Will Furr
Analyst · Piper Sandler. Please go ahead
Thank you, Jeremy. I'll start on Page 5. As Jeremy discussed, for the second quarter of 2021, Hilltop reported consolidated income attributable to common stockholders of $99 million, equating to $1.21 per diluted share. Included in the second quarter results with a net reversal of provision for credit losses of $28.7 million, which includes approximately $500,000 of net charge-offs in the quarter. On Page 6, we’ve detailed the significant drivers to the change in allowance for credit losses for the period. The most significant drivers in the quarter were the positive migration of certain credits in the portfolio and the further improvement in the expected macro economic outlook. First, related to the macroeconomic outlook, we leveraged the Moody's S7 scenario for our second quarter now. This scenario highlights improving real GDP and unemployment trends coupled with increasing risk of higher inflation in future periods versus the economic scenario selected for our first quarter assessment. The impact of the improving economic outlook resulted in the release of $11 million of ACL during the second quarter. The second key driver was the ongoing improvement in credit quality across the portfolio. During the quarter, the restaurant portfolio experienced positive migration resulting from improving financial performance and more resilient outlook for future periods. Further, the business saw broader base improvement across a set of clients, whereby their full-year 2020 results were not yet severely impacted as was previously expected and the first half results were improving from prior risk rating assessment periods. The results of the improvements at the client level equated to net release of ACL of $17 million during the second quarter. The combination of improved client reforming and improving macroeconomic outlook, which were only modestly offset by net charge-offs resulted in allowance for credit losses for the period ending June 30 of $115 million or 1.51% of total loans. Further, the coverage ratio of ACL to total loans increases to 1.86%. The loans that we believe have lower loss potential, including PPP, broker dealer, and mortgage warehouse loans are excluded. Now turning to Page 7. Net interest income in the second quarter equated to $108 million, including $12.4 million of PPP related interest and fee income, as well as purchase accounting accretion. Net interest margin declined versus the first quarter of 2021 driven by lower PPP recognition, higher average cash balances, and continued pressure on loan held for investment yields. Somewhat offsetting these items were higher loan over sale yield, resulting from higher overall mortgage rates, coupled with lower interest bearing deposit costs, which have continued to trend lower as expected finishing the quarter [down] 9 basis points at 32 basis points. We continue to expect that interest bearing deposit costs will move modestly lower over the coming quarters as the consumer CD portfolio continues to mature and reset the lower yield. As it relates to asset yields, the current competitive environment for commercial loans is resulting in substantial pressure on new business loan yields, as well as our ability to maintain current [indiscernible]. Further, with funded loan growth continued to be slower than we expected, we are increasing the level of 1-4 family loans we are retaining on the balance sheet to approximately 50 million to 75 million per month from the prior outlook of $30 million to $50 million per month. As we noted in the past call, we are using the 1-4 family loan retention approach to offset the slower growing commercial lending environment. While this does provide a high quality source of assets, and net interesting income, these loans generally carry a yield below that of our traditional commercial loans. And as a result, we'll put downward pressure on NIM. To that end, we expected NIM will maintain or remain pressure into the second half of 2021 moving lower towards 240 basis points and 250 basis points by year-end. Turning to Page 8, total non-interest income for the second quarter of 2021 equated to $340 million. Second quarter mortgage related income and fees decreased by $99 million versus the second quarter of 2020 driven by lower origination volumes, declining gain on sale margins, and lower lock volumes. As it relates to gain on sale margin, we note in our key driver table in the lower right of the page, the gain on sale margin on loans fell 22 basis points versus the prior quarter. Further, we are providing the impact on gain on sale margin related to the loans that have been retained on the balance sheet. For additional clarity, the reported gain on sale is the margin reported by mortgage origination segments and replaced all loans distributed and retained on the balance sheet. Gain on sales loans sold to third parties provides the margin on those loans that were distributed outside of Hilltop Holdings or purchased at market value. As a result of our 1-4 family loan rotation approach, and the increase in aggregate monthly loan retention levels, the gain on sale margins have begun to diverge more than they have in the past. And as a result, we have provided both statistics for reference in this presentation. These statistics have been provided in our Form 10-Q and earnings release materials historic. During the second quarter of 2021, the environment in mortgage banking remained solid, and as expected to get into shift to a more purchase mortgage centric marketplace. During the second quarter, purchased mortgage volumes increased by 1.1 billion or 38.5%, while refinance volumes declined 43% or 1.4 billion versus the first quarter origination level. We expect this trend to continue towards a more purchase mortgage centric market over the coming quarters, which could continue to pressure gain on sale margins into the future. We continue to expect the gain on sale margins through third party sales will follow them a full-year average range of 360 basis points and 385 basis points. Other income declined by $37 million, driven primarily by declines in TBA lock volumes, volatility in market rates and volatile trading in fixed income capital markets. As we've noted in the past, the structure financing fixed income capital markets businesses can be volatile from period-to-period as they are impacted by interest rates, market volatility, origination volume trend, and overall market liquidity. Moving to Page 9. Non-interest expenses decreased from the same period in the prior year by $27 million to $343 million. The decline in expenses versus the prior year was driven by decline in variable compensation of approximately $35 million at Hilltop Securities and PrimeLending. This decline in variable compensation was linked to lower revenues in the quarter, compared to the prior year period. Looking forward, we continue to expect that our revenues will decline from the record levels of 2020, which will put pressure on our efficiency ratio. That said, we remain focused on continuous improvement, leveraging the investments we've made over the last few years to aggressively manage fixed costs while we continue to further streamline our businesses and accelerate our digital transformation. Moving to Page 10. In the period HFI loan equated to $7.6 billion. As we've noted on prior call, we expected that loan growth would be challenging during the first half of 2021 and the results [bear that out]. We've seen substantial increases in competition for funded loans across our Texas markets, which we expect will continue into 2020. Further, the ongoing growth and available liquidity both on bank balance sheets and customer balance sheets could further delay a return to more normal commercial loan growth rates for at least a few quarters. We continue to expect that full-year average total loan growth, excluding PPP loans will be within a range of 0% to 3%. As noted earlier, we are increasing the level of retention of 1-4 family loans originated in PrimeLending to between $50 million and $75 million per month. During the second quarter of 2021, PrimeLending locked approximately $176 million of loans to be retained by PlainsCapital over the coming months. These loans had an average yield of 3.11% and an average FICO and LTV of 780% and 64%, respectively. Turning to Page 11, second quarter credit trends continue to reflect the slow, but steady recovery in the Texas economy as the reopening of businesses continues to provide for improved customer cash flows and fewer borrowers on active deferral programs. As of June 30, we have approximately $76 million of loan on active deferral programs, down from $130 million at March 31. Further, the allowance for credit losses to end-of-period loan ratio for the active deferral loan equates to 16.8% at June 30. As is shown in the graph at the bottom right of the page, the allowance for credit loss coverage ratio, including both mortgage warehouse lending, as well as PPP loans at the bank ended the second quarter at 1.64%. We continue to believe that both mortgage warehouse lending, as well as our PPP loans will maintain lower loss content over time. Excluding mortgage warehouse and PPP loans, the bank's ACL to end-of-period loans HFI ratio equated to 1.86%. Turning to Page 12, second quarter end-of-period total deposits were approximately $11.7 billion and remained stable with the first quarter 2021 levels. While the overall balances were relatively unchanged, the mix of deposits continues to improve as broker deposits declined approximately $300 million and non-interest-bearing deposits rose by approximately $200 million versus the first quarter 2021 levels. Given our strong liquidity position and balance sheet profile, we are expecting to allow broker deposits to mature and run-off. At [6/30], Hilltop maintained $268 million of broker deposits that have a blended yield of 31 basis points. While deposit levels remains elevated, it should be noted that we remain focused on growing our client base and deepening wallet share through the sales of our commercial treasury products and focused client acquisition efforts. Turning to Page 13, in 2021, we continue to remain nimble as the pandemic evolves to ensure the safety of our teammates and our clients. Further, our financial priorities for 2021 remains centered on delivering great customer service to our clients, attracting new customers to our franchise, supporting new communities where we serve, maintaining a moderate risk profile, and delivering long-term shareholder value. Given the current uncertainties in the marketplace, we are not providing specific financial guidance, but we are continuing to provide commentary as to our most current outlook for 2021 with the understanding that the business environment, including the impact of the pandemic, could remain volatile throughout the year. That said, we will continue to provide updates during our future quarterly call. Operator, that concludes our prepared comments and we will turn the call back to you for the Q&A section of the call.