Isabella Bank Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX: ISBA) (the "Company" or "we") reported third quarter 2024 net income of $3.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $4.4 million or $0.58 per diluted share in the same quarter of 2023. The non-GAAP measure of core earnings in the third quarter 2024 totaled $4.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, compared to $4.4 million or $0.58 per diluted share for the same quarter of 2023.

THIRD QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• Return on assets of 0.62%, core return on assets of 0.87% (non-GAAP measure)
• Loan growth of 12% annualized
• Deposit growth of 14% annualized
• Net interest margin of 2.98%
• Nonaccrual loans to total loans ratio of 0.04%

"Profitability from operations improved during the third quarter as we delivered quarter-over-quarter expansion in net interest income with strong growth on both sides of the balance sheet while maintaining our disciplined approach to credit quality," said Isabella Bank Corporation's Chief Executive Officer Jerome Schwind. "Core earnings increased 31% over the second quarter 2024. That benefit was offset by a $1.6 million charge, as previously announced, related to overdrawn deposit accounts from a customer.

"Along with higher loan yields, our quarterly results include the benefit of recovering two previously charged-off commercial loans," he added. "With continued improvement in our top-line results, our focus is on opportunities to boost return on assets and lower the efficiency ratio. I am proud of our teamwork, dedication to risk management, and our commitment to provide consistent, sustainable long-term earnings."

FINANCIAL CONDITION (September 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2024)

Total assets grew $46.8 million to $2.1 billion primarily due to loan growth funded by growth in deposits during the third quarter. Excess cash generated during the quarter was used to pay off wholesale borrowings totaling $24.7 million.

Securities available-for-sale increased $1.2 million to $506.8 million at the end of third quarter 2024. The increase was due to a $13.1 million improvement in the net unrealized loss, which was offset by $11.9 million of principal paydowns on mortgage-related securities and municipal security maturities. Net unrealized losses on securities totaled $21 million and $34 million at the end of the third and second quarters, respectively. Net unrealized losses as a percentage of total available-for-sale securities improved to 4% from 6% at the end of the second quarter of 2024 mostly due to a decrease in short-term bond yields. While bond rates may vary from quarter to quarter, we expect unrealized losses will continue to decrease as the bonds approach their maturity dates over the next three years.

Total loans grew $42.6 million to $1.42 billion at the end of the third quarter, led by a $36.9 million increase in advances to mortgage brokers. Residential loans increased $4.7 million on steady new volume and continued slowing of prepayments. Excluding advances to mortgage brokers, commercial loans increased $4.2 million due to continued growth in commercial and industrial loans and agricultural loans. At the end of September, $12.6 million of additional commercial real estate construction loans closed and the majority are expected to be funded early in the fourth quarter.

The allowance for credit losses decreased $460,000 to $12.6 million at the end of third quarter of 2024. Most of the decrease is due to improvement in historical loss experience, driven by the recovery of two previously charged-off loans in the quarter totaling $314,000. Nonaccrual loan balances decreased by $447,000 to $547,000 at the end of the third quarter of 2024. Past due and accruing accounts between 30 to 89 days as a percentage of total loans was 0.16% compared to 0.05% at the end of third quarter of 2023. The increase is mostly the result of one agricultural loan with a balance of $1.1 million that is now current.

Total deposits were up $59.5 million to $1.78 billion at the end of the third quarter. The increase is consistent with normal seasonal patterns at the end of the third quarter that are generally experienced in money market accounts due to an inflow from businesses and municipalities. Certificates of Deposit accounts (CDs) were up $15.1 million, attributed to new accounts and customers' anticipation of lower deposit rates going into the fourth quarter 2024. Demand for retail CDs continues because of the rate environment.

Tangible book value per share was $22.14 as of September 30, 2024, compared to $20.60 on June 30, 2024. Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities reduced tangible book value per share by $2.23 and $3.60 for the respective periods. Share repurchases totaled 53,000 during the third quarter for a value of $1.0 million at an average price of $19.23.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (September 30, 2024, to September 30, 2023, quarterly comparison, unless otherwise noted)

Net interest margin as a percentage of earning assets (NIM) was 2.98%, compared to 2.85% last quarter and 2.99% in the third quarter of 2023. During the third quarter, we recovered the full contractual interest from two commercial loans that previously were charged off, which contributed 6 basis points to NIM. The book yield from securities was 2.21% and 2.23% during third quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The weighted average maturity of our U.S. Treasury portfolio is less than 2 years, and the proceeds are expected to be reinvested in market rate loans and securities, or to pay off borrowed funds. The yield on loans expanded to 5.73% in third quarter, up from 5.17% in the same quarter of 2023. Excluding loan recoveries, the yield on loans was 5.65%. The expansion in loan yields is a result of higher rates on new loans and fixed rate commercial loans that have and continue repricing to variable rates. At the end of the third quarter, approximately 41% of commercial loans are fixed at rates that are lower than current market rates, but the majority will contractually reprice to variable rates over the next three to five years. Cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased to 2.43% from 1.77% in the third quarter of 2023 but have stabilized compared to the cost in the previous quarter of 2.39%.

The provision for credit losses was $946,000 in the third quarter, compared to a credit of $292,000 for the same period in 2023. The current year quarter includes the impact from the recovery of the contractual principal of two previously charged-off commercial loans totaling $314,000. That benefit was offset by a $1.6 million charge related to overdrawn deposit accounts from a single customer. The loans to the customer and related parties are well collateralized, and no additional credit provisioning was necessary in the third quarter. The credit in the prior year quarter mostly reflects loan recoveries in excess of charge-off activity.

Noninterest income was $3.5 million compared to $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. Customer service fees grew $99,000 based on a higher number of transactional accounts. Wealth management income increased $145,000, or 17%, due to higher assets under management (AUM). AUM increased $89.2 million over the prior year quarter driven by growth in new accounts and higher security valuations.

Noninterest expenses were $13.2 million in the third quarter 2024 compared to $12.7 million in same quarter of 2023. Compensation and benefit expenses increased $612,000 reflecting annual merit increases in 2024, and higher incentive compensation as compared to the third quarter of 2023.

About the Corporation

Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX: ISBA) is the parent holding company of Isabella Bank, a state-chartered community bank headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Isabella Bank was established in 1903 and has been committed to serving its customers' and communities' local banking needs for over 120 years. The Bank offers personal and commercial lending and deposit products, as well as investment, trust, and estate planning services. The Bank has locations throughout eight Mid-Michigan counties: Bay, Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, and Saginaw.

For more information about Isabella Bank Corporation, visit the Investor Relations link at www.isabellabank.com. Isabella Bank Corporation common stock is quoted on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets Group, Inc.'s electronic quotation system (www.otcmarkets.com) under the symbol "ISBA." The Corporation's investor relations firm is Stonegate Capital Partners, Inc. (www.stonegateinc.com). 

Forward-Looking Statements

Information in this release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder. We intend such forward looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are included in this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements generally relate to losses, impact of events, financial condition, plans, objectives, outlook for earnings, revenues, expenses, capital and liquidity levels and ratios, asset levels, asset quality, financial position, and other matters regarding or affecting the Company and its future business and operations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "will likely result", "expect", "plan", "believe", "estimate", "anticipate", "strategy", "trend", "forecast", "outlook", "project", "intend", "assume", "outcome", "continue", "remain", "potential", "opportunity", "comfortable", "current", "position", "maintain", "sustain", "seek", "achieve" and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, would, should, could or may. Although we believe the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and trends to differ materially from those made, projected, or implied in or by the forward-looking statements depending on a variety of uncertainties or other factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, or included in any subsequent filing by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. The Company cautions you not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements because the assumptions, beliefs, expectations, and projections about future events may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as to the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made.

To read the full press release, please click here.