Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: GNTY) (the “Company”), the parent company of Guaranty Bank & Trust, N.A. (the “Bank”), today reported financial results for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024. The Company’s net income available to common shareholders was $6.7 million, or $0.58 per basic share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $5.9 million, or $0.51 per basic share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and $8.3 million, or $0.69 per basic share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Return on average assets and average equity for the first quarter of 2024 were 0.85% and 8.93%, respectively, compared to 0.73% and 7.93%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 1.01% and 11.18%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in earnings during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to higher non-interest income and lower non-interest expense. The decrease in earnings in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023 was primarily due to lower net interest income in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter.

“We are pleased with our first quarter 2024 results. During the quarter, net interest margin continued to improve, we paid down borrowings from the FHLB, we repaid the remaining $25.0 million of brokered CDs that were obtained to test as a source of liquidity, our core deposits are stable and grew slightly and credit quality remains manageable. Although we’ve strategically shrunk the balance sheet primarily through more conservative loan underwriting, our balance sheet remains strong and continues to provide consistent earnings results. Liquidity and capital remain solid and our board of directors increased the dividend paid on GNTY stock from $0.23 last quarter to $0.24 this quarter, further improving shareholder returns and value,” said Ty Abston, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

• Good Earnings and Improving NIM. Earnings were good in the first quarter as net interest margin improved and non-interest income was boosted from sales of SBA and mortgage loans as well as recoveries from previously marked-down receivables due from the SBA. Net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, has continued to improve from 3.02% in the third quarter of 2023 to 3.11% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 3.16% in the first quarter of 2024. The improvements have resulted primarily from a slow-down in deposit cost increases, while earning assets have continued to reprice upward. The SBA receivable was related to the guaranteed portion of three SBA loans that were acquired from Westbound Bank. The receivable was partially written down in the third quarter of 2022, as there was uncertainty at that time about possible SBA haircuts in the guaranteed portion due to file documentation. However, after extensive review by the SBA, the full amount of guarantees was received during the first quarter of 2024.

• Stable Asset Quality. Although we are seeing some deterioration for certain borrowers, overall credit quality remains strong and the expected losses on deteriorating credits are low primarily due to the Bank's equity position and/or strong guarantor support. During the quarter, we foreclosed on a multi-purpose commercial real estate loan in a vibrant location in the South Austin area and recorded other real estate owned of $14.9 million. A recent appraisal indicates an LTV (prior to foreclosure) of 68.5%. Interest in purchasing the property has been high and we are in discussions with several interested parties. We expect little or no loss on the sale of this other real estate owned. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.68% at March 31, 2024, compared to 0.18% at December 31, 2023 and 0.40% at March 31, 2023. Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans were 0.02% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to 0.04% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, and 0.00% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
  
  
  
  Commercial real estate (CRE) loans, particularly office related loans, have received increased scrutiny in recent months. As of March 31, 2024, our CRE loans and real estate C&D loans represent 40.0% and 12.1% of the total loan portfolio, respectively, and office-related loans represent 4.6% of the total loan portfolio and have an average balance of $516,000.

• Granular and Consistent Core Deposit Base. As of March 31, 2024, we have 88,493 total deposit accounts with an average account balance of $29,696. We have a historically reliable core deposit base, with strong and trusted banking relationships. Total deposits decreased by $5.4 million during the first quarter, which resulted primarily from the maturity of $25.0 million in brokered deposits in February 2024 that we did not renew. Excluding these brokered CDs, total core deposits grew $19.6 million during the first quarter. DDA balances decreased $27.1 million, savings and MMDA balances increased $30.8 million and time deposits (excluding matured brokered CDs) increased $15.9 million. Excluding public funds and bank-owned accounts, our uninsured deposits as of March 31, 2024 were 25.43% of total deposits.
  
  
  
  Interest rates paid on deposits during the quarter stabilized with minimal increases. Despite the decrease in DDA during the quarter, noninterest-bearing deposits still represent 31.5% of total deposits. Our cost of interest-bearing deposits increased eight basis points during the quarter from 3.17% in the prior quarter to 3.25%. This increase was primarily due to renewals of maturing certificates of deposit into new CDs paying higher rates and the shift from noninterest-bearing balances to interest-bearing. Our cost of total deposits for the first quarter of 2024 increased nine basis points from 2.14% in the prior quarter to 2.23%^†.

• Healthy Capital and Liquidity. Our capital and liquidity ratios, as well as contingent liquidity sources, remain very healthy. During the first quarter of 2024, we repurchased 11,651 shares of our common stock, or 0.10% of average shares outstanding during the period, at an average price of $28.76 per share. Our liquidity ratio, calculated as cash and cash equivalents and unpledged investments divided by total liabilities, was 10.6% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 15.3% as of March 31, 2023. Our total available contingent liquidity, net of current outstanding borrowings, was $1.3 billion, consisting of FHLB, FRB and correspondent bank fed funds and revolving lines of credit. Finally, our total equity to average quarterly assets as of March 31, 2024 was 9.6%. If we had to recognize our entire unrealized losses on both AFS and HTM securities, our total equity to average assets ratio would be 8.8%^†, which we believe represents a strong capital level under regulatory requirements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023 was $23.6 million and $25.2 million, respectively, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 6.3%. The decrease in net interest income resulted from an increase in interest expense of $5.2 million, or 43.3%, compared to the prior year quarter, which was partially offset by an increase in interest income of $3.6 million, or 9.7%, from the same quarter in the prior year. The increases in both interest income and expense resulted primarily from higher rates during the period. Interest expense was also somewhat impacted by a shift from noninterest-bearing to interest-bearing deposit accounts, which resulted in increased expense in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the prior year quarter. Our noninterest-bearing deposits to total deposits were 31.5% and 37.8% as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, for the first quarter of 2024 and 2023 was 3.16% and 3.24%, respectively. Net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, decreased nine basis points primarily due to interest-bearing liabilities repricing faster than our interest-earning assets during the period. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 98 basis points from the prior year quarter, while interest earning asset yields increased 70 basis points. The increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was due primarily to an increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits from 1.91% to 3.25%, a change of 134 basis points, in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, as well as increased rates on FHLB advances, which increased from 4.94% to 5.45%, an increase of 51 basis points, from the prior year quarter. The increases in cost were partially offset by increases in yield on the loan portfolio from 5.46% to 6.21%, or 75 basis points, as well as 109 and 13 basis point increases in yield on AFS and HTM securities, respectively. Although the cost of interest-bearing liabilities have repriced more quickly during this period, the weighted average yield on $62.9 million in new loans originated in the first quarter was 8.39%.

Net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, decreased $226,000, or 0.9%, from $23.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $23.6 million in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in net interest income resulted primarily from an increase in interest expense of $182,000, or 1.1%, and a decrease in interest income of $44,000, or 0.1%. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to a decrease in gross loans of $57.3 million, or 2.5%.

Net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, increased from 3.11% for the fourth quarter of 2023 to 3.16% for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of four basis points. The increase in net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, was primarily due to an increase on loan yield from 6.06% for the fourth quarter of 2023 to 6.21% for the first quarter of 2024, a change of 15 basis points, and a decrease in total interest-earning assets during the first quarter of 2024. This increase was partially offset by an increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits from 3.17% in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 3.25% in the first quarter of 2024, a change of eight basis points.

We recorded a $250,000 reversal to our provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2024. Our loan balances decreased $57.3 million during the quarter, while credit quality trends remained relatively stable and the qualitative factors used to account for changes in economic conditions and expected losses were adjusted in 2023. Those assumptions remain relevant in the current quarter, thus no additional q-factor adjustments were made in the current quarter. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.35% and 1.33%, respectively.

Noninterest income increased $353,000, or 7.2%, in the first quarter of 2024 to $5.3 million, compared to $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase from the same quarter in 2023 was primarily due to $499,000 in recoveries made on three SBA loans during the first quarter of 2024. This was partially offset by a $130,000 decrease in the gain on mortgage loans sold and a decrease on the gain on sale of loans of $42,000, or 13.4%, along with a $27,000, or 39.7%, decrease in mortgage fee income compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

Noninterest expense increased $725,000, or 3.6%, in the first quarter of 2024 to $20.7 million, compared to $20.0 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in noninterest expense in the first quarter of 2024 was driven primarily by a $189,000, or 32.4%, increase in legal and professional fees primarily related to recruiting fees, an increase in software and technology expense of $246,000, or 17.6%, and a $173,000, or 1.4%, increase in employee compensation and benefits compared to the first quarter of 2023. These were partially offset by a $98,000, or 36.7%, decrease in advertising and promotions expense.

Noninterest income in the first quarter of 2024 increased by $462,000, or 9.6%, from $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in other noninterest income of $454,000, or 65.0%, primarily the result of $499,000 in recoveries made on three SBA loans and an increase in the gain on sale of loans of $76,000, or 38.8%, during the first quarter of 2024.

Noninterest expense decreased $710,000, or 3.3%, in the first quarter of 2024, from $21.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The decrease resulted from a $278,000, or 2.2%, decrease in employee compensation and benefits due to a retirement accrual booked in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was not present in 2024. Additionally, there was a $183,000, or 52.0%, decrease in advertising and promotions expense, a $182,000, or 19.1%, decrease in legal and professional fees and a $98,000, or 5.6%, decrease in software and technology expense during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

The Company’s efficiency ratio in the first quarter of 2024 was 71.74%, compared to 66.41% in the prior year quarter and 74.81% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Consolidated assets for the Company totaled $3.13 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $3.18 billion at December 31, 2023 and $3.36 billion at March 31, 2023.

Gross loans decreased by $57.3 million, or 2.5%, during the quarter resulting in a gross loan balance of $2.27 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $2.32 billion at December 31, 2023. Our decline in loans resulted primarily from tighter underwriting due to the current economic environment and from lower demand from potential borrowers.

Gross loans decreased $112.6 million, or 4.7%, from $2.38 billion at March 31, 2023. The decrease in gross loans during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023 resulted from tightened credit underwriting standards and loan terms, along with fewer borrower requests in response to higher interest rates. Additionally, there was a $10.7 million decrease in warehouse lending loans, as we discontinued that line of business in the second quarter of 2023.

Total deposits decreased by $5.4 million, or 0.2%, to $2.63 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $2.63 billion at December 31, 2023, and increased $4.5 million, or 0.2%, from $2.62 billion at March 31, 2023. The decrease in deposits during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 was the result of a decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits of $24.1 million, offset by an increase in interest-bearing deposits of $18.7 million. The decrease in interest-bearing deposits included the maturity of $25.0 million in brokered CDs in February 2024 that we did not renew. The increase in deposits during the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter resulted primarily from an increase in interest-bearing deposits of $168.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits of $163.7 million.

Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans were 0.94% at March 31, 2024, compared to 0.25% at December 31, 2023 and 0.57% at March 31, 2023. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.68% at March 31, 2024, compared to 0.18% at December 31, 2023, and 0.40% at March 31, 2023. The Bank’s nonperforming assets consist primarily of other real estate owned and nonaccrual loans. The increase in nonperforming assets compared to the prior year end and prior year quarter was primarily due to the increase in other real estate owned, which is described in the quarterly highlights above.

Total equity was $305.9 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $303.8 million at December 31, 2023 and $300.3 million at March 31, 2023. The increase in total equity compared to the prior year end and prior year quarter resulted primarily from net income of $6.7 million, the payment of dividends of $2.8 million during the period and a reduction in repurchases during the first quarter of 2024 compared to prior quarters.

NON-GAAP RECONCILING TABLES

Tangible Book Value per Common Share

Net Unrealized Loss on Securities, Tax Effected, as a Percentage of Total Equity

Cost of Total Deposits

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain of the financial measures and ratios we present, including “tangible book value per common share,” “net unrealized loss on securities, tax effected, as a percentage of total equity” and “cost of total deposits” are supplemental measures that are not required by, or are not presented in accordance with, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). We refer to these financial measures and ratios as “non-GAAP financial measures.” We consider the use of select non-GAAP financial measures and ratios to be useful for financial and operational decision making and useful in evaluating period-to-period comparisons. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding certain expenditures or assets that we believe are not indicative of our primary business operating results or by presenting certain metrics on a fully taxable equivalent basis. We believe that management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting, analyzing and comparing past, present and future periods.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP and you should not rely on non-GAAP financial measures alone as measures of our performance. The non-GAAP financial measures we present may differ from non-GAAP financial measures used by our peers or other companies. We compensate for these limitations by providing the equivalent GAAP measures whenever we present the non-GAAP financial measures and by including a reconciliation of the impact of the components adjusted for in the non-GAAP financial measure so that both measures and the individual components may be considered when analyzing our performance.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included at the end of the financial statement tables.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss first quarter 2024 financial results on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 10:00 am Central Time. The conference call will be hosted by Ty Abston, Chairman and CEO, and Shalene Jacobson, EVP and CFO. All conference attendees must register before the call at www.gnty.com/earningscall. The conference materials will be available by accessing the Investor Relations page on our website, www.gnty.com. A recording of the conference call will be available by 1:00 pm Central Time the day of the call and remain available through April 31, 2024 on our Investor Relations webpage.

About Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.

Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company for Guaranty Bank & Trust, N.A. Guaranty Bank & Trust has 33 banking locations across 26 Texas communities located within the East Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Central Texas regions of the state. As of March 31, 2024, Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. had total assets of $3.1 billion, total loans of $2.3 billion and total deposits of $2.6 billion. Visit www.gnty.com for more information.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our results of operations, financial condition and financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, the “Risk Factors” referenced in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We can give no assurance that any goal or plan or expectation set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this communication, and we do not intend, and assume no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.

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