PEOPLES BANCORP INC

Peoples reported net income of $29.0 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing earnings per diluted common share of $0.82. In comparison, Peoples reported net income of $29.6 million, representing earnings per diluted common share of $0.84, for the first quarter of 2024, and net income of $21.1 million, representing earnings per diluted common share of $0.64, for the second quarter of 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, Peoples recorded net income of $58.6 million, or $1.66 per diluted common share, compared to $47.7 million, or $1.56 per diluted common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Non-core items negatively impacted earnings per diluted common share by $0.02 for the second quarter of 2024, $0.01 for the first quarter of 2024, and $0.28 for the second quarter of 2023. Non-core items negatively impacted earnings per diluted share by $0.02 and $0.37 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Net interest income was $86.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, which was flat when to compared to the linked quarter. Net interest margin was 4.18% for the second quarter of 2024, compared to 4.26% for the linked quarter. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily driven by a decrease in accretion income, net of amortization, from our acquisitions and higher borrowing costs. Net interest income for the second quarter of 2024 increased $1.8 million, or 2%, compared to the second quarter of 2023. Net interest margin for the second quarter of 2024 was 4.18% and decreased 36 basis points compared to 4.54% for the second quarter of 2023, driven primarily by an increase in interest expense on deposits. For the first six months of 2024, net interest income increased $15.5 million, or 10%, compared to the first six months of 2023, while net interest margin decreased 32 basis points to 4.22%. The increase in net interest income was driven by increases in market interest rates and an additional four months of income from the Limestone Merger. The decrease in net interest margin for the first six months of 2024 compared to the first six months of 2023 was primarily driven by higher borrowing costs, which offset higher earning asset yields.

Accretion income, net of amortization expense, from acquisitions was $5.8 million for the second quarter of 2024, $6.5 million for the first quarter of 2024 and $4.5 million for the second quarter of 2023, which added 28 basis points, 32 basis points and 23 basis points, respectively, to net interest margin. The decrease in accretion income for the second quarter of 2024 when compared to the linked quarter was driven by lower pay-offs. The increase in accretion income for the current quarter compared to the second quarter of 2023 was a result of the accretion from the Limestone Merger. Accretion income, net of amortization expense, from acquisitions was $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which added 30 and 18 basis points, respectively, to net interest margin. The increase in accretion income for the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was due to an additional four months of accretion in 2024 from the Limestone Merger.

The provision for credit losses was $5.7 million for the second quarter of 2024, compared to a provision for credit losses of $6.1 million for the linked quarter and a provision for credit losses of $8.0 million for the second quarter of 2023. The provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2024 was a result of (i) higher net charge-offs, (ii) an increase of reserves for individually analyzed loans and leases, and (iii) loan growth. The provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2024 was driven by (i) a deterioration in macro-economic conditions used within the CECL model, (ii) an increase of reserves on individually analyzed loans and leases and (iii) loan growth. Net charge-offs for the second quarter of 2024 were $4.2 million, or 0.27% of average total loans annualized, compared to net charge-offs of $3.3 million, or 0.22% of average total loans annualized, for the linked quarter and net charge-offs of

$1.2 million, or 0.09% of average total loans annualized, for the second quarter of 2024. For additional information on credit trends and the allowance for credit losses, see the "FINANCIAL CONDITION - Allowance for Credit Losses" section below.

The provision for credit losses for the first six months of 2024 was $11.8 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $9.8 million for the first six months of 2023. The provision for credit losses for the first six months of 2024 was mainly the result of (i) higher net charge-offs, (ii) an increase in reserves for individually analyzed loans and leases and (iii) loan growth. The provision for credit losses for the first six months of 2023 was driven by (i) the addition of the provision for the non-purchased credit deteriorated loans acquired in the Limestone Merger, (ii) loan growth and (iii) economic forecast deterioration, partially offset by a reduction in the reserves for individually analyzed loans and leases and the use of updated loss drivers. Net charge-offs for the first six months of 2024 were $7.6 million, or 0.24% of average total loans annualized, compared to net charge-offs of $2.7 million, or 0.11% annualized, for the first six months of 2023. For additional information on credit trends and the allowance for credit losses, see the "Asset Quality" section below.

Net gains and losses include gains and losses on investment securities, asset disposals and other transactions, which are included in total non-interest income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The net loss realized during the second quarter of 2024 was $0.8 million, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million for the linked quarter and a net loss of $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2023. The net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was due to $0.4 million of net losses on repossessed assets. The net loss for the linked quarter was due to $0.3 million of net losses on repossessed assets. The net loss for the second quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by a $1.6 million write-down of an OREO property due to a potential sale of the property. The net loss realized during the first six months of 2024 was $1.1 million, compared to $4.0 million for the first six months of 2023. The net loss for the first six months of 2024 was driven by the $0.7 million of net losses on repossessed assets mentioned above. The net loss for the first six months of 2023 was primarily driven by a $2.0 million pre-tax net loss on the sale of available-for-sale investment securities and the $1.6 million writedown of the OREO property mentioned above. Peoples sold $96.7 million of it's lower yielding available-for-sale investment securities, with proceeds from the sale used to pay down overnight borrowings.

Total non-interest income, excluding net gains and losses, for the second quarter of 2024 decreased $1.6 million compared to the linked quarter. The decrease in non-interest income, excluding net gains and losses, was primarily due to a decrease of $2.4 million in insurance income due primarily to seasonal performance-based commissions being paid in the first quarter of each year. Partially offsetting the decrease was an increase of $0.4 million in each of electronic banking income and trust and investment income. Compared to the second quarter of 2023, total non-interest income, excluding net gains and losses, increased $1.6 million, primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in other non-interest income, driven by operating lease income, and a $0.6 million increase in trust and investment income, partially offset by a decrease of $0.6 million in lease income. The other increases for the second quarter of 2024, when compared to the second quarter of 2023, were primarily due to the additional customers brought in from the Limestone Merger and increases of assets under administration and management.

For the first six months of 2024, total non-interest income, excluding gains and losses, increased $6.5 million, or 15%, compared to the first six months of 2023. The increase was driven by (i) a $2.1 million increase in other non-interest income, driven by operating lease income, (ii) a $1.2 million increase in insurance income, (iii) a $1.1 million increase in trust and investment income, (iv) a $1.0 million increase in bank owned life insurance income, (v) a $0.9 million increase in deposit account service charge income, and (vi) a $0.6 million increase in electronic banking income, offset by a decrease of $0.4 million in lease income. The other increases for the first six months of 2024, when compared to the first six months of 2023, were primarily due to the additional customers brought in from the Limestone Merger, increases of assets under management, higher insurance performance-based commission, and market increases for insurance premiums.

Total non-interest expense increased $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the linked quarter. The increase in total non-interest expense was primarily due to increases of $2.2 million in other non-interest expense driven by a one-time true-up of $1.3 million of corporate expenses and $1.0 million in data processing and software expense driven by higher expenses attributable to recent technology projects, partially offset by a decrease of $2.3 million in salaries and employee benefit costs. The decrease in salaries and employee benefit costs was due to anticipated annual expenses that occur in the first quarter of each year including stock-based compensation expenses attributable to retirement-eligible employees and health savings account ("HSA") contributions.

Compared to the second quarter of 2023, total non-interest expense decreased $1.9 million, or 3%. Excluding acquisition-related expenses, non-interest expenses increased $8.8 million, or 15%, primarily due to increases of $3.6 million in salaries and employee benefit costs due to additional employees added in the Limestone Merger and $2.0 million data processing and software expense due to recent technology projects.

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, total non-interest expense increased $10.1 million, or 8%, compared to the first six months of 2023. Excluding acquisition-related expenses, non-interest expenses increased $21.5 million, or 19%, primarily due to increases of $10.5 million in salaries and employee benefit costs due to additional employees added in the Limestone Merger, $3.2 million and $2.1 million in data processing and software expense and in net occupancy and equipment expense, respectively, due to recent technology projects and growth, included through acquisitions.

The table below summarizes the amount of acquisition-related expenses for each line item that is a component of non-interest expense. This information is used by Peoples to provide information useful to investors in understanding Peoples' operating performance and trends.

The efficiency ratio for the second quarter of 2024 was 59.2%, compared to 58.1% for the linked quarter, and 62.8% for the second quarter of 2023. The improvement in the efficiency ratio compared to the prior year quarter was largely a result of a decrease in acquisition-related expenses. The efficiency ratio, adjusted for non-core items, was 59.2% for the second quarter of 2024, compared to 58.1% for the linked quarter and 53.3% for the second quarter of 2023. The efficiency ratio and the adjusted efficiency ratio for non-core items increased compared to the linked quarterly mainly as a result of a reduction in non-interest income. The efficiency ratio for the first six months of 2024 was 58.6%, compared to 60.4% for the first six months of 2023. The efficiency ratio improved compared to the prior year first six months due to the decrease in acquisition-related expenses. The efficiency ratio, adjusted for non-core items, was 58.7% for the first six months of 2024, compared to 55.2% for the first six months of 2023. Peoples continues to focus on controlling expenses, while recognizing necessary costs in order to continue growing the business.

Peoples recorded income tax expense of $6.9 million with an effective tax rate of 19.1% for the second quarter of 2024, compared to income tax expense of $8.3 million with an effective tax rate of 21.8% for the linked quarter, and income tax expense of $6.2 million with an effective tax rate of 22.6% for the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in income tax expense for the second quarter of 2024 compared to the linked quarter was driven by a $1.1 million one-time benefit related to a prior year amended return. Peoples recorded income tax expense of $15.1 million with an effective tax rate of 20.5% for the first six months of 2024 and $13.2 million with an effective tax rate of 21.7% for the first six months of 2023. The increase was driven by higher pre-tax income.

At June 30, 2024, total assets were $9.23 billion, compared to $9.27 billion at March 31, 2024, $9.16 billion at December 31, 2023 and $8.79 billion at June 30, 2023. Total assets at June 30, 2024 decreased when compared to at March 31, 2024 primarily due to a decrease in interest-bearing deposits in other banks, partially offset by increases in loans and investment securities. The period-end total loan and lease balances at June 30, 2024 increased $122.5 million, or 8% annualized, compared to at March 31, 2024. The increase in the period-end total loan and lease balances was primarily driven by increases of (i) $54.4 million in premium finance loans, (ii) $43.4 million in commercial and industrial loans, (iii) $25.9 million in construction loans, and (iv) $24.8 million in indirect consumer loans, partially offset by a reduction of $47.8 million in other commercial real estate loans. Total assets at June 30, 2024 increased compared to December 31, 2023 due to increases of $166.2 million in total loans and leases and $88.5 million in investment securities, partially offset by a decrease of $190.9 million in total cash and cash equivalents. Total assets at June 30, 2024 increased compared to June 30, 2023 due to an increase of $350.8 million in total loans and leases. The period-end loan and lease balance at June 30, 2024 increase compared to June 30, 2023 was primarily driven by organic growth in our premium finance, other commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and lease portfolios of $130.1 million, $124.5 million, $97.8 million, and $52.9 million, respectively.

Total liabilities were $8.15 billion at June 30, 2024, down from $8.21 billion at March 31, 2024, $8.10 billion at December 31, 2023 and $7.79 billion at June 30, 2023. The decrease in total liabilities when compared to at March 31, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease of $28.8 million in period-end total deposits. The decrease was primarily driven by decreases of (i) $70.8 million in brokered CDs, (ii) $58.8 million in governmental deposit accounts, and (iii) $24.2 million in interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, partially offset by an increase of $132.5 million in retail CDs. The increase in retail CDs was due to current specials being offered, while the decrease in governmental deposit accounts was due to the seasonality of those balances, which are typically higher in the first quarter. Excluding a decrease in brokered CDs of $70.8 million, core deposits were up $42.0 million compared to the linked quarter, driven by the aforementioned increase in retail CDs and higher money market deposit accounts. The increase in total liabilities when compared to at December 31, 2023 was primarily due to increases of $369.5 million in retail CDs and $93.7 million in money market deposit accounts, partially offset by decreases of (i) $162.8 million in brokered deposits, (ii) $95.0 million in non-interest bearing deposits, and (iii) $60.8 million in interest-bearing demand deposit accounts. The increase in total liabilities when compared to at June 30, 2023 was primarily due to a $337.9 million increase in period in deposits. The increase was primarily driven by increases of $862.1 million in retail CDs, $150.5 million in money market deposit accounts, and $60.7 million in governmental deposit accounts, offset by decreases of $236.1 million, $209.9 million, $147.3 million, and $142.1 million in savings accounts, non-interest bearing deposits, brokered CDs, and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, respectively. The increase in retail CDs was driven by current promotions being offered.

Total stockholders' equity at June 30, 2024 increased by $15.8 million compared to at March 31, 2024, which was primarily due to net income for the second quarter of 2024 of $29.0 million, partially offset by dividends paid of $14.2 million. Accumulated unrealized losses related to the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio were $110.2 million and $111.8 million at June 30, 2024 and at March 31, 2024, respectively. Total stockholders' equity at June 30, 2024 increased by $24.3 million compared to at December 31, 2023 was primarily due to net income of $58.6 million for the first six months of 2024, partially offset by dividends paid of $27.9 million. Total stockholders' equity at June 30, 2024 increased by $78.9 million compared to at June 30, 2023. The increase in total stockholders' equity at June 30, 2024 when compared to at June 30, 2023 was impacted by net income of $124.3 million in the last twelve months and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $8.7 million, partially offset by dividends paid of $55.9 million.