Equity Bancshares Inc.

01/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2025 15:47

Equity Bancshares, Inc. Fourth Quarter Results Include Net Interest Margin Expansion and Close of Common Equity Capital Raise

01/22/2025

Reports Net Interest Margin of 4.17%, Closes the Quarter with a Tangible Common Equity Ratio of 9.95%

WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Equity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: EQBK), ("Equity", "the Company," "we," "us," "our"), the Wichita-based holding company of Equity Bank, reported net income of $17.0 million or $1.04 earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

"Our Company had an excellent year as we realized expansion of our footprint, our balance sheet and our ownership group," said Brad S. Elliott, Chairman and CEO of Equity. "Our team remains committed to generating value for our customers, our employees and our shareholders and enters 2025 positioned to execute."

"During the quarter, we were able to successfully bolster our capital through a common stock raise," Mr. Elliott continued. "The additive equity positions our Company to be opportunistic in delivering on our two-prong growth strategy of organic production and strategic acquisition. We continue to be optimistic about opportunities to deploy these in the markets in which we operate."

Notable Items:

  • The Company realized earnings per diluted share of $1.04. Margin for the quarter was 4.17% positively impacted by non-recurring nonaccrual reversals and prepayment fees of approximately $1.5 million. Excluding these non-recurring items, margin for the quarter was 4.04% an increase of 17 basis points as compared to the previous quarter.
  • The Company realized book value per share expansion of $1.07 per share, or 3.2%. Tangible book value per share improved $1.69 per share, or 6.0%. Book value per share excluding AOCI increased $1.61, or 4.5%. Tangible common equity to tangible assets closed the period at 9.95%.
  • The Company completed a common stock capital raise, issuing 2,067,240 shares at a price of $44.50 per share. After expense capital impact totaled $87.0 million.
  • Deposit balances, excluding brokered, increased $211.2 million driven by seasonal inflows on municipality relationships. Full year growth in deposits, excluding brokered, was $304.2 million, or 7.3%.
  • Loan balances closed the period at $3.5 billion, reflecting full year growth of $167.9 million, or 5.0%. The loan-to-deposit ratio closed the period at 80.0%.
  • Realized opposing asset quality trends as nonaccrual loans declined from $31.3 million to $27.1, or 0.77% of total loans while classified assets increased to $73.5 million or 12.10% of bank regulatory capital. Reserves as a percentage of loans increased to 1.24%.
  • The Company announced a $0.15 dividend on outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2024. Our repurchase program remains active, though no shares were purchased during the quarter.

The Company is also pleased to announce the return of Greg Kossover to the executive management team. Mr. Kossover will be returning to the team in February and will lead our Capital Markets division while also retaining his role as a director of the Company and Equity Bank.

"Greg's expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence will be instrumental as we continue to drive growth and deliver exceptional value to our shareholders," said Rick Sems, Equity Bank President & CEO. "We look forward to the positive impact Greg will undoubtedly have as we move forward together."

Financial Results for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2024

Net income allocable to common stockholders was $17.0 million, or $1.04 per diluted share. Excluding merger expenses and gains or losses on security transactions, net income was $20.3 million, or $1.31 per diluted share in the previous quarter. The drivers of the periodic change are discussed in detail in the following sections.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $49.5 million for the period, as compared to $46.0 million for previous quarter. Adjusting the stated number for non-recurring nonaccrual reversals and excess prepayment fee realization of $1.5 million, net interest income was $48.0 for the quarter. The periodic increase primarily was driven by downward re-pricing of liabilities which outpaced the downward re-pricing of assets in an environment that saw multiple interest rate cuts by the FOMC. For the quarter, cost of interest bearing liabilities were 2.80% for the quarter down 31 basis points from 3.11% while yield on interest earning assets was 6.32% up 2 basis points from 6.30%. Excluding the previously discussed non-recurring items, yield on interest earning assets would have been 6.20%.

Total earning assets declined slightly during the quarter as higher loan balances were offset by declining cash and security positions as excess cash flows were used to payoff debt and brokered funding versus reinvestment.

Provision for Credit Losses

During the quarter, there was a provision of $98 thousand compared to a provision of $1.2 million in the previous quarter. The level of provision was primarily attributable to charge-offs during the quarter offset by declining loan balances. The Company continues to estimate the allowance for credit loss with assumptions that anticipate slower prepayment rates and continued market disruption caused by elevated inflation, supply chain issues and the impact of monetary policy on consumers and businesses. During the quarter, we realized net charge-offs of $322 thousand as compared to $1.6 million for the previous quarter.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income was $8.8 million for the quarter, as compared to $9.3 million linked quarter. Excluding the $831 thousand gain on acquisition from linked quarter results, non-interest income was up $330 thousand.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense for the quarter was $37.8 million as compared to $30.3 million for the previous quarter. Prior quarter results included $8.5 million in benefit from a borrower's repurchase of our preferred equity interest offset by a $742 thousand write-down on a previous bank location and $618 thousand in merger expense. Adjusting for these items, non-interest expense in the prior quarter would have been $37.4 million.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate for the quarter ending, December 31, 2024, was 16.7% which remains consistent with the 16.7% reported for the prior quarter. The year-to-date effective tax rate is 20.0% as compared to 21.2% at September 30, 2024. The decrease in the year-to-date tax rate is associated with a decrease in the impact of tax rate reconciling items recognized as a percent of pre-tax book income, reductions in the effective state tax rate to align with state tax filings, and excess tax benefits related to stock compensation recognized in the quarter.

Loans, Total Assets and Funding

Loans held for investment were $3.5 billion at December 31, 2024, decreasing $100.1 million during the quarter. Total assets were $5.3 billion as of the end of the period, decreasing $23.2 million during the quarter.

Total deposits were $4.4 billion at December 31, 2024, increasing $11.9 million from the previous quarter end. Of the total deposit balance, non-interest-bearing accounts comprise approximately 21.8%. Total Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings were $178.1 million as of the end of the quarter, down $117.9 million from previous quarter end.

Asset Quality

As of December 31, 2024, Equity's allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.2% up 3 basis points as compared to previous quarter end. Nonperforming assets were $34.7 million as of December 31, 2024, or 0.7% of total assets, compared to $32.4 million at September 30, 2024, or 0.6% of total assets. The increase was driven by one Main Street Lending Program loan which was foreclosed and is held in Other Real Estate Owned at its gross balance. Reducing this to reflect only the Bank's portion (5%) would result in ending non-performing assets of $31.0 million. Non-accrual loans were $27.1 million at December 31, 2024, as compared to $31.3 million at September 30, 2024. Total classified assets, including loans rated special mention or worse, other real estate owned, excluding previous branch locations, and other repossessed assets were $73.5 million, or 12.1% of regulatory capital, up from $48.9 million, or 8.3% of regulatory capital as of September 30, 2024.

Capital

Quarter over quarter, book capital increased $88.9 million to $592.9 million and tangible capital increased $90.0 million to $523.9 million. Tangible book value per share closed the quarter at $30.07, increasing 6.0% compared to prior quarter. The increase in capital is primarily due to completion of a common stock capital raise in December through which the Company issued 2,067,240 shares at a price of $44.50. After accounting for costs to issue, the raise added $87.0 million in common equity capital. The remaining change to book and tangible capital during the quarter was attributable to earnings offset by an increase in unrealized losses reflected in AOCI.

The Company's ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 14.5%, the total capital to risk-weighted assets was 18.1% and the total leverage ratio was 11.7% at December 31, 2024. At September 30, 2024, the Company's common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 11.4%, the total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 14.8% and the total leverage ratio was 9.6%.

Equity Bank's ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 14.1%, total capital to risk-weighted assets was 15.3% and the total leverage ratio was 10.9% at December 31, 2024. At September 30, 2024, Equity Bank's ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 13.0%, the ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets was 14.1% and the total leverage ratio was 10.4%.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to evaluating the Company's results of operations in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), management periodically supplements this evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP financial measures that are intended to provide the reader with additional perspectives on operating results, financial condition and performance trends, while facilitating comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. Non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures, rather, they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company's GAAP financial information.

The efficiency ratio is a common comparable metric used by banks to understand the expense structure relative to total revenue. In other words, for every dollar of total revenue recognized, how much of that dollar is expended. To improve the comparability of the ratio to our peers, non-core items are excluded. To improve transparency and acknowledging that banks are not consistent in their definition of the efficiency ratio, we include our calculation of this non-GAAP measure.

Return on average assets before income tax provision and provision for loan losses is a measure that the Company uses to understand fundamental operating performance before these expenses. Used as a ratio relative to average assets, we believe it demonstrates "core" performance and can be viewed as an alternative measure of how efficiently the Company services its asset base. Used as a ratio relative to average equity, it can function as an alternative measure of the Company's earnings performance in relationship to its equity.

Tangible common equity and related measures are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of intangible assets, net of deferred taxes, and their related amortization. These financial measures are useful for evaluating the performance of a business consistently, whether acquired or developed internally. Return on average tangible common equity is used by management and readers of our financial statements to understand how efficiently the Company is deploying its common equity. Companies that are able to demonstrate more efficient use of common equity are more likely to be viewed favorably by current and prospective investors.

The Company believes that disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures is both useful internally and is expected by our investors and analysts in order to understand the overall performance of the Company. Other companies may calculate and define their non-GAAP financial measures and supplemental data differently. A reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP measures and other performance ratios, as adjusted, are included in Table 6 in the following press release tables.

Conference Call and Webcast

Equity's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brad Elliott, and Chief Financial Officer, Chris Navratil, will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss fourth quarter results on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 10 a.m. eastern time or 9 a.m. central time.

A live webcast of the call will be available on the Company's website at investor.equitybank.com. To access the call by phone, please go to this registration link, and you will be provided with dial in details. Investors, news media, and other participants are encouraged to dial into the conference call ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.

A replay of the call and webcast will be available following the close of the call at investor.equitybank.com.

About Equity Bancshares, Inc.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Equity Bank, offering a full range of financial solutions, including commercial loans, consumer banking, mortgage loans, trust and wealth management services and treasury management services, while delivering the high-quality, relationship-based customer service of a community bank. Equity's common stock is traded on the NYSE National, Inc. under the symbol "EQBK." Learn more at www.equitybank.com.

Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Equity's management with respect to, among other things, future events and Equity's financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "may," "should," "could," "predict," "potential," "believe," "will likely result," "expect," "continue," "will," "anticipate," "seek," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "project," "positioned," "forecast," "goal," "target," "would" and "outlook," or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Equity's industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond Equity's control. Accordingly, Equity cautions you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although Equity believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Equity's expectations include competition from other financial institutions and bank holding companies; the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the demand for loans; fluctuations in value of collateral and loan reserves; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; and acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; and similar variables. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in Equity's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 2024, and any updates to those risk factors set forth in Equity's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Equity's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what Equity anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Equity does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. In addition, Equity cannot assess the impact of each factor on Equity's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Equity or persons acting on Equity's behalf may issue.

Unaudited Financial Tables

  • Table 1. Consolidated Statements of Income
  • Table 2. Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Income
  • Table 3. Consolidated Balance Sheets
  • Table 4. Selected Financial Highlights
  • Table 5. Year-To-Date Net Interest Income Analysis
  • Table 6. Quarter-To-Date Net Interest Income Analysis
  • Table 7. Quarter-Over-Quarter Net Interest Income Analysis
  • Table 8. Non-GAAP Financial Measures

TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended
December 31,

Year ended
December 31,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Interest and dividend income

Loans, including fees

$

63,379

$

54,932

$

245,815

$

211,213

Securities, taxable

9,229

6,417

39,091

23,873

Securities, nontaxable

387

354

1,579

1,960

Federal funds sold and other

1,984

2,591

10,358

9,666

Total interest and dividend income

74,979

64,294

296,843

246,712

Interest expense

Deposits

21,213

20,074

90,409

70,473

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

258

298

1,151

931

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

2,158

1,005

10,180

3,944

Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

-

1,546

1,361

4,755

Subordinated debt

1,877

1,904

7,580

7,591

Total interest expense

25,506

24,827

110,681

87,694

Net interest income

49,473

39,467

186,162

159,018

Provision (reversal) for credit losses

98

711

2,546

1,873

Net interest income after provision (reversal) for credit losses

49,375

38,756

183,616

157,145

Non-interest income

Service charges and fees

2,296

2,299

9,830

10,187

Debit card income

2,513

2,524

10,246

10,322

Mortgage banking

141

125

861

652

Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance

1,883

925

4,966

4,059

Net gain on acquisition and branch sales

-

-

2,131

-

Net gains (losses) from securities transactions

(2

)

(50,618

)

220

(51,909

)

Other

1,985

1,331

10,568

7,560

Total non-interest income

8,816

(43,414

)

38,822

(19,129

)

Non-interest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

18,368

16,598

72,786

64,384

Net occupancy and equipment

3,571

3,244

14,371

12,325

Data processing

4,988

4,471

20,004

17,433

Professional fees

1,846

1,413

6,503

5,754

Advertising and business development

1,469

1,598

5,366

5,425

Telecommunications

614

460

2,501

1,963

FDIC insurance

662

660

2,483

2,195

Courier and postage

687

577

2,599

2,046

Free nationwide ATM cost

558

508

2,127

2,073

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

1,060

739

4,289

3,374

Loan expense

154

155

601

540

Other real estate owned and repossessed assets, net

133

274

(7,525

)

617

Merger expenses

-

297

4,461

297

Other

3,696

4,004

13,591

17,175

Total non-interest expense

37,806

34,998

144,157

135,601

Income (loss) before income tax

20,385

(39,656

)

78,281

2,415

Provision for income taxes (benefit)

3,399

(11,357

)

15,660

(5,406

)

Net income (loss) and net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

16,986

$

(28,299

)

$

62,621

$

7,821

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

1.06

$

(1.84

)

$

4.04

$

0.50

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

1.04

$

(1.84

)

$

4.00

$

0.50

Weighted average common shares

16,020,938

15,417,200

15,489,370

15,535,772

Weighted average diluted common shares

16,262,965

15,417,200

15,671,674

15,648,842

TABLE 2. QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

As of and for the three months ended

December 31,
2024

September 30,
2024

June 30,
2024

March 31,
2024

December 31,
2023

Interest and dividend income

Loans, including fees

$

63,379

$

62,089

$

61,518

$

58,829

$

54,932

Securities, taxable

9,229

9,809

10,176

9,877

6,417

Securities, nontaxable

387

400

401

391

354

Federal funds sold and other

1,984

2,667

3,037

2,670

2,591

Total interest and dividend income

74,979

74,965

75,132

71,767

64,294

Interest expense

Deposits

21,213

23,679

22,662

22,855

20,074

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

258

261

306

326

298

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

2,158

3,089

3,789

1,144

1,005

Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

-

-

-

1,361

1,546

Subordinated debt

1,877

1,905

1,899

1,899

1,904

Total interest expense

25,506

28,934

28,656

27,585

24,827

Net interest income

49,473

46,031

46,476

44,182

39,467

Provision (reversal) for credit losses

98

1,183

265

1,000

711

Net interest income after provision (reversal) for credit losses

49,375

44,848

46,211

43,182

38,756

Non-interest income

Service charges and fees

2,296

2,424

2,541

2,569

2,299

Debit card income

2,513

2,665

2,621

2,447

2,524

Mortgage banking

141

287

245

188

125

Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance

1,883

1,344

911

828

925

Net gain on acquisition and branch sales

-

831

60

1,240

-

Net gains (losses) from securities transactions

(2

)

206

(27

)

43

(50,618

)

Other

1,985

1,560

2,607

4,416

1,331

Total non-interest income

8,816

9,317

8,958

11,731

(43,414

)

Non-interest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

18,368

18,494

17,827

18,097

16,598

Net occupancy and equipment

3,571

3,478

3,787

3,535

3,244

Data processing

4,988

5,152

5,036

4,828

4,471

Professional fees

1,846

1,487

1,778

1,392

1,413

Advertising and business development

1,469

1,368

1,291

1,238

1,598

Telecommunications

614

660

572

655

460

FDIC insurance

662

660

590

571

660

Courier and postage

687

686

620

606

577

Free nationwide ATM cost

558

544

531

494

508

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

1,060

1,112

1,218

899

739

Loan expense

154

143

195

109

155

Other real estate owned and repossessed assets, net

133

(7,667

)

50

(41

)

274

Merger expenses

-

618

2,287

1,556

297

Other

3,696

3,593

3,089

3,213

4,004

Total non-interest expense

37,806

30,328

38,871

37,152

34,998

Income (loss) before income tax

20,385

23,837

16,298

17,761

(39,656

)

Provision for income taxes (benefit)

3,399

3,986

4,582

3,693

(11,357

)

Net income (loss) and net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

16,986

$

19,851

$

11,716

$

14,068

$

(28,299

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

1.06

$

1.30

$

0.77

$

0.91

$

(1.84

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

1.04

$

1.28

$

0.76

$

0.90

$

(1.84

)

Weighted average common shares

16,020,938

15,258,822

15,248,703

15,425,709

15,417,200

Weighted average diluted common shares

16,262,965

15,451,545

15,377,980

15,569,225

15,417,200

TABLE 3. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

December 31,
2024

September 30,
2024

June 30,
2024

March 31,
2024

December 31,
2023

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

383,503

$

217,681

$

244,321

$

217,611

$

363,289

Federal funds sold

244

17,802

15,945

17,407

15,810

Cash and cash equivalents

383,747

235,483

260,266

235,018

379,099

Available-for-sale securities

1,004,455

1,041,000

1,042,176

1,091,717

919,648

Held-to-maturity securities

5,217

5,408

5,226

2,205

2,209

Loans held for sale

513

901

1,959

1,311

476

Loans, net of allowance for credit losses(1)

3,457,549

3,557,435

3,410,920

3,437,714

3,289,381

Other real estate owned, net

4,773

2,786

2,989

1,465

1,833

Premises and equipment, net

117,132

117,013

114,264

116,792

112,632

Bank-owned life insurance

133,032

131,670

130,326

125,693

124,865

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock

27,875

34,429

33,171

27,009

20,608

Interest receivable

28,913

28,398

27,381

27,082

25,497

Goodwill

53,101

53,101

53,101

53,101

53,101

Core deposit intangibles, net

14,969

16,029

16,636

17,854

7,222

Other

100,771

131,580

147,102

102,075

98,021

Total assets

$

5,332,047

$

5,355,233

$

5,245,517

$

5,239,036

$

5,034,592

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deposits

Demand

$

954,065

$

967,858

$

984,872

$

981,623

$

898,129

Total non-interest-bearing deposits

954,065

967,858

984,872

981,623

898,129

Demand, savings and money market

2,684,197

2,468,956

2,560,091

2,574,871

2,483,807

Time

736,527

926,130

796,474

814,532

763,519

Total interest-bearing deposits

3,420,724

3,395,086

3,356,565

3,389,403

3,247,326

Total deposits

4,374,789

4,362,944

4,341,437

4,371,026

4,145,455

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

37,246

38,196

38,031

43,811

43,582

Federal Home Loan Bank advances and Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

178,073

295,997

250,306

219,931

240,000

Subordinated debt

97,477

97,336

97,196

97,058

96,921

Contractual obligations

12,067

19,683

23,770

18,493

19,315

Interest payable and other liabilities

39,477

37,039

33,342

31,941

36,459

Total liabilities

4,739,129

4,851,195

4,784,082

4,782,260

4,581,732

Commitments and contingent liabilities

Stockholders' equity

Common stock

230

209

208

208

207

Additional paid-in capital

584,424

494,763

491,709

490,533

489,187

Retained earnings

194,920

180,588

163,068

153,201

141,006

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(55,181

)

(40,012

)

(62,005

)

(60,788

)

(57,920

)

Treasury stock

(131,475

)

(131,510

)

(131,545

)

(126,378

)

(119,620

)

Total stockholders' equity

592,918

504,038

461,435

456,776

452,860

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

5,332,047

$

5,355,233

$

5,245,517

$

5,239,036

$

5,034,592

(1) Allowance for credit losses

$

43,267

$

43,490

$

43,487

$

44,449

$

43,520

TABLE 4. SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

As of and for the three months ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2024

2024

2024

2024

2023

Loans Held For Investment by Type

Commercial real estate

$

1,830,514

$

1,916,863

$

1,793,544

$

1,797,192

$

1,759,855

Commercial and industrial

658,865

670,665

663,718

649,035

598,327

Residential real estate

566,766

567,063

572,523

581,988

556,328

Agricultural real estate

267,248

259,587

219,226

198,291

196,114

Agricultural

87,339

89,529

104,342

149,312

118,587

Consumer

90,084

97,218

101,054

106,345

103,690

Total loans held-for-investment

3,500,816

3,600,925

3,454,407

3,482,163

3,332,901

Allowance for credit losses

(43,267

)

(43,490

)

(43,487

)

(44,449

)

(43,520

)

Net loans held for investment

$

3,457,549

$

3,557,435

$

3,410,920

$

3,437,714

$

3,289,381

Asset Quality Ratios

Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans

1.24

%

1.21

%

1.26

%

1.28

%

1.31

%

Past due or nonaccrual loans to total loans

1.14

%

1.17

%

1.15

%

1.10

%

1.10

%

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.65

%

0.60

%

0.52

%

0.49

%

0.53

%

Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other real estate owned

0.99

%

0.90

%

0.79

%

0.73

%

0.79

%

Classified assets to bank total regulatory capital

12.10

%

8.32

%

8.47

%

6.85

%

7.09

%

Selected Average Balance Sheet Data (QTD Average)

Investment securities

$

1,012,698

$

1,055,833

$

1,065,979

$

1,074,101

$

985,591

Total gross loans receivable

3,525,765

3,475,885

3,459,476

3,452,553

3,293,755

Interest-earning assets

4,716,295

4,731,927

4,745,713

4,742,200

4,480,279

Total assets

5,163,166

5,205,017

5,196,259

5,152,915

4,892,712

Interest-bearing deposits

3,280,592

3,309,202

3,275,765

3,319,907

3,092,637

Borrowings

340,042

395,190

450,178

390,166

391,691

Total interest-bearing liabilities

3,620,634

3,704,392

3,725,943

3,710,073

3,484,328

Total deposits

4,243,159

4,275,424

4,250,843

4,254,883

4,019,362

Total liabilities

4,629,939

4,719,549

4,740,937

4,692,671

4,469,505

Total stockholders' equity

533,227

485,468

455,322

460,244

423,207

Tangible common equity*

463,657

414,644

383,899

398,041

361,451

Performance ratios

Return on average assets (ROAA) annualized

1.31

%

1.52

%

0.91

%

1.10

%

(2.29

)%

Core return on average assets*

1.37

%

1.56

%

1.25

%

1.17

%

1.01

%

Core return on average assets before income tax and provision for loan losses*

1.66

%

1.97

%

1.55

%

1.56

%

1.03

%

Return on average equity (ROAE) annualized

12.67

%

16.27

%

10.35

%

12.29

%

(26.53

)%

Core return on average equity*

13.29

%

16.73

%

14.25

%

13.11

%

11.21

%

Core return on average equity before income tax and provision for loan losses*

16.01

%

20.97

%

17.57

%

17.34

%

11.40

%

Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) annualized*

15.30

%

19.92

%

13.31

%

14.96

%

(30.39

)%

Core return on average tangible common equity*

15.29

%

19.58

%

16.89

%

15.16

%

13.02

%

Yield on loans annualized

7.15

%

7.11

%

7.15

%

6.85

%

6.62

%

Cost of interest-bearing deposits annualized

2.57

%

2.85

%

2.78

%

2.77

%

2.58

%

Cost of total deposits annualized

1.99

%

2.20

%

2.14

%

2.16

%

1.98

%

Net interest margin annualized

4.17

%

3.87

%

3.94

%

3.75

%

3.49

%

Efficiency ratio*

63.02

%

52.59

%

63.77

%

63.45

%

72.69

%

Non-interest income / average assets

0.68

%

0.71

%

0.69

%

0.92

%

(3.52

)%

Non-interest expense / average assets

2.91

%

2.32

%

3.01

%

2.90

%

2.84

%

Core non-interest expense / average assets*

2.83

%

2.18

%

2.73

%

2.71

%

2.75

%

Capital Ratios

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

11.67

%

9.55

%

9.14

%

9.10

%

9.46

%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio

14.51

%

11.37

%

11.12

%

11.14

%

11.74

%

Tier 1 Risk Based Capital Ratio

15.11

%

11.94

%

11.70

%

11.73

%

12.36

%

Total Risk Based Capital Ratio

18.07

%

14.78

%

14.61

%

14.71

%

15.48

%

Total stockholders' equity to total assets

11.12

%

9.41

%

8.80

%

8.72

%

8.99

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets*

9.95

%

8.21

%

7.55

%

7.45

%

7.87

%

Dividend payout ratio

15.62

%

11.74

%

15.79

%

13.31

%

(6.65

)%

Book value per common share

$

34.04

$

32.97

$

30.36

$

29.80

$

29.35

Tangible book value per common share*

$

30.07

$

28.38

$

25.70

$

25.10

$

25.37

Tangible book value per diluted common share*

$

29.70

$

28.00

$

25.44

$

24.87

$

25.05

Core earnings per diluted share*

$

1.10

$

1.32

$

1.05

$

0.96

$

0.81

Core pre-tax pre-provision earnings per diluted share*

$

1.33

$

1.67

$

1.31

$

1.28

$

0.83

* The value noted is considered a Non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures, see Table 8. Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

TABLE 5. YEAR-TO-DATE NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

For the year ended

For the year ended

December 31, 2024

December 31, 2023

Average
Outstanding
Balance

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average
Yield/Rate(3)(4)

Average
Outstanding
Balance

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average
Yield/Rate(3)(4)

Interest-earning assets

Loans(1)

Commercial and industrial

$

635,881

$

51,188

8.05

%

$

580,451

$

42,901

7.39

%

Commercial real estate

1,400,661

99,316

7.09

%

1,302,568

83,441

6.41

%

Real estate construction

416,296

36,004

8.65

%

447,516

33,764

7.54

%

Residential real estate

563,176

26,505

4.71

%

565,711

23,799

4.21

%

Agricultural real estate

227,341

16,848

7.41

%

201,326

13,820

6.86

%

Agricultural

96,877

9,103

9.40

%

100,394

6,966

6.94

%

Consumer

100,995

6,851

6.78

%

106,542

6,522

6.12

%

Total loans

3,441,227

245,815

7.14

%

3,304,508

211,213

6.39

%

Securities

Taxable securities

979,926

39,091

3.99

%

1,027,726

23,873

2.32

%

Nontaxable securities

59,597

1,579

2.65

%

74,917

1,960

2.62

%

Total securities

1,039,523

40,670

3.91

%

1,102,643

25,833

2.34

%

Federal funds sold and other

195,378

10,358

5.30

%

193,941

9,666

4.98

%

Total interest-earning assets

$

4,676,128

296,843

6.35

%

$

4,601,092

246,712

5.36

%

Interest-bearing liabilities

Demand, savings and money market deposits

$

2,453,139

61,518

2.51

%

$

2,362,365

46,206

1.96

%

Time deposits

770,772

28,891

3.75

%

827,652

24,267

2.93

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

3,223,911

90,409

2.80

%

3,190,017

70,473

2.21

%

FHLB advances

216,012

10,180

4.71

%

98,380

3,944

4.01

%

Other borrowings

175,516

10,092

5.75

%

254,666

13,277

5.21

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

3,615,439

110,681

3.06

%

$

3,543,063

87,694

2.48

%

Net interest income

$

186,162

$

159,018

Interest rate spread

3.29

%

2.88

%

Net interest margin(2)

3.98

%

3.46

%

(1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.

(2) Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earning assets for the period.

(3) Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax-equivalent basis.

(4) Actual unrounded values are used to calculate the reported yield or rate disclosed. Accordingly, recalculations using the amounts in thousands as disclosed in this report may not produce the same amounts.

TABLE 6. QUARTER-TO-DATE NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

For the three months ended

For the three months ended

December 31, 2024

December 31, 2023

Average
Outstanding
Balance

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average
Yield/Rate(3)(4)

Average
Outstanding
Balance

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average
Yield/Rate(3)(4)

Interest-earning assets

Loans(1)

Commercial and industrial

$

651,733

$

12,780

7.80

%

$

580,726

$

11,397

7.79

%

Commercial real estate

1,402,966

25,978

7.37

%

1,309,588

21,630

6.55

%

Real estate construction

463,885

9,654

8.28

%

439,708

9,000

8.12

%

Residential real estate

567,123

6,571

4.61

%

561,382

5,866

4.15

%

Agricultural real estate

262,529

5,071

7.68

%

196,468

3,421

6.91

%

Agricultural

82,986

1,705

8.17

%

100,226

1,928

7.63

%

Consumer

94,543

1,620

6.82

%

105,657

1,690

6.35

%

Total loans

3,525,765

63,379

7.15

%

3,293,755

54,932

6.62

%

Securities

Taxable securities

953,627

9,229

3.85

%

932,376

6,417

2.73

%

Nontaxable securities

59,071

387

2.61

%

53,215

354

2.64

%

Total securities

1,012,698

9,616

3.78

%

985,591

6,771

2.73

%

Federal funds sold and other

177,832

1,984

4.44

%

200,933

2,591

5.12

%

Total interest-earning assets

$

4,716,295

74,979

6.32

%

$

4,480,279

64,294

5.69

%

Interest-bearing liabilities

Demand, savings and money market deposits

$

2,448,539

13,429

2.18

%

$

2,351,663

13,918

2.35

%

Time deposits

832,053

7,784

3.72

%

740,974

6,156

3.30

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

3,280,592

21,213

2.57

%

3,092,637

20,074

2.58

%

FHLB advances

194,914

2,158

4.41

%

102,432

1,005

3.89

%

Other borrowings

145,128

2,135

5.86

%

289,259

3,748

5.14

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

3,620,634

25,506

2.80

%

$

3,484,328

24,827

2.83

%

Net interest income

$

49,473

$

39,467

Interest rate spread

3.52

%

2.86

%

Net interest margin(2)

4.17

%

3.49

%

(1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.

(2) Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earning assets for the period.

(3) Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax-equivalent basis.

(4) Actual unrounded values are used to calculate the reported yield or rate disclosed. Accordingly, recalculations using the amounts in thousands as disclosed in this report may not produce the same amounts.

TABLE 7. QUARTER-OVER-QUARTER NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

For the three months ended

For the three months ended

December 31, 2024

September 30, 2024

Average
Outstanding
Balance

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average
Yield/Rate(3)(4)

Average
Outstanding
Balance

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average
Yield/Rate(3)(4)

Interest-earning assets

Loans(1)

Commercial and industrial

$

651,733

$

12,780

7.80

%

$

659,697

$

13,213

7.97

%

Commercial real estate

1,402,966

25,978

7.37

%

1,351,407

24,196

7.12

%

Real estate construction

463,885

9,654

8.28

%

442,857

9,732

8.74

%

Residential real estate

567,123

6,571

4.61

%

578,702

6,912

4.75

%

Agricultural real estate

262,529

5,071

7.68

%

251,595

4,365

6.90

%

Agricultural

82,986

1,705

8.17

%

91,500

1,906

8.29

%

Consumer

94,543

1,620

6.82

%

100,127

1,765

7.01

%

Total loans

3,525,765

63,379

7.15

%

3,475,885

62,089

7.11

%

Securities

Taxable securities

953,627

9,229

3.85

%

995,713

9,809

3.92

%

Nontaxable securities

59,071

387

2.61

%

60,120

400

2.65

%

Total securities

1,012,698

9,616

3.78

%

1,055,833

10,209

3.85

%

Federal funds sold and other

177,832

1,984

4.44

%

200,209

2,667

5.30

%

Total interest-earning assets

$

4,716,295

74,979

6.32

%

$

4,731,927

74,965

6.30

%

Interest-bearing liabilities

Demand savings and money market deposits

$

2,448,539

13,429

2.18

%

$

2,555,916

16,484

2.57

%

Time deposits

832,053

7,784

3.72

%

753,286

7,195

3.80

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

3,280,592

21,213

2.57

%

3,309,202

23,679

2.85

%

FHLB advances

194,914

2,158

4.41

%

252,751

3,089

4.86

%

Other borrowings

145,128

2,135

5.86

%

142,439

2,166

6.05

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

3,620,634

25,506

2.80

%

$

3,704,392

28,934

3.11

%

Net interest income

$

49,473

$

46,031

Interest rate spread

3.52

%

3.19

%

Net interest margin(2)

4.17

%

3.87

%

(1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.

(2) Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earning assets for the period.

(3) Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax-equivalent basis.

(4) Actual unrounded values are used to calculate the reported yield or rate disclosed. Accordingly, recalculations using the amounts in thousands as disclosed in this report may not produce the same amounts.

TABLE 8. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

As of and for the three months ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2024

2024

2024

2024

2023

Total stockholders' equity

$

592,918

$

504,038

$

461,435

$

456,776

$

452,860

Less: goodwill

53,101

53,101

53,101

53,101

53,101

Less: core deposit intangibles, net

14,969

16,029

16,636

17,854

7,222

Less: mortgage servicing rights, net

-

-

25

50

75

Less: naming rights, net

957

968

979

989

1,000

Tangible common equity

$

523,891

$

433,940

$

390,694

$

384,782

$

391,462

Common shares outstanding at period end

17,419,858

15,288,309

15,200,194

15,327,799

15,428,251

Diluted common shares outstanding at period end

17,636,843

15,497,466

15,358,396

15,469,531

15,629,185

Book value per common share

$

34.04

$

32.97

$

30.36

$

29.80

$

29.35

Tangible book value per common share

$

30.07

$

28.38

$

25.70

$

25.10

$

25.37

Tangible book value per diluted common share

$

29.70

$

28.00

$

25.44

$

24.87

$

25.05

Total assets

$

5,332,047

$

5,355,233

$

5,245,517

$

5,239,036

$

5,034,592

Less: goodwill

53,101

53,101

53,101

53,101

53,101

Less: core deposit intangibles, net

14,969

16,029

16,636

17,854

7,222

Less: mortgage servicing rights, net

-

-

25

50

75

Less: naming rights, net

957

968

979

989

1,000

Tangible assets

$

5,263,020

$

5,285,135

$

5,174,776

$

5,167,042

$

4,973,194

Total stockholders' equity to total assets

11.12

%

9.41

%

8.80

%

8.72

%

8.99

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

9.95

%

8.21

%

7.55

%

7.45

%

7.87

%

Total average stockholders' equity

$

533,227

$

485,468

$

455,322

$

460,244

$

423,207

Less: average intangible assets

69,570

70,824

71,423

62,203

61,756

Average tangible common equity

$

463,657

$

414,644

$

383,899

$

398,041

$

361,451

Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

16,986

$

19,851

$

11,716

$

14,068

$

(28,299

)

Less: net gain on acquisition

-

831

60

1,240

-

Less: net gain (loss) on securities transactions

(2

)

206

(27

)

43

(50,618

)

Add: merger expenses

-

618

2,287

1,556

297

Add: BOLI tax expense

-

-

1,730

-

-

Add: amortization of intangible assets

1,071

1,148

1,254

935

775

Less: tax effect of pre-tax adjustments

225

153

737

254

10,855

Core net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

17,834

$

20,427

$

16,217

$

15,022

$

12,536

Return on total average stockholders' equity (ROAE) annualized

12.67

%

16.27

%

10.35

%

12.29

%

(26.53

)%

Average tangible common equity

$

463,657

$

414,644

$

383,899

$

398,041

$

361,451

Average impact from core earnings adjustments

424

288

2,251

477

20,418

Core average tangible common equity

$

464,081

$

414,932

$

386,150

$

398,518

$

381,869

Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) annualized

15.30

%

19.92

%

13.31

%

14.96

%

(30.39

)%

Core return on average tangible common equity (CROATCE) annualized

15.29

%

19.58

%

16.89

%

15.16

%

13.02

%

Non-interest expense

$

37,806

$

30,328

$

38,871

$

37,152

$

34,998

Less: merger expense

-

618

2,287

1,556

297

Less: amortization of intangible assets

1,071

1,148

1,254

935

775

Adjusted non-interest expense

$

36,735

$

28,562

$

35,330

$

34,661

$

33,926

Net interest income

$

49,473

$

46,031

$

46,476

$

44,182

$

39,467

Non-interest income

8,816

9,317

8,958

11,731

(43,414

)

Less: net gain on acquisition and branch sales

-

831

60

1,240

-

Less: net gains (losses) from securities transactions

(2

)

206

(27

)

43

(50,618

)

Adjusted non-interest income

$

8,818

$

8,280

$

8,925

$

10,448

$

7,204

Net interest income plus adjusted non-interest income

$

58,291

$

54,311

$

55,401

$

54,630

$

46,671

Non-interest expense to net interest income plus non-interest income

64.86

%

54.80

%

70.12

%

66.45

%

(886.70

)%

Efficiency ratio

63.02

%

52.59

%

63.77

%

63.45

%

72.69

%

Average assets

5,163,166

5,205,017

5,196,259

5,152,915

4,892,712

Core non-interest expense to average assets

2.83

%

2.18

%

2.73

%

2.71

%

2.75

%

Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

16,986

$

19,851

$

11,716

$

14,068

$

(28,299

)

Less: net gain on acquisition

-

831

60

1,240

-

Less: net gain (loss) on securities transactions

(2

)

206

(27

)

43

(50,618

)

Add: merger expenses

-

618

2,287

1,556

297

Add: BOLI tax expense

-

-

1,730

-

-

Add: amortization of intangible assets

1,071

1,148

1,254

935

775

Less: tax effect of intangible assets amortization

225

153

737

254

10,855

Core net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

17,834

$

20,427

$

16,217

$

15,022

$

12,536

Add: income tax provision

3,399

3,986

4,582

3,693

(11,357

)

Add: provision (reversal) of credit losses

98

1,183

265

1,000

711

Add: tax effect of pre-tax adjustments

225

153

737

254

10,855

Core pre-tax, pre-provision income

$

21,556

$

25,749

$

21,801

$

19,969

$

12,745

Total average assets

$

5,163,166

$

5,205,017

$

5,196,259

$

5,152,915

$

4,892,712

Total average stockholders' equity

$

533,227

$

485,468

$

455,322

$

460,244

$

423,207

Weighted average diluted common shares

16,262,965

15,451,545

15,377,980

15,569,225

15,417,200

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

1.04

$

1.28

$

0.76

$

0.90

$

(1.84

)

Core earnings per diluted share

$

1.10

$

1.32

$

1.05

$

0.96

$

0.81

Core pre-tax pre-provision earnings per diluted share

$

1.33

$

1.67

$

1.31

$

1.28

$

0.83

Return on average assets (ROAA) annualized

1.31

%

1.52

%

0.91

%

1.10

%

(2.29

)%

Core return on average assets

1.37

%

1.56

%

1.25

%

1.17

%

1.01

%

Return on average equity

12.67

%

16.27

%

10.35

%

12.29

%

(26.53

)%

Core return on average equity

13.29

%

16.73

%

14.25

%

13.11

%

11.21

%

Investor Contact:

Brian J. Katzfey
VP, Director of Corporate Development and Investor Relations
Equity Bancshares, Inc.
(316) 858-3128
[email protected]

Media Contact:

Russell Colburn
Public Relations and Communication Manager
Equity Bancshares, Inc.
(913) 583-8011
[email protected]

Source: Equity Bancshares

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