WALNUT CREEK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BayCom Corp (“BayCom” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BCML), the holding company for United Business Bank (the “Bank” or “UBB”), announced earnings of $5.9 million, or $0.51 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2024, compared to earnings of $6.4 million, or $0.55 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $7.2 million, or $0.57 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2023.
Net income for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $521,000, or 8.1%, primarily as a result of a $1.1 million decrease in net interest income, a $615,000 decrease in noninterest income and a $997,000 increase in noninterest expense, partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in provision for credit losses and a $138,000 decrease in provision for income taxes. Net income for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023 decreased $1.3 million, or 18.3%, primarily as a result of a $2.9 million decrease in net interest income partially offset by a $501,000 increase in noninterest income, a $458,000 decrease in noninterest expenses, and a $554,000 decrease in provision for income taxes.
George Guarini, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our financial results for the first quarter of 2024 reflect the continuation of many of the challenges we faced in 2023, including increased deposit costs and reduced loan demand. Overall, our financial condition has remained strong, with no observed systemic credit weakness, and our earnings have remained stable.”
Looking ahead, Guarini expressed cautious optimism, stating, «While we approach the remainder of 2024 with some reservation, we remain hopeful for opportunities ahead. Though we anticipate continued challenges in loan demand and M&A prospects, we are confident in our ability to navigate these uncertainties. We remain vigilant in managing operating costs during these times of economic uncertainty and remain committed to strategically repurchase shares and provide cash dividends, reinforcing our dedication to delivering long-term value for both our clients and shareholders.»
First Quarter Performance Highlights:
- Annualized net interest margin was 3.72% for the current quarter, compared to 3.86% for the preceding quarter and 4.26% for the same quarter a year ago.
- Annualized return on average assets was 0.92% for the current quarter, compared to 1.00% for the preceding quarter and 1.14% for the same quarter a year ago.
- Assets totaled $2.6 billion at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, compared to $2.5 billion at March 31, 2023.
- Loans, net of deferred fees, totaled $1.9 billion at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, compared to $2.0 billion at March 31, 2023.
- Nonperforming loans totaled $16.5 million or 0.64% of total loans, at March 31, 2024, compared to $13.0 million or 0.67% of total loans at December 31, 2023, and $13.1 million, or 0.64% of total loans, at March 31, 2023.
- The allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $18.9 million, or 1.00% of total loans outstanding, at March 31, 2024, compared to $22.0 million, or 1.14% of total loans outstanding, at December 31, 2023, and $20.4 million, or 1.00% of total loans outstanding, at March 31, 2023.
- A $252,000 provision for credit losses was recorded during the current quarter, compared to provisions for credit losses of $2.3 million and $275,000 in the prior quarter and the same quarter a year ago, respectively.
- Deposits totaled $2.1 billion at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024, noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $630.0 million, or 29.4% of total deposits, compared to $646.3 million, or 30.3% of total deposits, at December 31, 2023, and $705.9 million, or 33.2% of total deposits, at March 31, 2023.
- The Company repurchased 198,120 shares of common stock at an average cost of $20.20 per share during the first quarter of 2024, compared to 122,559 shares of common stock repurchased at an average cost of $19.91 per share during the fourth quarter of 2023, and 422,877 shares of common stock repurchased at an average cost of $19.08 per share during the first quarter of 2023.
- On March 6, 2024, the Company announced the declaration of a cash dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.10 per share, which was paid on April 12, 2024 to stockholders of record as of March 16, 2024.
- The Bank remained a “well-capitalized” institution for regulatory capital purposes at March 31, 2024.
Earnings
Net interest income decreased $1.1 million, or 4.8%, to $22.4 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $23.5 million in the prior quarter, and decreased $2.9 million, or 11.3%, from $25.3 million in the same quarter a year ago. The decrease in net interest income from the previous quarter reflects a decrease in interest income on loans and an increase in interest expense on deposits, partially offset by increases in interest income on federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances in banks. The decrease in net interest income from the same quarter in 2023 reflects an increase in interest expense on deposits and a decrease in interest income on loans, partially offset by increases in interest income on federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances in banks, interest income on investment securities and dividends on FHLB stock. Average interest-earning assets decreased $1.4 million, or 0.1%, and increased $18.1 million, or 0.71%, for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023, respectively. The average yield earned (annualized) on interest earning assets for the first quarter of 2024 was 5.28%, compared to 5.29% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 5.07% for the first quarter of 2023. The average rate paid (annualized) on interest-bearing liabilities for the first quarter of 2024 was 2.40%, compared to 2.21% for the fourth quarter of 2023, and 1.35% for the first quarter of 2023. The increases in average yield earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter a year ago reflect rising market interest rates.
Interest income on loans, including fees, decreased $909,000, or 3.5%, from the prior quarter to $25.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $26.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a one basis point decrease in the average loan yield and a $35.3 million decrease in the average balance of loans. Interest income on loans, including fees, decreased $998,000, or 3.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $26.3 million for three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to a $121.5 million decrease in the average balance of loans, partially offset by an eight basis point increase in the average loan yield. The average balance of loans was $1.9 billion for both the first quarter of 2024 and fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $2.0 billion for the first quarter of 2023. The average yield on loans was 5.32% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 5.33% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 5.24% for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in the average yield on loans from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 was due in part to reversal of interest on new non-accrual loans during the first quarter of 2024. The increase in the average yield on loans from the first quarter of 2023 was due to the impact of increased rates on variable rate loans as well as new loans being originated at higher market interest rates.
Interest income on loans included $98,000, $29,000, and $97,000 in accretion of the net discount on acquired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, respectively. The balance of the net discounts on these acquired loans totaled $392,000, $354,000, and $371,000 at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, respectively. Interest income included fees related to prepayment penalties of $176,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $27,000 and $269,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
Interest income on investment securities remained at $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023, and increased $316,000, or 19.3%, from $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The average yield on investment securities decreased five basis points to 4.24% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 4.29% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and increased 72 basis points from 3.52% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The average balance of investment securities totaled $185.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $181.0 million and $189.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, we received $416,000 in cash dividends on our FRB and FHLB stock, up 6.7% from $390,000 received in the fourth quarter of 2023 and up 25.3% from $332,000 received in the first quarter of 2023.
Interest income on federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances in banks increased $435,000, or 11.8%, to $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and increased $2.3 million, or 125.0%, from $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as a result of an increase in the average yield and average balance. The average yield on federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances in banks increased two basis points to 5.48% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 5.46% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and increased 92 basis points from 4.56% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The average balance of federal funds sold and interest-bearing balance in banks totaled $302.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $267.3 million and $162.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. The increase in average balance during the current quarter compared to the prior quarter and the same quarter one year ago was due to higher retained cash balances as a result of lower new loan production.
Interest expense increased $672,000, or 7.8%, to $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $8.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and increased $4.5 million, or 94.6%, compared to $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, reflecting higher funding costs primarily related to increased rates of interest on our deposits due to higher market rates. The average balance of deposits totaled $2.1 billion for the first quarter of 2024, fourth quarter of 2023 and first quarter of 2023. The average cost of funds for the first quarter of 2024 was 2.40%, compared to 2.21% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 1.35% for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in the average cost of funds during the current quarter compared to the prior quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023 was due to higher interest rates paid on money market and time deposits due to increased competition and pricing pressures and a change in deposit mix due to a shift of deposits from noninterest-bearing accounts to higher costing money market and time deposits. The average cost of deposits for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 1.55%, compared to 1.40% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and 0.71% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The average balance of noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $16.3 million, or 2.49%, to $639.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $656.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and decreased $102.3 million, or 13.8%, compared to $742.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Annualized net interest margin was 3.72% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 3.86% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 4.26% for first quarter of 2023. The average yield on interest earning assets for the first quarter of 2024 decreased one basis point and increased 21 basis points over the average yields for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023, respectively, while the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities for first quarter of 2024 increased 19 basis points and 105 basis points over the average rates paid for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023, respectively. Net interest margin in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 was negatively impacted by increasing funding costs which outpaced, on a percentage basis, increasing yields on investment securities and on fed funds sold and interest-bearing balances in banks, and decreasing yields on loans and accretion of the net discount.
Accretion of the net discount had a minimal impact on the average yield on loans during the first quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to seven basis point increase in the average yield on loans during the first quarter of 2023.
The Company recorded a $252,000 provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2024, compared to provision for credit losses of $2.3 million and $275,000 for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023, respectively. The provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2024 was mainly driven by a replenishment of the allowance, partially offset by decreases in outstanding loan balances, leading to lower quantitative reserves. Net charges-offs totaled $3.4 million during the first quarter of 2024, of which $3.2 million was specifically reserved for at December 31, 2023. No changes were made to the qualitative risk factor conclusions during the first quarter of 2024. The quantitative reserve was impacted by improvement in forecasted economic conditions, specifically, national unemployment and national gross domestic product, both of which are key indicators utilized to estimate credit losses.
Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $615,000, or 23.0%, to $2.1 million compared to $2.7 million in the prior quarter of 2023, and increased $501,000, or 32.1%, compared to $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in noninterest income for the current quarter compared to the prior quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a $373,000 decrease in gain on equity securities as a result of deterioration in fair value adjustments on these securities, a $188,000 decrease in income on investment in a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) fund, and a $53,000 decrease in loan servicing fees and other fees. The increase in noninterest income for the current quarter compared to the same quarter in 2023 was primarily due to a $1.5 million increase in gain on equity securities, partially offset by a $519,000 decrease in income on an investment in SBIC fund and a $412,000 decrease in gain on sale of loans.
Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2024 increased $997,000, or 6.6%, to $16.1 million compared to $15.1 million for the prior quarter of 2023, and decreased $458,000, or 2.8%, compared to $16.5 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in noninterest expense for current quarter compared to the prior quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in salaries and employee benefits as a result of a downward adjustment to bonus accruals during the prior quarter of 2023, a $130,000 increase in occupancy and equipment expense, partially offset by a $219,000 decrease in other expense due to decreased professional fees. The decrease in noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a $1.0 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits as a result of a $675,000 decrease in bonus accrual, decrease in full-time equivalent employees, and reduction in deferred loan origination expenses, partially offset by wage increases during 2024. This decrease was partially offset by a $288,000 increase in data processing expense due to decline in pricing credits offered and expense relating to enhancements to the Bank’s network, a $127,000 increase in other expense due to increased FDIC insurance costs and professional fees, and a $127,000 increase in occupancy and equipment expense.
The provision for income taxes decreased $138,000, or 5.7%, to $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $2.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and decreased $554,000, or 19.6%, from $2.8 million for the first quarter of 2023. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 27.9%, compared to 27.3% for the prior quarter of 2023 and 28.2% for the first quarter of 2023. The effective tax rate remained consistent with the prior quarter of 2023 and was lower compared to the first quarter of 2023 due to higher low income housing tax credits.
Loans and Credit Quality
Loans, net of deferred fees, decreased $41.1 million and $157.8 million from December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively, and totaled $1.9 billion at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, compared to $2.0 billion at March 31, 2023. The decrease in loans from March 31, 2023 primarily was due to $72.4 million of loan repayments, including $834,000 in Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection (“PPP”) loan repayments, partially offset by $32.0 million of new loan originations during the current quarter. At March 31, 2024, there were $2.9 million in PPP loans outstanding compared to $3.8 million at December 31, 2023, and $5.9 million at March 31, 2023.
Nonperforming loans, consisting solely of non-accrual loans, totaled $16.5 million, or 0.64% of total loans, at March 31, 2024, compared to $13.0 million, or 0.67% of total loans, at December 31, 2023, and $13.1 million, or 0.64% of total loans, at March 31, 2023. The increase in nonperforming loans from the prior quarter-end was primarily due to six new loans placed on non-accrual during the current quarter totaling $7.3 million, partially offset by partial charge-offs of two non-accrual loans totaling $2.9 million, charge-offs of five non-accrual loans totaling $435,000 and, to a lesser extent, pay-offs of five non-accrual loans totaling $305,000.
The portion of nonaccrual loans guaranteed by government agencies totaled $2.2 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $740,000 and $818,000 at December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. There were no loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing and in the process of collection at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023. Accruing loans past due between 30 and 89 days at March 31, 2024, were $2.6 million, compared to $4.8 million at December 31, 2023, and $12.4 million at March 31, 2023. The decrease in accruing loans past due between 30-89 days at March 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023, was primarily due to timing of borrower payments. The decrease in accruing loans past due between 30-89 days at March 31, 2024 compared to March 31, 2023, was primarily due to one $4.7 million multifamily commercial real estate loan which was past due in the same quarter a year ago and was placed on non-accrual during the current quarter, and due to timing of borrower payments.
At March 31, 2024, the Company’s allowance for credit losses for loans was $18.9 million, or 1.00% of total loans, compared to $22.0 million, or 1.14% of total loans, at December 31, 2023 and $20.4 million, or 1.00% of total loans, at March 31, 2023. We recorded net charge-offs of $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $150,000 in the prior quarter of 2023 and net charge-offs of $315,000 in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in net charge-offs during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023 was primarily due to activity in the current quarter. This activity involved partial charge-offs of two non-accrual loans totaling $2.9 million, as well as complete write-offs of five non-accrual loans totaling $435,000. These actions were taken due to collateral shortfalls deemed uncollectable.
As of March 31, 2024, acquired loans net of their discount totaled $200.4 million with a remaining net discount on these loans of $392,000, compared to $215.2 million of acquired loans with a remaining net discount of $354,000 at December 31, 2023, and $247.9 million of acquired loans with a remaining net discount of $371,000 at March 31, 2023. The net discount includes a credit discount based on estimated losses on the acquired loans, partially offset by a premium, if any, based on market interest rates on the date of acquisition.
Deposits and Borrowings
Deposits totaled $2.1 billion at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023. The deposit mix shifted, in part, due to interest rate sensitive clients moving a portion of their non-operating deposit balances from lower costing deposits, including noninterest-bearing deposits, into higher costing money market and time deposits. At March 31, 2024, noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $630.0 million, or 29.4% of total deposits, compared to $646.3 million, or 30.3% of total deposits, at December 31, 2023, and $705.9 million, or 33.2% of total deposits, at March 31, 2023.
We consider our deposit base to be seasoned, stable and well-diversified, and we do not have any significant industry concentrations among our non-insured deposits. We also offer an insured cash sweep product (ICS) that allows customers to insure deposits above FDIC insurance limits. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our average deposit account size (excluding public funds), calculated by dividing period-end deposits by the population of accounts with balances, was approximately $58,100 and $58,700, respectively.
The Bank has an approved secured borrowing facility with the FHLB of San Francisco for up to 25% of total assets for a term not to exceed five years under a blanket lien of certain types of loans, with no FHLB advances outstanding at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 or March 31, 2023. The Bank has Federal Funds lines with four corresponding banks with an aggregate available commitment on these lines of $65.0 million at March 31, 2024. There were no amounts outstanding under these lines at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 or March 31, 2023. During the first quarter of 2024, the Bank was approved for discount window advances with the FRB of San Francisco secured by certain types of loans. At March 31, 2024 the Bank had no FRB of San Francisco advances outstanding.
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding junior subordinated debt, net of fair value adjustments, related to junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures assumed in connection with its previous acquisitions totaling $8.6 million, compared to $8.5 million at March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding subordinated debt, net of costs to issue, totaling $63.6 million, compared to $63.9 million and $63.8 million at December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
At March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, the Company had no other borrowings outstanding.
Shareholders’ Equity
Shareholders’ equity totaled $314.2 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $312.9 million at December 31, 2023, and $313.5 million at March 31, 2023. The increase at March 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023, reflects $5.9 million of net income during the current quarter and a $484,000 decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss net of taxes, partially offset by repurchases of $4.0 million of common stock and $1.
Contacts
BayCom Corp
Keary Colwell, 925-476-1800
kcolwell@ubb-us.com
