Improvement in Key Financial Ratios
The company reported linked quarter improvements in several key financial metrics, including return on assets, return on equity, efficiency ratio, and net interest margin.
Increase in Loan Originations
Stronger loan originations of $70 million with a weighted average rate of approximately 7% were noted, driven by C&I and owner-occupied commercial mortgages.
Growth in Commercial Lending
Commercial lending business grew by $582 million, offsetting a $514 million decline in residential lending, and improving the funding mix with noninterest-bearing deposits now representing 30% of the mix.
Branch Network Efficiency
Despite reducing branches from 52 to 41 since 2019, total deposits increased by approximately $220 million, indicating a more efficient model.
Positive Noninterest Income Trends
Noninterest income of $2.9 million exceeded the previous quarter and the same quarter last year, driven by service charges on deposit accounts and merchant card services.