Isabella Bank Corporation Reports First Quarter 2024 Results
Loan, Deposit and Wealth Asset Growth continue in 2024
MT. PLEASANT, Mich., April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX: ISBA) (the “Company”) reported first quarter 2024 net income of $3.1 million or $0.42 per diluted share compared to $5.3 million or $0.70 per diluted share in the same quarter of 2023.
FIRST QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS (compared to first quarter 2023, unless otherwise stated)
Total commercial loan growth of 8% annualized, compared to 0.4%Earning asset yield of 4.45%, compared to 3.89%Wealth management income increased 19%Nonperforming loans to total loans ratio of 0.09%
“Earnings declined year-over-year because of continued interest rate pressure. However, the bank recorded positive results in loans, deposits and wealth management assets as a result of continuing to attract new customers while retaining strong loyalty among our current customers,” according to Chief Executive Officer Jerome Schwind. “We’ve also maintained excellent liquidity and strong credit quality among loan customers, factors that fuel our underlying strength and resilience during continued high interest rates.
“As previously announced, the corporation paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share of common stock, which continues to provide an attractive dividend yield for shareholders.”
FINANCIAL CONDITION (March 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023)
Total assets were $2.06 billion at the end of both the first quarter 2024 and year-end 2023, primarily due to loan growth, which were offset by lower balances in cash and securities. Excess cash, security amortization, and strong deposit growth provided the funding for loan growth and borrowing payoffs during the quarter.
Total loans grew $16 million to $1.37 billion at the end of first quarter 2024. Total commercial loans, which include advances to mortgage brokers and agricultural loans, increased $18.3 million as the Company selectively expanded its book of business across many industries, but most notably in construction and real estate sectors. Residential loan volume remained stable during the quarter as originations kept pace with paydowns, as well as a few sales in the secondary market. Demand for mortgages remains low given prevailing market rates, housing prices and low inventory.
Securities available for sale decreased $10.6 million to $517.6 million at the end of the first quarter 2024, primarily due to amortization from collateralized mortgage obligations and higher unrealized losses on the total portfolio. Unrealized losses on securities totaled $34.8 million, or 6.3% of the portfolio, at the end of the first quarter 2024 versus $31.8 million at year-end 2023, reflecting an increase in market rates.
The allowance for credit losses increased $282 thousand to $13.4 million at the end of the first quarter 2024 due to loan growth and specific reserves on a few small commercial loans whose credit ratings were downgraded. Nonaccruing loans increased $301 thousand to $1.3 million, principally due to one commercial credit that is expected to be settled in the near-term. Past due accounts between 30 to 89 days as a percentage of total loans was 0.62% during the first quarter 2024, compared to 0.31% at year-end 2023. The increase primarily is due to a group of customers that typically make payments about 30 days in arrears, which becomes overdue when the 31st day lands on a business day. Accordingly, the increase is not believed to be an indication of deteriorating credit quality. Overall, credit quality remains strong, and there are not any negative trends.
Total deposits increased $44.6 million to $1.77 billion at the end of the first quarter 2024. Demand for retail certificates of deposits (CDs) continues based on the rate environment, resulting in a $19.8 million increase in the balance during the quarter. Other interest-bearing deposits increased $40.1 million, which underscores strong relationships the bank continues to build in the communities in which it serves. Demand deposits decreased $15.2 million, which is consistent in seasonal trends in the markets. Additionally, the strong inflow of deposits provided the opportunity to payoff $40.0 million of higher cost Federal Home Loan Bank advances during the quarter.
The Company’s tangible book value per share was $20.35 as of March 31, 2024, compared to $20.59 on December 31, 2023. Unrealized losses on securities, net of taxes, reduced tangible book value per share by $3.67 and $3.36 at the end of those respective periods.
The Bank is considered a “well-capitalized” institution, as its capital ratios exceeded the minimum designated requirements. As of March 31, 2024, the Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 8.61%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 12.10%, and Total Capital Ratio was 13.05% — well above the minimum requirements of 5.0%, 8.0%, and 10.0%, respectively.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2023 quarterly comparison)
Net interest margin was 2.78% compared to 3.22% in the first quarter 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by a higher cost of funds. The book yield from securities was 2.25% and 2.29% at March 31, 2024 and 2023. The yield includes the effect of the investment of excess cash in shorter term US treasury securities following the COVID pandemic in 2021 and 2022. As a result, these securities will mature over the next 2 to 5 years, and the proceeds are expected to be reinvested in market rate loans and securities. The yield on loans expanded to 5.36% in the first quarter 2024, up from 4.70% in the same quarter of 2023. Approximately 46% of commercial loans are fixed at rates that are lower than current market rates but will contractually reprice to variable rates over the next 3 to 5 years which will improve the overall yield on earning assets. Costs of interest-bearing liabilities increased to 2.27% from 0.95% in the first quarter 2023, reflecting a higher level of retail CDs and overall deposit relationship pricing.
The provision for credit losses was $392 thousand in the first quarter of 2024 and was $41 thousand in the same quarter of 2023. The change was largely due to loan growth and a few specific reserves on commercial loans that were downgraded in the first quarter of 2024.
Noninterest income was $3.5 million in the first quarter 2024, up 5% as compared to the same quarter 2023. Customer service fees grew by $68 thousand to $2.0 million as compared to the same quarter of 2023 on a higher number of transactional accounts. Wealth management income increased by $153 thousand to $939 thousand from the prior year quarter due to an increase of $89.2 million in assets under management (AUM). Wealth AUM increased by $19.6 million to $660.6 million from $641.0 million as of fourth quarter 2023 primarily due to new accounts and higher security valuations in the first quarter 2024.
Noninterest expense was $12.7 million in the first quarter 2024 compared to $12.2 million in the first quarter 2023. Compensation and benefit expenses increased $426 thousand from the comparative quarter in 2023. The increase reflects annual merit increases and medical claim adjustments totaling $225 thousand.
About the Corporation
Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX: ISBA) is the parent holding company of Isabella Bank, a state-chartered community bank headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Isabella Bank was established in 1903 and has been committed to serving its customers’ and communities’ local banking needs for over 120 years. The Bank offers personal and commercial lending and deposit products, as well as investment, trust, and estate planning services. The Bank has locations throughout eight Mid-Michigan counties: Bay, Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, and Saginaw.
For more information about Isabella Bank Corporation, visit the Investor Relations link at www.isabellabank.com. Isabella Bank Corporation common stock is quoted on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets Group, Inc.’s electronic quotation system (www.otcmarkets.com) under the symbol “ISBA.” The Corporation’s investor relations firm is Stonegate Capital Partners, Inc. (www.stonegateinc.com).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements. To the extent that the foregoing information refers to matters that may occur in the future, please be aware that such forward-looking statements may differ materially from the actual results. Additional information concerning some of the factors that could cause materially different results is included in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” set forth in Isabella Bank Corporation’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference facilities and from its website at www.sec.gov.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
March 31
2024
December 31
2023
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and demand deposits due from banks
$ 22,987
$ 25,628
Fed Funds sold and interest bearing balances due from banks
2,231
8,044
Total cash and cash equivalents
25,218
33,672
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
517,585
528,148
Mortgage loans available-for-sale
366
—
Loans
1,365,508
1,349,463
Less allowance for credit losses
13,390
13,108
Net loans
1,352,118
1,336,355
Premises and equipment
27,951
27,639
Bank owned life insurance policies
34,131
33,892
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values
15,848
15,848
Goodwill and other intangible assets
48,284
48,284
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
36,075
35,130
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 2,057,576
$ 2,058,968
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits
Noninterest bearing
$ 413,272
$ 428,505
Interest bearing demand deposits
349,401
320,737
Certificates of deposit under $250 and other savings
881,528
857,768
Certificates of deposit over $250
124,106
116,685
Total deposits
1,768,307
1,723,695
Borrowed funds
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
42,998
46,801
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
—
40,000
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs
29,357
29,335
Total borrowed funds
72,355
116,136
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
16,240
16,735
Total liabilities
1,856,902
1,856,566
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock — no par value 15,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding
7,488,101 shares (including 169,677 shares held in the Rabbi Trust) in 2024 and
7,485,889 shares (including 150,581 shares held in the Rabbi Trust) in 2023
126,656
127,323
Shares to be issued for deferred compensation obligations
3,890
3,693
Retained earnings
98,318
97,282
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(28,190)
(25,896)
Total shareholders’ equity
200,674
202,402
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$ 2,057,576
$ 2,058,968
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
March 31
2024
2023
Interest income
Loans, including fees
$ 18,057
$ 14,889
Available-for-sale securities
Taxable
2,258
2,502
Nontaxable
626
718
Federal funds sold and other
439
486
Total interest income
21,380
18,595
Interest expense
Deposits
7,163
2,829
Borrowings
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
321
149
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
388
—
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs
266
266
Total interest expense
8,138
3,244
Net interest income
13,242
15,351
Provision for credit losses
392
41
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
12,850
15,310
Noninterest income
Service charges and fees
2,046
1,978
Wealth management fees
939
786
Earnings on bank owned life insurance policies
243
226
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans
34
67
Other
206
236
Total noninterest income
3,468
3,293
Noninterest expenses
Compensation and benefits
7,015
6,589
Furniture and equipment
1,675
1,597
Occupancy
1,031
1,005
Other
2,955
3,007
Total noninterest expenses
12,676
12,198
Income before federal income tax expense
3,642
6,405
Federal income tax expense
511
1,084
NET INCOME
$ 3,131
$ 5,321
Earnings per common share
Basic
$ 0.42
$ 0.70
Diluted
$ 0.42
$ 0.70
Cash dividends per common share
$ 0.28
$ 0.28
AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST RATE, AND NET INTEREST INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
The following schedules present the daily average amount outstanding for each major category of interest earning assets, non-earning assets, interest bearing liabilities, and noninterest bearing liabilities. These schedules also present an analysis of interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated. All interest income is reported on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%. Loans in nonaccrual status, for the purpose of the following computations, are included in the average loan balances. Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) and Federal Home Loan Bank restricted equity holdings are included in other interest earning assets.
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024
March 31, 2023
Average
Balance
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
Average
Yield /
Rate
Average
Balance
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
Average
Yield /
Rate
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS
Loans (1)
$ 1,348,749
$ 18,057
5.36 %
$ 1,268,269
$ 14,889
4.70 %
Taxable investment securities
467,974
2,228
1.90 %
504,889
2,471
1.96 %
Nontaxable investment securities
89,056
902
4.05 %
106,240
1,021
3.84 %
Fed funds sold
7
—
5.69 %
17
—
4.50 %
Other
37,972
439
4.62 %
60,583
486
3.21 %
Total earning assets
1,943,758
21,626
4.45 %
1,939,998
18,867
3.89 %
NONEARNING ASSETS
Allowance for credit losses
(13,100)
(12,660)
Cash and demand deposits due from
banks
24,018
25,039
Premises and equipment
28,022
25,864
Accrued income and other assets
84,059
71,063
Total assets
$ 2,066,757
$ 2,049,304
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
Interest bearing demand deposits
$ 345,842
413
0.48 %
$ 379,717
146
0.15 %
Savings deposits
633,904
3,333
2.10 %
645,987
1,466
0.91 %
Time deposits
357,541
3,417
3.82 %
267,463
1,217
1.82 %
Federal funds purchased and
repurchase agreements
40,623
321
3.16 %
39,709
149
1.50 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
27,692
388
5.60 %
—
—
— %
Subordinated debt, net of
unamortized issuance costs
29,342
266
3.63 %
29,253
266
3.64 %
Total interest bearing liabilities
1,434,944
8,138
2.27 %
1,362,129
3,244
0.95 %
NONINTEREST BEARING
LIABILITIES
Demand deposits
412,228
486,491
Other
16,151
13,094
Shareholders’ equity
203,434
187,590
Total liabilities and shareholders’
equity
$ 2,066,757
$ 2,049,304
Net interest income (FTE)
$ 13,488
$ 15,623
Net yield on interest earning
assets (FTE)
2.78 %
3.22 %
(1)
Includes loans and mortgage loans available-for-sale
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
March 31
2024
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
PER SHARE
Basic earnings
$ 0.42
$ 0.51
$ 0.59
$ 0.62
$ 0.70
Diluted earnings
$ 0.42
$ 0.51
$ 0.58
$ 0.61
$ 0.70
Dividends
$ 0.28
$ 0.28
$ 0.28
$ 0.28
$ 0.28
Tangible book value (1)
$ 20.35
$ 20.59
$ 18.27
$ 18.69
$ 19.24
Quoted market value
High
$ 21.74
$ 22.00
$ 23.00
$ 26.00
$ 25.10
Low
$ 18.25
$ 19.75
$ 19.61
$ 19.13
$ 22.08
Market price (1)
$ 19.40
$ 21.50
$ 21.05
$ 20.50
$ 24.80
Common shares outstanding (1)
7,488,101
7,485,889
7,490,557
7,496,826
7,540,015
Average number of common shares
outstanding
7,493,334
7,492,532
7,495,168
7,498,584
7,556,585
Average number of diluted common
shares outstanding
7,507,739
7,526,514
7,570,374
7,567,527
7,634,417
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average total assets
0.61 %
0.74 %
0.86 %
0.91 %
1.04 %
Return on average shareholders’ equity
6.16 %
8.05 %
9.24 %
9.47 %
11.35 %
Return on average tangible
shareholders’ equity
8.07 %
10.82 %
12.37 %
12.58 %
15.28 %
Net interest margin yield (FTE)
2.78 %
2.85 %
3.02 %
3.11 %
3.22 %
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (1)
Loans sold with servicing retained
$ 244,829
$ 248,756
$ 252,176
$ 254,934
$ 259,512
Assets managed by Isabella Wealth
$ 660,645
$ 641,027
$ 590,666
$ 593,530
$ 571,453
Total assets under management
$ 2,963,050
$ 2,948,751
$ 2,961,332
$ 2,890,912
$ 2,915,589
ASSET QUALITY (1)
Nonaccrual loans
$ 1,283
$ 982
$ 520
$ 414
$ 488
Foreclosed assets
$ 579
$ 406
$ 509
$ 405
$ 414
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)
$ 46
$ 381
$ (254)
$ (3)
$ (9)
Nonperforming loans to gross loans
0.09 %
0.08 %
0.04 %
0.04 %
0.04 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.09 %
0.07 %
0.05 %
0.05 %
0.05 %
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans
0.98 %
0.97 %
0.96 %
0.96 %
0.99 %
CAPITAL RATIOS (1)
Shareholders’ equity to assets
9.75 %
9.83 %
8.74 %
9.23 %
9.27 %
Tier 1 leverage
8.80 %
8.76 %
8.77 %
8.70 %
8.58 %
Common equity tier 1 capital
12.36 %
12.54 %
12.43 %
12.39 %
12.71 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital
12.36 %
12.54 %
12.43 %
12.39 %
12.71 %
Total risk-based capital
15.31 %
15.52 %
15.39 %
15.37 %
15.77 %
(1)
At end of period
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
March 31
2024
March 31
2023
March 31
2022
PER SHARE
Basic earnings
$ 0.42
$ 0.70
$ 0.63
Diluted earnings
$ 0.42
$ 0.70
$ 0.62
Dividends
$ 0.28
$ 0.28
$ 0.27
Tangible book value (1)
$ 20.35
$ 19.24
$ 19.56
Quoted market value
High
$ 21.74
$ 25.10
$ 26.00
Low
$ 18.25
$ 22.08
$ 24.50
Market price (1)
$ 19.40
$ 24.80
$ 25.85
Common shares outstanding (1)
7,488,101
7,540,015
7,542,758
Average number of common shares outstanding
7,493,334
7,556,585
7,533,711
Average number of diluted common shares outstanding
7,507,739
7,634,417
7,639,688
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average total assets
0.61 %
1.04 %
0.92 %
Return on average shareholders’ equity
6.16 %
11.35 %
9.02 %
Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity
8.07 %
15.28 %
11.72 %
Net interest margin yield (FTE)
2.78 %
3.22 %
2.86 %
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (1)
Loans sold with servicing retained
$ 244,829
$ 259,512
$ 275,556
Assets managed by Isabella Wealth
$ 660,645
$ 571,453
$ 501,829
Total assets under management
$ 2,963,050
$ 2,915,589
$ 2,838,318
ASSET QUALITY (1)
Nonaccrual loans
$ 1,283
$ 488
$ 747
Foreclosed assets
$ 579
$ 414
$ 187
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)
$ 46
$ (9)
$ (64)
Nonperforming loans to gross loans
0.09 %
0.04 %
0.06 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.09 %
0.05 %
0.05 %
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans
0.98 %
0.99 %
0.76 %
CAPITAL RATIOS (1)
Shareholders’ equity to assets
9.75 %
9.27 %
9.50 %
Tier 1 leverage
8.80 %
8.58 %
8.12 %
Common equity tier 1 capital
12.36 %
12.71 %
12.83 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital
12.36 %
12.71 %
12.83 %
Total risk-based capital
15.31 %
15.77 %
15.84 %
(1)
At end of period
SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
March 31
2024
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
Commercial and industrial
$ 226,281
$ 209,738
$ 195,814
$ 194,914
$ 189,185
Commercial real estate
561,123
564,244
566,639
564,254
566,410
Advances to mortgage brokers
29,688
18,541
24,807
39,099
—
Agricultural
93,695
99,994
99,233
96,689
94,760
Residential real estate
356,658
356,418
348,196
343,474
336,186
Consumer
98,063
100,528
99,985
95,972
84,110
Gross loans
$ 1,365,508
$ 1,349,463
$ 1,334,674
$ 1,334,402
$ 1,270,651
March 31
2024
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
$ 413,272
$ 428,505
$ 445,043
$ 458,845
$ 478,829
Interest bearing demand deposits
349,401
320,737
363,558
335,922
383,602
Savings deposits
639,491
628,079
628,795
606,644
662,495
Certificates of deposit
366,143
346,374
332,078
313,537
288,602
Internet certificates of deposit
—
—
—
—
—
Total deposits
$ 1,768,307
$ 1,723,695
$ 1,769,474
$ 1,714,948
$ 1,813,528
March 31
2024
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
U.S. Treasury
$ 214,226
$ 214,801
$ 209,182
$ 209,353
$ 212,086
States and political subdivisions
90,470
92,876
89,773
95,242
108,719
Auction rate money market preferred
3,013
2,931
2,570
2,637
2,716
Mortgage-backed securities
31,044
32,815
32,923
35,532
37,797
Collateralized mortgage obligations
171,831
177,775
175,630
180,996
200,252
Corporate
7,001
6,950
6,819
6,737
7,080
Available-for-sale securities, at
fair value
$ 517,585
$ 528,148
$ 516,897
$ 530,497
$ 568,650
March 31
2024
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
Securities sold under agreements to
repurchase without stated maturity dates
$ 42,998
$ 46,801
$ 52,330
$ 37,102
$ 31,995
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
—
40,000
65,000
55,000
—
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized
issuance costs
29,357
29,335
29,312
29,290
29,267
Total borrowed funds
$ 72,355
$ 116,136
$ 146,642
$ 121,392
$ 61,262
SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31
2024
2023
Service charges and fees
ATM and debit card fees
$ 1,215
$ 1,160
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts
614
611
Freddie Mac servicing fee
150
159
Net mortgage servicing rights income (loss)
(37)
(36)
Other fees for customer services
104
84
Total service charges and fees
2,046
1,978
Wealth management fees
939
786
Earnings on corporate owned life insurance policies
243
226
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans
34
67
Other
206
236
Total noninterest income
$ 3,468
$ 3,293
Three Months Ended March 31
2024
2023
Compensation and benefits
$ 7,015
$ 6,589
Furniture and equipment
1,675
1,597
Occupancy
1,031
1,005
Other
Audit, consulting, and legal fees
513
535
ATM and debit card fees
469
400
FDIC insurance premiums
252
228
Marketing costs
244
245
Memberships and subscriptions
228
240
Loan underwriting fees
183
215
Donations and community relations
182
184
Director fees
176
204
All other
708
756
Total other noninterest expenses
2,955
3,007
Total noninterest expenses
$ 12,676
$ 12,198
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SOURCE Isabella Bank Corporation