. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Further action on Robodebt scandal

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP

    Media Release

    Legislation introduced today will help protect Australia against any repeat of the former Liberal Government’s illegal and immoral Robodebt scheme by ensuring Commonwealth agencies are subject to stronger and more rigorous scrutiny.

    The Report of the Robodebt Royal Commission made it clear that strong and effective oversight is necessary to safeguard the community in their dealings with government. Trust in government depends on this.

    The Albanese Government’s response to the Royal Commission committed to improving public trust in government. It recognised the important role that impartial, independent and robust oversight plays in delivering on this commitment.

    The Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) Bill 2024 implements the Australian Government’s response to Royal Commission recommendations 21.1 and 21.2 to ensure Commonwealth agencies are subject to stronger and more rigorous scrutiny.

    The Royal Commission found that some officials and agencies engaged in behaviour designed to mislead the Ombudsman and impede their investigation into the Robodebt Scheme.

    The Bill will ensure this can never happen again by:

    • imposing a statutory duty on the public service to assist the Ombudsman in the performance of their functions, and
    • ensuring the Ombudsman has strong powers to obtain full and direct access to records, including by establishing a new offence for withholding reasonable facilities and assistance from the Ombudsman.

    The Bill also enhances the Ombudsman’s ability to undertake full, independent and transparent investigations. This includes modernising the Ombudsman’s information-gathering powers to enable remote access to agency records.

    The Bill will also introduce equivalent enhanced duties and powers for the Inspector‑General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO), in recognition of the IGTO’s role in providing community assurance that taxation laws are being administered with integrity.

    These amendments are supported by a commitment of $2.3 million over four years from 2023-2024 and $700,000 ongoing. This will provide additional capacity for the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to handle complaints and undertake investigations of systemic issues, as part of the Government’s response to the Robodebt Royal Commission.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI: Check Point Software Reports 2024 Third Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Third Quarter 2024:

    • Total Revenues: $635 million, a 7 percent increase year over year
    • Security Subscriptions Revenues: $277 million, a 12 percent increase year over year
    • GAAP Operating Income: $218 million, representing 34 percent of revenues
    • Non-GAAP Operating Income: $274 million, representing 43 percent of revenues
    • GAAP EPS: $1.83, a 4 percent increase year over year
    • Non-GAAP EPS: $2.25, a 9 percent increase year over year

    “Check Point delivered great third quarter financial results that were bolstered by double-digit Infinity Platform growth. This success is underscored by double-digit revenue growth in Harmony Email and Infinity Global Services,” said Gil Shwed, Check Point founder and CEO. “We expanded our offerings into the Security Operation Center (SOC) market with the Cyberint acquisition that delivers proactive, AI powered threat intelligence and exposure management. We’re looking forward to continued success with our Infinity Platform and the broader adoption of our technologies as we close out the year.”

    Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2024:

    • Total Revenues$635 million compared to $596 million in the third quarter of 2023, a 7 percent increase year over year.
    • GAAP Operating Income: $218 million compared to $226 million in the third quarter of 2023, representing 34 percent and 38 percent of total revenues in the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively.
    • Non-GAAP Operating Income: $274 million compared to $269 million in the third quarter of 2023, representing 43 percent and 45 percent of total revenues in the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively
    • GAAP Taxes on Income: $37 million compared to $39 million in the third quarter of 2023.
    • GAAP Net Income: $207 million compared to $205 million in the third quarter of 2023.
    • Non-GAAP Net Income: $255 million compared to $242 million in the third quarter of 2023.
    • GAAP Earnings per Diluted share: $1.83 compared to $1.75 in the third quarter of 2023, a 4 percent increase year over year.
    • Non-GAAP Earnings per Diluted share: $2.25 compared to $2.07 in the third quarter of 2023, a 9 percent increase year over year.
    • Deferred Revenues: As of September 30, 2024, deferred revenues were $1,745 million compared to $1,709 million as of September 30, 2023, a 2 percent increase year over year.
    • Cash Balances, Marketable Securities and Short-Term Deposits: $2,873 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $2,989 million as of September 30, 2023.
    • Cash Flow: During the quarter we acquired Cyberint Ltd, a pioneering provider of External Risk Management solutions, for $186 million net cash consideration. Cash flow from operations was $249 million, and acquisition-related costs for the current quarter were insignificant. This compares to $222 million in the third quarter of 2023, which included $22 million in costs related to acquisitions.
    • Share Repurchase Program: During the third quarter of 2024, we repurchased approximately 1.79 million shares at a total cost of approximately $325 million.

    For information regarding the non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this release, as well as a reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Information.”

    Video Conference Information
    Check Point will host a video conference with the investment community on October 29, 2024, at 8:30 AM ET/5:30 AM PT. To listen to the live video cast or replay, please visit the website: www.checkpoint.com/ir.

    Fourth Quarter Investor Conference Participation Schedule:    

    • Morgan Stanley 23rdAnnual Asia Pacific Summit
      November 20-21, 2024, Singapore
    • 2024 UBS Global Technology Conference
      December 2-3, 2024, Scottsdale, AZ – 1×1’s
    • Wells Fargo TMT Summit
      December 4, 2024, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA – 1×1’s
    • FBN Virtual Silicon Valley Tech Tour
      December 6, 2024, Virtual
    • Nasdaq 50thInvestor Conference
      December 10, 2024, London, UK

    Members of Check Point’s management team anticipate attending these conferences and events to discuss the latest company strategies and initiatives. Check Point’s conference presentations, if applicable, will be available via webcast on the company’s web site. To hear these presentations and access the most updated information please visit the company’s web site at www.checkpoint.com/ir. The schedule is subject to change.

    To follow this and other Check Point news visit:

    About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
    Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider protecting over 100,000 organizations worldwide. Check Point leverages the power of AI everywhere to enhance cyber security efficiency and accuracy through its Infinity Platform, with industry-leading catch rates enabling proactive threat anticipation and smarter, faster response times. The comprehensive platform includes cloud-delivered technologies consisting of Check Point Harmony to secure the workspace, Check Point CloudGuard to secure the cloud, Check Point Quantum to secure the network, and Check Point Infinity Core Services for collaborative security operations and services.

    Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding our products and solutions, and our participation in investor conferences and events during the fourth quarter of 2024. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. These risks include our ability to continue to develop platform capabilities and solutions; customer acceptance and purchase of our existing solutions and new solutions; the market for IT security continuing to develop; competition from other products and services; the appointment of our new CEO, the transition of our CEO into the role of Executive Chairman; and general market, political, economic, and business conditions, including acts of terrorism or war. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
    In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, Check Point uses non-GAAP measures of operating income, net income, and earnings per diluted share, which are adjustments from results based on GAAP to exclude, as applicable, stock-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses and the related tax affects. Check Point’s management believes the non-GAAP financial information provided in this release is useful to investors’ understanding and assessment of Check Point’s ongoing core operations and prospects for the future. Historically, Check Point has also publicly presented these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures to assist the investment community in visualizing the Company “through the eyes of management,” and thereby enhance understanding of its operating performance. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included with the financial statements contained in this press release. Management uses both GAAP and non-GAAP information in evaluating and operating the business internally and has determined that it is important to provide this information to investors.

    CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

    (Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
        2024     2023     2024     2023
    Revenues:                              
    Products and licenses $ 118.9   $ 114.2   $ 337.3   $ 339.1
    Security subscriptions   276.9     248.3     812.0     715.4
    Total revenues from products and security subscriptions   395.8     362.5     1,149.3     1,054.5
    Software updates and maintenance   239.3     233.8     712.0     696.7
    Total revenues   635.1     596.3     1,861.3     1,751.2
                   
    Operating expenses:              
    Cost of products and licenses   24.3     22.5     68.2     71.3
    Cost of security subscriptions   19.6     13.9     52.9     39.8
    Total cost of products and security subscriptions   43.9     36.4     121.1     111.1
    Cost of Software updates and
    Maintenance
      30.2     27.7     90.5     81.8
    Amortization of technology   5.8     3.0     17.4     8.2
    Total cost of revenues   79.9     67.1     229.0     201.1
                    
    Research and development   97.5     90.0     293.8     268.9
    Selling and marketing   208.9     183.3     630.8     546.6
    General and administrative   30.3     29.8     86.0     87.3
    Total operating expenses   416.6     370.2     1,239.6     1,103.9
                   
    Operating income   218.5     226.1     621.7     647.3
    Financial income, net   25.3     17.7     71.6     58.1
    Income before taxes on income   243.8     243.8     693.3     705.4
    Taxes on income   36.9     38.8     105.1     114.3
    Net income $ 206.9   $ 205.0   $ 588.2   $ 591.1
     

    Basic earnings per share

     

    $

     

    1.87

       

    $

     

    1.77

       

    $

     

    5.28

       

    $

     

    5.01

    Number of shares used in computing basic earnings per share   110.5     116.0     111.4     117.9
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.83   $ 1.75   $ 5.16   $  4.96
    Number of shares used in computing diluted earnings per share    113.4     117.3     114.1     119.2
    CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    SELECTED FINANCIAL METRICS
    (Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
        2024     2023     2024     2023
                   
    Revenues $ 635.1   $ 596.3   $ 1,861.3   $ 1,751.2
    Non-GAAP operating income   274.0     269.0     791.1     770.5
    Non-GAAP net income   255.4     242.4     735.9     698.6
    Diluted Non-GAAP Earnings per share $ 2.25   $ 2.07   $ 6.45   $ 5.86
    Number of shares used in computing diluted Non-GAAP earnings per share   113.4     117.3     114.1     119.2
    CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    (Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                   
    GAAP operating income $ 218.5     $ 226.1     $ 621.7     $ 647.3  
    Stock-based compensation (1)   39.0                 36.5       119.9       105.4  
    Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)   16.5       6.4       49.5       17.8  
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 274.0     $ 269.0     $ 791.1     $ 770.5  
                   
    GAAP net income $ 206.9     $ 205.0     $ 588.2     $ 591.1  
    Stock-based compensation (1)   39.0                       36.5       119.9                105.4  
    Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)   16.5       6.4       49.5                   17.8  
    Taxes on the above items (3)   (7.0 )     (5.5 )     (21.7 )     (15.7 )
    Non-GAAP net income $ 255.4     $ 242.4     $ 735.9     $ 698.6  
                   
    Diluted GAAP Earnings per share $ 1.83     $ 1.75     $ 5.16     $ 4.96  
    Stock-based compensation (1)   0.34       0.31       1.04       0.88  
    Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses (2)   0.14       0.06       0.44       0.15  
    Taxes on the above items (3)   (0.06 )     (0.05 )     (0.19 )     (0.13 )
    Diluted Non-GAAP Earnings per share $ 2.25     $ 2.07     $ 6.45     $ 5.86  
                   
    Number of shares used in computing diluted
    Non-GAAP earnings per share
      113.4       117.3       114.1       119.2  
                   
    (1) Stock-based compensation:              
    Cost of products and licenses $ 0.1     $ 0.1     $ 0.3     $ 0.3  
    Cost of software updates and maintenance   1.8       1.9       6.2       4.9  
    Research and development   14.0       12.1       42.3                   34.5  
    Selling and marketing   15.4       15.0       46.2                41.1  
    General and administrative   7.7       7.4       24.9                24.6  
        39.0       36.5       119.9       105.4  
                   
    (2) Amortization of intangible assets and acquisition related expenses:              
    Amortization of technology-cost of revenues   5.8       3.0       17.4                      8.2  
    Research and development   1.6       1.1       4.8       5.0  
    Selling and marketing   9.1       2.3       27.3       4.6  
        16.5       6.4       49.5       17.8  
    (3) Taxes on the above items   (7.0 )     (5.5 )                  (21.7 )                  (15.7 )
     Total, net $ 48.5     $ 37.4     $ 147.7     $ 107.5  
    CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
    (In millions)
    ASSETS
      September 30,   December 31,
      2024
    (Unaudited)
      2023
    (Audited)
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 543.8   $ 537.7
    Marketable securities and short-term deposits   925.6     992.3
    Trade receivables, net   391.9     657.7
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   90.9     70.0
    Total current assets   1,952.2     2,257.7
           
    Long-term assets:      
    Marketable securities   1,403.4     1,429.7
    Property and equipment, net   80.6     80.4
    Deferred tax asset, net   76.5     81.8
    Goodwill and other intangible assets, net   1,900.4     1,748.5
    Other assets   99.5     97.4
    Total long-term assets   3,560.4     3,437.8
           
    Total assets $            5,512.6   $ 5,695.5
    LIABILITIES AND
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    Current liabilities:      
    Deferred revenues $ 1,270.2     $ 1,413.8  
    Trade payables and other accrued liabilities   446.0       502.3  
    Total current liabilities   1,716.2       1,916.1  
           
    Long-term liabilities:      
    Long-term deferred revenues   474.8       493.9  
    Income tax accrual   457.8       436.1  
    Other long-term liabilities   35.2       28.4  
        967.8       958.4  
           
    Total liabilities   2,684.0       2,874.5  
           
    Shareholders’ equity:      
    Share capital   0.8       0.8  
    Additional paid-in capital   3,019.4       2,732.5  
    Treasury shares at cost   (13,946.7 )     (13,041.2 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1.2 )     (39.2 )
    Retained earnings   13,756.3       13,168.1  
    Total shareholders’ equity   2,828.6       2,821.0  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 5,512.6     $ 5,695.5  
    Total cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short-term deposits $ 2,872.8     $ 2,959.7  
    CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    SELECTED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW DATA

     (Unaudited, in millions)

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Cash flow from operating activities:              
    Net income $ 206.9     $ 205.0     $ 588.2     $ 591.1  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Depreciation of property and equipment   5.2       5.2       17.7       17.4  
    Amortization of intangible assets   13.4       4.6       40.4       10.8  
    Stock-based compensation   39.0       36.5       119.9       105.4  
    Realized loss on marketable securities   *)       6.0       *)       6.7  
    Decrease in trade and other receivables, net   67.8       38.1       258.2       263.3  
    Decrease in deferred revenues, trade payables and other accrued liabilities   (91.6 )     (75.8 )     (213.3 )     (205.1 )
    Deferred income taxes, net   8.2       2.7       (1.3 )     9.3  
    Net cash provided by operating activities   248.9       222.3       809.8       798.9  
                   
    Cash flow from investing activities:              
    Payment in conjunction with acquisitions, net of acquired cash   (185.8 )     (455.0 )     (185.8 )     (455.0 )
    Investment in property and equipment   (4.8 )     (6.1 )     (17.7 )     (13.9 )
    Net cash used in investing activities   (190.6 )     (461.1 )     (203.5 )     (468.9 )
                   
    Cash flow from financing activities:              
    Proceeds from issuance of shares upon exercise of options   45.4       32.6       249.6       117.7  
    Purchase of treasury shares   (325.0 )     (324.6 )     (975.0 )     (974.4 )
    Payments related to shares withheld for taxes   (3.9 )     (2.1 )     (17.1 )     (9.8 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (283.5 )     (294.1 )     (742.5 )     (866.5 )
                   
    Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net   40.1       6.1       49.3       22.0  
                   
    Decrease in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits   (185.1 )     (526.8 )      (86.9 )      (514.5 )
                   
    Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits at the beginning of the period    3,057.9        3,515.5       2,959.7       3,503.2  
                   
    Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term deposits at the end of the period $ 2,872.8     $ 2,988.7     $ 2,872.8     $ 2,988.7  

    *) represents an amount lower than 0.1

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Maximum Retail Price of three Anti-cancer Drugs (Trastuzumab, Osimertinib and Durvalumab) to come down on account of exemption from Custom duty and Reduction in GST Rates

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 2:23PM by PIB Delhi

    In line with the Government’s commitment to ensure the availability of drugs at affordable prices, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has issued an O.M. dated 28.10.2024 directing the concerned manufacturers to reduce the MRP on three anti-cancer drugs, Trastuzumab, Osimertinib and Durvalumab.  This is in pursuance to the announcement made in the Union Budget for the year 2024-25 exempting these three anti-cancer medicines from customs duty. The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance issued Notification 30/2024 dated 23.07.2024 reducing the custom duty to nil on these three anticancer drugs.

    Further, the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance has issued notification no. 05/2024 dated 08.10.2024 notifying the reduction in GST Rates from 12% to 5% with effect from 10.10.2024 on these three drugs.

    Accordingly, there should be a reduction in MRP of these drugs in the market and benefits of reduced taxes & duties should be passed on to the consumers. Hence, NPPA vide O.M. dated 28.10.2024 has directed all the manufacturers of above-mentioned drugs to reduce their MRP. The manufacturers are required to issue a price list or supplementary price list to the dealers, State Drugs Controllers and the Government indicating changes and to submit information regarding price change to NPPA through Form-II/ Form V.

    *****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2069153) Visitor Counter : 86

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CBDT notifies Tolerance Range for Transfer Pricing for A.Y 2024-25 as per proviso to sub-rule (7) of rule 10CA of the Income-tax Rules, 1962

    Source: Government of India

    CBDT notifies Tolerance Range for Transfer Pricing for A.Y 2024-25 as per proviso to sub-rule (7) of rule 10CA of the Income-tax Rules, 1962

    Notification of tolerance range shall provide certainty to taxpayers and reduce the risk perception associated with pricing of a transaction in transfer pricing

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 1:23PM by PIB Delhi

    The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued notification no. 116/2024 dated October 18, 2024 notifying the tolerance range for AY 2024-25. The notification of tolerance range shall provide certainty to taxpayers and reduce the risk perception associated with pricing of a transaction in transfer pricing.

    Proviso to sub-rule(7) of rule 10CA sub-rule(7) provides that, “if the variation between the arm’s length price so determined at which the international transaction or specified domestic transaction has actually been undertaken does not exceed such percentage not exceeding three percent of the latter, as may be notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette in this behalf, the price at which the international transaction or specified domestic transaction has actually been undertaken shall be deemed to be the arm’s length price.”

    The tolerance range for transfer pricing is as follows:

    1. The tolerance ranges shall be 1% for transactions in the nature of “wholesale trading” and 3% for others, respectively, as notified last year and
    2. The term ‘wholesale trading’, shall be defined as an international transaction or specified domestic transaction of trading in goods which fulfil all the following conditions:

     

    1. Purchase cost of finished goods is 80% or more of the total cost pertaining to such trading activities; and
    2. Average monthly closing inventory of goods is 10% or less of sales pertaining to such trading activities.

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2069135) Visitor Counter : 94

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Rozgar Mela

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Rozgar Mela

    It is a matter of great joy to have handed over appointment letters for government jobs to 51 thousand youth in the Rozgar Mela, Best wishes to all the youth who are taking a step towards nation building:PM

    It is our commitment that the youth of the country should get maximum employment: PM

    Today India is moving towards becoming the third largest economy in the world: PM

    We promoted Make in India in every new technology,We worked on self-reliant India: PM

    Under the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, provision has been made for paid internships in the top 500 companies of India: PM

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 11:53AM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Rozgar Mela and distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in Government departments and organizations via videoconferencing today. Rozgar Mela highlights the Prime Minister’s commitment to prioritizing employment generation. It will empower the youth by providing them with meaningful opportunities to contribute to nation-building.

    Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister noted the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras and conveyed his best wishes on the occasion. Underlining that this year’s Diwali would be a special one, the Prime Minister said that it is the first Diwali since Lord Shri Ram has been seated in his magnificent temple in Ayodhya after 500 years. He said that several generations have waited for this Diwali, while many have sacrificed their lives for it or faced adversities. The Prime Minister  emphasized that the present generation is extremely fortunate to witness and become a part of such celebrations. In the atmosphere of festivity, said the Prime Minister, 51,000 youth are being handed out recruitment letters for government jobs. He congratulated the new recruits and conveyed his best wishes to them.

    The Prime Minister highlighted that offering permanent Government jobs to lakhs of youths has been a legacy which is continuously going on. He added that lakhs of youths were handed appointment letters even in the states being governed by BJP and NDA allies. Shri Modi emphasized that in Haryana there is a festive atmosphere with 26,000 youths getting jobs by the newly formed government . Shri Modi said their Government in Haryana had a special identity of giving jobs without any expense or recommendation. He greeted the 26,000 youths of Haryana who will be handed over their appointment letters today apart from 51,000 jobs in today’s Rozgar Mela. 

    The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment that the youth of the country should get maximum employment. Noting that the policies and decisions of the government have a direct impact on job creation, the Prime Minister highlighted the development of expressways, highways, roads, rail, ports, airports, laying of fiber cables, setting up of mobile towers and expansion of new industries in all parts of the country. Referring to laying of water and gas pipelines, establishing of new schools, colleges and universities and reducing logistics cost by spending on infrastructure, Shri Modi said that it is not only benefitting the citizens but also creating new job opportunities. 

    Recalling his visit to Vadodara in Gujarat yesterday, the Prime Minister mentioned inaugurating an aircraft manufacturing facility for the defence sector. He said that thousands of citizens would get direct employment while MSME industries would hugely benefit from the manufacturing of spare parts and other equipment, creating a huge network of supply chains. Noting that a single aircraft comprises 15,000 to 25,000 parts, Shri Modi emphasized that thousands of smaller factories would play an active role in fulfilling the demands of a mega factory, thereby benefiting India’s MSMEs. 

    The Prime Minister remarked that whenever a scheme is launched, the focus is not just only on the benefits accrued to the citizens, but also develop an entire ecosystem of employment generation using it as a medium by thinking in a broader scope. Citing an example of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, he said  in the last 6 months, around 2 crore customers had registered for the scheme, more than 9,000 vendors were associated with scheme, solar panels were already installed in more than 5 lakh houses and in the near future, there was a plan to create 800 Solar villages as model under this scheme. He also noted that 30,000 people had undergone training for roof-top solar installation as well. Therefore, he added, this one scheme of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana has created a host of employment opportunities for manufacturers, vendors, assemblers and repairers across the country.

    Noting that the Khadi industry of India has been transformed by the policies of the government in the last 10 years and impacted the people in the villages, the Prime Minister informed that Khadi Gram Udyog’s business has surpassed 1.5 lakh crores today. Drawing parallels from 10 years ago, the Prime Minister exclaimed that the sale of Khadi has grown up to 400 percent, thereby benefiting artists, weavers and businesses and also creating new employment opportunities. Shri Modi also touched upon the Lakhpati Didi scheme where new employment and self-employment opportunities are provided to rural women. “More than 10 crore women have joined self-help groups in the last decade”, he added, noting that 10 crore women are now engaged in economic activities. He credited the support provided by the government in every step and reiterated the commitment to creating 3 crore lakhpati didis. “More than 1.25 crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis so far making their annual income above Rs 1 lakh”, he added.

    The Prime Minister stated that India is moving towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy. Reflecting on the country’s progress, he noted the inquisition by the youth of India who often ask why the country didn’t achieve this pace earlier. Underlining that the answer lies in the lack of clear policies and intent in previous governments, the Prime Minister pointed out that India had been lagging behind in several sectors, particularly technology. He recalled that India used to wait for new technologies from around the world and what was considered outdated in the West would eventually reach the nation. He pointed out the long withstanding belief that modern technology could not be developed in India not only set India back in terms of growth but also deprived the country of crucial job opportunities. 

    Highlighting the steps taken to free the country from this old thinking, the Prime Minister stated that efforts were initiated to break free from this old mindset in sectors like space, semiconductors, electronics and electric vehicles by promoting Make in India. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of technological advancement and investment, adding that the PLI scheme was launched to bring new technology and foreign direct investment to India, which has accelerated job creation when combined with the Make in India initiative. He noted that every sector is now receiving a boost providing opportunities for youth across different fields. “Today, India is witnessing massive investment, and record opportunities are being created”, he said, adding that in the last eight years, over 1.5 lakh startups have been launched, making India the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. He further added that these sectors are offering our youth a chance to grow and gain employment.

    The Prime Minister reiterated that the government is very focused on skill development today to increase the capacity of the youth of India. Therefore, he added, Government started missions like Skill India and youth were being trained in many skill development centers. Shri Modi remarked that arrangements were made to ensure that India’s youth need not have to wander for experience and opportunity. Citing the Pradhan Mantri Internship Yojana, Shri Modi said provisions were made for paid internships in the top 500 companies of India, where every intern would be given Rs 5,000 per month for one year. He added the Government’s target  was to ensure one crore youth get internship opportunities in the next 5 years. This, he said, would give the youth a chance to connect with the real-life business environment in different sectors and add a beneficial experience to their career.

    The Prime Minister remarked that the Indian government was creating new opportunities to make it easier for Indian youth to get jobs abroad. Citing the recently released Germany’s  Skilled Labour Strategy for India, Shri Modi informed that Germany had increased the number of visas given to skilled Indian youth every year from 20 thousand to 90 thousand. He added that India’s youth will benefit greatly from this. Shri Modi also mentioned that India had signed agreements related to migration and employment with 21 countries in recent years, including countries like Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Mauritius, Israel, UK and Italy, apart from Gulf countries. He noted that every year 3 thousand Indians can get a 2-year visa to work and study in the UK while 3 thousand Indian students will get the opportunity to study in Australia. “India’s talent will not only give direction to India’s progress but also to the world’s progress”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added that India was moving ahead in that direction.

    Shri Modi emphasized that the role of the government today was to create a modern system where every youth gets an opportunity and can fulfill their aspirations. Therefore, he urged the newly appointed youths in various positions that their goal should be to provide maximum facilities to the youth and citizens of India.

    The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of taxpayers and citizens in securing government jobs and stated that the government exists because of the citizens and is appointed to serve them. He reiterated that the primary duty is to serve the nation, be it in the position of a postman or a professor. Shri Modi underlined that the new recruits have joined the government at a time when the country has resolved to become developed. Therefore, said the Prime Minister, to achieve this goal, we must excel in every sector and contribute fully. He urged the new recruits to not only perform well but to strive for excellence. “Government employees in our country should set an example recognized worldwide”, he asserted. The Prime Minister stressed that the nation has high expectations from them and said that these expectations must be met to deliver on the commitments.

    The Prime Minister remarked on the new journey that appointees are embarking on with their positions, urging them to always remain humble and to maintain the habit of learning throughout their journey. He highlighted the availability of various courses for government employees on the iGOT Karmayogi platform and encouraged them to utilize this digital training module at their convenience. “Once again, I congratulate the candidates receiving their appointment letters today”, the Prime Minister concluded. 

    Background

    Rozgar Mela is being organized at 40 locations across the country with new recruits joining the Central Government across various Ministries and Departments such as the Department of Revenue, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare among others.

    Newly appointed recruits will have the opportunity to undertake foundational training through ‘Karmayogi Prarambh,’ an online module available on the iGOT Karmayogi portal. Over 1400 e-learning courses are available which will equip recruits with essential skills to serve in their roles effectively and work towards building a Viksit Bharat.

     

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR/TS

    (Release ID: 2069104) Visitor Counter : 77

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Malware targeting millions of people taken down by international coalition

    Source: Eurojust

    A global operation, supported by Eurojust, has led to the takedown of servers of infostealers, a type of malware used to steal personal data and conduct cybercrimes worldwide. The infostealers, RedLine and META, taken down today targeted millions of victims worldwide, making it one of the largest malware platforms globally. An international coalition of authorities from the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Australia shut down three servers in the Netherlands, seized two domains, unsealed charges in the United States and took two people into custody in Belgium.

    RedLine and Meta were able to steal personal data from infected devices. The data included saved usernames and passwords, and automatically saved form data, such as addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, cryptocurrency wallets, and cookies. After retrieving the personal data, the infostealers sold the information to other criminals through criminal market places. The criminals who purchased the personal data used it to steal money, cryptocurrency and to carry out follow-on hacking activities.

    Investigations into RedLine and Meta started after victims came forward and a security company notified authorities about possible servers in the Netherlands linked to the software. Authorities discovered that over 1 200 servers in dozens of countries were running the malware. To take down the transnational malware, Eurojust coordinated cooperation between authorities from the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Portugal, United Kingdom and Australia. Through Eurojust, authorities were able to quickly exchange information and coordinate actions to take down the infostealers.

    The take down of the infostealers took place on 28 October during a worldwide operation. Three servers were taken down in the Netherlands, two domains were seized, charges were unsealed in the United States and two people were taken into custody in Belgium. After the authorities obtained the data and took down the servers, a message was sent to the alleged perpetrators, including a video. The video sends a strong message to the criminals, showing that the international coalition of authorities was able to obtain crucial data on their network and will shut down their criminal activities. After the message was sent, Belgian authorities took down several Redline and Meta communication channels.

    The authorities also retrieved a database of clients from RedLine and Meta. Investigations will now continue into the criminals using the stolen data.

    For people concerned they may have fallen victim to RedLine and Meta, a private security company has launched an online tool to allow people to check if their data was stolen. The tool helps potential victims on the steps they need to take if their data has been stolen.

    The following authorities were involved in the actions:

    • The Netherlands: National Police, Team Cybercrime Limburg, Public Prosecution Service
    • United States: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations; Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Army Criminal Investigation Division
    • Belgium: Federal Prosecutor’s Office; Federal Police
    • Portugal: Polícia Judiciária
    • United Kingdom: National Crime Agency
    • Australia: Australian Federal Police

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: CECO Environmental Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company Produces Record Q3 Bookings and Highest-Ever Backlog
    Q3 Revenue and Income Impacted by Customer-Driven Project Delays
    Announced the Acquisition of Profire Energy (Nasdaq: PFIE) for $125 Million
    Completed Acquisition of WK, in Early October
    Updates FY24 Guidance and Introduces 2025 Outlook

    DALLAS, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CECO Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: CECO) (“CECO”), (the “Company”), a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment, and industrial equipment, today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2024. In addition, CECO, announces it has completed the acquisition of WK, an Industrial Air company headquartered in Germany, in early October. Additionally, the Company announced the acquisition of Profire Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: PFIE) (“Profire”), a leader in burner management technology and combustion control systems that provide mission-critical combustion automation and control solutions and services to improve environmental efficiency, safety and reliability for industrial thermal applications globally.

    Third Quarter Summary(1)

    • Orders of $162.3 million, up 12 percent
    • Backlog of $437.5 million
    • Revenue of $135.5 million, down 9 percent
    • Gross profit of $45.3 million, up 5 percent; Gross margin of 33.4 percent, up 460 basis points
    • Net income of $2.1 million, down 36 percent; non-GAAP net income of $5.2 million, down 32 percent
    • GAAP EPS (diluted) of $0.06; non-GAAP EPS (diluted) of $0.14, down 36 percent
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $14.3 million, down 5 percent
    • Free cash flow of $11.1 million, down $17.4 million

    Subsequent to the Quarter

    • Completes the acquisition of WK in early October
    • Announces the acquisition of Profire; expected to close by January 2025

    (1) All comparisons are versus the comparable prior year period, unless otherwise stated.
    Reconciliations of GAAP (reported) to non-GAAP measures are in the attached financial tables.

    Todd Gleason, CECO’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “While our third quarter produced very strong orders and a new record backlog, we were disappointed that we fell short of the anticipated quarterly revenue and income outlook as a handful of customer-driven delays in larger projects could not be overcome by continued progress with margin expansion and other actions. These delayed projects are expected to begin activity over the coming months and the impact is reflected in our updated full year 2024 and newly introduced full year 2025 outlook. We are excited to have been awarded several large energy transition and general industrial orders in the quarter and we anticipate this trend to continue as we are forecasting a very strong fourth quarter bookings period.”

    Third quarter operating income was $7.2 million, down $0.7 million or 9 percent when compared to $7.9 million in the third quarter 2023. On an adjusted basis, non-GAAP operating income was $11.0 million, down $1.8 million or 14 percent when compared to $12.8 million in the third quarter of 2023. Net income was $2.1 million in the quarter, down $1.2 million or 36 percent when compared to $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net income was $5.2 million, down $2.4 million or 32 percent when compared to $7.6 million in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA of $14.3 million, reflecting a margin of 10.6 percent, was down 5 percent compared to $15.1 million in the third quarter of 2023. Free cash flow in the quarter was $11.1 million, down $17.4 million compared to $28.5 million in the third quarter of 2023.

    Completes Acquisition of WK

    CECO today announced that in early October it completed the acquisition of Germany-based, WK – a leading industrial air business with well-established global customers and a strong Asia-Pacific presence, based out of Singapore. WK designs, engineers and supplies a broad range of cutting-edge technical equipment and systems for process and environmental and surface technology applications, as well as innovative sustainable solutions. This acquisition strengthens CECO’s footprint and capabilities within the industrial processing solutions segment and further advances the Company’s Industrial Air and leadership positions. WK is expected to deliver full year 2024 sales of approximately $15 million with the potential for high-teen EBITDA margins.

    “I would like to welcome the WK organization to our portfolio of leading industrial air solutions businesses,” said Mr. Gleason. “Together we will advance our joint capabilities to better serve global customers while penetrating markets with solutions and services from across our diverse enterprise.”

    Announces Acquisition of Profire Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: PFIE)

    “I am excited that today we announced the acquisition of Profire in an all-cash transaction that we expect will close in January 2025. Profire expects to generate approximately $60 million in revenues with adjusted EBITDA margins of approximately 20 percent in the full year 2024. With an installed base approaching 100,000 burner management systems and a growing industrial market product offering, we look forward to accelerating their global market expansion and introducing their high-efficiency solutions to more customers in the industrial air and water markets. We are confident the increased scale and combined corporate organizations will generate meaningful efficiencies and synergies. The addition of Profire is another important step in our ongoing execution of programmatic M&A and we expect it will further advance our position as the leading environmental solutions provider in industrial markets,” added Mr. Gleason.

    Updates 2024 Full Year Guidance

    The Company updated its 2024 full year revenue guidance to reflect revenue between $575 and $600 million, up approximately 10 percent year over year at the midpoint of the range, and adjusted EBITDA between $65 to $70 million, up approximately 17 percent year over year, at the midpoint of the range. The updated expected full year guidance compares to the previous outlook for revenues of between $600 to $620 million and adjusted EBITDA of between $68 to $72 million. The Company expects 2024 full year bookings guidance to reflect a book to bill rate of or in excess of 1.2x, up from a previous range of 1.05x to 1.1x. The Company maintains its full year outlook for free cash flow of 50% to 70% of adjusted EBITDA.

    “Our updated full year 2024 guidance essentially mirrors the initial outlook we provided as we entered 2024. As previously mentioned, unfortunately, the customer-driven delays associated with a handful of larger projects impacted our ability to hit the raised guidance we issued mid-year. This is the first time we have reduced guidance in company history, and although this is disappointing for our short-term results, we remain very pleased with our bookings, margin expansion progress and overall execution. Additionally, the revenue and associated income from the 2024 project delays slide into upcoming quarters, so we remain focused on execution and controlling factors we can influence,” said Mr. Gleason.

    Introduces 2025 Full Year Guidance

    The Company introduced its 2025 full year guidance to reflect revenue between $700 and $750 million, up approximately 25 percent at the midpoint of the range, and adjusted EBITDA between $90 and $100 million, up approximately 40% at the midpoint of the range. The Company expects full year free cash flow of between 50% to 70% of adjusted EBITDA.

    Mr. Gleason concluded, “Our full year 2025 outlook reflects the visibility we have with our record backlog, ongoing strong bookings, 2024 related project push outs, and the impact from already completed acquisitions and the pending transaction with Profire. We continue to drive an aggressive operating model that supports strong organic growth, coupled with steady margin expansion and additions from accretive and strategic acquisitions.”

    EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

    A conference call is scheduled for today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the third quarter 2024 financial results. Please visit the Investor Relations portion of the website (https://investors.cecoenviro.com) to listen to the call via webcast. The conference call may also be accessed by visiting https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4ui844vi.

    A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website for a period of one year. The replay may also be accessed by visiting https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4ui844vi.

    ABOUT CECO ENVIRONMENTAL

    CECO Environmental is a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company, serving the broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water and energy transition markets globally providing innovative solutions and application expertise. CECO helps companies grow their business with safe, clean, and more efficient solutions that help protect people, the environment and industrial equipment. CECO solutions improve air and water quality, optimize emissions management, and increase energy efficiency for highly-engineered applications in power generation, midstream and downstream hydrocarbon processing and transport, electric vehicle production, polysilicon fabrication, semiconductor and electronics, battery production and recycling, specialty metals and steel production, beverage can, and water/wastewater treatment and a wide range of other industrial end markets. CECO is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “CECO.” Incorporated in 1966, CECO’s global headquarters is in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.cecoenviro.com.

    Company Contact:
    Peter Johansson
    Chief Financial and Strategy Officer
    888-990-6670
    investor.relations@onececo.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Steven Hooser and Jean Marie Young
    Three Part Advisors, LLC
    214-872-2710
    investor.relations@onececo.com

    CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               
    (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
    September 30, 2024
        December 31, 2023  
    ASSETS          
    Current assets:          
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 38,700     $ 54,779  
    Restricted cash   226       669  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $7,214 and $6,460   100,111       112,733  
    Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts   68,500       66,574  
    Inventories, net   37,760       34,089  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   27,143       11,769  
    Prepaid income taxes   3,826       824  
    Total current assets   276,266       281,437  
    Property, plant and equipment, net   32,306       26,237  
    Right-of-use assets from operating leases   24,690       16,256  
    Goodwill   220,026       211,326  
    Intangible assets – finite life, net   51,547       50,461  
    Intangible assets – indefinite life   9,598       9,570  
    Deferred income taxes   287       304  
    Deferred charges and other assets   6,792       4,700  
    Total assets $ 621,512     $ 600,291  
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
    Current liabilities:          
    Current portion of debt $ 10,580     $ 10,488  
    Accounts payable   92,316       87,691  
    Accrued expenses   43,762       44,301  
    Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts   64,801       56,899  
    Notes payable   1,700       2,500  
    Income taxes payable         1,227  
    Total current liabilities   213,159       203,106  
    Other liabilities   10,336       12,644  
    Debt, less current portion   122,818       126,795  
    Deferred income tax liability, net   9,622       8,838  
    Operating lease liabilities   19,696       11,417  
    Total liabilities   375,631       362,800  
    Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14)          
    Shareholders’ equity:          
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, none issued          
    Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 34,979,018 and
    34,835,293 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
      349       348  
    Capital in excess of par value   253,590       254,956  
    Retained earnings (accumulated loss)   1,692       (6,387 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (14,374 )     (16,274 )
    Total CECO shareholders’ equity   241,257       232,643  
    Noncontrolling interest   4,624       4,848  
    Total shareholders’ equity   245,881       237,491  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 621,512     $ 600,291  
    CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (unaudited)
               
      Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    (in thousands, except share and per share data) 2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Net sales $ 135,513     $ 149,390     $ 399,367     $ 391,134  
    Cost of sales   90,247       106,269       259,921       273,303  
    Gross profit   45,266       43,121       139,446       117,831  
    Selling and administrative expenses   34,262       30,439       105,636       86,082  
    Amortization and earnout expenses   2,617       1,968       7,036       5,988  
    Acquisition and integration expenses   1,210       1,386       1,876       2,210  
    Executive transition expenses         1,258             1,417  
    Restructuring expenses   (10 )     217       544       217  
    Asbestos litigation expenses               225        
    Income from operations   7,187       7,853       24,129       21,917  
    Other expense, net   (398 )     (216 )     (2,589 )     (670 )
    Interest expense   (2,648 )     (3,340 )     (9,315 )     (9,498 )
    Income before income taxes   4,141       4,297       12,225       11,749  
    Income tax expense   1,602       585       2,664       1,577  
    Net income   2,539       3,712       9,561       10,172  
    Noncontrolling interest   (453 )     (382 )     (1,482 )     (1,140 )
    Net income attributable to CECO Environmental Corp. $ 2,086     $ 3,330     $ 8,079     $ 9,032  
    Earnings per share:                      
    Basic $ 0.06     $ 0.10     $ 0.23     $ 0.26  
    Diluted $ 0.06     $ 0.09     $ 0.22     $ 0.26  
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                      
    Basic   34,966,625       34,771,742       34,910,165       34,612,163  
    Diluted   36,488,788       35,301,429       36,322,690       35,215,843  
    CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
         
      Nine months ended September 30,  
    (in thousands) 2024     2023  
    Cash flows from operating activities:          
    Net income $ 9,561     $ 10,172  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:          
    Depreciation and amortization   10,536       8,769  
    Unrealized foreign currency gain (loss)   201       (138 )
    Fair value adjustment to earnout liabilities   400       296  
    Gain on sale of property and equipment   135       43  
    Debt discount amortization   357       271  
    Share-based compensation expense   5,790       3,096  
    Bad debt expense   404       154  
    Inventory reserve expense   850       526  
    Other   77        
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:          
    Accounts receivable   9,653       (25,961 )
    Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts   (1,498 )     6,006  
    Inventories   (4,305 )     (10,395 )
    Prepaid expense and other current assets   (18,059 )     (8,228 )
    Deferred charges and other assets   (2,755 )     (268 )
    Accounts payable   15,387       21,162  
    Accrued expenses   (550 )     7,868  
    Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts   7,286       19,330  
    Income taxes payable   (1,140 )     261  
    Other liabilities   (9,330 )     (3,473 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities   23,000       29,491  
    Cash flows from investing activities:          
    Acquisitions of property and equipment   (11,237 )     (5,511 )
    Net cash paid for acquisitions   (14,954 )     (48,102 )
    Net cash used in investing activities   (26,191 )     (53,613 )
    Cash flows from financing activities:          
    Borrowings on revolving credit lines   58,400       94,200  
    Repayments on revolving credit lines   (54,800 )     (63,200 )
    Repayments of long-term debt   (7,843 )     (2,478 )
    Payments on finance leases and financing liability   (692 )     (680 )
    Deferred consideration paid for acquisitions   (2,050 )     (1,247 )
    Earnout payments   (1,672 )     (1,496 )
    Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan and exercise of stock options   846       1,435  
    Noncontrolling interest distributions   (1,707 )     (1,364 )
    Common stock repurchased   (5,000 )      
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (14,518 )     25,170  
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   1,187       703  
    Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (16,522 )     1,751  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period   55,448       46,585  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 38,926     $ 48,336  
    Cash paid during the period for:          
    Interest $ 9,714     $ 8,531  
    Income taxes $ 6,779     $ 8,633  
    CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
               
      Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    (in millions, except ratios) 2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Operating income as reported in accordance with GAAP $ 7.2     $ 7.9     $ 24.1     $ 21.9  
    Operating margin in accordance with GAAP   5.3 %     5.3 %     6.0 %     5.6 %
    Amortization and earnout expenses   2.6       2.0       7.1       6.0  
    Acquisition and integration expenses   1.2       1.4       1.9       2.2  
    Restructuring expenses         0.2       0.5       0.2  
    Executive transition expenses         1.3             1.4  
    Asbestos litigation expenses               0.2        
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 11.0     $ 12.8     $ 33.8     $ 31.7  
    Non-GAAP operating margin   8.1 %     8.6 %     8.5 %     8.1 %
      Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    (in millions, except share data) 2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Net income as reported in accordance with GAAP $ 2.1     $ 3.3     $ 8.1     $ 9.0  
    Amortization and earnout expenses   2.6       2.0       7.1       6.0  
    Acquisition and integration expenses   1.2       1.4       1.9       2.2  
    Restructuring expenses         0.2       0.5       0.2  
    Executive transition expense         1.3             1.4  
    Asbestos litigation expense               0.2        
    Foreign currency remeasurement   0.3       0.8       1.8       (0.1 )
    Tax (benefit) expense of adjustments   (1.0 )     (1.4 )     (2.8 )     (2.4 )
    Non-GAAP net income $ 5.2     $ 7.6     $ 16.8     $ 16.3  
    Depreciation   1.4       1.2       4.0       3.5  
    Non-cash stock compensation   1.9       1.1       5.8       3.1  
    Other expense, net   0.1       (0.6 )     0.8       0.8  
    Interest expense   2.6       3.3       9.3       9.5  
    Income tax expense   2.6       2.0       5.6       4.0  
    Noncontrolling interest   0.5       0.4       1.5       1.2  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 14.3     $ 15.0     $ 43.8     $ 38.4  
                           
    Earnings per share:                      
    Basic $ 0.06     $ 0.09     $ 0.23     $ 0.26  
    Diluted $ 0.06     $ 0.10     $ 0.22     $ 0.26  
                           
    Non-GAAP net income per share:                      
    Basic $ 0.15     $ 0.22     $ 0.48     $ 0.47  
    Diluted $ 0.14     $ 0.22     $ 0.46     $ 0.46  
      Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    (in millions) 2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 15.1     $ 30.1     $ 23.0     $ 29.5  
    Acquisitions of property and equipment   (4.0 )     (1.6 )     (11.2 )     (5.5 )
    Free cash flow $ 11.1     $ 28.5     $ 11.8     $ 24.0  
                                   

    NOTE REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

    CECO is providing certain non-GAAP historical financial measures as presented above as we believe that these figures are helpful in allowing individuals to better assess the ongoing nature of CECO’s core operations. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is a numerical measure of a company’s historical financial performance that excludes amounts that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, as we present them in the financial data included in this press release, have been adjusted to exclude the effects of amortization expenses for acquisition-related intangible assets, contingent retention and earnout expenses, restructuring expenses primarily relating to severance and legal expenses, acquisition and integration expenses which include retention, legal, accounting, banking, and other expenses, foreign currency remeasurement and other nonrecurring or infrequent items and the associated tax benefit of these items. Management believes that these items are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s ongoing operations and their exclusion provides individuals with additional information to better compare the Company’s results over multiple periods. Management utilizes this information to evaluate its ongoing financial performance. Our financial statements may continue to be affected by items similar to those excluded in the non-GAAP adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from our non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that all such costs are unusual or infrequent.

    Non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, and should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the costs associated with the operations of our business as determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result, you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of CECO’s results as reported under GAAP. Additionally, CECO cautions investors that non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

    In accordance with the requirements of Regulation G issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP earnings per basic and diluted share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow stated in the tables above are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

    Non-GAAP measures presented on a forward-looking basis were not reconciled to the comparable GAAP financial measures because the reconciliation could not be performed without unreasonable efforts. The GAAP measures are not accessible on a forward-looking basis because we are currently unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty the type and extent of certain items that would be expected to impact GAAP measures for these periods but would not impact the non-GAAP measures. Such items may include amortization expenses for acquisition-related intangible assets, contingent retention and earnout expenses, restructuring expenses primarily relating to severance and legal expenses, acquisition and integration expenses which include retention, legal, accounting, banking, and other expenses, foreign currency remeasurement and other nonrecurring or infrequent items and the associated tax benefit of these items. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on our GAAP financial results.

    SAFE HARBOR

    Any statements contained in this Press Release, other than statements of historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are 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, both as amended, and should be evaluated as such. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “will,” “plan,” “should” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed under “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and may be included in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and include, but are not limited to: the parties’ ability to complete the proposed Profire transactions in the anticipated timeframe or at all, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Profire transaction agreement between the parties, the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed Profire transaction on business relationships, operating results, and business generally, disruption of current plans and operations and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the proposed Profire transaction, diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations as a result of the Profire transaction, the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted related to the proposed Profire transaction, the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the proposed Profire transaction, the risk that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made, the achievement of the anticipated benefits of the Profire transaction, the ability of Profire to achieve its 2024 earnings guidance, our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize the synergies from acquisitions, the sensitivity of our business to economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in our service areas; dependence on fixed price contracts and the risks associated therewith, including actual costs exceeding estimates and method of accounting for revenue; the effect of growth on our infrastructure, resources, and existing sales; the ability to expand operations in both new and existing markets; the potential for contract delay or cancellation as a result of on-going or worsening supply chain challenges; liabilities arising from faulty services or products that could result in significant professional or product liability, warranty, or other claims; changes in or developments with respect to any litigation or investigation; failure to meet timely completion or performance standards that could result in higher cost and reduced profits or, in some cases, losses on projects; the potential for fluctuations in prices for manufactured components and raw materials, including as a result of tariffs and surcharges, and rising energy costs; inflationary pressures relating to rising raw material costs and the cost of labor; the substantial amount of debt incurred in connection with our strategic transactions and our ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and the amounts and timing of repurchases, if any; our ability to successfully realize the expected benefits of our restructuring program; our ability to successfully identify acquisition targets, integrate acquired businesses and realize the synergies from strategic transactions; and the unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including cyber security threats, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities or public health crises, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. Many of these risks are beyond management’s ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material aspects from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements as they speak only to our views as of the date the statement is made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom visits Tijuana River rehabilitation efforts, assesses impact of sewage crisis

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 28, 2024

    What you need to know: The Tijuana River sewage crisis has been impacting communities for far too long, and Governor Newsom has pushed federal and international partners to fund repairs and complete infrastructure improvements to finally address this crisis. 

    TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY – Governor Gavin Newsom visited wastewater treatment facilities on both sides of the border to assess rehabilitation efforts and the ongoing sewage crisis, a long-standing environmental and public health issue. 

    Working alongside federal, state, and local partners, Governor Newsom has helped secure critical funding and support to address cross-border pollution from the Tijuana River while holding authorities accountable to expedited timelines. With upgrades to facilities on both sides of the border, sewage flows are expected to be reduced by up to 90%.

    “The Tijuana River sewage crisis has impacted our communities for far too long. Thanks to our partnership with international, federal, and local partners, we are making real progress. But our work is far from over — we need serious, continued action to protect public health and restore our environment.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “Pollution in the Tijuana River Valley is the number one environmental health crisis impacting our region, and Governor Newsom coming to San Diego for today’s briefing shows his steadfast commitment to our communities,” said San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas.I have said time and again that the only way we will solve this crisis is by working together. Our collaboration with Governor Newsom, as well as our federal partners, is critically important.  We’re working to put forward our best collective efforts to restore and protect our region.”

    Addressing this decades-long crisis

    Securing federal funding: In partnership with California’s congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris Administration, Governor Newsom helped secure $453 million in federal funding — $103 million this year and $350 million last year— for critical upgrades to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. The upgrades will significantly reduce the flow of untreated sewage into California’s coastal waters.

    State investments to clean up the area, provide air filters to communities: Earlier this month, the County announced plans to purchase and distribute $2.7 million worth of air purifiers for local residents, which will be reimbursed by the state. Since 2019, California has allocated $35 million in state funding to address pollution in the Tijuana River Valley and support cleanup efforts:

    • $1 million to fund Tijuana River Valley Recovery Team projects in the Tijuana River Valley. 
    • $9 million to operate and maintain Goat Canyon sediment and trash basins.
    • $4.7 million to Rural Community Assistance Corporation’s Tijuana River Trash Boom pilot Project.
    • $14.25 million for the Smuggler’s Gulch Improvement Project. 
    • $3.3 million for the Tijuana River Valley Habitat and Hydrology Restoration Project. 
    • $3 million to develop a model to forecast the presence of pathogens in San Diego coastal and tidal waters and help measure the effectiveness of potential projects in the Tijuana River Valley.

    Expedited timelines: Federal authorities committed to expediting construction timelines to more quickly repair infrastructure to mitigate sewage flows.

    Public health and air quality monitoring: California public health officials have been working closely with local authorities to monitor air quality and support public health efforts to protect the community. The state helped get the CDC to deploy resources on the ground and assess public health conditions. The state has also supported the local air district on air monitoring, planning, and mitigation strategies to protect public health. 

    Water quality and timeline accountability: State authorities have been using enforcement tools to compel infrastructure improvements to the federal wastewater treatment plant, with the San Diego Water Board holding the federal facility to timelines for several repair and maintenance actions, including replacing and installing additional pumps, cleaning out sedimentation tanks, replacing a junction box and temporary influent pipe, and rehabilitating all mechanical parts for sedimentation tanks.

    Continued federal and Mexico partnerships: The Governor has urged federal and Mexican partners to address this crisis. When Governor Newsom traveled to Mexico for President Claudia Sheinbaum’s inauguration, he discussed with Mexican authorities this crisis and repairing wastewater treatment facilities to prevent excess flows from reaching the U.S. During today’s visit, the Governor also met with Baja Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda. In February and October of this year, the Governor met with White House officials to push for action to address this crisis.

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: State investments to combat organized retail theft lead to arrest of over 10,000 suspects

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 28, 2024

    What you need to know: In late 2023, California distributed over $267 million to local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across the state to combat organized retail and property crime. In the first nine months, local law enforcement agencies that received grants reported 10,000+ arrests for retail theft, motor vehicle theft, and cargo theft offenses.

    SACRAMENTO — California’s largest-ever single investment to fund local law enforcement efforts to combat retail and property crime continues to pay off. Today, the state reported that law enforcement agencies that received Organized Retail Theft grants have used the Governor’s investments totaling more than $267 million to make 10,138 arrests and to hire additional law enforcement officers and staff.

    “Local law enforcement agencies across California are using state funding and new laws to hold criminals accountable. In less than a year, we’ve seen over 10,000 arrests at the local level — on top of our statewide efforts. Together, we’ll continue advancing the effective tools and strategies that have driven down crime rates since the record highs of the 1990s.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) recently published the results of the third quarter ending June 30, 2024, of the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant and the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program. The grants awarded to local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors throughout California fund efforts to hold thieves accountable. 

    Real results to combat theft 

    The Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention Grant is a competitive funding initiative for city police, county sheriffs, and probation departments to combat retail, motor vehicle, and property theft. Through a $242 million state investment, 31 city police departments and seven sheriffs’ offices have increased arrests by 46% in the recent quarter, bringing total arrests to 10,138 suspects, including nearly 8,000 for organized retail theft. Additionally, 8,736 cases were referred for prosecution, while agencies hired new staff, implemented data collection tools, and reviewed racial bias policies for surveillance practices. The ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant, providing $24.8 million to 13 district attorneys’ offices, has led to charges against 1,643 organized crime suspects, with 467 people convicted so far. 

    Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences. 

    This follows Governor Newsom’s recent signing of the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history. Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills establish tough new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions, and crack down on serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars.

    Local support to fight organized retail crime

    Governor Newsom has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, hire more police, and improve public safety. Today’s action builds on the Governor’s Real Public Safety Plan — which focuses on strengthening local law enforcement response, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable, and getting guns and drugs off our streets, including by deployment of California Highway Patrol to hot spots including Oakland, Bakersfield, San Francisco, and the newly announced partnership in San Bernardino

    More officers. More enforcement. 

    As part of Governor Newsom’s strategy to improve public safety, in 2022, CHP launched a multiyear recruitment campaign to fill 1,000 officer positions by hiring qualified individuals from California’s diverse communities. CHP is well on its way to meeting its goal. In the first six months of 2024, the CHP received more than 11,700 cadet applications – a 58% increase from the same period in 2022. The next CHP graduation is in November.

    The Governor’s investments in public safety are producing strong results. Last year, the California Highway Patrol reported an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety. And since January 2024, CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force is on track to surpass the work in 2023, making 1,123 arrests and recovering more than $8 million worth of stolen goods. Though the year is still ongoing, the CHP has already surpassed the total investigations of any prior year and made more arrests than any year prior to 2023. Since the task force’s inception in 2019, the CHP has arrested more than 3,200 suspects, recovered over 880,276  stolen items worth over $46 million, and conducted 3,045 investigations. 

    Agencies taking down crime statewide

    The following are some examples of operations and efforts conducted by Organized Retail Crime grantee agencies during the third quarter of the grant cycle:

    • The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department retrieved approximately $4 million in stolen goods in separate investigations targeting multiple organized retail theft operations, including a complex multistate investigation of eight suspects who allegedly stole more than $2.5 million worth of items, a cargo theft bust out of Orange County recovering stolen cargo worth up to $1.2 million, and a North Hollywood criminal enterprise where more than 40 pallets of stolen merchandise was recovered.
    • The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department arrested dozens of suspects in blitz operations that resulted in the recovery of stolen merchandise and stolen vehicles, and the seizure of illicit drugs. 
    • The Costa Mesa Police Department collaborated with multiple regional partners to arrest three suspects involved in grand thefts of over $800,000.
    • The Los Angeles Police Department took down an organized group that carried out flash mob robberies at the Topanga Mall
    • The San Francisco Police Department conducted multiple citywide operations and coordinated with other grant recipients, including the Daly City Police Department, to take down organized retail theft crews and boosters. 
    • Multiple Bay Area law enforcement agencies, including the San Jose Police Department and the Campbell Police Department, worked with Home Depot to take down an organized retail operation and arrest 13 suspects
    • The Placer County District Attorney’s Office worked with the Roseville Police Department and the California Highway Patrol to locate and charge a suspect who was alleged to have stolen more than $17,000 from the Roseville Galleria Apple Store.

    The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple cases in the grant period, including prosecuting 16 individuals following an investigation by the San Jose Police Department and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Charges included conspiracy to commit organized retail crimes, burglary, and grand theft, in addition to conspiracy to commit violent offenses such as assault, kidnapping, torture, robbery, carjacking, criminal threats, drug trafficking, possession, and keeping of gambling machines. 

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom launches new CHP surge operation in San Bernardino to address violent crime

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 28, 2024

    What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom is launching a new California Highway Patrol (CHP) operation with the city of San Bernardino to address the city’s higher crime rates and gun violence. The Inland Operation team will assist the San Bernardino Police Department, similar to the CHP’s previous successful operations in Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Francisco.

    SAN BERNARDINO — Continuing the state’s ongoing efforts to support local hot spots throughout California to address crime and enhance public safety, Governor Newsom today announced a new CHP operation with the city of San Bernardino. The operation will place additional CHP personnel in the city to help clamp down on property theft and violent crime, including gun violence.

    “We are sending additional CHP support to help local law enforcement aggressively suppress criminal activity and provide this community with a new level of safety and accountability. Whether in the Bay Area, the Central Valley, or Southern California — we are monitoring and stand ready to step in and support local law enforcement to protect communities and keep Californians safe.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “We are grateful to Governor Newsom for providing additional support from the California Highway Patrol to the City of San Bernardino,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran. “This year, our City Police Department’s efforts have led to a 13% reduction in violent crime, and the extra support will strengthen public safety in our community. With this new state and local collaboration in San Bernardino, we can continue to impact criminal enterprises targeting our neighborhoods and businesses.” 

    Recent data shows that San Bernardino’s violent crime rate is nearly double the statewide average, and its homicide rate is over three times the statewide average. San Bernardino’s vehicle theft rate remains one of the highest in the state. Local San Bernardino law enforcement also report increased traffic and street violations, including sideshows, that put public safety at risk.

    The CHP’s operation will add special law enforcement units on the ground and in the air — targeting sideshow activities and stolen vehicles. The CHP is also providing San Bernardino Police Department with additional investigative support to disrupt organized criminal activity and violent street gangs, get illegal guns off the street and help prevent gun violence.

    “Our partnership with the city of San Bernardino strengthens our efforts to enhance public safety,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “This collaboration allows us to share resources, intelligence, and expertise, enhancing our ability to reduce crime and create a safer environment for all members of the community.”

    Statewide law enforcement support

    This builds on the CHP’s ongoing work with local law enforcement units through surges statewide, including in Oakland, San Francisco, and Bakersfield. Together, these operations have resulted in a total of more than 3,200 arrests, the recovery of nearly 3,000 stolen vehicles, the seizure of more than 170 illegal firearms, and illicit drugs, including fentanyl, taken off the streets.

    This also builds on the Governor’s efforts to assist local law enforcement directly through historic investments to address organized retail theft. Last year, Governor Newsom provided 55 local law enforcement agencies with more than $267 million to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of organized retail theft – leading to more than 10,000 arrests in just nine months. Additionally, through the CHP’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force, the state has arrested more than 3,200 suspects, recovered over 880,276  stolen items worth over $46 million, and conducted 3,045 investigations.

    Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.

    California has invested over $1.1 billion to fund resources and personnel to fight crime, help locals hire more police, and improve public safety since 2019.  In 2023, as part of California’s Real Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.

    This year, the Governor signed into law the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history. Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills establish tough new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions, and crack down on serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars.  The Governor also signed into law a bipartisan package of bills to impose stricter penalties, increase accountability, and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat sideshows and deter illegal activities such as drifting, street racing, and blocking intersections.

    Press Releases, Public Safety

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    Oct 28, 2024

    What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom is launching a new California Highway Patrol (CHP) operation with the city of San Bernardino to address the city’s higher crime rates and gun violence. The Inland Operation team will assist the San Bernardino Police Department, similar to the CHP’s previous successful operations in Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Francisco.

    SAN BERNARDINO — Continuing the state’s ongoing efforts to support local hot spots throughout California to address crime and enhance public safety, Governor Newsom today announced a new CHP operation with the city of San Bernardino. The operation will place additional CHP personnel in the city to help clamp down on property theft and violent crime, including gun violence.

    “We are sending additional CHP support to help local law enforcement aggressively suppress criminal activity and provide this community with a new level of safety and accountability. Whether in the Bay Area, the Central Valley, or Southern California — we are monitoring and stand ready to step in and support local law enforcement to protect communities and keep Californians safe.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    MAYOR QUOTE

    Recent data shows that San Bernardino’s violent crime rate is nearly double the statewide average, and its homicide rate is over three times the statewide average. San Bernardino’s vehicle theft rate remains one of the highest in the state. Local San Bernardino law enforcement also report increased traffic and street violations, including sideshows, that put public safety at risk.

    The CHP’s operation will add special law enforcement units on the ground and in the air — targeting sideshow activities and stolen vehicles. The CHP is also providing San Bernardino Police Department with additional investigative support to disrupt organized criminal activity and violent street gangs, get illegal guns off the street and help prevent gun violence.

    CHP QUOTE 

    Statewide law enforcement support

    This builds on the CHP’s ongoing work with local law enforcement units through surges statewide, including in Oakland, San Francisco, and Bakersfield. Together, these operations have resulted in a total of more than 3,200 arrests, the recovery of nearly 3,000 stolen vehicles, the seizure of more than 170 illegal firearms, and illicit drugs, including fentanyl, taken off the streets.

    This also builds on the Governor’s efforts to assist local law enforcement directly through historic investments to address organized retail theft. Last year, Governor Newsom provided 55 local law enforcement agencies with more than $267 million to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of organized retail theft – leading to more than 10,000 arrests in just nine months. Additionally, through the CHP’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force, the state has arrested more than 3,200 suspects, recovered over 880,276  stolen items worth over $46 million, and conducted 3,045 investigations.

    Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.

    California has invested over $1.1 billion to fund resources and personnel to fight crime, help locals hire more police, and improve public safety since 2019.  In 2023, as part of California’s Real Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.

    This year, the Governor signed into law the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history. Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills establish tough new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions, and crack down on serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars.  The Governor also signed into law a bipartisan package of bills to impose stricter penalties, increase accountability, and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat sideshows and deter illegal activities such as drifting, street racing, and blocking intersections.

    Press Releases, Public Safety

    Recent news

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom proposes historic expansion of film & TV tax credit program

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 27, 2024

    What you need to know: California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated tens of billions of dollars in investments while creating nearly 200,000 jobs, and Governor Newsom is proposing to expand it to outpace other states and bring more business back to California.

    Hollywood, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a proposal to expand California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually, a massive increase from the current $330 million annual allocation. This ambitious expansion would position California as the top state for capped film incentive programs, surpassing other states like New York.

    California is the entertainment capital of the world, rooted in decades of creativity, innovation, and unparalleled talent. Expanding this program will help keep production here at home, generate thousands of good-paying jobs, and strengthen the vital link between our communities and the state’s iconic film and TV industry.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Generating investments & creating jobs

    A study of the program found that, for every tax credit dollar approved, it generated at least $24.40 in output, $16.14 in GDP, $8.60 in wages, and $1.07 in initial state and local tax revenue from production in the state.

    Since its inception in 2009, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $26 billion in economic activity and supported more than 197,000 cast and crew jobs across the state. 

    California previously updated the program to include new workforce diversity provisions, more funding for the Career Pathways Training Program, and the nation’s first Safety on Production Pilot Program.

    Tax credits will become refundable for the first time since the program’s inception in 2009, beginning with Program 4.0 set to commence on July 1, 2025.

    Why expansion is needed

    This program has been oversubscribed year after year, with more productions applying than can be accommodated under the current cap.

    Between 2020 and 2024, data shows California lost production spending due to limited tax credit funding and increased competition in other states and countries, directly impacting state jobs and local economies​​.

    In recent years, projects that were unable to secure California’s tax credits and moved to other locations as a result contributed to significant economic losses, with an estimated 71% of rejected projects subsequently filming out-of-state.

    “Hollywood is the cornerstone of this city and our economy and our message to the industry today is clear – we have your back,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “When I was Speaker of the California State Assembly, I worked to support leaders like now-Councilman Paul Krekorian to create the film tax credit. Despite the economy being in a difficult spot, we knew that the industry needed support, and if we could at least start the program, then we could grow it. Today I’m proud to stand with Governor Newsom and industry leaders to continue this important work supporting this legacy industry.”

    Film & TV tax credit recipients in California

    • September 2024: Indie films and “Suits LA.” $51.6 million to support 19 projects, including 15 independent films. Expected to generate $284.4 million in spending, with $112.1 million allocated to wages, and over 3,800 jobs.
    • July 2024: Five new TV projects, including HBO’s “Latitude” and 20th Television’s “All’s Fair.”​ $58 million in tax credits went to five television projects, which was expected to generate $386 million across 438 filming days. Estimated to support 15,869 background performers, 1,196 crew members, and 685 cast members.
    • March 2024: Amazon’s Fallout relocated to California. $152 million in tax credits went to 12 projects, including Fallout’s second season relocating from New York. Projected to bring in over $1.1 billion in spending across the state and support 4,500 cast and crew members, plus 50,000 background performer days.
    • December 2023: The Mandalorian & Grogu to film in California. With a total of $400 million allocated to 15 projects, including Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian & Grogu alone that was set to inject $166 million into California’s economy. Nearly 20,000 jobs created, including 2,252 crew and 598 cast. Other productions included “The Accountant 2” by Amazon Studios, “Untitled 20th Film,” Disney’s untitled live-action feature​.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

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