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Sierra Bancorp Reports Year End 2024 Results and Quarterly Earnings

Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq: BSRR), parent of Bank of the Sierra, today announced unaudited financial results for the three-and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2024. Sierra Bancorp reported consolidated net income in the fourth quarter of 2024 of $10.4 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared to net income of $6.3 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023, and $10.6 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024.

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2024 (unless otherwise stated):

  • Strong Quarterly Earnings Metrics
    • Return on average assets improved to 1.13%, as compared to 0.67% for the same period in 2023.
    • Return on average equity increased to 11.49%, as compared to 8.03% for the same period in 2023.
    • Net interest margin rose to 3.65%, as compared to 3.31% for the same period in 2023.
    • Efficiency ratio improved to 59.7% as compared to 67.1% for the same period in 2023.
    • Diluted earnings per share of $0.72 increased 68% compared to $0.43 for the same period in 2023.
  • Balance Sheet Growth
    • Loan growth of $11.3 million, or 2% annualized, during the quarter.
    • For the full year 2024, loans grew 12%, or $242.7 million to $2.3 billion.
    • For the full year 2024, total deposits increased $130.4 million, or 5%, to $2.9 billion.
    • Noninterest-bearing deposits of $1.0 billion at December 31, 2024, represent 35% of total deposits.
  • Solid Capital and Liquidity
    • Increased Tangible Book Value (non-GAAP) per share, during the quarter, to $23.15 per share.
    • Repurchased 229,850 shares of common stock during the quarter at an average price of $29.38, with an additional 112,896 shares repurchased through January 23, 2025.
    • In January 2025, increased dividend by one cent to $0.25 per share, our 104th consecutive quarterly dividend.
    • Regulatory Community Bank Leverage Ratio increased to 11.80% at December 31, 2024, for our subsidiary Bank.
    • Consolidated Tangible Common Equity Ratio (non-GAAP) increased to 9.18% at December 31, 2024.
    • Overall primary and secondary liquidity sources of $2.3 billion at December 31, 2024.

For the year ended 2024, the Company recognized net income of $40.6 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, as compared to $34.8 million, or $2.36 per diluted share, for the same period in 2023. The Company’s return on average assets and return on average equity for the year ended 2024 was 1.12% and 11.62%, respectively, as compared to 0.94% and 11.30%, respectively, for the same comparative period in 2023.

“Confidence doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s a result of something…hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication.” – Roger Staubach

“We are proud to announce strong net income growth of over 16% in 2024, accompanied by solid improvements in net interest margin, efficiency ratio, return on average assets, and tangible book value per share!” expressed Kevin McPhaill, CEO and President. “We overcame a number of obstacles, including a challenging interest rate environment, to cap off one of our best years. Loans continued to grow and deposit relationships were strengthened as our bankers worked hard to focus on retaining and attracting customers. We are very excited about 2025 and will continue to find opportunities to improve our bank and provide consistently strong results,” concluded Mr. McPhaill.

Financial Highlights

Quarterly Changes (comparisons to the fourth quarter of 2023)

  • Quarterly net income at $10.4 million, a 65% increase, primarily attributable to $2.5 million in higher net interest income, a $1.1 million decrease in the provision for credit losses, and a $1.3 million decline in noninterest expenses.
  • The $2.5 million net interest income increase was primarily driven by a 34 basis point increase in net interest margin partially offset by lower earning assets due to a strategic balance sheet restructuring in early 2024. Although average assets were down during 2024, the mix shifted favorably with a $237 million increase in loan balances during 2024 due primarily to mortgage warehouse loan growth. The favorable increase in interest income was enhanced by a $1.8 million decline in overall interest expense in the fourth quarter of compared to the same quarter in 2023, due to the reduction in other borrowings facilitated by the balance sheet restructuring in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 declined by $0.5 million or 7%. This was primarily due to a net $0.8 million increase from the combination of a nonrecurring fourth quarter 2023 gain on a sale/leaseback on Bank-owned branch buildings, and a realized loss on a securities restructuring strategy.
  • Noninterest expense experienced a $1.3 million positive variance in the fourth quarter over the same quarter in 2023. While salary and benefit costs decreased due to a strategic internal reorganization in the fourth quarter of 2023, this favorable variance was offset by an increase in occupancy costs, due to the sale/leaseback of certain branches, also in the fourth quarter of 2023. Improved expenses in nearly every category of noninterest expense were due to operational efficiencies gained from various initiatives implemented in 2024.

Year to-Date Changes (comparisons to the year ended 2023)

  • Net income increased $5.7 million, or 16%, to $40.6 million. This robust net income growth was primarily driven by an increase of $7.6 million, or 7% in net interest income, due mostly to an overall increase in interest rates on earning assets partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in the provision for credit losses and higher interest expense. In addition, there were positive variances related to an increase in service charge income, partially offset by a rise in occupancy expenses from the sale/leaseback of branch buildings in late 2023.
  • The provision for credit losses was $4.8 million, an increase of $1.1 million, primarily due to an increase in individual reserves, partially offset by a decrease in net charge-offs for the year ending 2024.
  • Noninterest income increased by $1.1 million, or 4%. In addition to the net gain from the sale/leaseback mostly offset by a loss on securities sale as described above, service charge income on deposit accounts was $1.1 million higher, due to increases in the following categories: ATM Visa income, analysis fees, and other transaction-based fees.
  • Noninterest expense increased 0.2%, or $0.2 million during 2024. The $2.2 million increase in occupancy costs, due to higher rent and property tax payments following the sale/leaseback transaction of Bank owned branch buildings in late 2023, was partially offset by efficiencies elsewhere. Among the expense declines was $0.6 million in salaries and benefits, mostly from an operational reorganization in 2023. Other noninterest expense improved favorably by $1.3 million overall due mostly to lower costs for most categories.

Balance Sheet Changes (comparisons to December 31, 2023)

  • Total assets decreased by $115.5 million, or 3%, to $3.6 billion during 2024, due primarily to the strategic restructuring of our lower-yielding bond portfolio in the first quarter of 2024, partially offset by increases in loan balances.
  • Gross loans increased $241.3 million, or 12%, due to a $210.4 million increase in mortgage warehouse line utilization, a $32.2 million increase in commercial real estate loans, a $10.1 million increase in farmland loans, and a $20.7 million increase in other commercial loans. This favorable growth was partially offset by a $30.6 million decrease in residential real estate loans, and smaller declines in construction and consumer loans.
  • Deposits totaled $2.9 billion at December 31, 2024, representing a year-to-date increase of $130.4 million, or 5%. The growth in deposits came mostly from a $140.0 million increase in brokered deposits to fund growth in mortgage warehouse lines, and a $40.2 million increase in transaction accounts offset by smaller declines in customer non-transaction accounts.
  • Other interest-bearing liabilities decreased $278.8 million from a reduction in overnight borrowings facilitated by the strategic balance sheet restructuring in the first quarter of 2024, and a drop in FHLB advances, as we utilized brokered deposits not only to fund mortgage warehouse lines, but to pay down more costly FHLB lines of credit.

Other financial highlights are reflected in the following table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At or For the

 

At or For the

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

12/31/2024

 

9/30/2024

 

12/31/2023

 

12/31/2024

 

12/31/2023

Net income

 

$

10,364

 

 

$

10,603

 

 

$

6,290

 

 

$

40,560

 

 

$

34,844

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.72

 

 

$

0.74

 

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

2.82

 

 

$

2.36

 

Return on average assets

 

 

1.13

%

 

 

1.14

%

 

 

0.67

%

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

0.94

%

Return on average equity

 

 

11.49

%

 

 

11.95

%

 

 

8.03

%

 

 

11.62

%

 

 

11.30

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent) (1)

 

 

3.65

%

 

 

3.66

%

 

 

3.31

%

 

 

3.66

%

 

 

3.37

%

Yield on average loans

 

 

5.20

%

 

 

5.25

%

 

 

4.78

%

 

 

5.13

%

 

 

4.69

%

Yield on investments

 

 

5.03

%

 

 

5.42

%

 

 

5.35

%

 

 

5.40

%

 

 

5.09

%

Cost of average total deposits

 

 

1.46

%

 

 

1.62

%

 

 

1.24

%

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

1.09

%

Cost of funds

 

 

1.59

%

 

 

1.72

%

 

 

1.73

%

 

 

1.64

%

 

 

1.52

%

Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent) (1)(2)

 

 

59.74

%

 

 

58.38

%

 

 

67.10

%

 

 

60.76

%

 

 

63.90

%

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,614,271

 

 

$

3,696,154

 

 

$

3,729,799

 

 

$

3,614,271

 

 

$

3,729,799

 

Loans & leases net of deferred fees

 

$

2,331,434

 

 

$

2,321,025

 

 

$

2,090,384

 

 

$

2,331,434

 

 

$

2,090,384

 

Noninterest demand deposits

 

$

1,007,208

 

 

$

1,013,743

 

 

$

1,020,772

 

 

$

1,007,208

 

 

$

1,020,772

 

Total deposits

 

$

2,891,668

 

 

$

2,962,159

 

 

$

2,761,223

 

 

$

2,891,668

 

 

$

2,761,223

 

Noninterest-bearing deposits over total deposits

 

 

34.8

%

 

 

34.2

%

 

 

37.0

%

 

 

34.8

%

 

 

37.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity / total assets

 

 

9.89

%

 

 

9.70

%

 

 

9.06

%

 

 

9.89

%

 

 

9.06

%

Tangible Common equity ratio (2)

 

 

9.18

%

 

 

9.01

%

 

 

8.36

%

 

 

9.18

%

 

 

8.36

%

Book value per share

 

$

25.12

 

 

$

24.88

 

 

$

22.85

 

 

$

25.12

 

 

$

22.85

 

Tangible book value per share (2)

 

$

23.15

 

 

$

22.93

 

 

$

20.91

 

 

$

23.15

 

 

$

20.91

 

Community bank leverage ratio (subsidiary bank)

 

 

11.80

%

 

 

11.70

%

 

 

11.29

%

 

 

11.80

%

 

 

11.29

%

Tangible common equity ratio (subsidiary bank) (2)

 

 

11.07

%

 

 

10.90

%

 

 

10.30

%

 

 

11.07

%

 

 

10.30

%

(1)

Computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a federal income tax rate of 21%.

(2)

See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measurement in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

INCOME STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $30.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, a $2.5 million increase, or 9% over the fourth quarter of 2023, and increased $7.6 million, or 7%, to $120.0 million for the year ended 2024, relative to the same period in 2023.

For the fourth quarter of 2024, the yield on earning assets was 16 basis points higher as compared to the same period in 2023, which more than offset the lower average interest-earning assets of $66.6 million. The increase in yield was mostly due to an increase in real estate loan yields, combined with an increase in higher-yielding mortgage warehouse loans overall and as a percentage of loans. Further, there was a favorable 22 basis point decrease in the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities for the same period. The favorable decline in funding costs was due to a significant reduction in short-term borrowings as a result of the strategic balance sheet restructuring in late 2023, and early 2024.

Net interest income for the comparative year-to-date periods increased $7.6 million, or 7%, due to the sale of lower-yielding investments in the first quarter of 2024, as part of the overall strategic balance sheet restructuring. This sale allowed the Company to also reduce higher cost funding. There was a $161.5 million, or 8%, increase in average loan and lease balances with yields 44 basis points higher for the same period, while average investment balances decreased $254.9 million, or 19%, with yields 31 basis points higher for the same period. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $86.7 million, or 4%, mostly in borrowed funds. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 72 basis points higher for the comparative periods, due to an increase in higher cost brokered deposits used to fund the growth in mortgage warehouse utilization. The favorable net impact of the mix and rate change was a 29 basis point increase in our net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023.

Our net interest margin was 3.65% for the fourth quarter of 2024, one basis point lower than the linked quarter, and 34 basis points higher than the fourth quarter of 2023. The yield of interest-earning assets increased 16 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2024, as compared to the same quarter for 2023, and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 22 basis points compared to the same period in 2023. Favorable shifts in both yields and costs led to an overall 34 basis point increase in net interest margin in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Compared to the prior linked quarter, the yield on taxable investments declined as a portion of these investments are floating rate and the index rate declined during the quarter. This unfavorable decline in yield on investments was mostly offset by a 23 basis point decline in deposit costs as certificates of deposits rolled into lower rates throughout the quarter.

Credit Loss Expense

The Company recorded a $2.3 million and $4.6 million credit loss expense related to loans in the fourth quarter and year-to-date 2024, as compared to $3.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2023. For the prior linked quarter, the credit loss expense related to loans increased $1.1 million. The impact of net lower charge-offs, along with a favorable improvement in underlying economic forecasts used as part of our allowance for credit losses model, and offset by an unfavorable increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans individually evaluated, accounts for the changes in all periods presented.

Credit loss expense on unfunded commitments was $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, as compared to a benefit of $0.1 million in the same quarter in 2023. For the full year 2024, the Company recorded $0.2 million in credit loss expense on unfunded commitments compared to a $0.3 million benefit for 2023. The reason for the increase in both the quarterly and year-to-date comparisons is due to an increase in the balance of unfunded commitments combined with an increase in the reserve rate utilized in the calculation of the reserves.

All debt securities in an unrealized loss position were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and volatility in the financial markets and not a result of an expected credit loss.

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income reflects a $0.5 million decline, or 7%, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same quarter in 2023. Such decline is mostly due to a net benefit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to the combination of the sale/leaseback of Bank owned buildings, mostly offset by a realized loss related to securities for a net favorable benefit recorded of $0.8 million. Having the favorable net gain in 2023, with no similar transaction in 2024, resulted in a $0.8 million decline for the comparable periods. This was partially offset by favorable increases in service charges and other areas of noninterest income. For the full year 2024, noninterest income increased $1.1 million, or 4%, compared to 2023. Similar to the change in fourth quarter noninterest income described above, there was a $0.8 million net favorable difference between sale/leaseback gain net of investment portfolio realized losses in 2023 as compared to a $1.1 million net favorable difference for a second sale/leaseback transaction in early 2024. This resulted in a $0.3 million increase overall year-over-year for these two combined items. This was supplemented by a $1.1 million increase in service charges and a $0.9 million increase in bank-owned life income. These two favorable improvements were partially offset by a $0.8 million decline in other noninterest income items.

The favorable year-to-date change in Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) income is offset by similar increases to the Company’s deferred compensation plan.

Service charge income increases are due mostly to favorable improvements in analysis fee income, greater ATM fees, an increase in overdraft income and higher income related to money-service business customers.

Noninterest Expense

There was a favorable variance of total noninterest expense of $1.3 million, or 5%, in the fourth quarter of 2024, relative to the fourth quarter of 2023. For the full year of 2024, noninterest expense increased by $0.2 million, or 0.2%, for the year ended 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023.

Salaries and Benefits were $0.7 million, or 5%, lower in the fourth quarter of 2024, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, and $0.6 million, or 1%, lower for the year ended 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The Company made strategic decisions in 2023 that created operational efficiencies and reduced noninterest expenses. Full-time equivalent employees decreased by four to 485 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2024, as compared to 489 at December 31, 2023.

Occupancy expenses were $0.3 million higher for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $2.2 million higher year-to-date as compared to the same periods in 2023. The reason for the increases in both comparisons was due to increased rent expense from the sale/leaseback transactions in the fourth quarter of 2023 and first quarter of 2024.

Other noninterest expense decreased $0.9 million for the fourth quarter 2024, and $1.3 million for the year ended 2024, as compared to the same periods in 2023. The positive variances for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, were in marketing costs, due to a change in the Company marketing strategy, and in travel and legal expenses. For the year-over-year comparison, the categories of variance were the same as with the quarterly comparison, except for an unfavorable variance in directors’ deferred compensation expense and loan origination software, to better serve our customers and create operational efficiencies in the near term. This was partially offset by favorable variances in debit card processing and ATM network costs, from a branding change to VISA from Mastercard last year, and the subsequent costs in 2023 related to that change.

The Company's provision for income taxes was 17.7% of pre-tax income in the fourth quarter of 2024, relative to 23.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023, and 24.7% of pre-tax income for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to 25.0% for the year ended 2023. The decrease in effective tax rate in the fourth quarter was due to an increase in the net benefit from low-income housing tax credit investments.

Balance Sheet Summary

The $115.5 million, or 3%, decrease in total assets during the year ended 2024, was mostly a result of the strategic balance sheet restructuring, mostly offset by loan growth in 2024. Investment securities declined $377.8 million, primarily from the sale of bonds from the strategic securities transaction, as well as other maturities and calls of investment securities. The decreases in investment securities were partially offset by a $241.3 million increase in gross loans, and a $22.1 million increase in cash on hand.

The $241.3 million increase in gross loan balances, as compared to December 31, 2023, was a result of organic growth led by $210.4 million of growth of mortgage warehouse outstandings. The remaining growth came from a $32.2 million increase in commercial real estate loans, a $20.7 million increase in other commercial loans, and a $10.1 million increase in farmland loans, partially offset by a $30.6 million decline in residential real estate loans. Despite the uncertainty in the direction of market interest rates during 2025, the Company plans to expand its customer base in the mortgage warehouse sector to facilitate growth in 2025.

As indicated in the loan roll forward below, new credit extended (excluding mortgage warehouse) for the fourth quarter of 2024 of $79.9 million represented an $18.7 million increase compared to the prior linked quarter, and $53.2 million relative to the same period in 2023. New credit extended (excluding mortgage warehouse) increased $31.1 million in 2024 as compared to 2023. This increase in organic loan growth was attributable to new loan teams hired in recent years that are now gaining momentum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOAN ROLLFORWARD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

For the twelve months ended:

 

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

September 30, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

Gross loans beginning balance

 

$

2,320,629

 

 

$

2,234,528

 

 

$

2,100,810

 

 

$

2,090,075

 

 

$

2,052,940

 

New credit extended

 

 

79,934

 

 

 

61,239

 

 

 

26,704

 

 

 

216,452

 

 

 

185,323

 

Changes in line of credit utilization

 

 

(19,664

)

 

 

11,572

 

 

 

4,377

 

 

 

(43,432

)

 

 

(37,308

)

Change in mortgage warehouse

 

 

(9,376

)

 

 

61,718

 

 

 

8,415

 

 

 

210,402

 

 

 

50,561

 

Pay-downs, maturities, charge-offs and amortization

 

 

(40,182

)

 

 

(48,428

)

 

 

(50,231

)

 

 

(142,156

)

 

 

(161,441

)

Gross loans ending balance

 

$

2,331,341

 

 

$

2,320,629

 

 

$

2,090,075

 

 

$

2,331,341

 

 

$

2,090,075

 

Unused commitments, excluding mortgage warehouse and overdraft lines, were $256.9 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $203.6 million at December 31, 2023. Total line utilization, excluding mortgage warehouse and overdraft lines, was 57% at December 31, 2024, and 62% at December 31, 2023. Including mortgage warehouse utilization, overall utilization was 51% at December 31, 2024, as compared to 53% at December 31, 2023. Mortgage warehouse utilization increased to 51% at December 31, 2024, as compared to 36% at December 31, 2023. Due to new customer growth, total mortgage warehouse availability increased to $311.6 million at December 31, 2024, as compared to $204.5 million at December 31, 2023. The Bank increased the number of mortgage warehouse customers by 60% in 2024. This has facilitated an increase in outstanding balances in 2024 by $210.4 million, or 181%, to $324.6 million at December 31, 2024.

Deposit balances reflect growth of $130.4 million, or 5%, during the year ended 2024. Core non-maturity deposits increased by $12.0 million, or 1%, while customer time deposits decreased by $21.5 million, or 4%. Wholesale brokered deposits increased by $140.0 million, or 104%. As stated previously, the increase in brokered deposits was primarily to fund increases in mortgage warehouse lines. Overall noninterest-bearing deposits as a percent of total deposits at December 31, 2024, decreased to 34.8%, as compared to 37.0% at December 31, 2023. Other interest-bearing liabilities of $188.9 million on December 31, 2024, consist of $108.9 million in customer repurchase agreements and $80.0 million of term FHLB borrowings, as compared to $107.1 million in customer repurchase agreements, and $205.0 million of term FHLB borrowings on December 31, 2023.

Overall uninsured deposits are estimated to be approximately $815.5 million, or 28% of total deposit balances, excluding public agency deposits that are subject to collateralization through a letter of credit issued by the FHLB. In addition, uninsured deposits of the Bank’s customers are eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance if the customer opens an IntraFi Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) account or a reciprocal time deposit through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry System (CDARS). IntraFi allows for up to $265 million per customer of pass-through FDIC insurance, which would more than cover each of the Bank’s deposit customers if such customer desired to have such pass-through insurance. The Bank maintains a diversified deposit base with no significant customer concentrations and does not bank any cryptocurrency companies. At December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately 119,000 accounts, and the 25 largest deposit balance customers had balances of approximately 10% of overall deposits. During the fourth quarter of 2024, except for seasonality fluctuations in the normal course of business, there has been no material change in the composition of our 25 largest deposit balance customers.

The Company continues to have substantial liquidity. At December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had the following sources of primary and secondary liquidity (dollars in thousands, unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary and Secondary Liquidity Sources

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

100,664

 

$

78,602

Unpledged investment securities

 

 

552,098

 

 

792,965

Excess pledged securities

 

 

242,519

 

 

382,965

FHLB borrowing availability

 

 

629,134

 

 

586,726

Unsecured lines of credit

 

 

504,785

 

 

374,785

Funds available through fed discount window

 

 

298,296

 

 

392,034

Totals

 

$

2,327,496

 

$

2,608,077

Total capital of $357.3 million at December 31, 2024, reflects an increase of $19.2 million, or 6%, relative to year-end 2023. The increase in equity during the year ended December 31, 2024, was primarily due $40.6 million in net income and a $4.7 million favorable swing in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) partially offset by $13.6 million in dividends paid, and $15.0 million in share repurchases. The remaining difference was related to stock options exercised and restricted stock activity during the year.

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets, comprised of nonaccrual loans, increased by $11.7 million to $19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company's ratio of nonperforming loans to gross loans increased to 0.84% at December 31, 2024, from 0.38% at December 31, 2023. This unfavorable change in asset quality resulted from an increase in non-accrual loan balances, primarily as a result of one agricultural loan relationship. All the Company's nonperforming assets are individually evaluated for credit loss quarterly and management believes the established allowance for credit loss on such loans was appropriate. The nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2024, are mostly due to an operating line of credit collateralized with receivables from wine grape production and other assets with a balance of $16.3 million at December 31, 2024, and a current balance of $14.1 million, due to principal paydowns made by the customer during the month of January 2025.

The Company's allowance for credit losses on loans was $24.8 million at December 31, 2024, as compared to a balance of $23.5 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance was 1.07% of total loans at December 31, 2024, and 1.12% of total loans at December 31, 2023. The Company experienced fewer net charge offs during the year, offset by a specific allowance on a single agricultural credit relationship.

Management's detailed analysis indicates that the Company's allowance for credit losses on loans should be sufficient to cover credit losses inherent in loan portfolio balances outstanding as of December 31, 2024, but no assurance can be given that the Company will not experience substantial future losses relative to the size of the credit loss allowance on loans. Based upon the Company’s preliminary analysis we have identified approximately five residential real estate secured loans in the Los Angeles wildfire area and are unaware of any property damage at the date of this release. The total allowance for credit losses on loans of $24.8 million at December 31, 2024, included $0.4 million of allowance related to $326.4 million of mortgage warehouse lines.

About Sierra Bancorp

Sierra Bancorp is the holding Company for Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com), which is in its 48th year of operations and is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. Bank of the Sierra is a community-centric regional bank, which offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking services through full-service branches located within the counties of Tulare, Kern, Kings, Fresno, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. The Bank also maintains an online branch and provides specialized lending services through an agricultural credit center in Templeton, California. In 2024, Bank of the Sierra was recognized as one of the strongest and top-performing community banks in the country, with a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward looking statements. Actual results may differ from those projected. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including but not limited to the health of the national and local economies, loan portfolio performance, the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled employees, customers' service expectations, the Company's ability to successfully deploy new technology, the success of acquisitions and branch expansion, changes in interest rates, and other factors detailed in the Company's SEC filings, including the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recent Form 10‑K and Form 10‑Q.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CONDITION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

12/31/2024

 

9/30/2024

 

6/30/2024

 

3/31/2024

 

12/31/2023

Cash and due from banks

 

$

100,664

 

 

$

132,797

 

 

$

183,990

 

 

$

119,244

 

 

$

78,602

 

Investment securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale, at fair value

 

 

655,967

 

 

 

706,310

 

 

 

716,787

 

 

 

741,789

 

 

 

1,019,201

 

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses

 

 

305,514

 

 

 

308,971

 

 

 

312,879

 

 

 

316,406

 

 

 

320,057

 

Total investment securities

 

 

961,481

 

 

 

1,015,281

 

 

 

1,029,666

 

 

 

1,058,195

 

 

 

1,339,258

 

Real estate loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate

 

 

381,438

 

 

 

388,169

 

 

 

396,819

 

 

 

406,443

 

 

 

412,063

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

1,360,374

 

 

 

1,338,793

 

 

 

1,316,754

 

 

 

1,327,482

 

 

 

1,328,224

 

Other construction/land

 

 

5,458

 

 

 

5,612

 

 

 

5,971

 

 

 

6,115

 

 

 

6,256

 

Farmland

 

 

77,388

 

 

 

80,589

 

 

 

80,807

 

 

 

66,133

 

 

 

67,276

 

Total real estate loans

 

 

1,824,658

 

 

 

1,813,163

 

 

 

1,800,351

 

 

 

1,806,173

 

 

 

1,813,819

 

Other commercial

 

 

177,013

 

 

 

168,236

 

 

 

156,650

 

 

 

143,448

 

 

 

156,272

 

Mortgage warehouse lines

 

 

326,400

 

 

 

335,777

 

 

 

274,059

 

 

 

203,561

 

 

 

116,000

 

Consumer loans

 

 

3,270

 

 

3,453

 

 

3,468

 

 

3,682

 

 

3,984

 

Gross loans

 

 

2,331,341

 

 

 

2,320,629

 

 

 

2,234,528

 

 

 

2,156,864

 

 

 

2,090,075

 

Deferred loan fees

 

 

93

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

288

 

 

 

214

 

 

 

309

 

Allowance for credit losses on loans

 

 

(24,830

)

 

(22,710

)

 

(21,640

)

 

(23,140

)

 

(23,500

)

Net loans

 

 

2,306,604

 

 

 

2,298,315

 

 

 

2,213,176

 

 

 

2,133,938

 

 

 

2,066,884

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank premises & equipment

 

 

15,431

 

 

 

15,647

 

 

 

16,007

 

 

 

16,067

 

 

 

16,907

 

Other assets

 

 

230,091

 

 

234,114

 

 

238,363

 

 

225,628

 

 

228,148

 

Total assets

 

$

3,614,271

 

$

3,696,154

 

$

3,681,202

 

$

3,553,072

 

$

3,729,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES & CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest demand deposits

 

$

1,007,208

 

 

$

1,013,743

 

 

$

986,927

 

 

$

968,996

 

 

$

1,020,772

 

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

 

587,753

 

 

 

595,672

 

 

 

537,731

 

 

 

532,791

 

 

 

533,947

 

Savings deposits

 

 

347,387

 

 

 

356,725

 

 

 

368,169

 

 

 

378,057

 

 

 

370,806

 

Money market deposits

 

 

140,793

 

 

 

135,948

 

 

 

136,853

 

 

 

134,533

 

 

 

145,591

 

Customer time deposits

 

 

533,577

 

 

 

550,121

 

 

 

566,132

 

 

 

560,979

 

 

 

555,107

 

Wholesale brokered deposits

 

 

274,950

 

 

309,950

 

 

346,598

 

 

271,648

 

 

135,000

 

Total deposits

 

 

2,891,668

 

 

 

2,962,159

 

 

 

2,942,410

 

 

 

2,847,004

 

 

 

2,761,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

49,393

 

 

 

49,371

 

 

 

49,348

 

 

 

49,326

 

 

 

49,304

 

Junior subordinated debentures

 

 

35,838

 

 

 

35,794

 

 

 

35,749

 

 

 

35,704

 

 

 

35,660

 

Other interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

188,860

 

 

205,534

 

 

228,003

 

 

201,851

 

 

467,621

 

Total deposits & interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

3,165,759

 

 

 

3,252,858

 

 

 

3,255,510

 

 

 

3,133,885

 

 

 

3,313,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments

 

 

710

 

 

 

640

 

 

 

520

 

 

 

540

 

 

 

510

 

Other liabilities

 

 

90,500

 

 

 

83,958

 

 

 

75,152

 

 

 

73,553

 

 

 

77,384

 

Total capital

 

 

357,302

 

 

358,698

 

 

350,020

 

 

345,094

 

 

338,097

 

Total liabilities & capital

 

$

3,614,271

 

$

3,696,154

 

$

3,681,202

 

$

3,553,072

 

$

3,729,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

6/30/2024

 

 

3/31/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

Goodwill

 

$

27,357

 

 

$

27,357

 

 

$

27,357

 

 

$

27,357

 

 

$

27,357

 

Core deposit intangible

 

 

618

 

 

780

 

 

961

 

 

1,180

 

 

1,399

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

27,975

 

$

28,137

 

$

28,318

 

$

28,537

 

$

28,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT QUALITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

6/30/2024

 

 

3/31/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

Non-accruing loans

 

$

19,668

 

 

$

10,348

 

 

$

6,473

 

 

$

14,188

 

 

$

7,985

 

Foreclosed assets

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Total nonperforming assets

 

$

19,668

 

$

10,348

 

$

6,473

 

$

14,188

 

$

7,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterly net charge offs

 

$

215

 

 

$

170

 

 

$

2,421

 

 

$

457

 

 

$

3,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past due & still accruing (30-89)

 

$

1,348

 

 

$

211

 

 

$

3,172

 

 

$

1,563

 

 

$

255

 

Classified loans

 

$

44,464

 

 

$

29,148

 

 

$

28,829

 

 

$

34,100

 

 

$

35,577

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-performing loans to gross loans

 

 

0.84

%

 

 

0.45

%

 

 

0.29

%

 

 

0.66

%

 

 

0.38

%

NPA's to loans plus foreclosed assets

 

 

0.84

%

 

 

0.45

%

 

 

0.29

%

 

 

0.66

%

 

 

0.38

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to gross loans

 

 

1.07

%

 

 

0.98

%

 

 

0.97

%

 

 

1.07

%

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELECT PERIOD-END STATISTICS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

6/30/2024

 

 

3/31/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

Shareholders equity / total assets

 

 

9.89

%

 

 

9.70

%

 

 

9.51

%

 

 

9.71

%

 

 

9.06

%

Gross loans / deposits

 

 

80.62

%

 

 

78.34

%

 

 

75.94

%

 

 

75.76

%

 

 

75.69

%

Noninterest-bearing deposits / total deposits

 

 

34.83

%

 

 

34.22

%

 

 

33.54

%

 

 

34.04

%

 

 

36.97

%

Core non-maturity deposits

 

 

2,083,141

2,102,088

2,029,680

2,014,377

 

 

 

2,071,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

 

For the year ended:

 

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

Interest income

 

$

43,095

 

 

$

44,798

 

 

$

42,443

 

 

$

172,348

 

 

$

163,121

 

Interest expense

 

 

12,742

 

 

 

14,008

 

 

 

14,573

 

 

 

52,319

 

 

 

50,716

 

Net interest income

 

 

30,353

 

 

 

30,790

 

 

 

27,870

 

 

 

120,029

 

 

 

112,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit loss (benefit) expense - loans

 

 

2,335

 

 

 

1,240

 

 

 

3,615

 

 

 

4,593

 

 

 

4,058

 

Credit loss expense (benefit) - unfunded commitments

 

 

70

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

(90

)

 

 

200

 

 

 

(330

)

Credit loss benefit - debt securities held-to-maturity

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(47

)

Net interest income after credit loss expense

 

 

27,948

 

 

 

29,431

 

 

 

24,345

 

 

 

115,237

 

 

 

108,724

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts

 

 

6,059

 

 

 

6,205

 

 

 

5,977

 

 

 

24,173

 

 

 

23,103

 

Gain (loss) on sale of investments

 

 

129

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,681

)

 

 

396

 

(Loss) gain on sale of fixed assets

 

 

(16

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

15,255

 

 

 

3,783

 

 

 

15,270

 

BOLI income

 

 

372

 

 

 

540

 

 

 

379

 

 

 

2,650

 

 

 

1,767

 

Realized (loss) gain on available for sale securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

66

 

 

 

(14,500

)

Other noninterest income

 

 

968

 

 

 

971

 

 

 

934

 

 

 

3,530

 

 

 

4,364

 

Total noninterest income

 

 

7,512

 

 

 

7,789

 

 

 

8,045

 

 

 

31,521

 

 

 

30,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries & benefits

 

 

12,749

 

 

 

12,363

 

 

 

13,410

 

 

 

50,338

 

 

 

50,977

 

Occupancy expense

 

 

3,201

 

 

 

2,995

 

 

 

2,909

 

 

 

12,374

 

 

 

10,160

 

Other noninterest expenses

 

 

6,912

 

 

 

7,452

 

 

 

7,817

 

 

 

30,178

 

 

 

31,523

 

Total noninterest expense

 

 

22,862

 

 

 

22,810

 

 

 

24,136

 

 

 

92,890

 

 

 

92,660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

 

 

12,598

 

 

 

14,410

 

 

 

8,254

 

 

 

53,868

 

 

 

46,464

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

2,234

 

 

 

3,807

 

 

 

1,964

 

 

 

13,308

 

 

 

11,620

 

Net income

 

$

10,364

 

 

$

10,603

 

 

$

6,290

 

 

$

40,560

 

 

$

34,844

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAX DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax-exempt municipal income

 

$

1,579

 

 

$

1,584

 

 

$

2,675

 

 

$

6,743

 

 

$

10,909

 

Interest income - fully tax equivalent

 

$

43,515

 

 

$

45,219

 

 

$

43,154

 

 

$

174,140

 

 

$

166,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER SHARE DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

 

For the year ended:

 

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.73

 

 

$

0.75

 

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

2.84

 

 

$

2.37

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.72

 

 

$

0.74

 

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

2.82

 

 

$

2.36

 

Common dividends

 

$

0.24

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

$

0.23

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

$

0.92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

14,169,467

 

 

 

14,188,051

 

 

 

14,539,701

 

 

 

14,284,401

 

 

 

14,706,141

 

Weighted average diluted shares

 

 

14,299,618

 

 

 

14,335,706

 

 

 

14,588,027

 

 

 

14,396,021

 

 

 

14,737,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book value per basic share (EOP)

 

$

25.12

 

 

$

24.88

 

 

$

22.85

 

 

$

25.12

 

 

$

22.85

 

Tangible book value per share (EOP)

 

$

23.15

 

 

$

22.93

 

 

$

20.91

 

 

$

23.15

 

 

$

20.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding (EOP)

 

 

14,226,512

 

 

 

14,414,561

 

 

 

14,793,832

 

 

 

14,226,512

 

 

 

14,793,832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

 

For the year ended:

 

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

Return on average equity

 

 

11.49

%

 

 

11.95

%

 

 

8.03

%

 

 

11.62

%

 

 

11.30

%

Return on average assets

 

 

1.13

%

 

 

1.14

%

 

 

0.67

%

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

0.94

%

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent) (1)

 

 

3.65

%

 

 

3.66

%

 

 

3.31

%

 

 

3.66

%

 

 

3.37

%

Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent) (1)(2)

 

 

59.74

%

 

 

58.38

%

 

 

67.10

%

 

 

60.76

%

 

 

63.90

%

Net charge-offs to avg loans (not annualized)

 

 

0.01

%

 

 

0.01

%

 

 

0.15

%

 

 

0.15

%

 

 

0.18

%

(1)

Computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a federal income tax rate of 21%.

(2)

See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measurement in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

Total stockholders' equity

 

$

357,302

 

 

$

358,698

 

 

$

338,097

 

Less: goodwill and other intangible assets

 

 

27,975

 

 

 

28,137

 

 

 

28,756

 

Tangible common equity

 

$

329,327

 

 

$

330,561

 

 

$

309,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,614,271

 

 

$

3,696,154

 

 

$

3,729,799

 

Less: goodwill and other intangible assets

 

 

27,975

 

 

 

28,137

 

 

 

28,756

 

Tangible assets

 

$

3,586,296

 

 

$

3,668,017

 

 

$

3,701,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders' equity (bank only)

 

$

424,363

 

 

$

427,762

 

 

$

409,862

 

Less: goodwill and other intangible assets (bank only)

 

 

27,975

 

 

 

28,137

 

 

 

28,756

 

Tangible common equity (bank only)

 

$

396,388

 

 

$

399,625

 

 

$

381,106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets (bank only)

 

$

3,607,133

 

 

$

3,693,553

 

 

$

3,727,280

 

Less: goodwill and other intangible assets (bank only)

 

 

27,975

 

 

 

28,137

 

 

 

28,756

 

Tangible assets (bank only)

 

$

3,579,158

 

 

$

3,665,416

 

 

$

3,698,524

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

 

 

14,226,512

 

 

 

14,414,561

 

 

 

14,793,832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book value per common share

 

$

25.12

 

 

$

24.88

 

 

$

22.85

 

Tangible book value per common share

 

$

23.15

 

 

$

22.93

 

 

$

20.91

 

Equity ratio - GAAP (total stockholders' equity / total assets)

 

 

9.89

%

 

 

9.70

%

 

 

9.06

%

Tangible common equity ratio (tangible common equity / tangible assets)

 

 

9.18

%

 

 

9.01

%

 

 

8.36

%

Tangible common equity ratio (bank only) (tangible common equity / tangible assets)

 

 

11.07

%

 

 

10.90

%

 

 

10.30

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

 

For the year ended:

Efficiency Ratio:

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

Noninterest expense

 

$

22,862

 

 

$

22,810

 

 

$

24,136

 

 

$

92,890

 

 

$

92,660

 

Divided by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

30,353

 

 

 

30,790

 

 

 

27,870

 

 

 

120,029

 

 

 

112,405

 

Tax-equivalent interest income adjustments

 

 

420

 

 

 

421

 

 

 

711

 

 

 

1,792

 

 

 

2,900

 

Net interest income, adjusted

 

 

30,773

 

 

 

31,211

 

 

 

28,581

 

 

 

121,821

 

 

 

115,305

 

Noninterest income

 

 

7,512

 

 

 

7,789

 

 

 

8,045

 

 

 

31,521

 

 

 

30,400

 

Less gain (loss) on sale of securities

 

 

129

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,681

)

 

 

396

 

Less (loss) gain on sale of fixed assets

 

 

(16

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

15,255

 

 

 

3,783

 

 

 

15,270

 

Less realized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

66

 

 

 

(14,500

)

Tax-equivalent noninterest income adjustments

 

 

99

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

704

 

 

 

470

 

Noninterest income, adjusted

 

 

7,498

 

 

 

7,860

 

 

 

7,391

 

 

 

31,057

 

 

 

29,704

 

Net interest income plus noninterest income, adjusted

 

$

38,271

 

 

$

39,071

 

 

$

35,972

 

 

$

152,879

 

 

$

145,009

 

Efficiency Ratio (tax-equivalent)

 

 

59.74

%

 

 

58.38

%

 

 

67.10

%

 

 

60.76

%

 

 

63.90

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NONINTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For three months ended:

 

 

For twelve months ended:

Noninterest income:

 

 

12/31/2024

 

 

9/30/2024

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2024

 

12/31/2023

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

$

6,059

 

 

 

6,205

 

 

 

5,977

 

 

$

24,173

 

 

 

23,103

 

Gain (loss) on sale of securities

 

 

129

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,681

)

 

 

396

 

(Loss) gain on sale of fixed assets

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

 

 

15,255

 

 

 

3,783

 

 

 

15,270

 

Bank-owned life insurance

 

 

372

 

 

 

540

 

 

 

379

 

 

 

2,650

 

 

 

1,767

 

Realized (loss) gain on available for sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

66

 

 

 

(14,500

)

Other

 

 

968

 

 

 

971

 

 

 

934

 

 

 

3,530

 

 

 

4,364

 

Total noninterest income

 

$

7,512

 

 

$

7,789

 

 

$

8,045

 

 

$

31,521

 

 

$

30,400

 

As a % of average interest earning assets (1)

 

 

0.89

%

 

 

0.91

%

 

 

0.93

%

 

 

0.95

%

 

 

0.89

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

$

12,749

 

 

$

12,363

 

 

$

13,410

 

 

$

50,338

 

 

$

50,977

 

Occupancy costs

 

 

3,201

 

 

 

2,995

 

 

 

2,909

 

 

 

12,374

 

 

 

10,160

 

Advertising and marketing costs

 

 

361

 

 

 

381

 

 

 

569

 

 

 

1,422

 

 

 

2,215

 

Data processing costs

 

 

1,458

 

 

 

1,555

 

 

 

1,397

 

 

 

6,202

 

 

 

5,831

 

Deposit services costs

 

 

2,115

 

 

 

2,150

 

 

 

2,207

 

 

 

8,417

 

 

 

8,775

 

Loan services costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan processing

 

 

104

 

 

 

184

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

529

 

 

 

597

 

Foreclosed assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

665

 

Other operating costs

 

 

836

 

 

 

959

 

 

 

1,118

 

 

 

3,816

 

 

 

4,362

 

Professional services costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal & accounting

 

 

266

 

 

 

547

 

 

 

615

 

 

 

2,243

 

 

 

2,238

 

Director's costs

 

 

572

 

 

 

501

 

 

 

504

 

 

 

2,973

 

 

 

2,237

 

Other professional service

 

 

719

 

 

 

775

 

 

 

708

 

 

 

2,883

 

 

 

2,760

 

Stationery & supply costs

 

 

100

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

483

 

 

 

531

 

Sundry & tellers

 

 

381

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

1,210

 

 

 

1,312

 

Total noninterest expense

 

$

22,862

 

 

$

22,810

 

 

$

24,136

 

 

$

92,890

 

 

$

92,660

 

As a % of average interest earning assets (1)

 

 

2.71

%

 

 

2.68

%

 

 

2.80

%

 

 

2.79

%

 

 

2.71

%

Efficiency ratio (2)(3)

 

 

59.74

%

 

 

58.38

%

 

 

67.10

%

 

 

60.76

%

 

 

63.90

%

(1)

Annualized.

(2)

Computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a federal income tax rate of 21%.

(3)

See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measurement in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVERAGE BALANCES AND RATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

For the quarter ended

 

For the quarter ended

 

For the quarter ended

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

September 30, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

Average Balance (1)

Income/ Expense

Yield/ Rate (2)

 

Average Balance (1)

Income/ Expense

Yield/ Rate (2)

 

Average Balance (1)

Income/ Expense

Yield/ Rate (2)

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-earning due from banks

 

$

49,680

$

594

4.74

%

 

$

88,509

$

1,225

5.51

%

 

$

13,661

$

193

5.61

%

Taxable

 

 

791,332

 

10,600

5.31

%

 

 

830,054

 

11,991

5.75

%

 

 

994,814

 

14,520

5.79

%

Non-taxable

 

 

198,600

 

1,579

3.99

%

 

 

199,261

 

1,584

4.00

%

 

 

334,836

 

2,675

4.01

%

Total investments

 

 

1,039,612

 

12,773

5.03

%

 

 

1,117,824

 

14,800

5.42

%

 

 

1,343,311

 

17,388

5.35

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

 

1,811,939

 

21,413

4.69

%

 

 

1,804,099

 

21,054

4.64

%

 

 

1,835,890

 

20,683

4.47

%

Agricultural Production

 

 

82,347

 

1,326

6.39

%

 

 

81,501

 

1,520

7.42

%

 

 

49,052

 

859

6.95

%

Commercial

 

 

85,779

 

1,244

5.75

%

 

 

76,633

 

1,101

5.72

%

 

 

97,962

 

1,533

6.21

%

Consumer

 

 

3,402

 

89

10.38

%

 

 

3,558

 

78

8.72

%

 

 

4,218

 

85

7.99

%

Mortgage warehouse lines

 

 

328,838

 

6,227

7.51

%

 

 

303,463

 

6,227

8.16

%

 

 

88,316

 

1,878

8.44

%

Other

 

 

2,595

 

22

3.36

%

 

 

2,438

 

18

2.94

%

 

 

2,331

 

17

2.89

%

Total loans

 

 

2,314,900

 

30,321

5.20

%

 

 

2,271,692

 

29,998

5.25

%

 

 

2,077,769

 

25,055

4.78

%

Total interest earning assets (4)

 

 

3,354,512

 

43,094

5.16

%

 

 

3,389,516

 

44,798

5.31

%

 

 

3,421,080

 

42,443

5.00

%

Other earning assets

 

 

44,910

 

 

 

 

17,062

 

 

 

 

25,738

 

 

Non-earning assets

 

 

258,710

 

 

 

 

288,975

 

 

 

 

267,451

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,658,132

 

 

 

$

3,695,553

 

 

 

$

3,714,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

 

$

202,940

$

1,348

2.64

%

 

$

169,602

$

1,170

2.74

%

 

$

137,827

$

698

2.01

%

NOW

 

 

382,649

 

118

0.12

%

 

 

393,328

 

161

0.16

%

 

 

406,970

 

74

0.07

%

Savings accounts

 

 

353,807

 

90

0.10

%

 

 

359,921

 

93

0.10

%

 

 

386,275

 

73

0.07

%

Money market

 

 

144,812

 

643

1.76

%

 

 

132,804

 

542

1.62

%

 

 

144,296

 

419

1.15

%

Time Deposits

 

 

538,441

 

4,979

3.68

%

 

 

562,251

 

6,010

4.25

%

 

 

551,287

 

6,172

4.44

%

Wholesale Brokered Deposits

 

 

289,678

 

3,520

4.82

%

 

 

327,141

 

4,004

4.87

%

 

 

150,326

 

1,407

3.71

%

Total interest bearing deposits

 

 

1,912,327

 

10,698

2.22

%

 

 

1,945,047

 

11,980

2.45

%

 

 

1,776,981

 

8,843

1.97

%

Borrowed funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased

 

 

165

 

2

4.81

%

 

 

168

 

2

4.74

%

 

 

133,339

 

1,840

5.47

%

Repurchase agreements

 

 

118,327

 

45

0.15

%

 

 

133,280

 

60

0.18

%

 

 

95,005

 

46

0.19

%

Short term borrowings

 

 

7,238

 

72

3.95

%

 

 

1

 

0

0.00

%

 

 

133,098

 

1,861

5.55

%

Long term FHLB Advances

 

 

80,000

 

786

3.90

%

 

 

80,000

 

786

3.91

%

 

 

80,000

 

788

3.91

%

Long term debt

 

 

49,380

 

430

3.45

%

 

 

49,357

 

429

3.46

%

 

 

49,290

 

429

3.45

%

Subordinated debentures

 

 

35,812

 

708

7.84

%

 

 

35,767

 

751

8.35

%

 

 

35,632

 

766

8.53

%

Total borrowed funds

 

 

290,922

 

2,043

2.79

%

 

 

298,573

 

2,028

2.70

%

 

 

526,364

 

5,730

4.32

%

Total interest bearing liabilities

 

 

2,203,249

 

12,741

2.29

%

 

 

2,243,620

 

14,008

2.48

%

 

 

2,303,345

 

14,573

2.51

%

Demand deposits - Noninterest bearing

 

 

993,827

 

 

 

 

995,326

 

 

 

 

1,041,989

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

102,296

 

 

 

 

103,571

 

 

 

 

58,255

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

358,760

 

 

 

 

353,036

 

 

 

 

310,680

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

3,658,132

 

 

 

$

3,695,553

 

 

 

$

3,714,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income/interest earning assets

 

 

 

5.16

%

 

 

 

5.31

%

 

 

 

5.00

%

Interest expense/interest earning assets

 

 

 

1.51

%

 

 

 

1.65

%

 

 

 

1.69

%

Net interest income and margin (5)

 

 

$

30,353

3.65

%

 

 

$

30,790

3.66

%

 

 

$

27,870

3.31

%

(1)

Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.

(2)

Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 21% effective tax rate.

(3)

Loans are gross of the allowance for possible credit losses. Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Net loan fees and loan acquisition FMV amortization were $(0.4) million and $(0.3) million for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $(0.4) million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

(4)

Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of computing total earning assets.

(5)

Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVERAGE BALANCES AND RATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the twelve months ended

 

 

For the twelve months ended

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

Average

Balance (1)

 

Income/

Expense

 

Yield/ Rate (2)

 

Average

Balance (1)

 

Income/

Expense

 

Yield/ Rate (2)

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-earning due from banks

 

$

49,754

 

$

2,659

 

5.33

%

 

$

19,527

 

$

1,054

 

5.40

%

Taxable

 

 

845,018

 

 

48,682

 

5.75

%

 

 

992,187

 

 

54,367

 

5.48

%

Non-taxable

 

 

210,636

 

 

6,743

 

4.05

%

 

 

348,551

 

 

10,909

 

3.96

%

Total investments

 

 

1,105,408

 

 

58,084

 

5.40

%

 

 

1,360,265

 

 

66,330

 

5.09

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans:(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

$

1,806,114

 

$

83,120

 

4.60

%

 

$

1,854,300

 

$

82,174

 

4.43

%

Agricultural

 

 

75,309

 

 

5,390

 

7.16

%

 

 

35,724

 

 

2,438

 

6.82

%

Commercial

 

 

79,719

 

 

4,702

 

5.90

%

 

 

85,572

 

 

5,096

 

5.96

%

Consumer

 

 

3,654

 

 

326

 

8.92

%

 

 

4,249

 

 

348

 

8.19

%

Mortgage warehouse lines

 

 

258,191

 

 

20,658

 

8.00

%

 

 

81,675

 

 

6,658

 

8.15

%

Other

 

 

2,415

 

 

68

 

2.82

%

 

 

2,415

 

 

77

 

3.19

%

Total loans

 

 

2,225,402

 

 

114,264

 

5.13

%

 

 

2,063,935

 

 

96,791

 

4.69

%

Total interest earning assets (4)

 

 

3,330,810

 

 

172,348

 

5.23

%

 

 

3,424,200

 

 

163,121

 

4.85

%

Other earning assets

 

 

17,131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,850

 

 

 

 

 

Non-earning assets

 

 

283,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

272,930

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,631,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,713,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

 

$

160,644

 

$

3,950

 

2.46

%

 

$

143,428

 

$

1,429

 

1.00

%

NOW

 

 

393,126

 

 

512

 

0.13

%

 

 

442,819

 

 

289

 

0.07

%

Savings accounts

 

 

365,459

 

 

336

 

0.09

%

 

 

419,834

 

 

269

 

0.06

%

Money market

 

 

138,703

 

 

2,071

 

1.49

%

 

 

132,748

 

 

710

 

0.53

%

Time deposits

 

 

556,506

 

 

23,229

 

4.17

%

 

 

527,965

 

 

23,214

 

4.40

%

Brokered deposits

 

 

282,618

 

 

13,257

 

4.69

%

 

 

163,382

 

 

5,643

 

3.45

%

Total interest bearing deposits

 

 

1,897,056

 

 

43,355

 

2.29

%

 

 

1,830,176

 

 

31,554

 

1.72

%

Borrowed funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased

3,840

 

 

211

 

6.56

%

 

94,815

 

 

4,975

 

5.25

%

Repurchase agreements

123,878

 

 

685

 

0.17

%

 

90,294

 

 

245

 

0.27

%

Short term borrowings

12,535

 

 

3,126

 

5.46

%

 

130,622

 

 

7,059

 

5.40

%

Long term FHLB Advances

 

 

80,000

 

 

1,721

 

3.91

%

 

 

58,411

 

 

2,282

 

3.91

%

Long term debt

 

 

49,346

 

 

2,969

 

3.49

%

 

 

49,257

 

 

1,715

 

3.48

%

Subordinated debentures

 

 

35,745

 

 

8,964

 

8.31

%

 

 

35,567

 

 

2,886

 

8.11

%

Total borrowed funds

 

 

305,344

 

 

17,676

 

2.94

%

 

 

458,966

 

 

19,162

 

4.18

%

Total interest bearing liabilities

 

 

2,202,400

 

 

61,031

 

2.38

%

 

 

2,289,142

 

 

50,716

 

2.22

%

Demand deposits - noninterest bearing

 

 

989,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,057,041

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

90,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59,317

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

348,949

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

308,480

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

3,631,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,713,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income/interest earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.23

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.85

%

Interest expense/interest earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.57

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.48

%

Net interest income and margin(5)

 

 

 

 

$

120,029

 

3.66

%

 

 

 

 

$

112,405

 

3.37

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.

(2)

Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis.

(3)

Loans are gross of the allowance for possible credit losses. Net loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Net loan fees and loan acquisition FMV amortization were $(1.4) million and $(1.0) million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2022, respectively.

(4)

Non-accrual loans are slotted by loan type and have been included in total loans for purposes of total interest earning assets.

(5)

Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets (tax-equivalent).

Category: Financial

Source: Sierra Bancorp

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