NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bank of Marin Bancorp, "Bancorp" (Nasdaq: BMRC), parent company of Bank of Marin, "Bank," announced net income of $4.6 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a net loss of $21.9 million for the second quarter of 2024. Diluted earnings per share was $0.28 for the third quarter, compared to a net loss per share of $(1.36) for the prior quarter. Net loss for the first nine months of 2024 totaled $14.4 million, compared to net income of $19.3 million for the same period last year. Diluted (loss) earnings per share were $(0.90) and $1.20 for the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Year-to-date 2024 results reflected a $32.5 million pretax loss from the balance sheet restructuring in the second quarter.

Concurrent with this release, Bancorp issued presentation slides providing supplemental information, some of which will be discussed during the third quarter 2024 earnings call. The earnings release and presentation slides are intended to be reviewed together and can be found online on Bank of Marin’s website at www.bankofmarin.com under “Investor Relations.”

“The strategic, proactive steps we took to reposition our balance sheet and reduce operating expenses in the first half of the year delivered the net interest margin expansion and improved profitability that we expected in our third quarter results,” said Tim Myers, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We also continued to invest in talent, and our banking teams generated a steady volume of attractive lending opportunities while maintaining our strong underwriting criteria and overall credit quality. We added higher yielding assets in the third quarter and positioned the bank for ongoing growth we believe will further support our margin in coming quarters.

“We also grew our deposits in the quarter, primarily with non-interest bearing accounts,” Myers added. “Our proven relationship banking model enables us to attract new customers and deepen ties with existing ones via high-touch service on deposits. We expect these positive trends on both sides of our balance sheet to continue, driving additional momentum and ongoing improvement in our financial performance on behalf of our shareholders.”

Bancorp also provided the following highlights for the third quarter of 2024:

• The tax-equivalent net interest margin increased to 2.70% in the third quarter from 2.52%, reflecting the addition of higher average earning assets from the second quarter balance sheet restructuring, including new loans funded and purchased at yields higher than both the portfolio average yield and loans that paid off.
• The average cost of total deposits increased only 1 basis point to 1.46% in the third quarter compared to a 7 basis point increase in the prior quarter. After a targeted effort to begin reducing rates was initiated mid-August, the average spot rate on non-deposit-network, interest-bearing deposits declined 18 bps while balances went up approximately $10.0 million by September 30th.
• There was no provision for credit losses on loans in the third quarter and a $233 thousand reversal of provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments, compared to a provision of $5.2 million for credit losses and no provision for losses on unfunded commitments in the previous quarter. The allowance for credit losses remained at 1.47% of total loans compared to June 30, 2024.
• Classified loans decreased to 2.51% of total loans compared to 2.63% last quarter largely due to the payoff in full of a $1.8 million commercial loan, including all accrued interest.
• Total deposits of $3.309 billion as of September 30, 2024 were up $95.5 million compared to $3.214 billion as of June 30, 2024, mostly due to seasonal inflows and new deposit accounts added in the quarter. Non-interest bearing deposits increased to 44.5% of total deposits as of September 30, 2024, compared to 44.1% as of June 30, 2024.
• Return on average assets ("ROA") was 0.48% for the third quarter of 2024 and return on average equity ("ROE") was 4.17%. The efficiency ratio for the third quarter of 2024 was 75.18%.
• Capital was above well-capitalized regulatory thresholds with total risk-based capital ratios of 16.40% and 15.82% as of September 30, 2024 for Bancorp and the Bank, respectively. Bancorp's tangible common equity to tangible assets ("TCE ratio") was 9.72% as of September 30, 2024, and the Bank's TCE ratio was 9.32%. The Bancorp's TCE ratio net of after-tax unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities as if the losses were realized¹ was 8.16% as of September 30, 2024.
• Bancorp repurchased $4.2 million in shares during the quarter, contributing to an increase in the book value per share to $27.17 at September 30, 2024 compared to $26.72 at June 30, 2024, and the tangible book value per share² to $22.46 at September 30, 2024 compared to $22.05 at June 30, 2024.
• Non-interest expense included an accrual for a non-repeatable legal resolution of a Private Attorneys General Act / putative class action lawsuit of approximately $615 thousand with an after-tax estimated $0.04 impact to earnings-per-share.
• The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share on October 24, 2024, which represents the 78^th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Bancorp. The dividend is payable on November 14, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2024.

“As we have throughout our 30-plus years, we maintain consistently high capital and liquidity levels, while prudently managing costs even as we generate new business and pursue more robust loan growth,” said Tani Girton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

“As we often do, we expect to see seasonal strengthening in loan production in the fourth quarter as our commercial borrowers firm up year-ahead budgets and align credit plans with their growth initiatives for 2025,” Girton continued. “Our pipeline is well-diversified across industries and throughout our Northern California footprint.”

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¹ Refer to the discussion and reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure in the section below entitled Statement Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
² Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure used by Bancorp, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing Bancorp’s use of equity. Refer to the reconciliation of common equity to tangible common equity and resulting calculation of tangible book value per share in the section below entitled Statement Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

Loans and Credit Quality

Loans increased by $7.7 million for the third quarter of 2024 and totaled $2.090 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $2.082 billion as of June 30, 2024. Additions to the loan portfolio in the third quarter totaled $63.9 million and consisted of loan originations of $28.2 million and the previously announced purchase of a residential real estate loan pool totaling $35.7 million, compared to originations of $64.1 million for the second quarter of 2024 and $22.7 million for the third quarter of 2023. Loans increased $16.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a $5.6 million decrease during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Excluding the loan pool purchase noted above, loan originations totaled $104.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $90.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Loan payoffs were $30.9 million for the third quarter, compared to $31.2 million for the second quarter of 2024 and $12.7 million for the third quarter of 2023. The largest portion was the result of asset sales by customers and cash payoffs, most notably in commercial loans and commercial real estate loans during the quarter. Payoffs were $83.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $59.5 million for the same period in 2023.

Non-accrual loans totaled $39.9 million, or 1.91% of the loan portfolio, at September 30, 2024, compared to $33.7 million, or 1.62% at June 30, 2024. The $6.2 million increase resulted from the movement of three loans totaling $8.5 million to non-accrual status in the third quarter, $8.1 million of which was a non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan whose renewal negotiations remain ongoing with no expectations for actual losses. This was partially offset by payoffs and paydowns of $1.8 million and $412 thousand, respectively, and removal of non-accrual status on $79 thousand. Of the total non-accrual loans as of September 30, 2024, approximately 50% were paying as agreed, 80% were real estate secured, and all are being closely monitored for payments or payoff.

Bank of Marin has continued its conservative underwriting practices and, in light of current market conditions, our portfolio management and credit teams are exercising heightened vigilance for potential credit quality weakening. Classified loans decreased by $2.3 million to $52.4 million as of September 30, 2024, down from $54.7 million as of June 30, 2024. The decrease was largely due to a $1.8 million payoff of a commercial loan, $494 thousand of contractual paydowns, and upgrades to pass of home equity loans totaling $336 thousand, partially offset by downgrades of a $305 thousand owner-occupied commercial real estate loan and a $67 thousand home equity loan.

Accruing loans past due 30 to 89 days excluding non-accrual totaled $6.9 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $2.2 million as of June 30, 2024. The increase of $4.7 million was primarily due to $6.7 million of additions, partially offset by $1.7 million of loan paydowns or pay offs and a $309 thousand loan placed on non-accrual.

Loans designated special mention, which are not considered adversely classified, decreased by $9.5 million to $89.5 million as of September 30, 2024, from $99.0 million as of June 30, 2024. The decrease was largely due to $20.1 million in upgrades to pass risk ratings and contractual paydowns of $1.2 million, partially offset by $11.7 million in downgrades from pass. Of the loans designated special mention, 90% were real estate secured.

There were no net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $26 thousand for the second quarter of 2024.

There was no provision for credit losses on loans in the third quarter compared to $5.2 million in the prior quarter. Minor qualitative risk factor adjustments and loan growth in several segments with lower reserve rates in the quarter were offset by balance declines in other segments with higher reserve rates, as well as a slight improvement in the economic forecast. The ratio of allowance for credit losses to total loans remained at 1.47% at September 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2024.

There was a reversal of provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $233 thousand in the third quarter of 2024 due to a decrease in available commitments, compared to no adjustment to the provision in the prior quarter.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $229.2 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $2.2 million compared to $231.4 million at June 30, 2024 largely due to loan pool and investment securities purchases and loan fundings, partially offset by the growth in deposits.

Investments

The investment securities portfolio totaled $1.257 billion at September 30, 2024, an increase of $99.5 million from June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily the result of $114.5 million available-for-sale securities purchases and a $7.9 million improvement in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, offset by principal repayments and maturities totaling $22.9 million. Both the available-for-sale and held-to-maturity portfolios are eligible for pledging to FHLB or the Federal Reserve as collateral for borrowing. The portfolios are comprised of high credit quality investments with average effective durations of 3.58 on available-for-sale securities and 5.35 on held-to-maturity securities. Both portfolios generate cash flows monthly from interest, principal amortization and payoffs, which supports the Bank's liquidity. Those cash flows totaled $31.9 million and $28.6 million in the third and second quarters of 2024, respectively.

Deposits

Deposits increased $95.5 million to $3.309 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $3.214 billion at June 30, 2024. Non-interest bearing deposits made up 44.5% of total deposits at September 30, 2024, compared to 44.1% at June 30, 2024. The Bank's competitive and balanced approach to relationship management and focused outreach to customers seeking alternative options for banking solutions generated nearly 1,200 new accounts during the third quarter, 48% of which were new relationships (excluding new reciprocal accounts).

Borrowings and Liquidity

At September 30, 2024, the Bank had no outstanding borrowings, consistent with June 30, 2024. While available as a liquidity source, we have not utilized brokered deposits. Net available funding sources, including unrestricted cash, unencumbered available-for-sale securities and total available borrowing capacity totaled $1.934 billion, or 58% of total deposits and 208% of estimated uninsured and/or uncollateralized deposits as of September 30, 2024.

The following table details the components of our contingent liquidity sources as of September 30, 2024.

Capital Resources

The total risk-based capital ratio for Bancorp was 16.40% at September 30, 2024, compared to 16.46% at June 30, 2024. The decrease was largely due to the $4.2 million in share repurchases. The total risk-based capital ratio for the Bank was 15.82% at September 30, 2024, compared to 15.54% at June 30, 2024.

Bancorp's tangible common equity to tangible assets ("TCE ratio") was 9.72% at September 30, 2024, compared to 9.92% at June 30, 2024. The TCE ratio decreased slightly quarter over quarter due mainly to the increase in tangible total assets. The capital plan and point-in-time capital stress tests indicate that Bank of Marin and Bancorp capital ratios will remain above regulatory well-capitalized and internal policy minimums throughout a five-year forecast horizon and across stress scenarios such as additional unrealized losses on the investment portfolio, additional deposit growth or decline, loan credit quality deterioration, and potential share repurchases.

Earnings

Net Interest Income

Net interest income totaled $24.3 million for the third quarter of 2024, a $1.8 million increase from the prior quarter related to the favorable reallocation of earning assets from lower yielding investments to higher yielding cash, loans and investments.

Net interest income totaled $69.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $78.5 million for the same period in the prior year. The $9.1 million decrease from the prior year was primarily due to a smaller balance sheet and higher costing deposits, partially offset by lower borrowing costs and higher average earning asset yields.

The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 2.70% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 2.52% for the prior quarter. Higher average cash and loan balances, and lower average borrowing balances contributed 26, 3, and 2 basis points, respectively, while lower average investment security balances and higher cost of deposits reduced margin by 8 and 3 basis points, respectively.

The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 2.57% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.66% for the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributed to higher deposit costs which reduced the margin by 77 basis points, partially offset by higher loan yields contributing 32 basis points and lower borrowing balances which positively affected the margin by 33 basis points. Higher interest-earnings deposits with banks and decreased investment security balances netted a positive effect of 6 basis points.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income was $2.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a loss of $29.8 million for the prior quarter. The increase from the prior quarter was primarily attributed to a $32.5 million net loss on sale of available-for-sale investment securities in the second quarter, as discussed previously. Excluding the loss on sale, non-interest income was $2.8 million for the second quarter. See the non-GAAP disclosure below. The quarter over quarter increase of $100 thousand excluding the loss on sale was primarily due to a $121 thousand increase in wealth management and trust services income.

Non-interest income showed a loss of $24.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to income of $8.3 million for the same period of the prior year. The $32.4 million decrease from the prior year period was primarily attributed to a $32.5 million pre-tax net loss on sale of available-for-sale investment securities in the second quarter, as discussed previously. Excluding the loss on sale, non-interest income was $8.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. See the non-GAAP disclosure below.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense totaled $20.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $21.9 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $1.5 million. The decrease was primarily due to a $1.5 million reduction in salaries and related benefits. This included the majority of the severance and salaries related to the reduction in force in the second quarter. At the same time we have redeployed resources to ensure staffing is aligned with our long-term strategic vision which resulted in the reduction in average full-time equivalent staff quarter over quarter. Additional third quarter decreases came from $574 thousand in charitable contributions as the annual grant program is paid out each year in the second quarter, as well as a $375 thousand reduction in other expense. These reductions were partially offset by an $836 thousand increase in professional services expense that included an accrual for a non-repeatable legal resolution of a Private Attorneys General Act / putative class action lawsuit of approximately $615 thousand with an after-tax estimated $0.04 impact to earnings-per-share.

Non-interest expense totaled $63.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $60.2 million for the same period of 2023, an increase of $3.3 million. The most significant increase was $2.2 million in salaries and related benefits, which included annual merit increases and $418 thousand in severance payments related to the staff reduction discussed above. Stock-based compensation expenses increased due to the accelerated vesting of an officer's awards due to retirement eligibility. Additionally, professional services increased by $1.3 million and deposit network fees increased by $845 thousand. Increases were partially offset by reductions in depreciation and amortization of $580 thousand, amortization of core deposit intangible of $282 thousand, and occupancy and equipment of $252 thousand.

Statement Regarding use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Financial results are presented in accordance with GAAP and with reference to certain non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that, given industry turmoil that largely began in the first quarter of 2023, the presentation of Bancorp's non-GAAP TCE ratio reflecting the after tax impact of unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities provides useful supplemental information to investors because it reflects the level of capital remaining after a hypothetical liquidation of the entire securities portfolio. In addition, management believes that providing selected financial measures excluding the loss on sale of securities discussed above is useful to investors as the strategic short-term loss taken for long-term profitability makes the operational performance difficult to compare to other periods. Because there are limits to the usefulness of this or any other non-GAAP measure to investors, Bancorp encourages readers to consider its annual and quarterly consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto for their entirety, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and not to rely on any single financial measure. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures to comparable non-GAAP financial measures is presented below.

Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Share Repurchase Program

On July 21, 2023, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of Bancorp's share repurchase program for up to $25.0 million and expiring on July 31, 2025. Bancorp repurchased 220,000 shares totaling $4.2 million at an average price of $19.21 per share in the three and nine months ending September 30, 2024. There were no repurchases in 2023.

Earnings Call and Webcast Information

Bank of Marin Bancorp (Nasdaq: BMRC) will present its third quarter financial results call via webcast on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. PT/11:30 a.m. ET. Investors can listen to the webcast online through Bank of Marin’s website at www.bankofmarin.com. under “Investor Relations.” To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available at the same website location shortly after the call. Closed captioning will be available during the live webcast, as well as on the webcast replay.

About Bank of Marin Bancorp

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Novato, Bank of Marin is the wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Marin Bancorp (Nasdaq: BMRC). A leading business and community bank with assets of $3.8 billion, Bank of Marin provides commercial and personal banking, specialty lending, and wealth management and trust services throughout its network of 27 branches and seven commercial banking offices located across 10 Northern California counties. Specializing in providing legendary service to its customers and investing in its local communities, Bank of Marin has consistently been ranked one of the “Top Corporate Philanthropists" by San Francisco Business Times since 2003, was inducted into NorthBay Biz’s “Best of” Hall of Fame in 2024, and ranked top 10 in Sacramento Business Journal’s Corporate Direct Giving List for philanthropic efforts in 2023. Bank of Marin Bancorp is included in the Russell 2000 Small-Cap Index and Nasdaq ABA Community Bank Index. For more information, visit www.bankofmarin.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations regarding economic, legislative, and regulatory issues that may impact Bancorp's earnings in future periods. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may.” Factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions and the economic uncertainty in the United States and abroad, including economic or other disruptions to financial markets caused by acts of terrorism, war or other conflicts, impacts from inflation, supply chain disruptions, changes in interest rates (including the actions taken by the Federal Reserve to control inflation), California's unemployment rate, deposit flows, real estate values, and expected future cash flows on loans and securities; the impact of adverse developments at other banks, including bank failures, that impact general sentiment regarding the stability and liquidity of banks; costs or effects of acquisitions; competition; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; natural disasters (such as wildfires and earthquakes in our area); adverse weather conditions; interruptions of utility service in our markets for sustained periods; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors (including external fraud and cybersecurity threats) affecting our operations, pricing, products and services; and successful integration of acquisitions. These and other important factors are detailed in various securities law filings made periodically by Bancorp, copies of which are available from Bancorp without charge. Bancorp undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.