Ralph Mesick
Analyst · Bank of America. Your line is now open
Thanks, Bob. Turning to Slide 3. We ended the quarter with a liquid and asset-sensitive balance sheet and high levels of capital. Deposit inflows continues, but actions we took in the fourth quarter to deploy excess cash and retire FHLB borrowing contributed to an improvement in our net interest margin. The loan to deposit level was just under 58% at quarter-end. Higher rates led to AOCI adjustments in the security book, reducing the size of the balance sheet and GAAP equity reported. It is important to note that the AOCI adjustments do not impact income or cash flows have no impact on regulatory capital ratios or our ability to distribute capital to shareholders. Turning to Slide 4. Period-end loans and leases were $12.9 billion, a decrease of $70 million from the end of Q4. Excluding the impact of PPP loans, total loans increased about $40 million, or 1.3% on an annualized basis. The growth in loans was driven by increases in CRE, residential and home equity, but this production was offset by unanticipated repayment. In the quarter, we saw a few construction loans refinanced prior to stabilization and more aggressive lending in the local marketplace with competition relaxing not just pricing, but underwriting as well. Dealer flooring balances remain relatively stable, increasing about $9 million in the quarter. This increase was lower than expected as buyer demand and a lack of new vehicle production remain a factor in dealers building inventories. Higher rates will impact mortgage refinancing activities, but turnover should slow and support portfolio balances. At quarter-end the loan pipeline was strong. We started the first few weeks of the second quarter with good origination activity and growth in the portfolio. The outlook for 2022 is unchanged with year-over-year growth in the mid-to-high single-digit range expected. The factors that account for the variability of the forecast include the degree of recovery we see in dealers flooring; decisions we might make to retain or sell mortgage production; and lastly, our risk appetite relative to changes in market lending practices. Turning to Slide 5. Deposits increased 2.1% or $454 million to $22.3 billion at quarter-end. Consumer and commercial loan deposits drove that growth, increasing about $421 million. The cost of deposits fell by 1 basis point to 5 basis points. Despite greater uncertainty around deposit levels, we do retain adequate flexibility to fund loan demand under different scenarios. Our expectation is that deposit betas will be like previous cycles, some lag in repricing against loans. Turning to Slide 6. Net interest income was down $3.5 million from the prior quarter to $133.9 million. The decline was due to $6.8 million drop in PPP loan fees and interest. Excluding the PPP fees and interest, net interest income increased by about $3.2 million. The net interest margin increased 4 basis points to 2.42%. As mentioned, this was in large part due to actions we took in the fourth quarter to reduce excess liquidity. The positive impacts of lower average cash balances and higher security yields were partially offset by lower PPP fees and interest income. Looking ahead, we are positioned to benefit from higher rates. At the current level of interest rates, the net interest margin should increase a few basis points in Q2, seeing a 5 to 6 basis point benefit from the March rate hike, offsetting the decline in PPP fees and interests. You should also see a pickup coming from higher yields on securities roll over and new loan originations. Additional Fed rate increases will be additive to this, and we should see the impacts quickly as about $5 billion in loans repriced within 90 days. Turning to Slide 7. Non-interest income was $41.4 million essentially flat to the prior quarter. Card fees were down $1.4 million on a seasonal decline in activity, but the numbers were up year-over-year. We reported a net decline of roughly $3.3 million in BOLI due to volatility in the bond and equity markets. Service charges and fees showed improvements over the prior quarter. Trust and investment fees were flat. Looking ahead, we would anticipate service charges and transaction-based fees to trend higher as the economic activity picks up. Lower fees should also improve as higher rates will allow us to receive fees on cash management accounts. Non-interest expense was $104 million in Q1, $4.7 million lower than the prior quarter. While we will see inflationary pressures, our outlook for the expenses is unchanged and we project full-year growth of 6.5% to 7% over 2021. Turning to Slide 8. I'll make a few comments on credit. Asset quality remained very strong, realized credit costs were down and the level of NPAs, criticized assets and past due loans were low. In Q1, net charge-offs were $2.6 million or 8 basis point annualized. This is $3.6 million lower than Q4. The bank recorded a $5.7 million provision release for the quarter. NPA and 90-day past due loans remain low at 10 basis points, 1 basis point lower than the prior quarter. Criticized assets continue to decline, dropping from 1.6% of total loans in Q4 to 1.29% in Q1. Past due loans were flat compared to the prior quarter. Loans 30 to 89 days past due remain at 23 basis points at the end of Q1. Moving to Slide 9. You see a rollforward of the allowance for the quarter by disclosure segments. Economic outlook moderately improved in Q1, but we continue to consider downside risks that could impact credit losses. These include such things as [indiscernible] higher interest rates and impacts related to geopolitical instability and military conflicts. The allowance for credit loss decreased $7 million to $150.3 million. The level equates to 1.17% of all loans or 1.18% net of PPP loans. The decrease in ACL level is due to the release of the COVID-19 overlay on the residential portfolio and improve what still conservative economic outlook and better asset quality. Our reserved unfunded commitments decreased by $1.4 million to $29 million. Let me now turn the call back to Bob for any closing remarks.