Third Coast Bancshares Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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July 27, 2023

There are 8 speakers on the call.

Operator

Greetings, and welcome to the Third Coast Bancshares Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. A brief question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Natalie Hairston, Senior Vice President, Denard Vascar, Investor Relations for Third Coast Bancshares.

Operator

Thank you. You may begin.

Speaker 1

Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. We appreciate you joining us for Third Coast Bankshares conference call and webcast to review our Q2 2023 results. With me today is Bart Carraway, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John McWhorter, Chief Financial Officer And Audrey Duncan, Chief Credit Officer. First, a few housekeeping items. There will be a replay of today's call and it will be available by webcast on the Investors section of our website at ir.tcbffb.com.

Speaker 1

There will also be a telephonic replay available until August 3rd, 2023 and more information on how to access these replay features was included in yesterday's earnings release. Please note that information reported on this call speaks only as of today, July 27, 2023, Therefore, you are advised that time sensitive information may no longer be accurate as of the time of any replay listening or transcript reading. In addition, the comments made by management during this conference call may contain forward looking statements within the meaning of the United States Federal Securities Laws. These forward looking statements reflect the current views of management. However, various risks, uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results, We'll report on Form 10 ks that was filed on March 15, 2023 to better understand those risks, uncertainties and contingencies.

Speaker 1

The comments made today will also include certain non GAAP financial measures. Additional details and reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures or included in yesterday's earnings release, which can be found on the 3rd Coast website. Now, I would like to turn the call over to 3rd Coast's Chairman, President and CEO, Mr. Bart Carraway.

Speaker 2

Bart? Thanks, Natalie, and good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. I'll begin by highlighting the company's performance for the Q2. John will then provide a more detailed financial review and Audrey will give a credit update.

Speaker 2

Then before we take your questions, I'll return to discuss our outlook. As reported in yesterday's press release, our 2nd quarter results demonstrate 3rd Coast's ability to maintain strong credit quality, faster than peer balance sheet growth and improving margins. Despite macro pressures, non performing assets to total assets were 25 basis points, the same as the prior quarter and down from 33 basis points in Q2 of 2022. Total assets reached 3.9 $6,000,000,000 which was 2.7 percent more than the Q1 of 2023 18% over the prior year quarter. Loans held for investment grew to $3,330,000,000 which was 3.8% higher sequentially and 21 point 3% more than a year ago period.

Speaker 2

Deposits reached $3,410,000,000 2.6 percent from the prior quarter and 5 basis points from last year to a strong 3.82%. We are also pleased with the increase in tangible book value to $22.82 a positive sign for investors and customers alike. This achievement shows 3rdco's strong financial footing and is well positioned for the current market environment. 3rdcoat's capital position remains strong with tangible common equity to tangible assets increasing slightly to 7.88%. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and operational confidence, we have established ourselves as a dependable financial institution.

Speaker 2

The excellent leadership and strong credit quality of the company further reinforces our position in the industry. With that, I'll turn it over to John for a more detailed financial review. John? Thank you, Bart, and good morning, everyone. We provided the detailed financial tables in yesterday's earnings release.

Speaker 2

So today, I'll provide some additional color around select balance sheet and profitability metrics from the 2nd quarter. As Bart mentioned, 2nd quarter loans were up 3.8 percent or $121,000,000 sequentially. Deposits increased $86,000,000 over the Q1 and total assets reached $3,960,000,000 a new record for the company. For the same period, our net interest margin improved 3 basis points quarter over quarter and 5 basis points year over year to 3.82. This improvement was primarily due to increased loan yields.

Speaker 2

We remain slightly asset sensitive with new business being added Lower spreads resulting in a slight drag on the net interest margin. Going forward, loan growth is expected to offset margin pressures, resulting in increases to net interest income. On May 26, we unwound our $200,000,000 PayFac swap, Realizing a gain of just over $5,000,000 this gain will be accreted over 5 years as an offset to interest expense. Based on this quarter's average interest bearing deposits, the offset is equivalent to 38 basis points. Combined with our 2 previous unwinds, we have almost $9,000,000 in gains, equivalent to 70 basis points.

Speaker 2

At quarter end, our uninsured deposits totaled approximately $1,000,000,000 or 30%. Our available borrowing lines are approximately $1,700,000,000 resulting in a coverage ratio of 1.7:one. Non interest expense totaled $23,800,000 for the Q2 of 2023 compared to $22,000,000 for the Q1 of 2023. As anticipated, increases from new branches, new employees and inflation have resulted in slight increases in non interest expense. I think for the remainder of 2023, non interest expense will be in the range of 24,000,000 Net income available to common shareholders totaled $7,700,000 for the 2nd quarter compared to $8,100,000 for the first Diluted earnings per share were $0.53 in the 2nd quarter compared to $0.55 in the 1st quarter, A slight decrease of 4%.

Speaker 2

This performance resulted in returns on average assets of 90 basis points and returns on average common equity of 9.44%. Additionally, our pre tax pre provision ROA was Approximately 1.35 percent. That completes the final financial review. And at this point, I'll pass the call to Audrey for our credit

Speaker 3

Thank you, John, and good morning, everyone. Credit performance for the 2nd quarter was again strong. Non performing assets to total assets was 25 basis points for the 1st and second quarters of 2023, down 8 basis points from 33 basis points for the Q2 of 2022. Non performing loans to loans held for investment remains low at 30 basis points, which decreased 10 basis points from 40 basis points as of the prior year period. We adopted the CECL methodology beginning January 1, 2023.

Speaker 3

And under the new methodology, We recorded a loan loss provision of $1,400,000 during the current quarter compared to $1,200,000 for the first Quarter of 2023, our ACL increased from $35,900,000 to $37,200,000 The ACL to total loans was 1.12%, up from 97 basis points for the same period last year. During the 6 months ended June 30, 2023, 2022, the company recorded net recoveries of $292,021,000 respectively. With that, I'll turn the call back to Bart. Bart?

Speaker 2

Thanks, Audrey. As we progress through the Q3 and the second half of the year, 3rd Coast remains vigilant about executing on the following internal and external objectives. 1st, managing the balance sheet in a conservative fashion, growing deposits fund loan growth and continuing to enhance liquidity. We have been able to take advantage of higher rates in the face of rising deposit costs To stabilize the net interest margin, we feel like our performance towards these objectives has been very solid. 2nd, pursuing growth amid the current economic climate.

Speaker 2

Despite fluctuating market conditions, we continue to be optimistic given our strong credit position And our ability to invest with confidence in our growth strategy. Our strong capital position and solid asset quality positions us to Endure and perform through the coming market cycles. 3rd, discipline around expense growth and efficient capital allocation. Management is constantly tasked with improving efficiency. In that regard, we are exiting our auto finance division.

Speaker 2

Direct expense savings will be $500,000 plus and the $40,000,000 in loans will be reallocated to higher earning assets. Managing the asset allocations to maximize our balance sheet return. 4th, our commitment to quality and innovation. By maintaining our strong credit culture and finding innovative ways to build out service and product capabilities, It's strategically important to stay ahead of our competition. And finally, we understand the importance of customer service and satisfaction.

Speaker 2

Our success in attracting, retaining and even connecting with customers has been a testament to our commitment to the satisfaction. By continuing to listen to their needs, we can maintain our loyal customer base. We believe in relationship banking and diversified lending. Overall, we are well positioned to face any challenges that may arise and continue to provide value for our shareholders. By staying focused on our core beliefs and listening to our customers, we can navigate through any softening in the growth expectations and emerge stronger on the other side.

Speaker 2

This concludes our prepared remarks. And I'd now like to turn it back over to the operator to begin the question and answer session. Operator?

Operator

Thank you. We will now be conducting a question and answer session. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question Our first question comes from the line of Graham Dyck with Piper Shimer. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 4

Hey, everyone. Good morning. Good morning. So I just wanted to start on the loan growth side of things. I think last quarter we had talked about doing about $300,000,000 to $400,000,000 of loan growth This year, it seems like you guys are a little bit ahead of schedule over the last two quarters.

Speaker 4

Just wanted to get any updates on your all's color around What you're looking at for growth this year on the loan side? And I know you mentioned that you're still pretty confident in your own strategy. So If there's any upside to that initial guidance, it would be interesting to hear. Thank you.

Speaker 5

Yes. Thank you, Graham. I appreciate that. You actually teed that up for me because I did want

Speaker 2

to bring that up. So what we're looking for the rest of the year is probably $100,000,000 to $200,000,000 in net growth From now to the end of the year, I think that's probably more accurate with where we're seeing in terms of Just the environment that we're in and we're just being very selective on the loan side. We're seeing a lot of great customers coming to us, but We're also being very selective in what meets our criteria. So I think $100,000,000 to $200,000,000 is probably the best number I can give you In that range that we'll see between now and the end of the year.

Speaker 4

Yes. And Graham, just to add to that. Yes, go ahead. Yeah. Just to add to that,

Speaker 2

I think we mentioned last quarter that loan growth has been somewhat limited by what we can raise in deposits that we obviously don't want to out our deposit growth that we think we could be growing even faster if we weren't more disciplined on rate, There's lots of good business out there. Last couple of months have been pretty strong, but we're going to be mindful of Credit and rates and deposit growth and that will limit the growth a little bit for the rest of the year.

Speaker 6

Okay. That's a perfect segue.

Speaker 4

So I guess, I mean, you pretty much answered it there, but it sounds like you expect deposit growth in the pipeline you guys have to pretty much match Net growth the rest of the year, I guess. Is that fair to assume?

Speaker 2

Correct.

Speaker 4

Okay, great. And then I kind of just I wanted to follow-up on the swap, This decision to sell a swap and the impact that's going to have on the margin, did you say that there's 38 basis points of impact For lower deposit costs going forward from that the amortization of that gain from the $5,000,000 and then $70,000,000 from the $9,000,000 in total you guys have?

Speaker 2

Correct. Although that is included in the Q2, that's not additionally To where we are, I mean that's fully reflected in the Q2, but that is the net effect. If we did not have those Swap gains, we would be that much worse off. So for the Q2, we only had one full month where we were paid in Swap, we were paid $280,000 for the month of April. And going forward, We will have for that particular trade about $85,000 a month.

Speaker 2

So we had a little excess of Not exactly accretion, but the swap income for the quarter, but most of the rest of it was baked in.

Speaker 4

Okay. Appreciate it. And then the last thing for me, I guess, would be just on the direction of the overall margin. You said you expect a little more pressure here Over the next couple of quarters, it sounds like. Do you guys have like, I guess, an amount of pressure you are expecting?

Speaker 4

I know You kind of hit the nail on the head this quarter with your guidance last quarter saying it was going to be up a couple of basis points. So if there's any color you can provide on what you're expecting in terms of pressure in

Speaker 2

Yeah. The market's not making it any easier on us. I mean, the fact that rates went up today certainly helps us. We are still asset Sensitive. Should rates start coming down, I mean these the swap income that we have is going to be great protection for rates going We had mentioned that new deals that we're putting on the books are at slightly lower spreads.

Speaker 2

So I think for the quarter, we averaged about 7.5 percent, so that should go up Somewhere between $7.75 $8,000,000 so a lower spread based on marginal cost of funds. But Kind of best guess is this was the max margin for us for this cycle that will probably come down, I don't know, maybe 5 basis This quarter is kind of a best guess. But I do think that the balance sheet growth will offset that, so that our net interest income is actually Up versus this quarter. And if you look back over the last year, our net interest income has been up about $1,000,000 every quarter. So over the last 4, we've gone literally $31,000,000 $32,000,000 $33,000,000 $34,000,000 We probably won't be up $1,000,000 this next Quarter, but I do think the growth will offset any decline in margin.

Speaker 4

Okay. I appreciate it. Very helpful. Thanks, John.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Bernard Wangzicki with Deutsche Bank. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 5

Yes. Hi, good morning, guys. You had a nice sequential increase in fees driven by pickup in derivative fees. Can you just talk to the activity you're seeing and any expectations in the second half of the year?

Speaker 2

Yes. So those fees, Boerne are totally separate from the balance sheet swap that we did. These are customer derivatives and you wouldn't think at this point in the cycle that that would have as much appeal to customers, but there are still some that worry about rates going up and those can Very profitable transactions when we do do them. I wouldn't necessarily expect any going forward just because we are likely Close to the highs in rates, but we do have the occasional customer that decides they want them and we're happy to help them where we can.

Speaker 5

Got it. That's helpful. And then maybe just separately, I think you guys had a recent press release, you noted partnering with Mayfair To provide up to $50,000,000 enhanced FDIC insurance on cash accounts. So I believe at threethirty one you had $932,000,000 in uninsured deposits, Which was about 28% of total deposits. I'm just curious any updates to this and comments on the service you're providing for clients?

Speaker 5

Are the costs mostly incurred by clients to get this enhanced insurance? Or is there some Heard by clients to get this enhanced insurance or is there some sort of sharing between the 2 of you?

Speaker 2

Yes. So first I mean, we're very pleased with some of the partnering that we're doing on the technology side, being able to provide some services that very few banks can do. So we've got some great customers Like Mayfair and some others that are joining us. And Mayfair is a great example of being able to provide a partnership Where they provide certain services for the market and we're able to provide the technology behind that. We expect that relationship to continue to grow and prosper over even due to the next couple of quarters to grow pretty dramatically.

Speaker 4

As

Speaker 2

far as being able to offer the insurance, we have a couple of different products that are unique in order to offer FDIC insurance We're up through some large accounts and continue to develop that and it's been a very popular product for us in the last few months From there, Cindy? Yes. Bernie, last quarter, I think we mentioned Meow as one of our new customers. They had sent out a release Similar to this one. So we now have 2 customers that have sent out releases about partnering with Third Coast.

Speaker 2

So for both of those, we're their depository institution. We help with all things deposits. There's not a lot of card services, virtually none. There's no lending. I mean, these are deposit relationships.

Speaker 2

And the kind of thing that we've been talking about over the last year partnering with Some of these FinTech companies that are still somewhat cash rich and we're optimistic that These relationships and others can make a significant difference to our deposits over the long term.

Speaker 5

Okay, great. Thanks for taking my questions.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Jordan Ghent with Stephens Inc. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 7

Hey, good morning, everyone.

Speaker 4

Good morning.

Speaker 7

I just wanted to ask a few questions on credit. First, if you could give us your CRE office exposure, if you could just give us an update that would be great. And then also, I don't know if I saw it mentioned, But any credit migration from classified and special mentions during the quarter?

Speaker 3

Sure. Good morning. Our office exposure non owner occupied is 2% of total loans. Dollar amount is about the same as it was last quarter. Owner occupied is another 2.3% of total loans.

Speaker 3

And then we have about 1.5 percent of total loans in medical office. We don't have Any all of our office, both owner occupied and non owner occupied are in Texas with the exception of $1,200,000 loan and we don't have any we have one loan in office that's 1,100,000 But the office has really we haven't been doing new office, but it's been holding up well for us and it's in good markets.

Speaker 2

Yes. We're really pleased that we're in the right position for this change in the marketplace. We have very little exposure and most of ours is Smaller office size, so we don't have any large office nor any participations in large office deals. So particularly our non owner occupied office is just a minuscule part of our portfolio.

Speaker 3

The average loan balance is $1,200,000 and the Average LTV on the non owner occupied is about 53%.

Speaker 2

And then with regard Special assets, again, we've been relatively stable. And truthfully, what we're seeing in the market is our portfolio is Handling very well the market right now. We're pretty see it's been very stable and we're pretty pleased with the market conditions, how well Our portfolio is formed.

Speaker 7

Okay. Perfect. Thank you for answering that. And then maybe just one follow-up on that swap. Where is that What line item is that flowing through?

Speaker 2

So if you're looking at the income Statement on the press release is going to be interest expense on deposit accounts.

Speaker 4

Okay, perfect. Thank you. It's a

Speaker 2

credit to interest expense and it's running Just a tad under $150,000 a month and we'll be that for the next 5 years, roughly 5 years.

Speaker 7

And is that straight line?

Speaker 4

Yes, it is.

Speaker 7

Okay, perfect. Thanks for taking my questions. I'll hop back in

Speaker 4

the queue. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Michael Rose with Raymond James. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 6

Hey, good morning guys. Thanks for taking my questions. Just wanted to start on the expense outlook. I think you said flattish. You guys highlighted in the press release, you guys have added some people over the past couple of quarters.

Speaker 6

Are you trying to signal that hiring is going to Slow from here? Or are there other initiatives in place that are going to be offset to kind of ongoing opportunistic hiring? And If so, what are those initiatives that are going to keep the run rate kind of flattish here? Thanks, guys.

Speaker 2

Yes, Michael, certainly expenses were a little higher this Quarter than we were expecting. But if I think about expenses over a longer period of time rather than just 1 quarter, So if I go back a full year, our expenses are only up 4.6%. We had several quarters that they were actually down. This was just a little bit of a catch up. I mean, it's hard to have an exact science with this stuff.

Speaker 2

But I mean, we've certainly hired people this year. We've hired people in compliance and operations. Loans are up 20% over the last Juren expenses are up less than 5%. So we think we've done a pretty good job managing that. But there We have opened a couple of new branches this year and we have hired people particularly on the compliance side.

Speaker 2

It's going to be $24,000,000 plus is kind of our best estimate of where expenses are going to be. But the storyline is still the same. We think we can grow net interest income faster than we're growing expenses. And certainly that was true over the Last year, where net interest income was up 23% and non interest expense was up less than 5%. That's certainly our goal is that sort of relationship.

Speaker 2

And we certainly are internally watching every line of business and every area for expenses. And again, Yes. Making a decision like exiting a lot of business from auto finance is one of the ways in which we've made hard decisions to make sure that we're on the right path to hit those numbers and returns that we expect. So this team isn't afraid to make hard decisions and to make sure we scour our P and L to make sure we find ways to remain competitive and we certainly are going to continue to do that.

Speaker 6

Yes. And John or Bart that actually leads the auto finance was actually my next question. Can you just talk about the process that you guys went through to Evaluate the risk reward, you're not the first one to scale back or get out of that business. So certainly understand the decision making process, but Just wanted to see what yours was? And then is there any other areas or divisions that you are maybe either looking at reducing or getting out of or Conversely, allocating more resources to?

Speaker 6

Thanks.

Operator

Yes. So we kind of look

Speaker 2

at a holistic viewpoint return on equity. What's the best allocation of assets to return what we're trying to get for the shareholders? And because of that, we constantly internally are reporting, are monitoring every line of business down to stack ranking performers on it. So I think we have some really good internal accounting that we're watching everything. And as rates have gone up, obviously, That's put different perspectives on different lines of business for us.

Speaker 2

And so as we've grown, it would just become more obvious There are ways to allocate our balance sheet to enhance shareholder equity. And so it really came down to a numbers game whenever You look at it that there's an obvious way for us to reallocate our assets for higher earning loans. Everything we look at, I think we have a great management team and even the leaders of all the lines of businesses We're always looking for ways to enhance performance. So right now, I think that was sort of the obvious internal answer. Everything else that we're working on is just sharpening our pencils to kind of refine the other businesses.

Speaker 2

But We're pretty pleased with where the other line of businesses are going. Yes. And Michael, along those same lines, as we were looking at the balance Over the last quarter and where we can be most efficient, we were looking at investment securities and There were a lot of distressed sellers of bank sub debt over the last quarter. So we did buy roughly $20,000,000 in Thanks, Sub Debt. Much of so the average for the quarter was not where we ended the quarter.

Speaker 2

We're at about $90,000,000 now. I think we averaged about $77,000,000 for the quarter, but the new stuff that we were buying had yields above 10% and these were Big well known banks. They should be money good and it just seemed like a good opportunity where it was mostly small pieces, but just Dress sellers trying to get out of that.

Speaker 6

Makes sense. And then just I think just finally for me just putting Together, so you have positive NII growth from balance sheet, relatively flattish expenses, some momentum on the fee side. It seems like you guys could actually be one of the few banks that could actually generate some positive operating leverage next year. Is that the kind of the goal here? Is that your kind of expectation At this point, thanks.

Speaker 2

Definitely, we believe so. I mean, you probably said it better than I could. I just think we're putting ourselves in a position Be nimble and have the right balance sheet structure and efficiency to be able to improve on our operating leverage. And I think you'll see a lot more of that happen over the next few quarters. Yes.

Speaker 2

It's not overnight, but it's definitely certainly throughout the rest of this year and into next year, you'll see a lot of the benefits Planning that we've been working on for a couple of years now. Yes. Especially if we can continue growing deposits the way we have the last couple of It certainly hasn't gotten any easier. I know some of our peers listening to their calls, they maybe had a little more confidence than I do. But if The deposit market is tough out there right now.

Speaker 2

Ours have been up. We've done great the last couple of quarters. And if that If we stay the course there, I think we have a lot of opportunities even demand. You saw at month end our demand deposits were up where most people were down. And A lot of that actually came out of our specialty finance group of all places, our builder finance group that They called hard on their customers and they had a lot of cash and they really had a great quarter there.

Speaker 6

All right, guys. Thanks for taking all my questions. Appreciate it. Thank you, Maher.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Stratton Young with KBW. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 7

Hey, good morning, everyone.

Speaker 2

Hey, good morning. Welcome.

Speaker 7

Thank you. You all focused on the 1% ROA target for a while now and hit it in the Q1, a little down this quarter, which is no surprise with all the expenses. Can you kind of frame your commitment in regards to that 1% as you divest that auto finance division and kind of work on kind of making the balance sheet more efficient? Thanks.

Speaker 2

Yes. So about a year ago, we were projecting that we would get to a 1% ROA by Q3 of this year. So we did it much sooner than we expected. So we consider ourselves ahead of schedule. If you look at the year to date numbers, we're at 99 basis Points here today, so again quite a bit ahead.

Speaker 2

And 1% isn't our goal. I mean to be high performing is our goal. And if that means 1.25% or 1.35% or whatever the number is, we're certainly not satisfied with 1% Being anything other than just a bare minimum.

Speaker 7

Got you. That's all my questions. Thank you.

Speaker 4

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. This concludes our question and answer session. I'll turn the floor back to Mr. Carraway for any final comments.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Melissa. I want to thank everybody that called in and participated. We appreciate you and thank you for your support of 3rd Coast We look forward to seeing you next quarter. Thank you all.

Operator

Thank you. This concludes today's conference call. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.

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