LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBT), parent company of Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company, with offices in Louisville, central, eastern and northern Kentucky, as well as the Indianapolis, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan markets, today reported earnings of $25.9 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. This compares to net income of $29.0 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2023. Steady loan growth, strong asset quality and robust non-interest income generation contributed to first quarter operating results.

“It was a great start of the year for us, with steady loan growth, solid asset quality metrics, and diversified non-interest income streams contributing to first quarter 2024 results,” commented James A. (Ja) Hillebrand, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Total loans increased $607 million, or 12%, over the last 12 months, $79 million of which was generated during the first quarter of this year. We continue to see broad-based loan demand from our customers throughout our markets.

“Strong non-interest income once again propelled our operating results for the first quarter of 2024. Wealth Management & Trust (WM&T) posted another record quarter, benefiting from strong equity market performance, coupled with net new business growth and a record $7.50 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) at quarter end. Strong card income, treasury management and record brokerage fees, driven by increased demand and customer expansion, served to cap off a strong first quarter,” Hillebrand continued. “While our net interest margin contracted 5 basis points over the linked quarter, as the increase in cost of funds continued to outpace the growth in yields on earning assets, the pace of net interest margin contraction has begun to moderate. We anticipate net interest margin compression will stabilize during the second quarter of 2024, and we are currently projecting net interest margin expansion before the end of the year.”

At March 31, 2024, the Company had $8.12 billion in assets, $5.85 billion in loans and $6.61 billion in total deposits. The Company’s combined enterprise, which encompasses 72 branch offices across three contiguous states, will continue to benefit from a diversified geographic footprint that provides significant growth opportunities in both the banking and WM&T arenas.

Key factors contributing to the first quarter of 2024 results included:

• Total loans increased $607 million, or 12%, over the last 12 months, while growing $79 million, or 1%, on the linked quarter. The yield earned on loans increased to 5.95% for the first quarter of 2024, benefiting from interest rate expansion, and to a slightly lesser extent, average balance growth.
• Deposit balances declined $62 million, or 1%, on the linked quarter, as non-interest bearing demand accounts contracted $68 million, or 4%. The fourth quarter of each year reflects elevated cash levels consistent with the seasonal increase in public funds.
• Costs of funds expansion continued to outpace earning asset yield growth during the first quarter of 2024. Net interest income declined $3.0 million, or 5%, for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter a year ago, with net interest margin compressing 39 bps to 3.20%. On the linked quarter, net interest income declined $1.9 million, or 3%, while net interest margin contracted 5 bps to 3.20%, representing the slowest pace of margin contraction since the first quarter of 2023.
• While credit quality remains stable in comparison to traditional metrics, credit loss expense on loans⁽¹⁾ of $1.2 million was recorded for the first quarter of 2024. Despite modest loan growth and annual CECL model methodology updates, credit loss expense on loans benefited from a slightly improving unemployment forecast, net recoveries and a reduction in specific reserves.
• Non-interest income increased $1.2 million, or 6%, over the first quarter of 2023. WM&T income expanded $1.2 million, or 13%, to a record $10.8 million, benefitting from strong quarterly fees, improved market conditions and net new business expansion. Treasury management fees once again experienced double digit growth, increasing $307,000, or 13% over the last 12 months. While card and brokerage income combined to increase $311,000, other non-interest income declined $576,000 over the first quarter of 2023, as the Company elected to strategically exit its insurance captive in late 2023.
• Total non-interest expenses increased $3.6 million, or 8%, during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to higher compensation and benefits expenses associated with employee growth, annual merit increases and elevated health insurance claims activity. Overall, non-interest expenses generally remained in line with management expectations.
• Tangible common equity per share⁽³⁾ was $22.50 at March 31, 2024, compared to $21.95 at December 31, 2023, and $19.66 at March 31, 2023. Over the past several quarters, tangible common equity and tangible book value have been impacted by the volatile interest rate market and corresponding impact on accumulated other comprehensive income/loss, primarily as a result of changes in unrealized losses in the available for sale debt securities portfolio, which has a current weighted average life of 5.0 years.
  

Hillebrand concluded, “In March 2024, S&P Global Market Intelligence once again recognized Stock Yards as one of the Top 50 Best Performing Community Banks with total assets between $3 and $10 billion at the end of 2023. The rankings assess the performance of banking institutions based on returns, growth and funding, while placing a premium on balance sheet strength and risk profile. This recognition showcases the dedication and commitment of our employees and the unmatched service to our communities we operate in.”

Results of Operations – First Quarter 2024 Compared with First Quarter 2023

Net interest income, the Company’s largest source of revenue, decreased by $3.0 million, or 5%, to $60.1 million. While strong organic loan growth has boosted net interest income over the past 12 months, the cost of interest bearing liabilities more than offset the increase in interest income.

• Total interest income increased by $17.1 million, or 21%, to $96.5 million.
  • Interest income and fees on loans increased $17.1 million, or 25%, over the prior year quarter. Consistent with the $572 million, or 11%, increase in average loans and interest rate expansion, the average quarterly yield earned on loans increased 61 basis points over the past 12 months to 5.95%.
  • Interest income on securities decreased $783,000, or 9%, compared to the first quarter of 2023. While average securities balances have declined $176 million, or 10%, over the past 12 months, the rate earned on securities remained steady at 2.07%. Over the past 12 months, cash flows from investment portfolio maturities and pay downs have been utilized to fund loan growth and provide liquidity in lieu of redeployment.
  • Average overnight funds increased $13.2 million quarter over prior year quarter, with interest income increasing $515,000, or 33% consistent with the increase in the Federal Funds Target Rate.

• Total interest expense increased $20.1 million to $36.5 million, as the cost of interest bearing liabilities increased 127 basis points to 2.65%. For the fourth consecutive linked quarter end, the pace of expansion of total interest bearing liability costs has slowed.
  • Interest expense on deposits increased $18.4 million over the past 12 months, as the overall cost of interest bearing deposits increased to 2.53% in the first quarter of 2024 from 1.22% in the first quarter of 2023. Interest expense expansion was spread over the majority of categories, with time deposits expanding the most at $7.9 million.
  • Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances totaled $3.0 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2023.
    

For the first quarter of 2024, consistent with modest loan growth, a slight improvement in unemployment projections, net recoveries, specific reserve reductions and other factors within the CECL allowance model, the Company recorded $1.2 million in credit loss expense⁽¹⁾ for loans. In addition, the Company recorded $250,000 expense for off balance sheet exposures associated with expansion of Construction & Land Development and Commercial & Industrial (C&I) lines of credit (increased availability). For the first quarter of 2023, the Company recorded $2.3 million in credit loss expense for loans and $375,000 provision expense for off balance sheet exposures. In addition, the Bank recorded $1.4 million in specific reserves for one large relationship during the first quarter of 2023.

Non-interest income increased $1.2 million, or 6%, to $23.3 million.

• WM&T income ended the first quarter of 2024 at a record $10.8 million, increasing $1.2 million, or 13%, over the first quarter of 2023. WM&T income benefited significantly from strong first quarter equity market performance, coupled with quarterly fees collected. WM&T AUM expanded $732 million, or 11%, over the past 12 months to a record $7.50 billion at quarter end.
• Treasury management fees increased $307,000, or 13%, compared to the first quarter of 2023, driven by strong transaction volume, organic growth, modified fee schedules, strong foreign exchange income, new product sales and continued expansion of existing relationships.
• Card income increased $200,000, or 4%, over the first quarter of 2023, driven by transaction volume and increased interchange income.
• Other non-interest income declined $576,000 over the first quarter of 2023, as the Company elected to strategically exit its insurance captive in late 2023.

Non-interest expenses increased $3.6 million, or 8%, compared to the first quarter of 2023, to $49.0 million.

• Compensation expense increased $2.3 million, compared to the first quarter of 2023, consistent with the increase in full time equivalent employees and annual merit-based salary increases.
• Employee benefits increased $823,000, or 16%, compared to the first quarter of 2023, primarily attributed to elevated health insurance claim activity and higher 401(k) matching and payroll tax expenses.
• Net occupancy and equipment expenses decreased $229,000, or 6%, over the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to the relocation of all WM&T employees to a consolidated central location.
• Technology and communication expenses, which include computer software amortization, equipment depreciation and expenditures related to investments in technology needed to maintain and improve the quality of customer delivery channels, information security and internal resources, increased $818,000, or 19%, consistent with compliance related software upgrades, customer expansion and increased transaction activity.
• Card processing expense increased $327,000, consistent with higher interchange processing.
• Legal and professional fees increased $318,000 compared to the first quarter of 2023, led by increased compliance-related consulting in preparation for expanded regulatory oversight in conjunction with future growth in total assets and higher collection related legal expenses.
• Amortization of investments in tax credit partnerships declined $323,000 compared to the first quarter of 2023. Effective January 1, 2024, the Bank adopted ASU 2023-02 and began booking tax credit amortization expense for all income tax credit projects as a component of tax expense via the proportional amortization method.
• Other non-interest expenses declined $284,000, or 10%, compared to the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to the Company’s strategic decision to exit its insurance captive in late 2023.

Financial Condition – March 31, 2024 Compared with March 31, 2023

Total assets increased $455 million, or 6%, year over year to $8.12 billion.

Total loans increased $607 million, or 12%, to $5.85 billion, with the commercial real estate, residential real estate and C&I portfolio expanding 12%, 15% and 7%, respectively. In addition to the strong growth, the Company has benefitted from the higher rate environment that has generally slowed loan payoff activity. Total line of credit usage was 38.9% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 41.1% as of March 31, 2023, driven by strong line production and generally slow utilization. C&I line of credit usage was 27.3% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 30.5% as of March 31, 2023.

Total investment securities decreased $221 million, or 14%, year over year. The overall portfolio yield was 2.07% for the first quarter of 2024, which was unchanged from the first quarter of 2023. Over the past 12 months, cash flows from the investment portfolio have been utilized to fund loan growth and provide liquidity in lieu of redeployment.

Total deposits increased $252 million, or 4%, over the past 12 months, led by interest bearing demand, money market and time deposit expansion, which was partially offset by a decline in non-interest bearing demand deposits.

During the first quarter of 2024, the Company recorded net loan recoveries of $348,000. This compares to $108,000 in net charge offs during the first quarter of 2023. Non-performing loans totaled $14 million, or 0.24% of total loans outstanding at March 31, 2024, compared to $18 million, or 0.35% of total loans outstanding at March 31, 2023. The ratio of allowance for credit losses to loans ended at 1.38% at March 31, 2024 compared to 1.44% at March 31, 2023.

At March 31, 2024, the Company continued to be “well-capitalized,” the highest regulatory capital rating for financial institutions, with all capital ratios experiencing meaningful growth. Total equity to assets⁽³⁾ was 10.77% and the tangible common equity ratio⁽³⁾ was 8.36% at March 31, 2024, compared to 10.36% and 7.74% at March 31, 2023, respectively.

In February 2024, the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. The dividend was paid April 1, 2024 to shareholders of record as of March 18, 2024.

No shares have been purchased since 2020, and approximately 741,000 shares remain eligible for repurchase under the current buy-back plan, which expires in May 2025.

Results of Operations – First Quarter 2024 Compared with Fourth Quarter 2023

Net interest margin declined 5 basis points on the linked quarter to 3.20%, as cost of funds growth continued to outpace earning asset yield growth.

Net interest income decreased $1.9 million, or 3%, over the prior quarter to $60.1 million.

• Total interest income increased $1.3 million, or 1%, led by the increase in interest income on loans.
  • Interest income and fees on loans increased $3.1 million, or 4%, over the linked quarter. Average loans increased $133 million, or 2%, and the corresponding yield earned increased 16 basis points over the linked quarter to 5.95%.
• Average overnight funds decreased $105 million over the linked quarter with interest income decreasing $1.4 million. The fourth quarter of each year reflects elevated cash levels consistent with the seasonal increase in public funds.
• Total interest expense increased $3.3 million, or 10%, led by a $2.2 million, or 7%, increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits.

The Company recorded $1.4 million in provision for credit losses⁽¹⁾ during the first quarter of 2024, which included a $1.2 million provision for credit losses on loans and $250,000 of credit loss expense for off-balance sheet exposures. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company recorded $6.0 million in provision for credit losses, which included a $5.8 million provision for credit losses on loans and $275,000 of credit loss expense for off-balance sheet exposures. Provision for credit loss expense on loans in the fourth quarter of 2023 was inclusive of $4.7 million in charge-offs, with $4.1 million attributed to one C&I relationship.

Non-interest income decreased $1.1 million, or 5%, on the linked quarter, primarily due to several non-recurring items that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2023.

• Total interest WM&T income expanded $672,000, or 7%, consistent with market expansion and net new business growth.
• Card income declined $692,000, or 13%, as the fourth quarter of 2023 included $605,000 in annual debit card processor incentives.
• Visa Class B stock was sold in the fourth quarter of 2023 resulting in a non-recurring gain of $487,000.
• Swap fee income declined $387,000 on the linked quarter.
• OREO related sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 generated a $207,000 gain.
  

Non-interest expenses decreased $1.1 million, or 2%, to $49.0 million, as a decrease in compensation expense and lower consulting expenses more than off-set an increases in employee benefits and net occupancy expense. The fourth quarter of 2023 included $1.9 million of total additional pre-tax expense recorded related to an executive retirement agreement and the relocation of all WM&T employees to a consolidated central location.

Financial Condition – March 31, 2024 Compared with December 31, 2023

Total assets decreased $47 million on the linked quarter to $8.12 billion.

Total loans expanded $79 million, or 1%, on the linked quarter, led by increases in nearly every category, with the commercial real estate loan portfolio leading the growth. Total line of credit usage was 38.9% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 39.2% as of December 31, 2023, driven by strong production. C&I line of credit usage was 27.3% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 28.6% as of December 31, 2023.

Total deposits decreased $62 million, or 1%, on the linked quarter primarily due to seasonal public funds runoff totaling $36 million. Non-interest bearing demand accounts contracted $68 million, or 4%, as the Company’s deposit mix continues to shift to interest bearing accounts.

About the Company

Louisville, Kentucky-based Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc., with $8.12 billion in assets, was incorporated in 1988 as a bank holding company. It is the parent company of Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company, which was established in 1904. The Company’s common shares trade on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “SYBT.”

This report contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the Company’s management believes the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of these assumptions could be inaccurate. Therefore, there can be no assurance the forward-looking statements included herein will prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: economic conditions both generally and more specifically in the markets in which the Company and its banking subsidiary operates; competition for the Company’s customers from other providers of financial services; changes in, or forecasts of, future political and economic conditions, inflation and efforts to control it; government legislation and regulation, which change and over which the Company has no control; changes in interest rates; material unforeseen changes in liquidity, results of operations, or financial condition of the Company’s customers; and other risks detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Refer to Stock Yards’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as its other filings with the SEC for a more detailed discussion of risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.