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Discussion of Financial Condition
Earning Assets
Average earning
assets totaled $3.922 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $38.5 million, or
1.0 %, over the third
quarter of 2024, and an increase of $97.9 million, or 2.6%, over the
fourth quarter of 2023.
The increase over both prior periods
was primarily driven by higher deposit balances (see below –
Deposits
).
Compared to the third quarter of 2024, the change in
earning asset mix was primarily attributable to a $41.4 million increase
in short term investments (overnight funds sold), a $6.7
million increase in investment securities, and $6.5 million increase in loans
held for sale, partially offset by a $16.1 million decrease
in loans HFI.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, the change in earning asset mix reflected a $198.
4
million increase in short
term investments (overnight funds sold) that was partially offset
by a $48.0 million decrease in investment securities, a $33.8
million decrease in loans HFI, and a $18.7 million decrease in loans
held for sale.
Average loans
HFI for the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased $16.1 million, or 0.6%, from the third quarter
of 2024
and decreased
$33.8
million, or 1.3%, from the fourth quarter of 2023.
Compared to the third quarter of 2024,
the decline was primarily
attributable to decreases in consumer loans (primarily indirect auto) of $18.3
million and commercial mortgage real estate loans of
$24.1 million, partially offset by increases in construction
real estate loans of $13.1 million, and residential real estate loans of $11.6
million.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, the decrease was driven by decreases
in consumer loans (primarily indirect auto)
of $72.8 million, commercial loans of $30.2 million, and commercial mortgage
real estate loans of $25.3 million, partially offset by
increases in residential real estate loans of $70.8 million, construction real
estate loans of $16.6 million, and home equity loans of
$10.2 million.
Loans HFI at December 31, 2024 decreased $31.5 million, or 1.2%, from
September 30, 2024 and decreased $82.4 million, or 3.0%,
from December 31, 2023.
Compared to September 30, 2024, the decrease was driven by decreases
in commercial mortgage real
estate loans of $40.9 million, consumer loans (primarily indirect auto)
of $13.8 million, and commercial loans of $5.4 million,
partially offset by increases in home equity loans of $9.1 million,
other loans of $13.5 million, and residential real estate loans of
$5.0 million.
Compared to December 31, 2023, the decrease was primarily attributable
to decreases in consumer loans (primarily
indirect auto) of $71.5 million, commercial mortgage real estate loans
of $46.4 million, and commercial loans of $36.0 million,
partially offset by increases in residential real estate loans of $27.2
million, construction real estate loans of $23.9 million, and home
equity loans of $9.1 million.
Allowance for Credit Losses
At December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses for loans HFI totaled
$29.3 million compared to $29.8 million at September
30, 2024 and $29.9 million at December 31, 2023.
Activity within the allowance is provided on Page 9.
The decreases in the
allowance from September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were
primarily attributable to lower loan balances and favorable loan
migration.
Net loan charge-offs were 25 basis points of average loans for
the fourth quarter of 2024 versus 19 basis points for the
third quarter of 2024.
For 2024, net loan charge-offs were 21 basis points of average
loans compared to 18 basis points in 2023.
At
December 31, 2024, the allowance represented 1.10% of loans HFI compared
to 1.11% at September 30, 2024, and 1.10% at
Credit Quality
Nonperforming assets (nonaccrual loans and other real estate) totaled
$6.7 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $7.2 million
at September 30, 2024 and $6.2 million at December 31, 2023.
At December 31, 2024, nonperforming assets as a percent of total
assets equaled 0.15%, compared to 0.17% at September 30, 2024
and 0.15% at December 31, 2023.
Nonaccrual loans totaled $6.3
million at December 31, 2024, a $0.3 million decrease from September 30,
2024 and a $0.1 million increase over December 31,
2023.
Further, classified loans totaled $19.9 million
at December 31, 2024, a $5.6 million decrease from September 30, 202
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and a
$2.3 million decrease from December 31, 2023.
Deposits
Average total
deposits were $3.600 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $28.4 million, or 0.8%,
over the third
quarter of 2024 and an increase of $51.9 million, or 1.5%, over the fourth quarter
of 2023.
Compared to the third quarter of 2024,
the increase was primarily attributable to higher NOW account balances which
reflected the seasonal inflow of public funds from
municipal clients as they receive their tax receipts beginning in late November
.
The increase over the fourth quarter of 2023
reflected higher NOW,
MMA, and certificates of deposit (“CD”) balances that were
partially offset by decreases in noninterest
bearing and savings balances.
During 2024, we realized a re-mix in deposits as rate sensitive clients sought
higher yield deposit
products.
Average core deposit balances
(total deposits less public funds) increased $20.3 million over the third quarter of
2024 and
$28.4 million over the fourth quarter of 2023.