Five Star Bancorp Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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January 30, 2024

Key Takeaways

  • Strong returns: Q4 return on average assets and equity were 1.26% and 15.45% respectively, with annual figures of 1.44% and 17.85%, keeping the bank near the top of its peer group.
  • Organic growth: The bank added 10 seasoned professionals for Bay Area expansion, grew non-broker deposits by $269.8 M in 2023, and saw loans held for investment rise 10.4% year-over-year.
  • Asset quality remains robust: Non-performing loans stood at only 0.06% of the portfolio, with an allowance for credit losses of $34.4 M (1.12% of loans) and a $4.0 M provision for the year.
  • Margin compression continued as net interest margin fell to 3.19% in Q4 (down from 3.31%), pressured by higher deposit costs from Fed rate increases.
  • Non-interest expenses rose to $12.7 M in Q4 (up from $12.0 M) and $47.8 M for the year (up from $40.7 M) due to Bay Area expansion, higher salaries and FDIC assessments.
AI Generated. May Contain Errors.
Earnings Conference Call
Five Star Bancorp Q4 2023
00:00 / 00:00

There are 6 speakers on the call.

Operator

Welcome to the 5 Star Bancorp 4th Quarter and Year End Earnings Webcast. Please note, this is a closed conference call and you are encouraged to listen via the webcast. Before we get started, let me remind you that today's meeting will include some forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These forward looking statements relate to, among other things, current plans, expectations, events and industry trends that may affect the company's future operating results and financial position. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties and future activities and results may differ materially from these expectations.

Operator

For a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from the company's forward looking statements, please see the company's annual report on Form 10 ks for the year ended December 31, 2020 and quarterly report on Form 10 Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and in particular, The information set forth in Item 1A Risk Factors in those reports. Please refer to Slide 2 of the presentation, which includes disclaimers regarding forward looking statements, industry data and non GAAP financial information included in this presentation. Reconciliations of non GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP figures are included in the appendix to the presentation. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to James Beckwith, 5 Star Bancorp President and CEO.

Operator

Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Thank you for joining us to review 5 Star Bancorp's financial results for the Q4 and the year ended December 31, 2023. Joining me today is Heather Lark, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Our comments today will refer to the financial information that was included in the earnings announcement released yesterday. To obtain a copy of the release, please visit our website at 5starbank.com and click on the Investor Relations tab. During the 3 months ended December 31, 2023, our return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.26% 15.45% respectively positioning us to remain near the top of our peer group.

Speaker 1

During the year ended December 31, 2023, Our return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.44% 17.85% respectively. Our organic growth story continued during 2023 with the addition of 10 seasoned professionals to support our expansion into the San Francisco Bay Area market. We also continued to add new deposit accounts and relationships as seen in the growth of non broker deposits of $269,800,000 during the year ended December 31, 2023. Despite expected headwinds on the horizon, our ability to conservatively underwrite Manage expenses with our 44% efficiency ratio and deliver value to our shareholders with our $0.20 per share dividend continue. We believe we are well positioned to continue to endure and succeed as conditions change.

Speaker 1

The Q4 of 2023 exhibited continued execution of our growth strategy as evidenced by our earnings, expense management and balance sheet trends during the quarter. Additionally, loans and total assets have consistently grown since prior periods. While deposits have decreased slightly, Our pipeline continues to remain solid at the end of 2023 within verticals we have historically operated in As presented in the portfolio diversification slide, loans held for investment increased during the quarter by 71,800,000 or 2.39% from the prior quarter and increased by 290 $400,000 or 10.40 percent year over year, primarily within the commercial real estate concentration of the loan portfolio. Loan originations during the quarter were approximately $144,100,000 and payoffs were $72,300,000 During 2023 loan originations were approximately $668,200,000 and payoffs were $377,800,000 Asset quality continues to remain strong Though non performing loans have increased over the last several quarters as a result of financial challenges experienced by small subset of our borrowers, they represent only 0.06% of the portfolio. As of December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses totaled $34,400,000 We recorded a $800,000 provision for credit losses during the 4th quarter, primarily related to loan growth.

Speaker 1

For a total provision for credit losses of $4,000,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment was 1.12% at year end. Loans designated as substandard totaled approximately $2,000,000 at the end of 2023 representing an increase of approximately $1,500,000 from the previous year end while remaining consistent with the prior quarter. During the Q4 deposits decreased slightly by $5,300,000 or 0.18 percent as compared to the previous quarter. During 2023 deposits increased by 244,900,000 or 8.8% since the end of 2022.

Speaker 1

$208,800,000 of this increase related to money market accounts. Non interest bearing deposits as a percent of total deposits at the end of the 4th quarter remained stable at 27.5% as compared to the end of the previous quarter and decreased from 34.9% at the end of the previous year. To offer more detail on our deposit I want to highlight that deposit relationships totaling at least $5,000,000 constitute approximately 62% of our total deposits and the average age on these accounts was approximately 9 years. Local agency depositors accounted for approximately 27% of our deposits as of December 31, 2023. As noted earlier, we are pleased that we've had net deposit inflows for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Speaker 1

Our ability to grow deposit accounts supports our differentiated customer centric model that our customers trust and value As seen through the mix of high dollar accounts and the duration of certain customer relationships, we believe we have a reliable core deposit phase. Overall deposit balances have decreased slightly when compared to the prior quarter. Non interest bearing deposits decreased by $2,300,000 while interest bearing deposits decreased by $3,000,000 Quarter over quarter, cost of total deposits was 2 39 basis points during the 4th quarter and 197 basis points during 2023 overall. We continue to be well capitalized with all capital ratios well above regulatory thresholds for the quarter and the year. Our common equity Tier 1 ratio remained constant at 9.07% between September 30, 20 cash dividend of $0.20 per share on the company's voting common stock expected to be paid on February 12, 2024 to shareholders of record as of February 5, 2024.

Speaker 1

On that note, I will hand it Over to Heather to discuss the results of operations. Heather?

Speaker 2

Thank you, James, and hello, everyone. Net income for the quarter was $10,800,000 return on average assets was 1.26 percent and return on average equity was 15.45 percent. Net income for the year was 47 point $7,000,000 return on average assets was 1.44 percent and return on average equity was 17.85%. Average loan yield for the quarter was 5.64 percent, representing an increase of 7 basis points over the prior quarter. Average yield on loans for 2023 was 5.52%, representing an increase of 77 basis points over 2022.

Speaker 2

Our net interest margin was 3.19 percent for the quarter, while net interest margin for the prior quarter was 3.31%. Our net interest margin was 3.42% for the year, while net interest margin for the prior year was 3.75%. Fed rate increases in 2023 continue to put pressure on deposit costs. As a result of changes in interest rates and other factors, our other comprehensive income was $4,200,000 As unrealized losses, net of tax effect, decreased on available for sale debt securities from $15,900,000 as September 30, 2023 to $11,800,000 as of December 31, 2023. Non interest income increased to $1,900,000 in the 4th quarter from $1,400,000 in the previous quarter, due primarily to gains from distributions on investments and venture backed funds and the recognition of swap referral fees during the quarter.

Speaker 2

Non interest income increased to $7,500,000 in 2023 from $7,200,000 in 2022, due primarily to gains from distributions on investments and venture backed funds during the year. Non interest expense increased to $12,700,000 in the 4th quarter from $12,000,000 in the previous quarter, primarily due to increased salaries, employee benefits, advertising, promotional and other operating expenses related to the company's expansion into the San Francisco Bay Area. Non interest expense increased from $40,700,000 in 20.22 to $47,800,000 in 2023, driven primarily by a $1,200,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits related to the expansion into the Bay, a $2,700,000 decline in loan origination costs, a $700,000 increase in FDIC insurance assessments and an overall increase in expenses incurred to support a larger customer base as the leading drivers of this increase. Now that we've discussed the overall results of operations, I'll now hand it back to James to provide some closing remarks.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Heather. I want to thank everyone for joining us as we discuss 4th quarter and year end results. 5 Star Bank has a reputation built on trust, speed to serve and certainty of execution which supports our clients' success. Our financial performance is the result of a truly differentiated customer experience which continues to power the demand for 5 Star Bank's relationship based services. We attribute sustained success to our prudent business model and treating customers with an empathetic spirit, Understanding and care, we are very proud to have earned the trust of those we serve, including our shareholders.

Speaker 1

Looking to 2024, we will be guided by a continued focus on shareholder value. As we monitor market conditions, We are confident in the company's resilience in any environment and remain focused on the future and our long term strategy. We will continue to execute our organic growth and disciplined business practices which we believe will benefit our customers, employees, community and shareholders. We appreciate your time today. That concludes today's presentation.

Speaker 1

Now Heather and I will be happy to take any questions that you might have.

Operator

We will now begin the question and answer session. Our first question today comes from Woody Lay with KBW. Please go ahead.

Speaker 3

Hey, good morning, guys.

Speaker 1

Hey, Woody.

Speaker 2

Hi, Woody.

Speaker 3

Wanted to just start out on the margin. I was wondering if you had any expectations For the outlook over the next couple of quarters, just assuming that if rates stayed stable from here?

Speaker 1

Sure. We do have expectations. So we think that Q1 will probably be the bottom of our margin, if you were going to graph this out. So we're expecting Our margin would be anywhere between 315 and 320 for the quarter. And If rates don't change, Woody, I think we might see an increase in our margin as we continue to execute in our growth strategy and grow more core deposits.

Speaker 1

But I think that's kind of what we're thinking right now. And we'll see how the Q1 ends up.

Speaker 3

Yes.

Speaker 1

Having said that, if we've got any movement, which I think Certainly the market expects to have some rate cuts this year and the timing is Still up in the air a little bit when the first one is going to occur. But if that happens and we are slightly liability sensitive. So we expect a decent benefit to happen with the Fed moving And we will be aggressive on moving rates down. I think sometimes it happens in the industry is that banks are not aggressive and mindful when in a declining rate environment. We do not expect to be that way.

Speaker 3

Got it. That's super helpful color. Maybe shifting over to loan growth, it was another steady quarter of growth. As we look into 2024 and you look at your pipeline, does it feel like the high single digit range is still the right target for you all?

Speaker 1

Yes, we're expecting an 8% loan growth and a 10% deposit growth As we move into 2024, which has kind of been our mantra for the last Four quarters, right? And I think we achieved loan growth was probably a little higher than 8%. I think we went we're over 10% And deposit growth was about 9% in 2023. So we'd like to see a 10% deposit growth and an 8% loan growth. And we think we're fully capable and fully able of doing that given our business development activities.

Speaker 3

Yes. And would you expect the manufactured home community segment would drive a majority of that growth?

Speaker 1

I would expect they'll continue to do what they've done in the past in 2023. So I would Probably think anywhere between 30% to 40% of our loan growth is going to come from that space, from that particular vertical, which by the way we include RV in that, RV parks and also storage. But that's what we're thinking.

Speaker 3

Got it. All right. That's all for me. Thanks for taking my questions.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Woody.

Operator

The next question comes from Andrew Terrell with Stephens. Please go ahead.

Speaker 4

Hey, good morning.

Speaker 1

Hey, good morning, Andrew. Hi, Andrew.

Speaker 4

Maybe if I could start on the deposit base. I mean, it was really good to see the kind of I'd call them flat non interest bearing deposits this quarter. And I know it sounds like a lot of California banks faced some headwinds on the NIBs from tax this quarter. So on a relative basis, the strength is impressive. I'm just curious if you could quantify maybe The seasonal or tax related headwind that you guys faced during the Q4, just trying to get a sense of like the underlying Kind of new growth that you saw that was able to offset potentially that headwind?

Speaker 1

Yes, there was a couple of factors that happened, especially in the last Part of December frankly, a lot of bonus payments, a lot of our professional service firms were bonusing out their top employees. So we saw some decline in some balances from that. And also In California, most of the counties were on the deferral given the atmospheric rain that we had in January, we were declared I guess a disaster county, I know Sacramento was. So that allowed a lot of the counties and the businesses that reside in those counties and the individuals to not have to make their final payments until October 15. So that did have an impact.

Speaker 1

That was offset by I think some pretty strong activity that we saw from our San Francisco folks and then also other activity that we saw in our operations out here in the capital region. So net net when you all roll that all together, we're Ever so slight decline and I think it was a lot of effort to get to that too.

Speaker 4

Yes. Okay. I appreciate it. Heather, do you have The spot costs on either the interest bearing or the total deposits as of twelvethirty one?

Speaker 2

Yes. So total spot rate was 2.48 at year end. Okay.

Speaker 4

Thank you for that. And then James, if I could get maybe your thoughts on you've done a really impressive job on the new hire front, particularly in the back half of twenty twenty three. And I know it's been your mantra For a long time here, just as you look into 2024, do you see any incremental talent additions on the horizon? I know there was deal maybe announced in your neck of the woods earlier today. Any opportunities you see coming out of that?

Speaker 1

Well, we certainly know that the folks from California Bank of Commerce that operate within the capital region pretty well actually. Most of them kind of came out of the Wells Fargo operations here, some good small to medium sized Professionals, I mean, they focus on that C and I, and there's some good talent there. Time will tell. I haven't talked to any of them yet. But plan to do so.

Speaker 1

We continue to be opportunistic. I mean there is some talent there, but there's also talent down in the Bay Area too that We're continued excited about in terms of growing out what we're doing down there. So I would expect some additional business development hires to happen in the first half of the year of 2024, I mean we are planning on that. So to answer your question, we're going to bring some more firepower to bear in the markets we serve.

Speaker 4

Good deal. Do you have a target in mind of what you would kind of target in terms of new hires in the first half or for the year?

Speaker 1

I think we're probably going to add 2 to 4 new biz debt people as we sit here today, end of January. We certainly pivoted in 2023 in terms of being opportunistic about hiring talent. And I think as the year goes and transactions happen, we want to to be opportunistic. But as we sit here today, I think that's a good number, 2 to 4 folks.

Speaker 4

Yes. Okay. And then maybe last one for me, for Heather. Just I mean, kind of throughout the year, you've done a really good job managing the expense base. Just as you look into 2024, any thoughts On expense run rate into next year and then overall kind of expense growth you'd be looking at for 2024?

Speaker 2

Yes. So we thank you for that. We definitely pride ourselves on managing expenses and being mindful there. If you look at 2024, really looking at Q1, you could add about $250,000 to what we had rolling in from Q4. I think that's probably a good proxy for where we'll start to shake out.

Speaker 2

We will see a little bit of a creep the second half of the year once we have rent expense flowing through in the Bay from the new location there. But I think if you add about $250,000,000 to $500,000,000 for the first for the year. You should be okay.

Speaker 4

Okay. Very good. I appreciate it. Thank you guys for taking the questions.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Andrew.

Operator

The next question is from Gary Tenner with D. A. Davidson. Please go

Speaker 1

ahead. Thanks. Good morning. Hey, good morning, Yuri.

Speaker 4

I don't

Speaker 5

get to the Bay Area team. We've been on board for, Call it 2 quarters and something over $70,000,000 of deposits, I think, in the door. Where does that seem relative to kind of the year one expectations that you had in mind for them? And maybe beyond that, can you talk about just the deposit trends outside that team?

Speaker 1

Sure. It was 2x from what we thought we would be. So they really performed well. And it was great working with them. We spent a lot of time down there and helping them onboard their customers and their relationships.

Speaker 1

So we expect that to continue to grow maybe at that similar level. So as we look at twelvethirty onetwenty 24, we hope that we'd be able to double the deposit base down there from where it ended up at twelvethirty onetwenty 23. In terms of growth outside of the Bay Area, we're excited about what we're doing in all of our verticals and we're off to a pretty good start. So I think it's going to be very supportive of our target of 10% deposit growth. So That's kind of where we stand on that.

Speaker 1

I think we're starting to really execute in our special district business, which Excited about that. And in our professional services nonprofit business, I think is doing well. Just our basic C and I business and especially in our construction industry business, we're seeing some decent deposit growth there. So I think what they were across the board in all of our verticals, they're going to execute with respect to deposit growth. We're still we're working with our healthcare practice group.

Speaker 1

We expect to have A decent win here in Q1, but that particular vertical is something that we want to spend more time on in terms of really getting it going.

Speaker 5

Thanks. I appreciate that James. And then Just a follow-up, I think in your prepared remarks, I don't remember the exact term phrase you used, if it was risk on the horizon or storm clouds on the horizon. Can you talk about kind of your broader view that kind of maybe kind of Note that in your prepared remarks and kind of your confidence in the underlying economy in your core markets?

Speaker 1

Well, there is still a fair amount of uncertainty associated with The economy and how it's going to if there's going to be a soft landing or a recession, mild recession, we just don't know. I think Hopefully as every quarter goes by, we continue to have the type of national GDP that we've seen without any appreciable increase in unemployment. In our markets here in California, They remain strong. We've got a few, I'm going to say issues with respect to commodity prices as it relates to our Ag But I think we're working through that and a lot of our farmers are diversified in terms of the crops that they grow which is Really helpful. So we don't anticipate any problems there.

Speaker 1

But I'm just being cautious, Gary. I think with those statements, You can't pick up a business newspaper without having some article that speaks about rates and recession and it's just a continual bombardment of data points that affect people's opinions and When the Fed is going to move and when they're not going to move and it's just I'd like to see things settle down a bit. You've got a national election That is creating some uncertainty, but you also have some geopolitical events that are happening right now in the world that could be problematic to our economy here. So I think it's kind of a comprehensive Cautiousness, I guess, if you will, given all those facts.

Speaker 5

Great. Appreciate your thoughts, James.

Operator

This concludes our question and answer session. I

Speaker 1

5 Star Bancorp is on a continued path of growth as we execute on our strategic initiatives, which includes growing our verticals and geographies while attracting and retaining talent, our people, technology, Operating efficiencies, conservative underwriting practices and its expense management have also contributed to the success we share with our employees and shareholders. These successes include numerous ratings and awards. In 2023, we received the Findlay Report Super Premier Performing Rating an IDC superior rating, Bauer Financial Superior rating 5 stars out of 5. We were also awarded the prestigious 2020 to Raymond James Community Bankers' Cup and we were among the 2023 Piper Sandler SM All Stars. In 2023, we were recognized as the 2022 S&P Global Market Intelligence number 1 best performing community bank In the nation, that's with banks with assets size between $3,000,000,000 $10,000,000,000 We were also listed on independent bankers top banks in 2023 with banks more than $1,000,000,000 in assets and ranked number 6 in the nation.

Speaker 1

We were listed among American Bankers Top Performing Banks in 2023, banks with $2,000,000,000 to $10,000,000,000 in assets and ranked number 12. In 2023, our executives and senior leaders were awarded a Sacramento Business Journal C Suite Award, a Sacramento B Latino Changemakers Award, a Commercial Real Estate Women Award, a Comstock Magazine's Women in Leadership Award. Being recognized as community leaders ensures 5 Star Bank remains top of mind in the markets we serve as we continue to build out our verticals. We are humbled and proud of our team's accomplishments. We look forward to speaking with you again in April to discuss earnings for the Q1 of 2024.

Speaker 1

Have a great day and thank you for listening.

Operator

The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.

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