MetroCity Bankshares Inc

Previous wording

The purpose of this discussion and analysis is to focus on significant changes in the financial condition of MetroCity Bancshares, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiary, Metro City Bank, from December 31, 2023 through June 30, 2024 and on our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and information presented elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly the unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Item 1.

Current wording

The purpose of this discussion and analysis is to focus on significant changes in the financial condition of MetroCity Bancshares, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiary, Metro City Bank, from December 31, 2023 through September 30, 2024 and on our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and information presented elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly the unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Item 1.

Previous wording

MetroCity Bankshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in the Atlanta metropolitan area. We operate through our wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Metro City Bank, a Georgia state-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2006. We currently operate 20 full-service branch locations in multi-ethnic communities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia. As of June 30, 2024, we had total assets of $3.62 billion, total loans of $3.09 billion, total deposits of $2.75 billion and total shareholders’ equity of $407.2 million.

Current wording

MetroCity Bankshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in the Atlanta metropolitan area. We operate through our wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Metro City Bank, a Georgia state-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2006. We currently operate 20 full-service branch locations in multi-ethnic communities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia. As of September 30, 2024, we had total assets of $3.57 billion, total loans of $3.09 billion, total deposits of $2.72 billion and total shareholders’ equity of $407.2 million.

Previous wording

The following table sets forth unaudited selected financial data for the most recent five quarters and for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. This data should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Item 1 and the information contained in this Item 2.

Current wording

The following table sets forth unaudited selected financial data for the most recent five quarters and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. This data should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Item 1 and the information contained in this Item 2.

Previous wording

We recorded net income of $16.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $13.1 million for the same period in 2023, an increase of $3.8 million, or 29.2%. This increase was due to an increase in net interest income of $5.7 million and an increase in noninterest income of $868,000, offset by an increase in income tax expense of $925,000, an increase in noninterest expense of $1.6 million and an increase in provision for credit losses of $288,000.

Current wording

We recorded net income of $16.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $11.4 million for the same period in 2023, an increase of $5.3 million, or 46.1%. This increase was due to an increase in net interest income of $6.1 million and an increase in noninterest income of $4.0 million, offset by an increase in noninterest expense of $2.1 million, an increase in income tax expense of $1.7 million and an increase in provision for credit losses of $963,000.

Previous wording

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded net income of $31.6 million compared to $28.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $2.7 million, or 9.5%. This increase was due to an increase in net interest income of $6.6 million and an increase in noninterest income of $292,000, offset by an increase in noninterest expense of $3.1 million, an increase in income tax expense of $887,000 and an increase in in provision for credit losses of $148,000.

Current wording

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded net income of $48.3 million compared to $40.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $8.0 million, or 19.9%. This increase was due to an increase in net interest income of $12.7 million and an increase in noninterest income of $4.3 million, offset by an increase in noninterest expense of $5.2 million, an increase income tax expense of $2.6 million and an increase in provision for credit losses of $1.1 million.

Previous wording

Basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $0.67 and $0.66 compared to $0.52 and $0.51 for the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the same period in 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, basic and diluted earnings per common share was $1.25 and $1.24, respectively, compared to $1.15 and $1.13 for the same period in 2023, respectively.

Current wording

Basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $0.66 and $0.65, respectively, compared to $0.45 for both the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the same period in 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, basic and diluted earnings per common share was $1.91 and $1.89, respectively, compared to $1.60 and $1.58 for the same period in 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

Interest income totaled $54.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $6.6 million, or 14.0%, from the three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to a 51 basis points increase in the loan yield coupled with a $119.9 million increase in average loan balances, as well as a 109 basis points increase in the total investment yield. The increase in average loans is due to an increase of $83.8 million in average commercial real estate loans, an increase of $40.5 million in average residential mortgage loans and an increase of $21.4 million in average commercial and industrial loans, offset by a decrease of $25.9 million in construction and development loans. As compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023, the yield on average interest-earning assets increased by 55 basis points to 6.45% from 5.90% with the yield on average loans increasing by 51 basis points and the yield on average total investments increasing by 109 basis points.

Current wording

Interest income totaled $53.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $5.1 million, or 10.5%, from the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a 45 basis points increase in the loan yield coupled with an $86.2 million increase in average loan balances, as well as a 38 basis points increase in the total investment yield coupled with a $19.7 million increase in the average total investment balance. The increase in average loans is due to an increase of $93.5 million in average commercial real estate loans, an increase of $6.1 million in average residential mortgage loans and an increase of $2.8 million in average commercial and industrial loans, offset by a decrease of $16.4 million in construction and development loans. As compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, the yield on average interest-earning assets increased by 44 basis points to 6.36% from 5.92% with the yield on average loans increasing by 45 basis points and the yield on average total investments increasing by 38 basis points.

Previous wording

Interest income was $106.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $93.4 million for the same period in 2023, an increase of $13.0 million, or 13.9%, primarily due to a 50 basis point increase in the loan yield coupled with an increase in average loan balances of $125.8 million. The increase in average loans is due to an increase of $63.9 million in both average commercial real estate loans and residential mortgage loans and an increase of $19.4 million in average commercial and industrial loans, offset by a decrease of $21.5 million in construction and development loans. As compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, the yield on average interest-earning assets increased by 52 basis points to 6.36% from 5.84% with the yield on average loans increasing by 50 basis points and the yield on average total investments increasing by 90 basis points.

Current wording

Interest income was $160.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $142.2 million for the same period in 2023, an increase of $18.1 million, or 12.8%, primarily due to a 48 basis point increase in the loan yield coupled with an increase in average loan balances of $112.5 million, as well as a 58 basis points increase in the interest earning cash accounts yield coupled with a $20.0 million increase in the average interest earning cash balances. The increase in average loans is due to an increase of $73.9 million in average commercial real estate loans, a $44.5 million increase in average residential mortgage loans and an increase of $13.8 million in average commercial and industrial loans, offset by a decrease of $19.8 million in construction and development loans. As compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the yield on average interest-earning assets increased by 48 basis points to 6.36% from 5.88% with the yield on average loans increasing by 48 basis points and the yield on average total investments increasing by 58 basis points.

Previous wording

deposit balances and a 106 basis points increase in borrowing costs, offset by a 25 basis decrease in deposit costs. The 25 basis points decrease in deposit costs was primarily driven by a 188 basis points decrease in the yield on average money market deposits from the benefit received on our interest rate swaps, offset by a 106 basis increase in time deposit costs. Average time deposits increased by $115.2 million and average money market and savings deposits increased by $44.0 million. Average borrowings outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2024 decreased by $1.8 million but had an increase in rate of 106 basis points compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023.

Current wording

Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 decreased $1.0 million, or 4.1%, to $23.5 million compared to interest expense of $24.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a 44 basis points decrease in deposit costs, offset by a $31.8 million increase in average deposit balances. The 44 basis points decrease in deposit costs was primarily driven by a 199 basis points decrease in the yield on average money market deposits from the benefit received on our interest rate swaps, offset by an 81 basis point increase in time deposit costs. Average time deposits increased by $91.5 million while average money market deposits decreased by $54.4 million. Average borrowings for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $50.7 million with an increase in rate of 73 basis points compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Previous wording

The Company currently has interest rate derivative agreements totaling $850.0 million that are designated as cash flow hedges of our deposit accounts indexed to the Federal Funds Effective rate. The weighted average pay rate for these interest rate derivatives is 2.29%. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded a credit to interest expense of $6.5 million from the benefit received on these interest rate derivatives compared to a credit to interest expense of $857,000 recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2023. Based on the Federal Funds Effective rate as of June 30, 2024 (5.33%), the Company would estimate to record a credit to interest expense of approximately $12.9 million for the remainder of 2024 from the benefit received on these interest rate derivatives. See Note 8 of our consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2024, included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, for additional information on these interest rate derivatives.

Current wording

The Company currently has interest rate derivative agreements totaling $850.0 million that are designated as cash flow hedges of our deposit accounts indexed to the Federal Funds Effective rate. The weighted average pay rate for these interest rate derivatives is 2.29%. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a credit to interest expense of $6.4 million from the benefit received on these interest rate derivatives compared to a credit to interest expense of $1.3 million recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a credit to interest expense of $17.0 million from the benefit received on these interest rate derivatives compared to a credit to interest expense of $2.3 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Based on the Federal Funds Effective rate as of September 30, 2024 (4.83%), the Company would estimate to record a credit to interest expense of approximately $5.4 million for the remainder of 2024 from the benefit received on these interest rate derivatives. See Note 8 of our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2024, included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, for additional information on these interest rate derivatives.

Previous wording

The net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2024 increased by 56 basis points to 3.66% from 3.10% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to a 55 basis points increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets of $3.37 billion and a six basis point decrease in the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of $2.55 billion. Average earning assets for the second quarter of 2024 increased by $144.9 million from the second quarter of 2023, due to a $119.9 million increase in average loans and a $24.9 million decrease in average total investments. Average interest-bearing liabilities for the second quarter of 2024 increased by $138.0 million from the second quarter of 2023, driven by an increase in average interest-bearing deposits of $139.8 million, offset by a decrease in average borrowings of $1.8 million.

Current wording

The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased by 64 basis points to 3.58% from 2.94% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a 44 basis points increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets of $3.37 billion and a 28 basis points decrease in the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of $2.54 billion. Average earning assets for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $105.9 million from the three months ended September 30, 2023, due to a $86.2 million increase in average loans and a $19.7 million increase in average total investments. Average interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased by $82.4 million from the three months ended September 30, 2023, driven by increases in average borrowings of $50.7 million and average interest-bearing deposits of $31.8 million.

Previous wording

The net interest margin for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased by 25 basis points to 3.45% from 3.20% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to a 52 basis points increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets of $3.37 billion, offset by a 29 basis point increase in the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of $2.57 billion. Average earning assets increased by $137.3 million, due to a $125.8 million increase in average loans and a $12.8 million increase in average interest-earning cash accounts. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $147.0 million, primarily driven by an increase in average interest-bearing deposits of $177.4 million, offset by a $30.5 million decrease in average borrowings.

Current wording

The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased by 39 basis points to 3.50% from 3.11% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a 48 basis points increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets of $3.37 billion, offset by a 10 basis points increase in the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of $2.56 billion. Average earning assets increased by $131.4 million due to a $112.5 million increase in average loans and a $20.0 million increase in average interest-earning cash accounts. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $125.3 million, primarily driven by an increase in average interest-bearing deposits of $128.4 million, offset by a $3.1 million decrease in average borrowings.

Previous wording

The following tables present, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, information about: (i) weighted average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin.

Current wording

The following tables present, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, information about: (i) weighted average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin.

Previous wording

We recorded a credit provision of $128,000 and $268,000 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to a credit provision of $416,000 recorded for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The credit provision recorded during the first half of 2024 was primarily due the decrease in the general reserves allocated to our residential mortgage loan portfolio as a large amount of residential mortgage loans were sold, as well as $83,000 in recoveries recorded during the period. Our ACL as a percentage of gross loans for the periods ended June 30, 2024, December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023 was 0.58%, 0.57% and 0.60%, respectively. Our ACL as a percentage of gross loans is relatively lower than our peers due to our high percentage of residential mortgage loans, which tend to have lower allowance for credit loss ratios compared to other commercial or consumer loans due to their low LTVs.

Current wording

We recorded a provision for credit losses of $582,000 and $314,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a credit to the provision for credit losses of $381,000 and $797,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. The provision expense recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to the increase in reserves allocated to our individually analyzed loans, as well as the increase in general reserves allocated to our commercial real estate loan portfolio due to higher loan balances, partially offset by the decrease in the general reserves allocated to our residential mortgage loan portfolio as a large amount of residential mortgage loans were sold during the period. Our ACL as a percentage of gross loans for the periods ended September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 was 0.60%, 0.57% and 0.58%, respectively. Our ACL as a percentage of gross loans is relatively lower than our peers due to our high percentage of residential mortgage loans, which tend to have lower allowance for credit loss ratios compared to other commercial or consumer loans due to their low LTVs.

Previous wording

The following table sets forth the major components of our noninterest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

The following table sets forth the major components of our noninterest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

Service charges on deposit accounts increased $68,000, or 14.7%, to $532,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $464,000 for the same three months during 2023. Service charges on deposit accounts were $979,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $913,000 for the same period in 2023, an increase of $66,000, or 7.2%. These increases were primarily attributable to higher overdraft fees and wire transfer fees, offset by lower analysis charges.

Current wording

Service charges on deposit accounts increased $41,000, or 8.4%, to $531,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $490,000 for the same three months during 2023. Service charges on deposit accounts were $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2023, an increase of $107,000, or 7.6%. These increases were primarily attributable to higher overdraft fees and wire transfer fees, offset by lower analysis charges.

Previous wording

Other service charges, commissions and fees increased $307,000, or 24.2%, to $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Other service charges, commissions and fees increased $1.1 million, or 48.8%, to $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. These increases were mainly attributable to higher processing, underwriting and origination fees earned from our origination of residential mortgage loans as mortgage volume increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023. Mortgage loan originations totaled $94.1 million and $188.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $72.8 million and $116.2 million during the same periods in 2023.

Current wording

Other service charges, commissions and fees increased $437,000, or 29.6%, to $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Other service charges, commissions and fees increased $1.5 million, or 41.0%, to $5.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. These increases were mainly attributable to higher origination, underwriting and processing fees earned from our origination of residential mortgage loans as mortgage volume increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023. Mortgage loan originations totaled $122.4 million and $310.4 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $91.9 million and $208.1 million during the same periods in 2023.

Previous wording

Total gain on sale of loans was $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $1.1 million for the same period of 2023, an increase of $123,000, or 11.7%. Total gain on sale of loans was $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $3.0 million for the same period of 2023, a decrease of $573,000, or 19.0%.

Current wording

Total gain on sale of loans was $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $244,000 for the same period of 2023, an increase of $1.4 million, or 559.4%. Total gain on sale of loans was $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $3.3 million for the same period of 2023, an increase of $792,000, or 24.2%.

Previous wording

Gain on sale of residential mortgage loans totaled $1.2 million and $1.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 as we sold $111.4 million and $133.3 million in residential mortgage loans during these periods with an average premium of 1.05%. We recorded no gain on sale of residential mortgage loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 as no mortgage loans were sold during the period.

Current wording

Gain on sale of residential mortgage loans totaled $526,000 and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 as we sold $54.2 million and $187.5 million in residential mortgage loans during these periods with an average premium of 1.05%. We recorded no gain on sale of residential mortgage loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 as no mortgage loans were sold during the period.

Previous wording

million in SBA loans during the six months ended June 30, 2024 with average premiums of 6.72% compared to $66.8 million sold during the same period in 2023 with average premiums of 6.10%.

Current wording

Gain on sale of SBA loans totaled $1.1 million and $2.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $244,000 and $3.3 million for the same periods in 2023. We sold $28.9 million and $52.9 million in SBA loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 with average premiums of 6.67% and 6.69%,

Previous wording

Mortgage loan servicing income, net of amortization, increased by $1.2 million, or 2270.6%, to $1.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to an expense balance of $51,000 for the same period of 2023. Mortgage loan servicing income increased by $1.5 million, or 1008.8%, to $1.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to an expense balance of $147,000 for the same period of 2023. The changes in mortgage loan servicing income were primarily due to decreases in mortgage servicing amortization and an increase in capitalized mortgage servicing assets, offset by the decrease in mortgage servicing fees. Included in mortgage loan servicing income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $590,000 and $1.2 million in mortgage servicing fees compared to $640,000 and $1.3 million for the same periods in 2023 and capitalized mortgage servicing assets of $786,000 and $923,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $0 for the same periods in 2023. These amounts were offset by mortgage loan servicing asset amortization of $269,000 and $742,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $691,000 and $1.5 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we did not record a fair value impairment on our mortgage servicing assets. Our total residential mortgage loan servicing portfolio was $529.8 million at June 30, 2024 compared to $487.8 million at June 30, 2023.

Current wording

Mortgage loan servicing income, net of amortization, increased by $507,000, or 596.5%, to $422,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an expense balance of $85,000 for the same period of 2023. Mortgage loan servicing income increased by $2.0 million, or 857.8%, to $1.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an expense balance of $232,000 for the same period of 2023. The changes in mortgage loan servicing income were primarily due to decreases in mortgage servicing amortization and an increase in capitalized mortgage servicing assets, partially offset by the decrease in mortgage servicing fees. Included in mortgage loan servicing income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $580,000 and $1.7 million in mortgage servicing fees compared to $606,000 and $1.9 million for the same periods in 2023 and capitalized mortgage servicing assets of $310,000 and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $0 for the same periods in 2023. These amounts were offset by mortgage loan servicing asset amortization of $216,000 and $957,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $691,000 and $2.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a fair value impairment of $252,000 on our mortgage servicing assets. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we did not record a fair value impairment on our mortgage servicing assets. Our total residential mortgage loan servicing portfolio was $556.4 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $464.8 million at September 30, 2023.

Previous wording

SBA servicing income decreased by $828,000, or 59.7%, to $560,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. SBA servicing income was $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2023, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 35.8%. Our total SBA and USDA loan servicing portfolio was $486.1 million as of June 30, 2024 compared to $493.6 million as of June 30 2023. Included in SBA servicing income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $1.1 million and $2.2 million in SBA servicing fees compared to $1.1 million and $2.2 million for the same periods in 2023. Our SBA servicing rights are carried at fair value and the inputs used to calculate fair value change from period to period. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded a $503,000 fair value charge to our SBA servicing rights compared to a $282,000 fair value increase to our SBA servicing rights during the three months ended June 30, 2023. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded a $143,000 fair value charge to our SBA servicing rights compared to a $980,000 fair value increase during the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Current wording

SBA servicing income increased by $961,000, or 355.9%, to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $270,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. SBA servicing income was $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2023, a decrease of $185,000, or 5.3%. Our total SBA and USDA loan servicing portfolio was $487.4 million as of September 30, 2024 compared to $487.8 million as of September 30 2023. Included in SBA servicing income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $1.0 million and $3.2 million in SBA servicing fees compared to $1.2 million and $3.4 million for the same periods in 2023. Our SBA servicing rights are carried at fair value and the inputs used to calculate fair value change from period to period. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a $201,000 fair value increase to our SBA servicing rights compared to a $911,000 fair value charge to our SBA servicing rights during the three months ended September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a $69,000 fair value increase to our SBA servicing rights compared to a $58,000 fair value increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Previous wording

Other noninterest income increased by $40,000, or 7.0%, to $610,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $570,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was mainly due to the increase in bank owned life insurance income. Other noninterest income was $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2023, a decrease of $583,000, or 34.2%. The decrease was mainly due to a gain on sale of foreclosed real estate of $547,000 recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to no gain on sale being recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The largest component of other noninterest income is the income on bank owned life insurance which totaled $569,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $445,000 and $880,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. Also included in other noninterest income are fair value gains/losses on our equity securities, which totaled $12,000 (loss) and $59,000 (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $70,000 (loss) and $58,000 (gain) for the same periods in 2023, respectively.

Current wording

Other noninterest income increased by $647,000, or 248.8%, to $907,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $260,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Other noninterest income was $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2023, an increase of $64,000, or 3.3%. The increases were mainly due to increases in bank owned life insurance income and unrealized gains on our equity securities. These increases were partially offset by decreases in gain on sale of foreclosed real estate as a $547,000 gain on sale was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to a $85,000 loss on sale being recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The largest component of other noninterest income is the income on bank owned life insurance which totaled $609,000 and $1.7 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $452,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Included in other noninterest income are fair value gains/losses on our equity securities, which totaled $292,000 (gain) and $233,000 (gain) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $245,000 (loss) and $187,000 (loss) for the same periods in 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

Noninterest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $13.0 million compared to $11.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $1.6 million, or 13.7%. Noninterest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $25.4 million compared to $22.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $3.1 million, or 14.0%.

Current wording

Noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $13.7 million compared to $11.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $2.1 million, or 18.4%. Noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $39.1 million compared to $33.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $5.2 million, or 15.5%.

Previous wording

The following table sets forth the major components of our noninterest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

The following table sets forth the major components of our noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

Salaries and employee benefits expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $8.0 million compared to $7.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $945,000, or 13.3%. Salaries and employee benefits expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $15.4 million compared to $13.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $1.9 million, or 14.5%. These increases were partially attributable to higher restricted stock expense and employee insurance, as well as higher commissions paid to our loan officers as loan volume increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Current wording

Salaries and employee benefits expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $8.5 million compared to $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $1.6 million, or 24.0%. Salaries and employee benefits expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $23.9 million compared to $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $3.6 million, or 17.7%. These increases were partially attributable to higher employee salaries, restricted stock expense and employee insurance, as well as higher commissions paid to our loan officers as loan volume increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023.

Previous wording

Occupancy and equipment expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $1.3 million compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $295,000, or 28.4%. Occupancy and equipment expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $2.7 million compared to $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $435,000, or 19.3%. These increases were primarily due to higher maintenance and service expense, rent expense, and depreciation expense.

Current wording

Occupancy and equipment expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $1.4 million compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $158,000, or 12.4%. Occupancy and equipment expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $4.1 million compared to $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $593,000, or 16.8%. These increases were primarily due to higher maintenance and service expense, rent expense, and depreciation expense.

Previous wording

Data processing expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 remained relatively flat compared to the same periods in 2023.

Current wording

Data processing expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 remained relatively flat compared to the same periods in 2023.

Previous wording

Advertising expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 remained relatively flat compared to the same periods in 2023.

Current wording

Advertising expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 remained relatively flat compared to the same periods in 2023.

Previous wording

Other expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were $3.1 million compared to $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $336,000, or 12.0%. This increase was partially due to higher security expense and loan and other real estate owned related expenses, offset by lower FDIC insurance premiums and professional fees. Other operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $6.3 million compared to $5.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $701,000, or 12.5%. This increase was partially due to higher FDIC insurance premiums, audit expense and security expense, partially offset by lower loan related expenses and legal fees. Included in other expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were directors’ fees of approximately $324,000 and $287,000, respectively.

Current wording

Other expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were $3.3 million compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $301,000, or 10.2%. This increase was partially due to higher security expense and other real estate owned related expenses, offset by lower FDIC insurance premiums and professional fees. Other operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were $9.6 million compared to $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $1.0 million, or 11.7%. This increase was partially due to higher FDIC insurance premiums, audit expense, security expense and other real estate owned expenses, partially offset by lower loan related expenses and legal fees. Included in other expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were directors’ fees of approximately $477,000 and $452,000, respectively.

Previous wording

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $6.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates were 27.5% and 29.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Current wording

Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $6.0 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates were 26.3% and 27.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $12.2 million and $11.3 million, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates were 27.9% and 28.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Current wording

Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $18.2 million and $15.6 million, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates were 27.4% and 27.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

Total assets increased $112.5 million, or 3.2%, to $3.62 billion at June 30, 2024 as compared to $3.50 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in total assets was primarily attributable to increases in cash and due from banks of $182.9 million, interest rate derivatives of $4.4 million and Federal Home Loan Bank stock of $2.4 million, partially offset by decreases in loans held for investment of $51.6 million, loans held for sale of $22.3 million and other assets of $3.3 million.

Current wording

Total assets increased $66.4 million, or 1.9%, to $3.57 billion at September 30, 2024 as compared to $3.50 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in total assets was primarily attributable to increases in cash and due from banks of $136.6 million, federal funds sold of $9.8 million and Federal Home Loan Bank stock of $2.4 million, partially offset by decreases in loans held for investment of $54.3 million, loans held for sale of $17.7 million and interest rate derivatives of $12.9 million.

Previous wording

Our investment securities portfolio made up only 0.78% of our total assets at June 30, 2024 compared to 0.82% at December 31, 2023.

Current wording

Our investment securities portfolio made up only 0.81% of our total assets at September 30, 2024 compared to 0.82% at December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

Gross loans held for investment decreased $52.4 million, or 1.7%, to $3.10 billion as of June 30, 2024 as compared to $3.15 billion as of December 31, 2023. Our loan decline during the six months ended June 30, 2024 was comprised of a decrease of $9.7 million, or 41.7%, in construction and development loans, an increase of $22.7 million, or 3.2%, in commercial real estate loans, an increase of $2.4 million, or 3.6%, in commercial and industrial loans, a decrease of $67.7 million, or 2.9%, in residential real estate loans and a decrease of $89,000, or 27.9%, in consumer and other loans. We had no loans held for sale as of June 30, 2024 compared to $22.3 million as of December 31, 2023.

Current wording

Gross loans held for investment decreased $55.5 million, or 1.8%, to $3.10 billion as of September 30, 2024 as compared to $3.15 billion as of December 31, 2023. Our loan decrease during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was comprised of a decrease of $6.7 million, or 28.9%, in construction and development loans, an increase of $27.8 million, or 3.9%, in commercial real estate loans, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 3.5%, in commercial and industrial loans, a decrease of $74.1 million, or 3.2%, in residential real estate loans and a decrease of $104,000, or 32.6%, in consumer and other loans. We had loans held for sale of $4.6 million as of September 30, 2024 compared to $22.3 million as of December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we serviced $486.1 million and $508.0 million, respectively, in SBA and USDA loans for others. We carried a servicing asset of $7.1 million and $7.3 million at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. See Note 4 of our consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2024, included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, for additional information on the activity for SBA and USDA loan servicing rights for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

Current wording

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we serviced $487.4 million and $508.0 million, respectively, in SBA and USDA loans for others. We carried a servicing asset of $7.3 million at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. See Note 4 of our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2024, included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, for additional information on the activity for SBA and USDA loan servicing rights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Previous wording

As of June 30, 2024, we serviced $529.8 million in residential mortgage loans for others compared to $443.1 million as of December 31, 2023. We carried a servicing asset, net of amortization, of $1.5 million and $1.3 million at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Amortization relating to the mortgage loan servicing asset was $269,000 and $742,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $691,000 and $1.5 million for the same periods in 2023. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we did not record a fair value impairment on our mortgage servicing asset. See Note 5 of our consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2024, included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, for additional information on the activity for mortgage loans servicing rights for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

Current wording

As of September 30, 2024, we serviced $556.4 million in residential mortgage loans for others compared to $443.1 million as of December 31, 2023. We carried a servicing asset, net of amortization, of $1.3 million at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Amortization relating to the mortgage loan servicing asset was $216,000 and $957,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $691,000 and $2.2 million for the same periods in 2023. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a fair value impairment of $252,000 on our mortgage servicing asset. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we did not record a fair value impairment on our mortgage servicing asset. See Note 5 of our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2024, included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, for additional information on the activity for mortgage loans servicing rights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Previous wording

Asset quality remained relatively strong during the second quarter of 2024 as our nonperforming loans to total loans remained low at 0.83% as of June 30, 2024. Nonperforming loans were $13.0 million at June 30 2024 compared to $14.7 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease from December 31, 2023 to June 30, 2024 was attributable to a $1.7 million decrease in nonaccrual loans. We did not recognize any interest income on nonaccrual loans during the six months ended June 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023.

Current wording

Asset quality remained strong during the third quarter of 2024 as our nonperforming loans to total loans remained low at 0.46% as of September 30, 2024. Nonperforming loans were $14.3 million at September 30 2024 compared to $14.7 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024 was attributable to a $366,000 decrease in nonaccrual loans. We did not recognize any interest income on nonaccrual loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

The following table sets forth the allocation of our nonperforming assets among our different asset categories as of the dates indicated. Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest. Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans plus OREO. Nonaccrual loans at June 30, 2024 comprised of $1.2 million of commercial real estate loans, $32,000 of commercial and industrial loans and $11.8 million of residential real estate loans. Nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2023 comprised of $548,000 of construction and development loans, $991,000 of commercial real estate loans, $1.3 million of commercial and industrial loans, and $11.9 million of residential real estate loans.

Current wording

The following table sets forth the allocation of our nonperforming assets among our different asset categories as of the dates indicated. Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest. Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans plus OREO. Nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2024 comprised of $537,000 of commercial real estate loans, $189,000 of commercial and industrial loans and $13.6 million of residential real estate loans. Nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2023 comprised of $548,000 of construction and development loans, $991,000 of commercial real estate loans, $1.3 million of commercial and industrial loans, and $11.9 million of residential real estate loans.

Previous wording

The allowance for credit losses was $18.0 million at June 30, 2024 compared to $18.1 million at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $152,000, or 0.8%. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the general reserves allocated to our residential mortgage loan portfolio as a large amount of residential mortgage loans were sold during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

The allowance for credit losses was $18.6 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $18.1 million at December 31, 2023, an increase of $477,000, or 2.6%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in reserves allocated to our individually analyzed loans, as well as the increase in general reserves allocated to our commercial real estate loan portfolio due to higher loan balances, partially offset by the decrease in the general reserves allocated to our residential mortgage loan portfolio as a large amount of residential mortgage loans were sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.