Table of Contents
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______to________
Commission file number 0-22208
QCR HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
42-1397595
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3551 7th Street, Moline, Illinois 61265
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(309) 736-3580
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value
QCRH
The Nasdaq Global Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: As of May 1, 2024, the Registrant had outstanding 16,806,279 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share.
QCR HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PageNumber(s)
Part I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1
Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
4
Consolidated Statements of Income For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
9
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 2. Investment Securities
13
Note 3. Loans/Leases Receivable
17
Note 4. Securitizations and Variable Interest Entities
25
Note 5. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
26
Note 6. Income Taxes
29
Note 7. Earnings Per Share
30
Note 8. Fair Value
Note 9. Business Segment Information
32
Note 10. Regulatory Capital Requirements
33
Note 11. Commitments
34
Item 2
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
35
General
Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
Executive Overview
36
Strategic Financial Metrics
37
Strategic Developments
38
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations
39
Net Interest Income - (Tax Equivalent Basis)
41
Results of Operations
43
Interest Income
Interest Expense
44
Provision for Credit Losses
Noninterest Income
45
Noninterest Expense
47
Income Taxes
49
2
Financial Condition
Investment Securities
Loans/Leases
50
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans/Leases and OBS Exposures
52
Nonperforming Assets
54
Deposits
55
Borrowings
Stockholders' Equity
57
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
59
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
61
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
63
Part II
OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
64
Item 1A
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5
Other Information
Item 6
Exhibits
65
Signatures
Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we use certain acronyms and abbreviations, as defined in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
March 31,
December 31,
2024
2023
(dollars in thousands)
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
80,988
97,123
Federal funds sold
4,150
35,450
Interest-bearing deposits at financial institutions
72,870
104,919
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses
718,623
683,504
Securities available for sale, at fair value
290,980
299,655
Securities trading, at fair value
22,258
22,369
Total securities
1,031,861
1,005,528
Loans receivable held for sale
275,344
2,594
Loans/leases receivable held for investment
6,372,992
6,540,822
Gross loans/leases receivable
6,648,336
6,543,416
Less allowance for credit losses
(84,470)
(87,200)
Net loans/leases receivable
6,563,866
6,456,216
Bank-owned life insurance
109,090
108,222
Premises and equipment, net
133,179
123,277
Restricted investment securities
31,734
41,648
Other real estate owned, net
784
1,347
Goodwill
139,027
Intangibles
13,131
13,821
Derivatives
183,888
187,341
Other assets
234,981
224,975
Total assets
8,599,549
8,538,894
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing
955,167
1,038,689
Interest-bearing
5,851,608
5,475,316
Total deposits
6,806,775
6,514,005
Short-term borrowings
2,700
1,500
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
205,000
435,000
Subordinated notes
233,170
233,064
Junior subordinated debentures
48,763
48,731
211,677
215,735
Other liabilities
184,122
204,263
Total liabilities
7,692,207
7,652,298
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; shares authorized 250,000 March 2024 and December 2023 - no shares issued or outstanding
—
Common stock, $1 par value; shares authorized 20,000,000 March 2024 - 16,807,056 shares issued and outstanding December 2023 - 16,749,254 shares issued and outstanding
16,807
16,749
Additional paid-in capital
371,157
370,814
Retained earnings
580,711
554,992
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Securities available for sale
(38,756)
(35,980)
(22,577)
(19,979)
Total stockholders' equity
907,342
886,596
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Interest and dividend income:
Loans/leases, including fees:
Taxable
77,131
66,634
Nontaxable
24,128
17,312
Securities:
4,261
3,366
7,386
5,337
1,200
821
674
513
269
234
Total interest and dividend income
115,049
94,217
Interest expense:
51,416
29,780
23
99
4,738
3,521
3,480
3,311
693
696
Total interest expense
60,350
37,407
Net interest income
54,699
56,810
Provision for credit losses
2,969
3,928
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
51,730
52,882
Noninterest income:
Trust fees
3,199
2,906
Investment advisory and management fees
1,101
879
Deposit service fees
2,022
2,028
Gains on sales of residential real estate loans, net
382
312
Gains on sales of government guaranteed portions of loans, net
24
Capital markets revenue
16,457
17,023
Securities losses, net
(463)
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance
868
707
Debit card fees
1,466
Correspondent banking fees
512
391
Loan related fee income
836
651
Fair value loss on derivatives and trading securities
(163)
(427)
Other
154
339
Total noninterest income
26,858
25,842
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits
31,860
32,003
Occupancy and equipment expense
6,514
5,914
Professional and data processing fees
4,613
3,514
Post-acquisition compensation, transition and integration costs
207
FDIC insurance, other insurance and regulatory fees
1,945
1,374
Loan/lease expense
378
556
Net income from and gains/losses on operations of other real estate
(30)
(67)
Advertising and marketing
1,483
1,237
Communication and data connectivity
401
665
Supplies
275
305
Bank service charges
568
605
Correspondent banking expense
210
Intangibles amortization
690
766
Payment card processing
646
545
Trust expense
425
214
617
737
Total noninterest expense
50,690
48,785
Net income before income taxes
27,898
29,939
Federal and state income tax expense
1,172
2,782
Net income
26,726
27,157
Basic earnings per common share
1.59
1.62
Diluted earnings per common share
1.58
1.60
Weighted average common shares outstanding
16,783,348
16,776,289
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
16,910,675
16,942,132
Cash dividends declared per common share
0.06
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended March 31,
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period before tax
(3,246)
7,392
Less: reclassification adjusted for impairment gains (losses) included in net income before tax
445
(989)
Less: reclassification adjustment for sales losses included in net income before tax
(3,691)
8,844
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives:
(3,604)
3,446
Less: reclassification adjustment for caplet amortization before tax
(121)
(201)
(3,483)
3,647
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
(7,174)
12,491
Tax expense (benefit)
(1,801)
3,166
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(5,373)
9,325
Comprehensive income
21,353
36,482
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
Accumulated
Additional
Common
Paid-In
Retained
Comprehensive
Stock
Capital
Earnings
(Loss)
Total
Balance December 31, 2023
(55,959)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Common cash dividends declared, $0.06 per share
(1,008)
Stock-based compensation expense
124
Issuance of common stock under employee benefit plans
58
219
277
Balance, March 31, 2024
580,710
(61,332)
Balance December 31, 2022
16,796
370,712
450,114
(64,898)
772,724
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
(1,010)
Repurchase and cancellation of 152,500 shares of common stock
as a result of a share repurchase program
(153)
(3,356)
(4,210)
(7,719)
953
71
(7)
Balance, March 31, 2023
16,714
368,302
472,051
(55,573)
801,494
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
2,240
2,006
Deferred compensation expense accrued
1,652
1,272
Gains on other real estate owned, net
(52)
(85)
Amortization of premiums on securities, net
126
389
Caplet amortization
121
201
163
427
Ineffectiveness on fair value hedges
1
463
Loans originated for sale
(18,508)
(13,353)
Proceeds on sales of loans
20,980
13,766
Gains on sales of residential real estate loans
(382)
(312)
Gains on sales of government guaranteed portions of loans
(24)
Gains on sales and disposals of premises and equipment
(2)
Amortization of intangibles
Accretion of acquisition fair value adjustments, net
(363)
(828)
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
(868)
(707)
Increase in other assets
(9,843)
(13,148)
Decrease in other liabilities
(23,006)
(1,101)
Net cash provided by operating activities
2,744
21,764
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net decrease in federal funds sold
31,300
40,545
Net (increase) decrease in interest-bearing deposits at financial institutions
32,049
(170,272)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
615
218
Activity in securities portfolio:
Purchases
(43,631)
(23,022)
Calls, maturities and redemptions
8,498
45,685
Paydowns
5,001
5,915
Sales
28,628
Activity in restricted investment securities:
(661)
(3,177)
Redemptions
10,575
13,764
Net increase in loans/leases originated and held for investment
(114,173)
(54,025)
Purchase of premises and equipment
(12,142)
(1,699)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
Net cash used in investing activities
(82,122)
(117,440)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in deposit accounts
292,770
517,446
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
(128,530)
Activity in Federal Home Loan Bank advances:
Term advances
135,000
Net change in short-term and overnight advances
(230,000)
(415,000)
Prepayments
Payment of cash dividends on common stock
(1,004)
(1,013)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
Repurchase and cancellation of shares
Net cash provided by financing activities
63,243
100,248
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks
(16,135)
4,572
Cash and due from banks, beginning
59,723
Cash and due from banks, ending
64,295
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information, cash payments (receipts) for:
Interest
59,566
38,053
Income/franchise taxes
56
(299)
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities:
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale and derivative instruments, net
(5,374)
Transfers of loans to other real estate owned
Transfer of loans to held for sale (for securitizations)
274,816
139,224
Increase (decrease) in the fair value of back-to-back interest rate swap assets and liabilities
(4,816)
(46,248)
Dividends payable
1,008
1,010
Measurement period adjustment to goodwill
867
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
March 31, 2024
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation: The interim unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024. Accordingly, footnote disclosures, which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, have been omitted.
The financial information of the Company included herein has been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial reporting and has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. Any differences appearing between the numbers presented in financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are due to rounding. The results of the interim period ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2024, or for any other period.
The acronyms and abbreviations identified below are used throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. It may be helpful to refer back to this page as you read this report.
ACL: Allowance for credit losses
FRB: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
AFS: Available for sale
GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Allowance: Allowance for credit losses
GFED: Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.
AOCI: Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
HTM: Held to maturity
ASC: Accounting Standards Codification
LIBOR: London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
ASU: Accounting Standards Update
LIHTC: Low-income housing tax credit
BOLI: Bank-owned life insurance
m2: m2 Equipment Finance, LLC
Caps: Interest rate cap derivatives
NIM: Net interest margin
CECL: Current Expected Credit Losses
NPA: Nonperforming asset
Community National: Community National Bancorporation
NPL: Nonperforming loan
Company: QCR Holdings, Inc.
OBS: Off-balance sheet
COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019
OREO: Other real estate owned
CRBT: Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust Company
OTTI: Other-than-temporary impairment
CRE: Commercial real estate
PCAOB: Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
CSB: Community State Bank
Provision: Provision for credit losses
C&I: Commercial and industrial
QCBT: Quad City Bank & Trust Company
EBA: Excess balance account
ROAA: Return on average assets
EPS: Earnings per share
ROAE: Return on average equity
Exchange Act: Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
amended
SFG: Specialty Finance Group
FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board
SOFR: Secured Overnight Financing Rate
FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
TA: Tangible assets
Federal Reserve: Board of Governors of the Federal
TCE: Tangible common equity
Reserve System
TDR: Troubled debt restructuring
FHLB: Federal Home Loan Bank
TEY: Tax equivalent yield
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries which include the accounts of four commercial banks: QCBT, CRBT, CSB and GB. All four banks are state-chartered commercial banks and all are members of the Federal Reserve system. The Company also engages in direct financing lease contracts through m2, a wholly owned subsidiary of QCBT. The company also engages in wealth management services through its banking subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Credit quality indicators: During the first quarter of 2024, the Company revised the risk rating scale used for credit quality monitoring. Previous risk rating scale and definitions are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024. With the exception of leases and equipment financing agreements, all loans are now risk rated utilizing the following internal risk rating scale:
10
The credit quality indicator for leases and equipment financing agreements remains unchanged at performing and nonperforming status.
Recent accounting developments: In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-4, “Reference Rate Reform,” which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to loan and lease agreements, derivative contracts, and other transactions affected by the anticipated transition away from LIBOR toward new interest rate benchmarks. ASU 2020-04 is effective March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply ASU 2020-04 for contract modifications as of January 1, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. In December 2022, in response to the postponement of the cessation date of LIBOR, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 which defers the sunset date of the ASU 2020-4 guidance to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief.
Management has assessed the impacts of ASU 2020-04 and the related opportunities and risks involved in the LIBOR transition. Specifically, management identified all of the financial instruments with LIBOR exposure, which include certain commercial loans, interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, and certain securities and in all cases, determined a plan of transition from LIBOR to a different index. This transition occurred prior to the expiration of published LIBOR rates on June 30, 2023 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method (a Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force).” Under the standard, the accounting guidance expands use of the proportional amortization method of accounting to equity investments in tax credit programs beyond those in LIHTC programs. The ASU also prescribes specific information reporting entities must disclose about tax credit investments each period. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2023, for public business entities, with all other entities having an extra year to adopt. Entities will have the option of applying the ASU using either a modified retrospective or retrospective adoption approach. For some changes related to existing LIHTC investments, prospective application is permitted. The standard was adopted on January 1, 2024 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” Under the standard, the accounting guidance expands the disclosures for reportable segments made by public entities to disclose significant expenses for reportable segments in both interim and annual reporting periods to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
11
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” Under the standard, the accounting guidance enhances the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. Investors, lenders, creditors and other allocators of capital information will be able to use the expanded disclosures to better assess how an entity’s operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operation opportunities affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. The ASU is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards.” Under the standard, the accounting guidance improves GAAP by adding an illustrative example to demonstrate how an entity should apply the scope guidance of ‘Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation” for profits interest and similar awards. The illustrative examples will benefit investors and other allocators of capital by providing them with more consistent information. The ASU is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within those annual periods. The standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
12
NOTE 2– INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:
Allowance
Gross
Amortized
for Credit
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
(Losses)
Gains
Value
March 31, 2024:
Securities HTM:
Municipal securities
717,776
(202)
25,468
(47,907)
695,135
Other securities
1,050
(1)
(14)
1,035
718,826
(203)
(47,921)
696,170
Securities AFS:
U.S. govt. sponsored agency securities
17,054
(2,622)
14,442
Residential mortgage-backed and related securities
62,350
(6,279)
56,071
205,928
(39,238)
166,693
Asset-backed securities
14,093
194
14,285
43,235
15
(3,761)
39,489
342,660
222
(51,902)
December 31, 2023:
682,657
33,385
(36,639)
679,201
(15)
1,078
683,707
33,429
(36,654)
680,279
17,399
(2,438)
14,973
65,168
(5,972)
59,196
206,566
(35,590)
170,987
15,261
167
(5)
15,423
44,239
(4,174)
39,076
348,633
190
(48,179)
The Company's HTM municipal securities consist largely of private issues of municipal debt. The large majority of the municipalities are located within the Midwest. The municipal debt investments are underwritten using specific guidelines with ongoing monitoring.
The Company's residential mortgage-backed and related securities portfolio consists entirely of government sponsored or government guaranteed securities. The Company has not invested in private mortgage-backed securities or pooled trust preferred securities.
Gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, are summarized in the tables below. Securities AFS, for which an allowance for credit losses has been provided, are not included in these disclosures as there are no unrealized losses remaining after consideration of the ACL.
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or More
Losses
45,235
(1,286)
316,062
(46,621)
361,297
536
316,598
(46,635)
361,833
13,579
55,878
165,877
2,686
2,661
(339)
35,855
(3,422)
38,516
5,347
(341)
271,189
(51,561)
276,536
1,320
(11)
289,891
(36,628)
291,211
535
1,855
(26)
291,746
14,018
59,118
283
169,876
(35,588)
170,159
3,804
3,805
(393)
35,271
(3,781)
4,088
(395)
282,087
(47,784)
286,175
At March 31, 2024, the investment portfolio included 651 securities. Of this number, 527 securities were in an unrealized loss position. The aggregate losses of these securities totaled approximately 9.4% of the total amortized cost of the portfolio. Of these 527 securities, there were 484 securities that had an unrealized loss for twelve months or more due to the current rate environment.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company’s impairment evaluation determined that one publicly traded debt security experienced a decline in fair value due to credit quality, rather than market factors. As a result, the Company recognized a credit loss expense of $989 thousand in the first quarter and established an ACL on the related AFS security. For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the remaining ACL on the related AFS security was removed as the security had been sold.
The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for held to maturity and available for sale securities by major security type for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2023
Securities HTM
Securities AFS
Municipal
Corporate
securities
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance
202
203
989
180
Reduction due to sales
(544)
Provision for credit loss expense
(445)
Balance, ending
14
Trading securities had a fair value of $22.3 million as of March 31, 2024 and $22.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and consist of retained beneficial interests acquired in conjunction with Freddie Mac securitizations completed by the Company in 2023. The change in market value on trading securities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was a net gain of $19 thousand. See also Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details of these securitizations.
There were no transfers of securities between classifications for the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.
All sales of securities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were securities identified as AFS.
Proceeds from sales of securities
Gross gains from sales of securities
Gross losses from sales of securities
(507)
The amortized cost and fair value of securities as of March 31, 2024 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities of residential mortgage-backed and related securities and asset-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because the residential mortgages underlying the securities may be prepaid without any penalties. Therefore, these securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following table.
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
1,702
1,691
Due after one year through five years
23,792
24,783
Due after five years
693,332
669,696
919
914
16,069
248,244
203,641
266,217
220,624
Portions of the U.S. government sponsored agency securities and municipal securities as of March 31, 2024, contain call options, which, at the discretion of the issuer, terminate the security at par and at predetermined dates prior to the stated maturity, summarized as follows:
284,307
276,852
204,865
165,649
42,278
38,517
247,143
204,166
As of March 31, 2024, the Company's municipal securities portfolios were comprised of general obligation bonds issued by 79 issuers with fair values totaling $96.8 million and revenue bonds, issued by 165 issuers, primarily consisting of states, counties, towns, villages and school districts with fair values totaling $765.0 million. The Company also held investments in general obligation bonds in 18 states, including eight states in which the aggregate fair value exceeded $5.0 million, and in revenue bonds in 31 states, including 14 states in which the aggregate fair value exceeded $5.0 million.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company's municipal securities portfolios were comprised of general obligation bonds issued by 82 issuers with fair values totaling $99.4 million and revenue bonds, issued by 169 issuers, primarily consisting
of states, counties, towns, villages and school districts with fair values totaling $750.8 million. The Company also held investments in general obligation bonds in 18 states, including eight states in which the aggregate fair value exceeded $5.0 million, and in revenue bonds in 31 states, including 15 states in which the aggregate fair value exceeded $5.0 million.
Both general obligation and revenue bonds are diversified across many issuers. As of March 31, 2024 and as of December 31, 2023, the Company held revenue bonds of two issuers, both located in Ohio, of which the aggregate book or market value exceeded 5% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity. The issuers’ financial conditions are strong and the sources of repayment are diversified. The Company monitors the investments and concentration closely. Of the general obligation and revenue bonds in the Company's portfolio, the majority are unrated bonds that represent small, private issuances. All unrated bonds were underwritten according to the Company’s loan underwriting standards and have an average loan risk rating of 2, indicating superior quality. Additionally, many of these bonds are funding essential municipal services such as water, sewer, education, and medical facilities.
The Company's municipal securities are owned by the four charters, whose investment policies set forth limits for various subcategories within the municipal securities portfolio. The investments of each charter are monitored individually, and as of March 31, 2024, all were within policy limitations approved by the Company’s board of directors. Policy limits are calculated as a percentage of each charter's total risk-based capital.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company's standard monitoring of its municipal securities portfolio had not uncovered any facts or circumstances resulting in significantly different credit ratings than those assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or in the case of unrated bonds, the rating assigned using the credit underwriting standards.
16
NOTE 3 – LOANS/LEASES RECEIVABLE
The composition of the loan/lease portfolio as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is presented as follows:
December 31, 2023
C&I:
C&I - revolving
326,129
325,243
C&I - other */**
1,470,609
1,481,778
1,796,738
1,807,021
CRE - owner occupied
621,069
607,365
CRE - non-owner occupied
1,055,089
1,008,892
Construction and land development**
1,149,527
1,420,525
Multi-family**
1,303,566
996,143
Direct financing leases***
28,089
31,164
1-4 family real estate****
563,358
544,971
Consumer
130,900
127,335
Allowance for credit losses
*** Direct financing leases:
Net minimum lease payments to be received
31,414
34,966
Estimated unguaranteed residual values of leased assets
165
Unearned lease/residual income
(3,490)
(3,967)
Plus deferred lease origination costs, net of fees
53
75
28,142
31,239
(884)
(992)
27,258
30,247
* Includes equipment financing agreements outstanding at m2, totaling $326.7 million and $319.5 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
** As of March 31, 2024, there were construction and land development and multi-family loans held for sale in preparation for securitization totaling $274.8 million. The balances in these loan classes as of March 31, 2024 were $51.9 million and $222.9 million, respectively. There were no loans held for sale in preparation for securitization at December 31, 2023.
*** Management performs an evaluation of the estimated unguaranteed residual values of leased assets on an annual basis, at a minimum. The evaluation consists of discussions with reputable and current vendors, which is combined with management's expertise and understanding of the current states of particular industries to determine informal valuations of the equipment. As necessary and where available, management will utilize valuations by independent appraisers. The majority of leases with residual values contain a lease options rider, which requires the lessee to pay the residual value directly, finance the payment of the residual value, or extend the lease term to pay the residual value. In these cases, the residual value is protected and the risk of loss is minimal.
**** Includes residential real estate held for sale totaling $528 thousand and $2.6 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Accrued interest on loans, which is excluded from the amortized cost of loans, totaled $34.0 million and $31.8 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and was included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Changes in accretable discounts on acquired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are presented as follows:
For the Three Months Ended
Performing
Loans
Balance at the beginning of the period
(3,891)
(6,088)
Accretion recognized
352
849
Balance at the end of the period
(3,539)
(5,239)
The aging of the loan/lease portfolio by classes of loans/leases as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is presented as follows:
As of March 31, 2024
Accruing Past
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
Due 90 Days or
Nonaccrual
Classes of Loans/Leases
Current
Past Due
More
324,707
586
C&I - other
1,445,236
10,014
4,100
11,258
618,123
184
116
2,646
1,053,325
1,764
Construction and land development
1,144,482
2,359
Multi-family
1,295,394
8,172
Direct financing leases
27,111
375
177
426
1-4 family real estate
557,301
3,515
141
2,401
130,276
171
40
413
6,595,955
15,095
7,705
142
29,439
As a percentage of total loan/lease portfolio
99.21
%
0.23
0.12
0.00
0.44
100.00
As of December 31, 2023
C&I
1,459,818
4,848
5,603
11,508
604,602
83
2,680
1,003,267
631
4,994
1,418,016
2,509
987,971
30,501
186
188
289
538,229
3,883
534
85
126,868
103
361
6,494,515
9,651
6,411
86
32,753
99.25
0.15
0.10
0.50
NPLs by classes of loans/leases as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are presented as follows:
Percentage of
with an ACL
without an ACL
Total NPLs
-
8,616
2,642
11,259
1,353
1,293
28
287
139
1,660
741
2,542
16,452
12,987
29,581
100
18
8,865
2,643
11,509
530
2,150
1,213
3,781
206
1,866
374
2,325
15,550
17,203
32,839
The Company did not recognize any interest income on nonaccrual loans during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Changes in the ACL loans/leases by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are presented as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
CRE
Construction
1-4
C&I -
Owner
Non-Owner
and Land
Multi-
Family
Revolving
Other*
Occupied
Development
Real Estate
Balance, beginning
4,224
27,460
8,223
11,581
16,856
12,463
4,917
1,476
87,200
Change in ACL for writedown of LHFS to fair value
(513)
(2,864)
(3,377)
Provision
216
2,227
193
1,026
(3,606)
3,329
3,736
Charge-offs
(3,538)
(3)
(19)
(3,560)
Recoveries
466
471
4,440
26,615
8,416
12,607
12,737
12,928
5,289
1,438
84,470
* Included within the C&I – Other column are ACL on leases with a beginning balance of $992 thousand, negative provision of $68 thousand, charge-offs of $89 thousand and recoveries of $49 thousand. ACL on leases was $884 thousand as of March 31, 2024.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
4,457
27,753
9,965
11,749
14,262
13,186
4,963
1,371
87,706
Reduction of ACL for writedown of LHFS to fair value
(354)
(1,355)
(1,709)
557
(668)
878
1,349
(210)
302
70
2,458
(2,055)
(208)
(12)
(2,275)
393
4,637
26,637
9,089
12,632
15,245
11,621
5,270
1,442
86,573
* Included within the C&I – Other column are ACL on leases with adoption impact of $970 thousand, provision of $69 thousand, charge-offs of $4 thousand and recoveries of $18 thousand. ACL on leases was $1.1 million as of March 31, 2023.
19
The composition of the ACL loans/leases by portfolio segment based on evaluation method are as follows:
Amortized Cost of Loans Receivable
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually
Collectively
Evaluated for
Credit Losses
C&I :
3,920
322,209
965
3,475
C&I - other*
24,191
1,474,507
1,498,698
3,759
22,856
28,111
1,796,716
1,824,827
4,724
26,331
31,055
22,252
598,817
2,623
5,793
19,391
1,035,698
1,068
11,539
2,573
1,146,954
791
11,946
8,203
1,295,363
12,925
3,317
560,041
278
5,011
553
130,347
67
84,400
6,563,936
9,554
74,916
* Included within the C&I – Other category are leases individually evaluated of $426 thousand with a related allowance for credit losses of $81 thousand and leases collectively evaluated of $27.7 million with a related allowance for credit losses of $803 thousand.
4,680
320,563
632
3,592
20,133
1,492,809
1,512,942
3,642
23,818
24,813
1,813,372
1,838,185
4,274
27,410
31,684
22,709
584,656
2,426
5,797
21,886
987,006
661
10,920
2,726
1,417,799
809
16,047
8,206
987,937
12,460
3,128
541,843
4,628
508
126,827
1,420
83,976
6,459,440
8,518
78,682
* Included within the C&I – Other category are leases individually evaluated of $289 thousand with a related allowance for credit losses of $68 thousand and leases collectively evaluated of $30.9 million with a related allowance for credit losses of $924 thousand.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral dependent loans, by the primary collateral type, which are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Non
Commercial
Owner-occupied
Owner-Occupied
Owner Occupied
Securities
Equipment
C & I:
5,680
5,184
12,573
754
9,600
22,189
187
3,130
119
30,473
3,586
795
* Included within the C&I – Other category are leases individually evaluated of $426 thousand with primary collateral of equipment.
20
871
5,191
13,249
822
5,551
22,644
150
2,576
189
2,939
365
22,794
32,976
3,369
846
* Included within the C&I – Other category are leases individually evaluated of $289 thousand with primary collateral of equipment.
For all loans except direct financing leases and equipment financing agreements, the Company’s credit quality indicator consists of internally assigned risk ratings. Each such loan is assigned a risk rating upon origination. The risk rating is reviewed every 15 months, at a minimum, and on an as-needed basis depending on the specific circumstances of the loan.
For certain C&I loans (including equipment financing agreements and direct financing leases), the Company’s credit quality indicator is performance determined by delinquency status. Delinquency status is updated daily by the Company’s loan system. For years prior to 2024, certain C&I loans (including equipment financing agreements and direct financing leases), certain construction and land development, certain 1-4 family real estate loans, and certain consumer loans, the Company’s credit quality indicator is performance determined by delinquency status. Delinquency status is updated daily by the Company’s loan system.
21
The following tables show the credit quality indicator of loans by class of receivable and year of origination as of March 31, 2024:
Term Loans
Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
Internally Assigned
Risk Rating
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Cost Basis
Pass
298,696
Special Mention
23,763
Substandard
3,670
Doubtful
Total C&I - revolving
108,985
367,853
273,527
107,537
63,794
179,537
1,101,233
637
11,220
8,324
5,434
3,017
1,252
29,884
5,124
594
6,652
12,765
Total C&I - other
109,622
379,086
286,975
113,565
67,193
187,441
1,143,882
17,144
99,682
123,235
132,150
107,501
84,907
12,288
576,907
834
4,223
760
10,085
5,482
2,267
23,651
220
1,399
549
27
15,911
2,405
20,511
Total CRE - owner occupied
18,198
105,304
124,544
142,262
128,894
89,579
40,649
213,724
300,824
187,315
116,641
145,024
7,645
1,011,822
4,403
161
11,998
6,922
23,877
1,647
1,971
14,572
19,390
Total CRE - non-owner occupied
45,052
215,532
302,081
187,501
130,610
166,518
7,795
92,918
470,029
316,429
154,364
71,968
2,871
29,656
1,138,235
4,918
3,801
8,719
1,367
1,206
Total Construction and land development
97,836
473,830
317,796
155,570
40,832
172,829
300,506
270,933
310,484
197,811
1,293,682
1,681
Total Multi-family
174,510
279,136
30,615
132,360
101,606
125,134
87,667
77,859
4,846
560,087
95
306
638
652
3,176
Total 1-4 family real estate
132,693
102,244
125,844
88,298
78,788
4,876
4,726
18,337
8,571
2,171
2,897
1,956
91,630
130,288
179
128
123
68
Total Consumer
18,516
8,699
2,215
2,908
2,079
91,757
346,881
1,499,471
1,442,845
1,006,093
800,355
725,087
472,788
6,293,520
22
Delinquency Status *
49,148
129,715
91,484
33,559
10,159
1,714
315,779
Nonperforming
2,589
4,979
3,007
336
10,948
132,304
96,463
36,566
10,495
1,751
326,727
172
11,787
9,851
2,449
2,037
27,663
205
174
Total Direct financing leases
10,056
2,496
2,211
49,320
144,091
106,519
39,062
12,706
3,118
354,816
* Performing = loans/leases accruing and less than 90 days past due. Nonperforming = loans/leases on nonaccrual and accruing loans/leases that are greater than or equal to 90 days past due.
The following table shows the gross charge-offs of loans and leases by class of receivable and year of origination for the three months ended March 31, 2024:
Gross Charge-off by Origination Year
678
2,033
522
176
3,449
42
89
2,062
546
192
3,560
The following tables show the credit quality indicator of loans by class of receivable and year of origination as of December 31, 2023:
2019
294,449
26,289
4,505
430,764
301,225
128,057
68,882
62,149
132,171
1,123,248
11,617
8,777
5,572
3,088
1,024
386
30,464
81
625
443
2,108
5,320
8,591
442,395
310,083
134,254
72,413
65,281
137,877
1,162,303
90,708
124,388
139,598
109,483
28,702
58,214
12,959
564,052
5,091
711
8,689
5,567
1,828
22,352
1,955
564
15,978
1,312
1,128
20,961
97,754
125,663
148,311
131,028
30,480
61,170
200,214
276,055
195,013
119,428
72,136
78,346
7,406
948,598
16,842
223
12,057
6,719
38,408
1,989
14,892
220,861
277,313
195,236
133,474
89,387
85,065
7,556
467,045
485,376
271,881
151,091
1,911
4,137
30,304
1,411,745
6,054
1,517
1,209
473,099
486,893
273,090
180,971
195,939
170,893
239,410
102,070
96,897
162
986,342
1,595
182,566
179,099
133,923
103,460
130,724
89,642
25,914
54,850
541,842
87
144
215
815
519
712
3,042
134,095
103,675
131,598
90,279
26,433
55,562
17,722
9,405
3,024
622
1,842
91,580
126,768
175
133
17,897
9,524
2,585
3,036
1,975
91,696
1,568,667
1,509,090
1,064,173
820,731
316,184
442,683
471,249
6,192,777
149,216
103,804
40,003
12,590
2,539
132
308,284
1,533
6,138
3,049
373
92
11,191
150,749
109,942
43,052
12,963
2,631
138
319,475
12,217
11,170
3,005
1,561
291
30,875
3,048
2,807
1,581
162,966
121,162
46,100
15,770
4,212
429
350,639
There were no loan and lease modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Any loan and lease modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during 2023 were immaterial.
Changes in the ACL for OBS exposures for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented as follows:
9,529
5,552
Provisions (credited) to expense
(322)
481
9,207
6,033
NOTE 4. SECURITIZATIONS AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
Freddie Mac M and Q Series Securitizations
In 2023, the Company completed two Freddie Mac sponsored securitizations. The Company retained beneficial interests which are classified as trading securities on the consolidated balance sheets. Details related to the securitizations and related VIEs can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
At March 31, 2024, the Company determined it was not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs primarily because the Company did not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs. Evaluation and assessment of VIEs for consolidation is performed on an ongoing basis by management. Any changes in facts and circumstances occurring since the previous primary beneficiary determination will be considered as part of this ongoing assessment.
The Company’s total assets related to the VIEs as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $22.3 million and $22.4 million, respectively and there were no liabilities recorded. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss associated with these VIEs consists of the capital invested plus any unfunded equity commitments that are binding. As of March 31, 2024, the maximum exposure to loss was $31.8 million.
NOTE 5 – DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Derivatives are summarized as follows as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Assets:
Hedged Derivatives
Cash Flow Hedges
Interest rate caps
2,561
2,847
Interest rate swaps
2,437
1,689
Fair Value Hedges
1,083
Unhedged Derivatives
769
951
177,038
181,854
(34,183)
(30,407)
Interest rate collars
(456)
(166)
(3,308)
(177,038)
(181,854)
(211,677)
(215,735)
The Company uses interest rate swap, cap and collar instruments to manage interest rate risk related to the variability of interest payments due to changes in interest rates.
The Company has entered into interest rate caps to hedge against the risk of rising interest rates on liabilities. The liabilities consist of $300.0 million of deposits and the benchmark rates hedged vary at 1-month SOFR, 3-month SOFR and the Prime Rate. The interest rate caps are designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815. An initial premium of $3.5 million was paid upfront for the caps executed. The details of the interest rate caps are as follows:
Balance Sheet
Fair Value as of
Hedged Item
Effective Date
Maturity Date
Location
Notional Amount
Strike Rate
1/1/2020
1/1/2024
Derivatives - Assets
25,000
1.75
(79)
50,000
1.57
1.80
1/1/2025
633
672
1,285
1,503
643
751
200,000
The Company has entered into interest rate swaps to hedge against the risk of rising rates on one of its variable rate subordinated notes and its variable rate trust preferred securities. All of the interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815. The details of the interest rate swaps are as follows:
Receive Rate
Pay Rate
QCR Holdings Subordinated Note
3/1/2024
2/15/2028
65,000
5.34
4.02
QCR Holdings Statutory Trust II
9/30/2018
9/30/2028
10,000
8.44
5.85
341
QCR Holdings Statutory Trust III
8,000
409
272
QCR Holdings Statutory Trust V
7/7/2018
7/7/2028
7.14
4.54
500
335
Community National Statutory Trust II
9/20/2018
9/20/2028
3,000
7.76
5.17
153
101
Community National Statutory Trust III
9/15/2018
9/15/2028
3,500
7.34
4.75
178
118
Guaranty Bankshares Statutory Trust I
4,500
229
152
Guaranty Statutory Trust II*
5/23/2019
2/23/2026
10,310
7.03
4.09
435
370
114,310
* Acquired on 4/1/2022 with GFED acquisition.
The Company has entered into interest rate swaps to hedge against the risk of declining interest rates on floating rate loans. The interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815. The details of the interest rate swaps are as follows:
7/1/2021
7/1/2031
Derivatives - Liabilities
35,000
1.40
5.44
(5,605)
(5,004)
(8,007)
(7,149)
40,000
(6,416)
(5,730)
10/1/2022
1.30
5.33
(4,035)
(3,696)
4/1/2022
4/1/2027
15,000
1.91
(1,012)
(3,373)
(2,892)
(2,361)
(2,024)
(3,374)
(3,044)
300,000
The Company uses interest rate collars in an effort to manage future interest rate exposure on variable rate loans. The collar hedging strategy stabilizes interest rate fluctuations by setting both a floor and a cap. The collar is designated as a cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC 815. The details of the interest rate collars are as follows:
Cap Strike Rate
Floor Strike Rate
10/1/2026
4.40
2.44
The Company has entered into interest rate swaps to hedge against the risk of rising rates on loans. The interest rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges in accordance with ASC 815. The details of the interest rate swaps are as follows:
7/12/2023
2/1/2026
4.38
(195)
8/1/2026
30,000
4.21
(293)
2/1/2027
32,500
4.08
107
(364)
8/1/2027
3.98
129
(397)
2/1/2028
3.90
(388)
(117)
(146)
(168)
60
(183)
69
(194)
8/1/2025
4.60
(69)
20,000
(140)
(176)
(276)
325,000
Changes in fair values of derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent that they are included in the assessment of effectiveness, are recorded as a component of AOCI. Changes in fair values of derivative financial instruments accounted for as fair value hedges, to the extent that they are included in the assessment of effectiveness, are recorded as a component of other assets or other liabilities.
For derivative instruments that are designated as unhedged, the change in fair value of the derivative instrument is recognized into current earnings. The details of the unhedged interest rate caps are as follows:
2/1/2020
2/1/2024
1.90
79
3/1/2020
3/3/2025
872
The Company has also entered into interest rate swap contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments. These derivative contracts relate to transactions in which the Company enters into an interest rate swap with a customer while at
the same time entering into an equal and offsetting interest rate swap with an upstream counterparty. Additionally, the Company receives an upfront, non-refundable fee from the upstream counterparty, dependent upon the pricing that is recognized upon receipt from the counterparty. Because the Company acts as an intermediary for the customer, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts, for the most part, offset each other and do not significantly impact the Company’s results of operations.
Interest rate swaps that are not designated as hedging instruments are summarized as follows:
Estimated Fair Value
Non-Hedging Interest Rate Derivatives Assets:
Interest rate swap contracts
3,508,720
3,308,024
Non-Hedging Interest Rate Derivatives Liabilities:
The effect of cash flow hedging and fair value accounting on the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
Interest and
Dividend Income
Expense
Income and expense line items presented in the consolidated statements of income
The effects of cash flow hedging:
Gain on interest rate caps on deposits
(1,116)
(1,581)
Gain on interest rate swaps on junior subordinated debentures
(336)
(227)
Loss on interest rate swaps and collars on loans
(2,974)
The effects of fair value hedging:
Gain on interest rate swaps on loans
977
The Company’s hedged interest rate swaps and non-hedged interest rate swaps are collateralized with cash and investment securities with carrying values as follows:
Cash
14,470
51,680
U.S govt. sponsored agency securities
6,285
6,413
67,040
68,651
21,730
23,358
109,525
150,102
The Company may be exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to its interest rate derivative agreements. The Company assesses the credit risk of its financial institution counterparties by monitoring publicly available credit ratings and financial information. Additionally, the Company manages financial institution counterparty credit risk by entering into interest rate derivatives only with primary and highly rated counterparties, and uses ISDA master agreements, central clearing mechanisms and counterparty limits. The agreements contain bilateral collateral agreements with the amount of collateral to be posted generally governed by the settlement value of outstanding swaps. The Company manages the risk of default by its borrower/customer counterparties through its normal loan underwriting and credit monitoring policies and procedures. The Company underwrites the combination of the base loan amount and potential swap exposure and focuses on high quality borrowers with strong collateral values. The majority of the Company’s swapped loan portfolio consists of loans on projects, with loan-to-values, including the potential swap exposure, below 65%. The Company does not currently anticipate any losses from failure of interest rate derivative counterparties to honor their obligations.
NOTE 6 – INCOME TAXES
A reconciliation of the expected federal income tax expense to the income tax expense included in the consolidated statements of income is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
% of
Pretax
Amount
Income
Computed "expected" tax expense
5,859
21.0
6,287
Tax exempt income, net
(3,775)
(13.5)
(3,216)
(10.7)
(182)
(0.7)
(148)
(0.5)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit, current year
1,014
3.6
1,189
4.0
Tax credits
(86)
(0.3)
(177)
(0.6)
Income from tax credit equity investments
(596)
(2.1)
(413)
(1.4)
Excess tax benefit on stock options exercised and restricted stock awards vested
(470)
(1.7)
(398)
(1.3)
(592)
(342)
(1.2)
4.2
9.3
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company made an election to account for its LIHTC investments using the proportional amortization method under newly adopted accounting guidance. Under the proportional amortization method, the Company applies a practical expedient for its LIHTC investments and amortizes the initial cost of the qualifying investments in proportion to the income tax credits received in the current period as compared to the total income tax credits expected to be received over the life of the investment. For LIHTC investments, the Company amortized the initial cost of qualifying investments in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits received in the current period.
The following table summarizes the impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations relative to the Company’s tax credit programs for which it has elected to apply the proportional amortization method of accounting:
Tax credits recognized
2,204
5,185
1,120
Other tax benefits recognized
729
Amortization
(2,061)
(5,090)
(964)
Net benefit included in income tax
2,132
664
Other income
Allocated income on investments
Net benefit included in noninterest income
Net benefit included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
The Company did not recognize impairment losses resulting from the forfeiture or ineligibility of income tax credits or other circumstances during the quarters ending March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023.
NOTE 7 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following information was used in the computation of EPS on a basic and diluted basis:
Three months ended
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS
Weighted average common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
and under the employee stock purchase plan
127,327
165,843
NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE
Accounting guidance on fair value measurement uses a hierarchy intended to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. This hierarchy includes three levels and is based upon the valuation techniques used to measure assets and liabilities. The three levels are as follows:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis comprise the following at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices
Significant
in Active
Markets for
Observable
Unobservable
Identical Assets
Inputs
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
U.S. treasuries and govt. sponsored agency securities
Securities trading
Total assets measured at fair value
497,126
474,868
Total liabilities measured at fair value
509,365
486,996
The securities AFS portfolio consists of securities whereby the Company obtains fair values from an independent pricing service. The fair values are determined by pricing models that consider observable market data, such as interest rate volatilities, SOFR yield curve, credit spreads and prices from market makers and live trading systems (Level 2 inputs).
Trading securities consist of retained beneficial interests from securitizations and are classified as a Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Fair values are estimated using the discounted cash flow method, including discount rates which are deemed to be significant unobservable inputs. As of March 31, 2024, the discount rates ranged from 5.84% to 7.55%.
Interest rate caps, swaps and collars are used for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk on various financial assets and liabilities, further described in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Interest rate swaps are also executed for select commercial customers. The fair values are determined by pricing models that consider observable market data for derivative instruments with similar structures (Level 2 inputs).
Certain financial assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when a loan/lease is collaterally dependent).
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis comprised the following at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Loans/leases evaluated individually
33,949
Loans receivable held for sale in preparation for securitization
OREO
847
Other repossessed assets
1,082
310,694
33,656
1,455
35,111
Loans/leases evaluated individually are valued at the lower of cost or fair value and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans/leases. Collateral may be comprised of real estate and/or business assets, including equipment, inventory and/or accounts receivable, and is determined based on appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company. Appraised and reported values are discounted based on management's historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management's expertise and knowledge of the client and client's business.
Loans receivable held for sale in preparation for securitization are valued at the lower of cost or fair value in the aggregate by type and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is estimated considering the loans have a floating interest rate with a spread that is commensurate with current market pricing, in addition to factoring in a discount for credit risk.
OREO in the table above consists of property acquired through foreclosures and settlement of loans. Property acquired is carried at the estimated fair value of the property, less disposal costs, and is classified as a Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of the property acquired is generally determined based on appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company. Appraised and reported values are discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the property.
31
Other repossessed assets in the table above consists of equipment acquired through repossession and settlement of loans. Property acquired is carried at the estimated fair value of the property, less disposal costs, and is classified as a Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of the property acquired is generally determined based on current average auction prices database used by a national auction company hired by the Company.
The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:
Quantitative Information about Level Fair Value Measurements
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Range
Appraisal of collateral
Appraisal adjustments
-10.00
to
-30.00
Market prices for similar loans
Market price adjustments
n/a
-35.00
Average auction prices
For the loans/leases evaluated individually and OREO, the Company records carrying value at fair value less disposal or selling costs. The amounts reported in the tables above are fair values before the adjustment for disposal or selling costs.
For loans receivable held for sale in preparation for securitization, the Company records carrying value at fair value factoring in a discount for credit risk.
There have been no changes in valuation techniques used for any assets or liabilities measured at fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities carried on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, including those financial assets and liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or non-recurring basis:
Hierarchy
Carrying
Estimated
Level
Investment securities:
HTM
AFS
Trading
Loans/leases receivable, net
31,434
31,163
6,532,432
6,255,402
6,425,053
6,125,433
Nonmaturity deposits
5,669,912
5,504,323
Time deposits
1,136,863
1,129,488
1,009,682
996,746
FHLB advances
205,962
437,178
239,256
240,235
40,567
40,397
NOTE 9 – BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
Selected financial and descriptive information is required to be disclosed for reportable operating segments, applying a “management perspective” as the basis for identifying reportable segments. The management perspective is determined by the view that management takes of the segments within the Company when making operating decisions, allocating resources, and measuring performance. The segments of the Company have been defined by the structure of the Company's internal organization, focusing on the financial information that the Company's operating decision-makers routinely use to make decisions about operating matters.
The Company’s Commercial Banking business is geographically divided by markets into the operating segments which are the four subsidiary banks wholly owned by the Company: QCBT, CRBT, CSB, and GB. Each of these operating segments offers similar products and services, but is managed separately due to different pricing, product demand, and consumer markets. Each offers commercial, consumer, and mortgage loans and deposit services.
The Company's All Other segment includes the corporate operations of the parent and operations of all other consolidated subsidiaries and/or defined operating segments that fall below the segment reporting thresholds.
Selected financial information on the Company's business segments is presented as follows as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
Commercial Banking
Intercompany
Consolidated
QCBT
CRBT
CSB
GB
All other
Eliminations
Total revenue
40,382
47,975
20,509
33,625
33,669
(34,253)
141,907
16,963
16,908
11,075
13,514
(4,109)
348
3,225
(234)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
4,903
18,043
4,449
5,006
27,323
(32,998)
3,223
14,980
9,888
110,936
819
1,289
11,023
2,618,727
2,423,936
1,445,230
2,327,985
1,235,181
(1,451,510)
33,124
43,123
16,568
27,621
34,669
(35,046)
120,059
16,988
17,179
10,890
15,372
(3,963)
344
Provision for loan/lease losses
1,573
1,516
492
347
7,038
16,400
4,760
5,387
27,680
(34,108)
110,383
138,474
1,108
1,878
13,007
15,993
2,548,473
2,196,560
1,286,227
2,147,776
1,116,694
(1,258,826)
8,036,904
NOTE 10 – REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The Company (on a consolidated basis) and the subsidiary banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company and the subsidiary banks' financial statements.
Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the subsidiary banks must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain OBS items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the subsidiary banks to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to average assets, each as defined by regulation. Management believes, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, that the Company and the subsidiary banks met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
Under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, to be categorized as “well capitalized,” an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 leverage and common equity Tier 1 ratios as set forth in the following tables. The Company and the subsidiary banks’ actual capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2024 and
December 31, 2023 are presented in the following tables (dollars in thousands). As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, each of the subsidiary banks met such capital requirements to be “well capitalized.”
For Capital
To Be Well
Adequacy Purposes
Capitalized Under
With Capital
Prompt Corrective
Actual
Conservation Buffer
Action Provisions
Ratio
( dollars in thousands)
As of March 31, 2024:
Company:
Total risk-based capital
1,181,827
14.30
660,989
>
8.00
867,548
10.50
826,237
10.00
Tier 1 risk-based capital
867,778
495,742
6.00
702,301
8.50
Tier 1 leverage
10.33
336,048
4.00
420,060
5.00
Common equity Tier 1
819,015
9.91
371,806
4.50
578,366
7.00
537,054
6.50
Quad City Bank & Trust:
305,569
12.77
191,391
251,201
239,239
275,648
11.52
143,543
203,353
11.15
98,876
123,596
107,658
167,467
155,505
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust:
398,654
15.53
205,302
269,458
256,627
373,281
14.55
153,976
218,133
16.01
93,236
116,545
115,482
179,639
166,808
Community State Bank:
175,056
12.81
109,305
143,463
136,631
160,919
11.78
81,979
116,136
11.31
56,930
71,162
61,484
95,642
88,810
Guaranty Bank:
273,124
13.11
166,624
218,694
208,280
249,998
12.00
124,968
11.51
86,845
108,556
93,726
145,796
135,382
As of December 31, 2023:
1,171,047
14.29
655,461
860,293
819,327
841,052
10.27
491,596
696,428
10.03
335,420
419,275
792,321
9.67
368,697
573,529
532,562
300,413
12.67
189,707
248,990
237,133
270,744
11.42
142,280
201,563
11.23
96,425
120,531
106,710
165,993
154,137
381,514
15.60
195,687
256,840
244,609
354,940
14.51
146,766
207,918
14.77
96,093
120,116
110,074
171,227
158,996
171,747
13.22
103,903
136,372
129,878
156,629
12.06
77,927
110,397
11.19
56,005
70,007
58,445
90,915
84,421
267,822
12.68
168,967
221,770
211,209
244,506
11.58
126,726
179,528
11.41
85,688
107,110
95,044
147,847
137,286
NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS
The Company entered into a construction contract in 2023 for the construction of a new CRBT facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Company will pay the contractor a contract price of approximately $17.0 million, subject to additions and deductions as provided in the contract documents. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has paid $7.4 million of the contract price, resulting in a remaining future commitment of $9.6 million. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2024.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
INTRODUCTION
This section reviews the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries as of and for the three months ending March 31, 2024. Some tables may include additional periods to comply with disclosure requirements or to illustrate trends. When reading this discussion, also refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes in this report. Page locations and specific sections and notes that are referred to in this discussion are listed in the table of contents.
Additionally, a comprehensive list of the acronyms and abbreviations used throughout this discussion is included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
GENERAL
The Company was formed in February 1993 for the purpose of organizing QCBT. Over the past thirty-one years, the Company has grown to include four banking subsidiaries and a number of nonbanking subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $8.6 billion in consolidated assets, including $6.6 billion in net loans/leases, and $6.8 billion in deposits. The financial results of acquired entities for the periods since their acquisition are included in this report. Further information related to acquired entities has been presented in the annual reports previously filed with the SEC corresponding to the year of each acquisition.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The financial information contained within these statements is, to a significant extent, financial information that is based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance, impairment of goodwill, the fair value of financial instruments, and the fair value of securities.
Based on its consideration of accounting policies that involve the most complex and subjective decisions and assessments, management has identified the following as critical accounting policies and estimates:
A more detailed discussion of these critical accounting policies and estimates can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – continued
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
The Company reported net income of $26.7 million and diluted EPS of $1.58 for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. By comparison, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company reported net income of $32.9 million and diluted EPS of $1.95. For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company reported net income of $27.2 million, and diluted EPS of $1.60.
The first quarter of 2024 was also highlighted by the following results and events:
Following is a table that represents various net income measurements for the Company.
For the three months ended
32,855
1.95
16,875,952
The Company reported adjusted net income (non-GAAP) of $26.9 million, with adjusted diluted EPS of $1.59 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. See section titled “GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations” for additional information. Adjusted net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 excludes a number of non-recurring items, after-tax, as set forth in the GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation section.
Following is a table that represents the major income and expense categories for the Company:
55,736
5,199
Noninterest income
47,729
Noninterest expense
60,938
4,473
Following are some noteworthy changes in the Company's financial results:
STRATEGIC FINANCIAL METRICS
The Company has established certain strategic financial metrics by which it manages its business and measures its performance. The goals are periodically updated to reflect changes in business developments. While the Company is determined to work prudently to achieve these metrics, there is no assurance that they will be met. Moreover, the Company's ability to achieve these metrics may be affected by the factors discussed under “Forward Looking Statements” as well as the factors detailed in the “Risk Factors” section included under Item 1A. of Part I of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company's long-term strategic financial metrics are as follows:
The following table shows the evaluation of the Company’s strategic financial metrics:
Year to Date*
Strategic Financial Metric*
Key Metric
Target
Loan and lease growth organically
Loans and leases growth
> 9% annually
6.4
6.6
3.3
Fee income growth
> 6% annually
(20.3)
75.1
30.0
Improve operational efficiencies and hold noninterest expense growth
Noninterest expense growth
< 5% annually
(3.6)
16.3
7.5
* Ratios and amounts provided for these measurements represent year-to-date actual amounts for the respective period that are then annualized for comparison to the prior year actual. The calculations provided exclude non-core noninterest income and noninterest expense.
It should be noted that these initiatives are long-term targets.
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS
The Company has taken the following actions during the first quarter of 2024 to support its corporate strategy:
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
The following table presents certain non-GAAP financial measures related to the “TCE/TA ratio”, “adjusted net income”, “adjusted EPS”, “adjusted ROAA”, “NIM (TEY)”, “adjusted NIM (TEY)” and “efficiency ratio”. In compliance with applicable rules of the SEC, all non-GAAP measures are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as follows:
The TCE/TA non-GAAP ratio has been a focus for investors and management believes that this ratio may assist investors in analyzing the Company’s capital position without regard to the effects of intangible assets.
The following tables also include several “adjusted” non-GAAP measurements of financial performance. The Company’s management believes that these measures are important to investors as they exclude non-recurring income and expense items; therefore, they provide a better comparison for analysis and may provide a better indicator of future performance.
NIM (TEY) is a financial measure that the Company’s management utilizes to determine the tax benefit associated with certain tax-exempt loans and securities. It is standard industry practice to measure net interest margin using tax-equivalent measures. In addition, the Company calculates NIM without the impact of acquisition accounting net accretion (adjusted NIM), as accretion amounts can fluctuate widely, making comparisons difficult.
The efficiency ratio is a ratio that management utilizes to compare the Company to its peers. It is a standard ratio used to calculate overhead as a percentage of revenue in the banking industry and is widely utilized by investors.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied, and are not audited. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by investors to evaluate a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP.
As of
GAAP TO NON-GAAP
RECONCILIATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
TCE/TA RATIO
Stockholders' equity (GAAP)
Less: Intangible assets
152,158
152,848
154,467
TCE (non-GAAP)
755,184
733,748
647,027
Total assets (GAAP)
TA (non-GAAP)
8,447,391
8,386,046
7,882,437
TCE/TA ratio (non-GAAP)
8.94
8.75
8.21
For the Quarter Ended
ADJUSTED NET INCOME
Net income (GAAP)
Less non-core items (post-tax) (*):
Income:
(366)
Fair value loss on derivatives and trading securities, net
(129)
(460)
(337)
Total non-core income (non-GAAP)
(703)
Expense:
164
Total non-core expense (non-GAAP)
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)
26,855
33,315
28,024
ADJUSTED EPS
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) (from above)
16,734,080
Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP):
Basic
1.99
1.67
Diluted
1.97
1.65
ADJUSTED ROAA (non-GAAP)
Average Assets
8,550,855
8,535,732
7,906,830
Adjusted ROAA (non-GAAP)
1.26
1.56
1.42
Adjusted ROAE (non-GAAP)
11.89
15.64
14.11
ADJUSTED NIM (TEY)*
Net interest income (GAAP)
Plus: Tax equivalent adjustment
8,377
7,954
6,057
Net interest income - tax equivalent (non-GAAP)
63,076
63,690
62,867
Less: Acquisition accounting net accretion
363
673
828
Adjusted net interest income
62,713
63,017
62,039
Average earning assets
7,807,720
7,631,035
7,247,605
NIM (GAAP)
2.82
2.90
3.18
NIM (TEY) (non-GAAP)
3.25
3.32
3.52
Adjusted NIM (TEY) (non-GAAP)
3.24
3.29
3.47
EFFICIENCY RATIO
Noninterest expense (GAAP)
Noninterest income (GAAP)
Total income
81,557
103,465
82,652
Efficiency ratio (noninterest expense/total income) (non-GAAP)
62.15
58.90
59.02
* Non-core or non-recurring items (after-tax) are calculated using an estimated effective federal tax rate of 21%.
NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN- (TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS)
Net interest income, on a GAAP basis, decreased 4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same quarter of the prior year. Net interest income, on a tax equivalent basis (non-GAAP), remained the same for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same quarter of the prior year. Several non-client factors drove this decrease, including the maturity of $125 million of interest rates caps on the Company’s indexed deposits and the conversion of $65 million of subordinated debt to a higher floating rate, which contributed a combined $1.3 million of additional interest expense. In addition, loan discount accretion decreased by $310 thousand and there was one less day in the quarter which had an impact of approximately $600 thousand decrease in net interest income.
A comparison of yields, spread and margin on a tax equivalent and GAAP basis is as follows:
GAAP
Tax Equivalent Basis
Average Yield on Interest-Earning Assets
5.89
5.88
5.20
6.35
6.26
5.60
Average Cost of Interest-Bearing Liabilities
3.86
3.60
2.71
3.68
2.74
Net Interest Spread
2.03
2.28
2.49
2.58
2.86
NIM (TEY) (Non-GAAP)
NIM Excluding Acquisition Accounting Net Accretion (Non-GAAP)
2.78
2.89
3.09
Acquisition accounting net accretion can fluctuate mostly depending on the payoff activity of the acquired loans. In evaluating net interest income and NIM, it’s important to understand the impact of acquisition accounting net accretion when comparing periods. The above table reports NIM with and without the acquisition accounting net accretion to allow for more appropriate comparisons. A comparison of acquisition accounting net accretion included in NIM is as follows:
Acquisition Accounting Net Accretion in NIM
The Company’s management closely monitors and manages NIM. From a profitability standpoint, an important challenge for the Company’s subsidiary banks and leasing company is focusing on quality growth in conjunction with the improvement of their NIMs. Management continually addresses this issue with pricing and other balance sheet strategies which include better loan pricing, reducing reliance on very rate-sensitive funding, closely managing deposit rate changes and finding additional ways to manage cost of funds through derivatives.
The Company’s average balances, interest income/expense, and rates earned/paid on major balance sheet categories, as well as the components of change in net interest income, are presented in the following tables:
Average
Earned
Yield or
Balance
or Paid
ASSETS
Interest earning assets:
19,955
5.42
19,275
4.93
91,557
5.27
73,584
4.53
Investment securities - taxable
373,540
4.55
332,640
4.05
Investment securities - nontaxable (1)
685,969
9,349
5.45
619,225
6,791
4.39
38,085
37,766
5.43
Gross loans/leases receivable (1) (2) (3)
6,598,614
107,673
6.56
6,165,115
88,548
5.82
Total interest earning assets
123,426
100,273
Noninterest-earning assets:
77,763
71,315
Premises and equipment
127,979
118,097
Less allowance
(86,768)
(87,924)
624,161
557,737
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits
4,529,325
39,072
4,067,405
23,776
2.37
1,107,622
12,345
4.48
869,912
6,003
2.80
1,763
5.16
7,573
5.28
355,220
296,333
233,101
5.97
232,679
5.69
48,742
692
5.62
48,613
5.72
Total interest-bearing liabilities
6,275,773
5,522,515
37,406
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
958,506
1,242,327
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
413,205
347,303
7,647,484
7,112,145
Stockholders' equity
903,371
794,685
Net interest spread
Net interest margin
Net interest margin (TEY)(Non-GAAP)
Adjusted net interest margin (TEY)(Non-GAAP)
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
124.41
131.24
Analysis of Changes of Interest Income/Interest Expense
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Inc./(Dec.)
Components
from
of Change (1)
Prior Period (1)
Rate
Volume
2024 vs. 2023
INTEREST INCOME
379
227
895
448
447
Investment securities - nontaxable (2)
2,558
1,769
789
157
Gross loans/leases receivable (2) (3)
19,125
12,315
6,810
Total change in interest income
23,153
14,876
8,277
INTEREST EXPENSE
15,296
12,289
6,342
4,357
1,985
(76)
(74)
1,217
438
779
169
(4)
(16)
Total change in interest expense
22,944
17,229
5,715
Total change in net interest income
209
(2,353)
2,562
The Company’s operating results are also impacted by various sources of noninterest income, including trust department fees, investment advisory and management fees, deposit service fees, capital markets revenue, gains from the sales of residential real estate loans and government guaranteed loans, earnings on BOLI and other income. Offsetting these items, the Company incurs noninterest expenses, which include salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expense, professional and data processing fees, FDIC and other insurance expense, loan/lease expense and other administrative expenses.
The Company’s operating results are also affected by economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in interest rates, income tax rates, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Interest income increased $20.8 million, comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of 2023. Interest income (tax equivalent) increased $23.2 million, comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of 2023. This increase in interest income was primarily due to continued loan growth with increased interest rates.
The Company intends to continue to grow quality loans and leases as well as its private placement tax-exempt securities portfolio to maximize yield while minimizing credit and interest rate risk.
Interest expense increased $22.9 million, comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of 2023. Several non-client factors drove this increase, including the maturity of $125 million of interest rates caps on the Company’s indexed deposits and the conversion of $65 million of subordinated debt to a higher floating rate, which contributed a combined $1.3 million of additional interest expense. The Company’s cost of funds was 3.86% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, which was up from 2.74% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The ACL is established through provision expense to provide an estimated ACL. The following table shows the components of the provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Provision for credit losses - loans and leases
Provision for credit losses - off-balance sheet exposures
Provision for credit losses - available for sale securities
Total provision for credit losses
The Company had total provision for credit losses on loans and leases of $3.7 million for the first quarter of 2024, which was up from $2.5 million for the same period of 2023, primarily driven by loan growth during the quarter. The provision related to OBS was negative $322 thousand for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $481 thousand for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease was due to a decrease in the balance of unfunded commitments as there was a surge in commitments in the LIHTC lending business at December 31, 2023 that began to fund during the first quarter of 2024. There was no provision related to HTM securities for the first quarter of 2024 or 2023. There was a negative provision of $445 thousand on AFS securities for the first quarter of 2024 with the change in fair value of a debt investment in a failed bank. This was a legacy investment acquired as part of the 2022 GFED acquisition in which an allowance was established for the entire balance of the bond in March 2023 and due to favorable changes in market conditions during 2024, partially recovered in value and was then sold during the quarter.
The ACL for loans and leases is established based on a number of factors, including the Company's historical loss experience, delinquencies and charge-off trends, economic and other forecasts, the local, state and national economies and risk associated with the loans/leases and securities in the portfolio, as described in more detail in the “Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates” section of this discussion.
The Company had an ACL for loans/leases held for investment of 1.33% of total gross loans/leases held for investment at March 31, 2024, compared to 1.33% at December 31, 2023 and 1.43% at March 31, 2023. Management has evaluated the allowance needed on the loans acquired prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2021, factoring in the remaining discount, which was $3.5 million and $5.2 million at March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
Additional discussion of the Company's allowance can be found in the “Financial Condition” section of this Report.
NONINTEREST INCOME
The following table sets forth the various categories of noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
$ Change
% Change
293
10.1
25.3
(6)
22.4
(20.0)
(566)
(3.3)
100.0
22.8
30.9
185
28.4
Fair value loss on derivatives
264
(61.8)
(185)
(54.6)
1,016
3.9
The Company continues to be successful in expanding its wealth management client base and new assets under management. Trust fees continue to be a significant contributor to noninterest income. Assets under management increased $566.8 million since December 31, 2023 and have increased by $976.4 million since March 31, 2023 due to market fluctuation. Income is generated primarily from fees charged based on assets under administration for corporate and personal trusts and for custodial services. Trust fees are primarily determined based on the market value of the investments within the fully-managed trusts. Trust fees increased 10% in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to market performance and new assets under management. The Company expects trust fees to be negatively impacted during periods of significantly lower market valuations and positively impacted during periods of significantly higher market valuations.
Investment advisory and management fees increased 25% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. Similar to trust fees, investment advisory and management fees are largely determined based on the market value of the investments managed. As a result, fee income from this line of business fluctuates with market valuations.
Deposit service fees remained stable in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period of the prior year. The Company continues to be successful in expanding its core deposit base.
Gains on sales of residential real estate loans, net, increased 22% when comparing the first quarter of 2023 to the same period of the prior year. The increases were due to increased volume of residential real estate purchases and the refinancing of residential real estate loans.
The Company has grown its capital markets revenue significantly over the past several years. The Company’s interest rate swap program consists of back-to-back interest rate swaps with two types of commercial borrowers: (1) traditional commercial loans of a certain minimum size and sophistication, and (2) LIHTC permanent loans. Most of the growth has been in the latter category as the Company has grown relationships with strong LIHTC developers with many years of experience. The LIHTC industry is strong and growing with an increased need for affordable housing. The interest rate swaps allow commercial borrowers to pay a fixed interest rate while the Company receives a variable interest rate as well as an upfront nonrefundable fee dependent upon the pricing.
Capital markets revenue totaled $16.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $17.0 million for the first quarter of 2023. In the traditional commercial portfolio, the pricing is more competitive and the duration is shorter as compared
to the LIHTC permanent loans. Therefore, the mix of loans with interest rate swaps continued to be heavily weighted towards LIHTC permanent loans. Future levels of swap fees are dependent upon the needs of our traditional commercial and LIHTC borrowers, and the size of the related nonrefundable swap fee may fluctuate depending on the interest rate environment.
Also included in capital markets revenue are gains on loan securitizations. The Company had two LIHTC securitizations that closed in the fourth quarter of 2023. LIHTC securitizations will continue on an ongoing basis, as a tool to provide capacity for continued LIHTC loan production.
There were no securities gains or losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Securities losses totaled $463 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company sold $29 million of securities during the first quarter of 2023. The securities sold were part of a strategy to partially deleverage the balance sheet with an anticipated rapid earn back of the modest loss before the end of the calendar year.
Earnings on BOLI increased 23% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2023. There were no purchases of BOLI in the first quarter of 2024 or 2023. Notably, a portion of the Company's BOLI is variable rate whereby returns are determined by the performance of the equity markets. Management intends to continue to review its BOLI investments to be consistent with policy and regulatory limits in conjunction with the rest of its earning assets in an effort to maximize returns while minimizing risk.
Debit card fees are the interchange fees paid on certain debit card customer transactions. Debit card fees remained stable in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period of the prior year. The fees can vary based on customer debit card usage, so fluctuations from period to period may occur. As an opportunity to maximize fees, the Company offers a deposit product with a higher interest rate that incentivizes debit card activity.
Correspondent banking fees increased 31% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a shift of correspondent banking balances from non-interest bearing accounts to interest bearing accounts, in light of increasing rates. Fees from correspondent banks generally increase when non-interest bearing account balances decrease due to lower associated earnings credits. Correspondent banking continues to be a core strategy for the Company, as this line of business provides a high level of deposits that can be used to fund loan growth as well as a steady source of fee income. The Company now serves approximately 183 banks in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin.
Loan-related fee income increased 28% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to the substantial growth in our commercial credit card portfolio.
Fair value loss on derivatives was $163 thousand in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $427 thousand in losses in the same period of the prior year. The Company uses unhedged cap instruments to manage interest rate risk related to the variability of interest payments due to changes in interest rates. Fair value gains or losses will fluctuate depending on the interest rate environment. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other noninterest income decreased 55% in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period of the prior year. Included in other noninterest income is income on equity investments. Income on equity investments is largely determined based on the market value of the investments managed. As a result, income fluctuates with market valuations.
46
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
The following tables set forth the various categories of noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
(143)
(0.4)
600
1,099
31.3
(207)
(100.0)
571
41.6
(178)
(32.0)
Net income from and gains/losses on operations of real estate
(55.2)
246
19.9
(264)
(39.7)
(9.8)
(37)
(6.1)
45.2
(9.9)
18.5
211
98.6
(120)
(16.3)
1,905
Management places a strong emphasis on overall cost containment and is committed to improving the Company's general efficiency.
Salaries and employee benefits, which is the largest component of noninterest expense, remained stable from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. This was primarily related to lower variable incentive compensation partially offset by higher salaries expense.
Occupancy and equipment expense increased 10% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The increase was due to higher IT service contracts expense and depreciation.
Professional and data processing fees increased 31% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The increase was due primarily to increased CDARS and ICS expenses as well as increased data processing expenses. Generally, professional and data processing fees can fluctuate depending on certain one-time project costs. Management will continue to focus on minimizing such one-time costs and driving recurring costs down through contract negotiation or managed reduction in activity where costs are determined on a usage basis.
There were no post-acquisition compensation, transition and integration costs in the first quarter of 2024, whereas such costs totaled $207 thousand in the first three months of 2023. These costs were comprised primarily of IT integration and data conversion costs related to the acquisition of GFED.
FDIC insurance, other insurance and regulatory fee expense increased 42%, comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The increase in expense was due to asset growth and higher FDIC insurance rates.
Loan/lease expense decreased 32% when comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same quarter of the prior year. The decrease was due primarily to lower legal expense on loan workouts. Generally, loan/lease expense has a direct relationship with the level of NPLs; however, it may deviate depending upon the individual NPLs as NPLs have increased 29% since March 31, 2023.
Net income from and gains/losses on operations of other real estate includes gains/losses on the sale of OREO, write-downs of OREO and all income/expenses associated with OREO. Net income from and gains/losses on operations of other real estate for the first quarter of 2024 totaled $30 thousand, compared to net income from and gains/losses on operations of other real estate of $67 thousand for the first quarter of 2023.
Advertising and marketing expense increased 20% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The increase in expense was primarily due to the increased marketing of our deposit products.
Communication and data connectivity expense decreased 40% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to improvements to our data center connectivity channels and a reduction in cell phone and air card expenses as the Company continues to improve operational efficiencies.
Supplies expense decreased 10% comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. This decrease is primarily due to timing of purchases.
Bank service charges, a large portion of which includes indirect costs incurred to provide services to QCBT's correspondent banking customer portfolio, decreased 6% when comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. As transaction volumes fluctuate and the number of correspondent banking clients fluctuates, the associated expenses are expected to also fluctuate.
Correspondent banking expense increased 45% when comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The increase in correspondent expenses includes expected monthly costs for a new safekeeping platform. These are direct costs incurred to provide services to QCBT's correspondent banking customer portfolio, including safekeeping and cash management services.
Intangibles amortization expense decreased 10% when comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The amortization expense is due to the prior acquisitions. These expenses will naturally decrease as intangibles become fully amortized unless there is an addition to intangible assets.
Payment card processing expense increased 19% when comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year due to an increased volume of transactions.
Trust expense increased 99% when comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The increase was due to conversions of the trust and tax accounting platform upgrades that occurred during the second quarter of 2023.
Other noninterest expense decreased 16% when comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period of the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to lower subscription expenses and reduced insurance claim loss reserve. Included in other noninterest expense are items such as meals and entertainment, subscriptions and sales and use tax.
48
INCOME TAXES
In the first quarter of 2024, the Company incurred income tax expense of $1.2 million. The Company continues to benefit from strong growth in tax-exempt loan and bond portfolios. As a result, this has helped drive the Company’s effective tax rate lower. Refer to the reconciliation of the expected income tax rate to the effective tax rate that is included in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Following is a table that represents the major categories of the Company’s balance sheet.
Cash, federal funds sold, and interest-bearing deposits
158,008
237,492
318,292
877,446
Net loans/leases
76
6,103,449
130,350
661,926
652,317
607,367
77
6,501,663
80
Total borrowings
489,633
718,295
417,480
150,401
165,866
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company's total assets increased $60.7 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2023, to a total of $8.6 billion. The Company’s net loans/leases increased $107.7 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase in net loans/leases was driven primarily by strength in our low-income housing tax credit lending business. The Company also experienced improved loan demand from its traditional commercial lending/leasing businesses. Deposits grew $292.8 million, or 4%, during the first quarter of 2024. Borrowings decreased $228.7 million, or 32%, during the first quarter of 2024 due primarily to an increase in core deposits which allowed the Company to reduce its short-term borrowings.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The composition of the Company’s securities portfolio is managed to meet liquidity needs while prioritizing the impact on interest rate risk, maximizing return and minimizing credit risk. Over the years, the Company has further invested in tax-exempt municipal securities made up of 89% general obligation bonds and 11% revenue bonds. The majority are privately placed tax-exempt debt issuances by municipalities located in the Midwest (with some in or near the Company's existing markets) and diversified across many issuers. The Company monitors the investments and concentration closely. Of the general obligation and revenue bonds in the Company's portfolio, the majority are unrated bonds that represent small, private issuances that require a thorough underwriting process before investment and are generated by our specialty finance group.
Trading securities had a fair value of $22.3 million as of March 31, 2024 and $22.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and consisted of retained beneficial interests acquired in conjunction with loan securitizations completed by the Company in 2023. The change in market value on trading securities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was a net gain of $19 thousand. See also Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details of these securitizations.
Following is a breakdown of the Company's securities portfolio by type, the percentage of net unrealized gains (losses) to carrying value on the total portfolio, and the portfolio duration:
19,320
884,469
853,442
731,509
63,104
17,967
40,539
40,125
45,546
Trading securities
1,032,064
922,992
Securities as a % of total assets
10.92
Net unrealized losses as a % of Amortized Cost
(6.98)
(4.96)
(9.07)
Duration (in years)
6.2
5.6
Annual yield on investment securities (tax equivalent)
5.14
4.30
4.27
Due to continued increases in intermediate and long-term interest rates during 2023, which directly impact the fair value of the Company’s AFS portfolio, the AFS portfolio declined $8.7 million, or 2.9%, from March 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024, partly due to net unrealized losses increasing by $510 thousand and sales of securities in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
The Company has not invested in non-agency commercial or residential mortgage-backed securities or pooled trust preferred securities. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's investment securities.
LOANS/LEASES
Total loans/leases grew 6.4% on an annualized basis during the first three months of 2024. The mix of the loan/lease types within the Company's loan/lease portfolio is presented in the following table.
307,612
1,420,331
616,922
982,716
1,208,185
969,870
0
35,373
532,491
116,522
Total loans/leases
6,190,022
(86,573)
As CRE loans have historically been the Company's largest portfolio segment, management places a strong emphasis on the underwriting and monitoring of the characteristics and composition of the Company's CRE loan portfolio. For example, management tracks the level of owner-occupied CRE loans relative to non-owner-occupied loans because owner-occupied loans are generally considered to have less risk. Additionally, the Company reviews CRE concentrations by industry in relation to risk-based capital on a quarterly basis. Approximately 41% of the CRE portfolio are LIHTC loans of which all are performing and all are pass rated.
The following is a listing of significant industries within the Company's CRE loan portfolio. These include loans in the following portfolio segments as of March 31, 2024: CRE owner occupied, CRE non-owner occupied, certain construction and land development, multifamily and certain 1-4 family real estate. Within the CRE Loan portfolio, there is minimal office exposure, totaling $201.1 million or 3.0% of total loans at March 31, 2024.
As of March 31,
As of December 31,
Lessors of residential buildings - LIHTC
1,765,908
1,650,340
1,499,062
Lessors of residential buildings
443,136
442,913
403,903
Lessors of nonresidential buildings
623,629
633,098
581,615
Hotels
135,975
135,915
132,705
New housing for-sale builders
85,295
84,451
72,007
New multifamily housing construction
72,729
83,310
86,228
Other - LIHTC
18,094
17,951
18,278
Other *
1,197,027
1,184,897
1,190,154
Total CRE loans
4,341,793
4,232,875
3,983,952
* “Other” consists of all other industries. None of these had concentrations greater than $59.3 million, or approximately 1.4% of total CRE loans in the most recent period presented.
The following table reflects credit quality indicators and performance of the Company’s CRE portfolio:
Delinquincy Status*
4,226,863
98
4,104,394
97
62,032
72,517
37,839
15,059
52,898
37,488
18,476
55,964
4,326,734
4,214,399
As a percentage of total CRE portfolio
99.65
0.35
99.56
* Performing = CRE loans accruing and less than 90 days past due. Nonperforming = CRE loans on nonaccrual and accruing CRE loans that are greater than or equal to 90 days past due.
The Company’s construction and land development loan portfolio includes the following:
LIHTC construction
738,608
943,101
66
759,924
Construction (commercial)
341,077
405,146
372,819
Land development
58,675
59,659
14,441
Construction (residential)
11,167
12,619
61,001
Total construction and land development
The Company's 1-4 family real estate loan portfolio includes the following:
51
The remaining 1-4 family real estate loans originated by the Company were sold on the secondary market to avoid the interest rate risk associated with longer term fixed rate loans. Loans originated for this purpose were classified as held for sale and are included in the residential real estate loans above. The Company has not originated any subprime, Alt-A, no documentation, or stated income residential real estate loans throughout its history.
Following is a listing of significant equipment types within the m2 loan and lease portfolio:
Trucks, Vans and Vocational Vehicles
85,670
73,221
Trailers
24,207
24,061
Construction - General
22,468
17,040
Tractor
21,416
18,620
Freightliners
20,127
27,401
Manufacturing - General
18,384
17,105
Marine - Travelifts
15,137
14,484
Food Processing Equipment
13,774
13,853
Computer Equipment
13,411
10,032
Aesthetic Equipment
108,165
105,677
Total m2 loans and leases
321,494
* “Other” consists of all other equipment types. None of these had concentrations greater than 3% of total m2 loan and lease portfolio in the most recent period presented.
See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's loan and lease portfolio.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS/LEASES AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET EXPOSURES
The adequacy of the ACL was determined by management based on factors that included the overall composition of the loan/lease portfolio, types of loans/leases, historical loss experience, loan/lease delinquencies, potential substandard and doubtful credits, economic conditions, collateral positions, government guarantees and other factors that, in management's judgment, deserved evaluation. To ensure that an adequate ACL was maintained, provisions were made based on a number of factors, including the increase in loans/leases and a detailed analysis of the loan/lease portfolio. The loan/lease portfolio is reviewed and analyzed quarterly with specific detailed reviews completed on all credits risk-rated less than “special mention,” as described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and carrying aggregate exposure in excess of $250 thousand. The adequacy of the allowance is monitored by the credit administration staff and reported to management and the board of directors.
Changes in the ACL for loans/leases for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented as follows:
Change in ACL for the transfer of loans to LHFS
The decrease in provision on OBS exposures in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period of the prior year was driven by a decrease in unfunded commitments following an uptick in unfunded commitments in the LIHTC lending business at the end of 2023. At March 31, 2024, the allowance for OBS exposures was $9.2 million.
The Company's levels of criticized and classified loans are reported in the following table.
Internally Assigned Risk Rating *
111,729
125,308
125,170
Substandard/Classified loans***
70,841
70,425
74,307
Doubtful/Classified loans***
Criticized Loans **
182,570
195,733
199,477
Criticized Loans as a % of Total Loans/Leases
2.75
2.99
3.22
Classified Loans as a % of Total Loans/Leases
1.07
1.08
1.20
* Amounts above include the government guaranteed portion, if any. For the calculation of ACL, the Company assigns internal risk ratings of Pass (Rating 2) for the government guaranteed portion.
** Criticized loans are defined as loans except for direct financing leases and equipment financing agreements with internally assigned risk ratings of 9, 10, or 11, regardless of performance.
*** Classified loans are defined as loans except for direct financing leases and equipment financing agreements with internally assigned risk ratings of 10 or 11, regardless of performance.
Criticized loans and classified loans as a percentage of loans and leases decreased from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024. The Company continues its strong focus on maintaining credit quality in an effort to limit NPLs.
The following table summarizes the trend in allowance as a percentage of gross loans/leases and as a percentage of NPLs:
ACL for loans/leases / Total loans/leases held for investment
1.33
1.43
ACL for loans/leases / NPLs
285.55
265.54
377.03
Although management believes that the ACL at March 31, 2024 was at a level adequate to absorb losses on existing loans/leases, there can be no assurance that such losses will not exceed the estimated amounts or that the Company will not be required to make additional provisions in the future. Unpredictable future events could adversely affect cash flows for both commercial and individual borrowers, which could cause the Company to experience increases in problem assets, delinquencies and losses on loans/leases, and require further increases in the provision for credit losses. Asset quality is a priority for the Company and its subsidiaries. The ability to grow profitably is in part dependent upon the ability to maintain that quality. The Company continually focuses efforts at its subsidiary banks and equipment financing company with the intention to improve the overall quality of the Company's loan/lease portfolio.
See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's ACL.
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
The table below presents the amount of NPAs and related ratios.
Nonaccrual loans/leases (1)
22,947
Accruing loans/leases past due 90 days or more
22,962
962
Total NPAs
31,327
34,186
23,023
NPLs to total loans/leases
0.37
NPAs to total loans/leases plus repossessed property
0.47
0.52
NPAs to total assets
0.36
0.40
0.29
Nonaccrual loans/leases to total loans/leases
ACL to nonaccrual loans
286.93
266.24
377.27
NPAs at March 31, 2024 were $31.3 million, down $2.9 million from December 31, 2023, and up $8.3 million from March 31, 2023. The decrease in NPAs during the quarter was driven by the payoff of one client relationship primarily offset by an increase in other repossessed assets. The ratio of NPAs to total assets was 0.36% at March 31, 2024, down from 0.40% at December 31, 2023, and up from 0.29% at March 31, 2023.
The majority of the NPAs consist of nonaccrual loans/leases. For nonaccrual loans/leases, management has thoroughly reviewed these loans/leases and has provided specific allowances as appropriate.
OREO and other repossessed assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
The policy of the Company is to place a loan/lease on nonaccrual status if: (a) payment in full of interest or principal is not expected; or (b) principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more unless the obligation is both in the process of collection and well secured. A loan/lease is well secured if it is secured by collateral with sufficient market value to repay principal and all accrued interest. A debt is in the process of collection if collection of the debt is proceeding in due course either through legal action, including judgment enforcement procedures, or in appropriate circumstances, through collection efforts not involving legal action which are reasonably expected to result in repayment of the debt or in its restoration to current status.
The Company's lending/leasing practices remain unchanged and asset quality remains a priority for management.
DEPOSITS
Deposits increased $292.8 million during the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to an increase in interest-bearing demand deposits.
The table below presents the composition of the Company's deposit portfolio.
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
1,189,858
Interest bearing demand deposits
4,714,555
4,338,390
4,033,193
875,491
851,950
679,946
Brokered deposits
261,562
284,976
598,666
The Company actively participates in the ICS/CDARS program, which is a trusted resource that provides FDIC insurance coverage for clients that maintain larger deposit balances. Deposits in the ICS/CDARS program (which are included in interest-bearing deposits and time deposits in the preceding table) totaled $2.2 billion, or 32.9% of all deposits, as of March 31, 2024.
The Company’s correspondent bank deposit portfolio and funds managed consists of the following:
The Company had total uninsured and uncollateralized deposits of $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.
Management will continue to focus on growing its core deposit portfolio, including its correspondent banking business at QCBT, as well as shifting the mix from brokered and other higher cost deposits to lower cost core deposits. With the significant success achieved by QCBT in growing its correspondent banking business, QCBT has developed procedures to proactively monitor this industry concentration of deposits and loans. Other deposit-related industry concentrations and large accounts are monitored by the internal asset liability management committees.
BORROWINGS
The subsidiary banks purchase federal funds for short-term funding needs from the FRB or from their correspondent banks. The table below presents the composition of the Company's short-term borrowings.
Federal funds purchased
1,100
The Company's federal funds purchased fluctuate based on the short-term funding needs of the Company's subsidiary banks.
As a result of their memberships in the FHLB of Des Moines, the subsidiary banks have the ability to borrow funds for short or long-term purposes under a variety of programs. The subsidiary banks can utilize FHLB advances for loan matching as a hedge against the possibility of changing interest rates and when these advances provide a less costly or more readily available source of funds than customer deposits.
The table below presents the Company's FHLB advances.
Term FHLB advances
Overnight FHLB advances
70,000
The Company had a decrease in overnight FHLB advances of $230.0 million from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024. The Company had no change in term FHLB advances from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024. The decreases were primarily due to strong deposit growth during the first quarter of 2024.
It is management's intention to reduce its reliance on wholesale funding, including FHLB advances and brokered deposits. Replacement of this funding with core deposits helps to reduce interest expense as wholesale funding tends to be higher cost. However, the Company may choose to utilize advances and/or brokered deposits to supplement funding needs, as this is a way for the Company to effectively and efficiently manage interest rate risk.
The table below presents the maturity schedule including weighted average interest cost for the Company's combined wholesale funding portfolio (defined as FHLB advances and brokered deposits).
Weighted
Maturity:
Amount Due
Interest Rate
Year ending December 31:
165,493
584,976
2025
6,141
2026
53,230
4.91
45,000
5.01
2027
87,513
4.45
4.82
2028
97,605
4.29
4.64
Thereafter
56,580
Total Wholesale Funding
466,562
4.72
719,976
During the first three months of 2024, wholesale funding decreased $253.4 million due to a reduction in short-term FHLB advances and brokered deposit maturities due to strong deposit growth.
The Company renewed its revolving credit note in the second quarter of 2023. At renewal, the available line amount remained unchanged at $50.0 million for which there was no outstanding balance as of March 31, 2024. Interest on the revolving line of credit is calculated at the greater of: (a) the effective Prime Rate less 0.50% or (b) 3.00% per annum. The collateral on the revolving line of credit is 100% of the outstanding stock of the Company’s bank subsidiaries.
The Company had subordinated notes totaling $233.2 million and $232.7 million as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
The Company had junior subordinated debentures totaling $48.8 million and $48.6 million as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
The table below presents the composition of the Company's stockholders' equity.
Common stock
Additional paid in capital
AOCI
(61,333)
TCE / TA ratio (non-GAAP)*
* TCE/TA ratio is defined as total common stockholders' equity excluding goodwill and other intangibles divided by total assets. This ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. See GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations.
As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, no preferred stock was outstanding.
AOCI decreased $5.4 million during the first quarter of 2024 due to an decrease in the value of the Company’s AFS securities portfolio and certain derivatives resulting from the change in interest rates during the first quarter.
On May 19, 2022, the board of directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time as the Company deems appropriate, up to 1,500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, or approximately 10% of the outstanding shares as of December 31, 2021. No shares were repurchased during the first quarter of 2024. There were 760,915 shares of common stock remaining for repurchase as of March 31, 2024.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity measures the ability of the Company to meet maturing obligations and its existing commitments, to withstand fluctuations in deposit levels, to fund its operations, and to provide for customer credit needs. The Company monitors liquidity risk through contingency planning stress testing on a regular basis. The Company seeks to avoid an over-concentration of funding sources and to establish and maintain contingent funding facilities that can be drawn upon if normal funding sources become unavailable. One source of liquidity is cash and short-term assets, such as interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold, which totaled $158.0 million and $318.3 million at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s on balance sheet liquidity position can fluctuate based on short-term activity in deposits and loans.
The subsidiary banks have a variety of sources of short-term liquidity available to them, including federal funds purchased from correspondent banks, FHLB advances, wholesale structured repurchase agreements, brokered deposits, lines of credit, borrowing at the Federal Reserve Discount Window, sales of securities AFS, and loan/lease participations or sales. The Company also generates liquidity from the regular principal payments and prepayments made on its loan/lease portfolio, and on the regular monthly payments on its securities portfolio.
At March 31, 2024, the subsidiary banks had 27 unsecured lines of credit totaling $713.0 million with upstream correspondent banks, of which $252.2 million was secured and $460.8 million was unsecured. At March 31, 2024, the Company had the full $713.0 million available.
At December 31, 2023, the subsidiary banks had 25 unsecured lines of credit totaling $699.3 million with upstream correspondent banks, of which $248.5 million was secured and $470.8 million was unsecured. At December 31, 2023, $699.3 million was available.
The Company has emphasized growing the number and amount of lines of credit in an effort to strengthen this contingent source of liquidity. Additionally, the Company maintains a $50.0 million secured revolving credit note with a variable interest rate and a maturity of June 30, 2024. At March 31, 2024, the full $50.0 million was available.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $843.6 million in actual correspondent banking deposits spread over 183 relationships. While the Company believes that these funds are relatively stable, there is the potential for large fluctuations that can impact liquidity. Seasonality and the liquidity needs of these correspondent banks can impact balances. Management closely monitors these fluctuations and runs stress scenarios to measure the impact on liquidity and interest rate risk with various levels of correspondent deposit run-off.
Investing activities used cash of $82.1 million during the first three months of 2024, compared to $117.4 million for the same period of 2023. The net decrease in federal funds sold was $31.3 million for the first three months of 2024, compared to a net decrease of $40.5 million for the same period of 2023. The net decrease in interest-bearing deposits at financial institutions was $32.0 million for the first three months of 2024, compared to a net increase of $170.3 million for the same period of 2023. Proceeds from calls, maturities, and paydowns of securities were $13.5 million for the first three months of 2024, compared to $51.6 million for the same period of 2023. Purchases of securities used cash of $43.6 million for the first three months of 2024, compared to $23.0 million for the same period of 2023. Proceeds from sales of securities were $445 thousand for the first three months of 2024, compared to $28.6 million for the same period of 2023. The net increase in loans/leases used cash of $114.2 million for the first three months of 2024 compared to a net decrease in loans of $54.0 million for the same period of 2023.
Financing activities provided cash of $63.2 million for the first three months of 2024, compared to $100.2 million for same period of 2023. Net increases in deposits totaled $292.8 million for the first three months of 2024, compared to net increases in deposits of $517.4 million for the same period of 2023. During the first three months of 2024, the Company's short-term borrowings increased $1.2 million, compared to a decrease in short-term borrowings of $128.5 million for the same period of 2023. There were no long-term FHLB advances during the first three months of 2024 compared to $135.0 million for the same period of 2023. There were no maturities and principal payments on FHLB term advances in the first three months of 2024 and 2023. Net decrease in overnight advances totaled $230.0 million for the first three months of 2024 as compared to net decrease of $415.0 million for the same period of 2023. There were no repurchase and cancellation of shares in the first three months of 2024, as compared to $7.7 million for the same period of 2023.
Total cash provided by operating activities was $2.7 million for the first three months of 2024, compared to $21.8 million for the same period of 2023.
Throughout its history, the Company has secured additional capital through various sources, including the issuance of common and preferred stock, as well as trust preferred securities and subordinated notes.
The Company had two LIHTC securitizations that closed in 2023. LIHTC securitizations will continue to be an ongoing tool in managing liquidity and capital.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the subsidiary banks remained “well-capitalized” in accordance with regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking authorities. Refer to Note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding regulatory capital.
SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document (including information incorporated by reference) contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company's management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “bode,” “predict,” “suggest,” “project,” “appear,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “annualize,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “likely,” “might,” “potential,” “continue,” “target,” “outlook,” as well as the negative forms of those words or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.
The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, the following:
These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. For a discussion of the factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, see the “Risk Factors” section included under Item 1A of Part I of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company, like other financial institutions, is subject to direct and indirect market risk. Direct market risk exists from changes in interest rates. The Company's net income is dependent on its net interest income. Net interest income is susceptible to interest rate risk to the degree that interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis than interest-earning assets. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than interest-earning assets in a given period, a significant increase in market rates of interest could adversely affect net interest income. Similarly, when interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could result in a decrease in net interest income.
In an attempt to manage the Company's exposure to changes in interest rates, management monitors the Company's interest rate risk. Each subsidiary bank has an asset/liability management committee of the board of directors that meets quarterly to review the bank's interest rate risk position and profitability, and to make or recommend adjustments for consideration by the full board of each bank.
Internal asset/liability management teams, consisting of members of the subsidiary banks’ management, meet bi-weekly to manage the mix of assets and liabilities to maximize earnings and liquidity and minimize interest rate and other risks. Management also reviews the subsidiary banks' securities portfolios, formulates investment strategies, and oversees the timing and implementation of transactions to assure attainment of the board's objectives in an effective manner. Notwithstanding the Company's interest rate risk management activities, the potential for changing interest rates is an uncertainty that can have an adverse effect on net income.
In adjusting the Company's asset/liability position, the board of directors and management attempt to manage the Company's interest rate risk while maintaining or enhancing net interest margins. At times, depending on the level of general interest rates, the relationship between long-term and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, the board of directors and management may decide to increase the Company's interest rate risk position somewhat in order to increase its net interest margin. The Company's results of operations and net portfolio values remain vulnerable to increases in interest rates and to fluctuations in the difference between long-term and short-term interest rates.
One method used to quantify interest rate risk is a short-term earnings at risk summary, which is a detailed and dynamic simulation model used to quantify the estimated exposure of net interest income to sustained interest rate changes. This simulation model captures the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest sensitive assets and liabilities reflected on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. This sensitivity analysis demonstrates net interest income exposure annually over a five-year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth, no balance sheet mix change, and various interest rate scenarios including no change in rates; 100, 200, 300, and 400 basis point upward and downward shifts; where interest-bearing assets and liabilities reprice at their earliest possible repricing date.
The model assumes parallel and pro rata shifts in interest rates over a twelve-month period for the 100, 200 and 300 basis point upward and downward shifts. For the 400 basis point upward shift, the model assumes a parallel and pro rata shift in interest rates over a twenty-four month period.
Further, in recent years, the Company added additional interest rate scenarios where interest rates experience a parallel and instantaneous shift (a “shock”) upward and downward of 100, 200, 300, and 400 basis points. The Company will run additional interest rate scenarios on an as-needed basis.
The asset/liability management committees of the subsidiary bank boards of directors have established policy limits of a 10% decline in net interest income for the 200-basis point upward and downward parallel shift. For the 300 basis point upward and downward shock, the established policy limit is a 30% decline in net interest income. The increased policy limit is appropriate as the shock scenario is extreme and unlikely and warrants a higher limit than the more realistic and traditional parallel/pro-rata shift scenarios.
Application of the simulation model analysis for select interest rate scenarios at the most recent quarter-end available is presented in the following table:
NET INTEREST INCOME EXPOSURE in YEAR 1
INTEREST RATE SCENARIO
POLICY LIMIT
200 basis point downward parallel shift
(10.0)
1.5
1.4
100 basis point downward parallel shift
0.9
200 basis point upward parallel shift
(2.5)
(2.3)
With the shift in funding from non-interest bearing and lower beta deposits to higher beta deposits, the Company’s balance sheet is now moderately liability sensitive. Notably, management is conservative with the repricing assumptions on loans and deposits. For example, management does not model any delay in loan and deposit betas despite historical experience and practice of delays in deposit betas. Additionally, management does not model mix shift or growth in its standard scenarios which can be impactful. As an alternative, management runs separate scenarios to capture the impact on delayed beta performance and various shifts in mix of loans and deposits. Finally, management models a variety of scenarios including some that stress key assumptions to help capture and isolate the impact of the management’s more conservative approach to the assumptions in the base model.
The simulation is within the board-established policy limits for all four scenarios. Additionally, for all of the various interest rate scenarios modeled and measured by management (as described above), the results at March 31, 2024 were within established risk tolerances as established by policy or by best practice (if the interest rate scenario didn't have a specific policy limit).
Interest rate risk is considered to be one of the most significant market risks affecting the Company. For that reason, the Company engages the assistance of a national consulting firm and its risk management system to monitor and control the Company's interest rate risk exposure. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of the Company's business activities.
62
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 31, 2024. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed and submitted under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no significant changes to the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 Legal Proceedings
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to their respective businesses.
Item 1A Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the risk factors applicable to the Company from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Please refer to that section of the Company’s Form 10-K for disclosures regarding the risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s business.
Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On May 19, 2022, the board of directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time as the Company deems appropriate, up to 1,500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, or approximately 10% of the outstanding shares as of December 31, 2021. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date. There were no shares repurchased under the share repurchase program during the first quarter of 2024.
Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
Item 5 Other Information
During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or executive officers adopted or terminated a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of Company securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule10b5-1(c) or any non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.
Item 6 Exhibits
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Inline XBRL Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023; and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
104
Inline XBRL cover page interactive data file pursuant to Rule 406 of Regulation S-T for the interactive data files referenced in Exhibit 101.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant)
Date
May 9, 2024
/s/ Larry J. Helling
Larry J. Helling
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Todd A. Gipple
Todd A. Gipple
President
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Nick W. Anderson
Nick W. Anderson
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)