IOWA CITY, Iowa, July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOFG) (“we”, “our”, or the "Company”) today reported results for the second quarter of 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Summary¹

• Completed sale of our Florida banking operations for a 7.5% deposit premium.
  • Included in the sale were $133.3 million of deposits and $163.6 million of loans.
• Net income of $15.8 million, or $1.00 per diluted common share.
  • Revenue of $57.9 million, which included gain on sale of $11.1 million and a positive MSR valuation adjustment of $129 thousand.
  • Noninterest expense of $35.8 million, which included merger-related costs of $854 thousand.
• Net interest margin (tax equivalent) expanded 8 bps to 2.41%².    
• Classified loans declined 9%; net charge-off ratio was 0.05%.
• Tangible book value per share of $28.27², an increase of $1.13 or 4%

CEO Commentary

Charles (Chip) Reeves, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, “We delivered another solid quarter of strategic plan execution highlighted by the divestiture of our Florida operations for a 7.5% net deposit premium, which completed our geographic re-alignment announced last September, and will allow complete focus on our targeted growth regions. Our net interest margin, which inflected in the first quarter of 2024, expanded an additional 8 bps in the second quarter of 2024 through a combination of solid, well-priced loan originations, continued earning asset mix shift, and well-controlled deposit costs. Our fee generating products and services showed nice year-over-year increases, including a 12% improvement in wealth management revenues and a $476 thousand improvement from our customer back-to-back swap product. Asset quality metrics improved in the quarter led by a 9% reduction in classified assets.

I’m also very pleased with the level of talent acquisition in the first half of 2024 and second quarter highlights included our new EVP, Chief Information Officer and new SVP, Chief Marketing Officer. Even with significant talent, product and platform investments, our core noninterest expense levels approximate year ago levels.

These accomplishments are due to the engagement and expertise of our collective MOFG team, and we are humbled to once again receive the honor of being an Iowa, and USA, Top Workplace."

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_{¹ Second Quarter Summary compares to the first quarter of 2024 (the "linked quarter") unless noted.
² Non-GAAP measure. See the separate Non-GAAP Measures section for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.}

GEOGRAPHIC RE-ALIGNMENT

Florida Banking Operations Divestiture

On June 7, 2024, we completed the sale of our Florida banking operations for a 7.5% deposit premium, which consisted of one bank branch in each of Naples and Ft. Myers, Florida. The sale included all premises and equipment at those locations. In addition, the sale involved the assignment of deposits totaling $133.3 million and loans totaling $163.6 million.

Denver Bankshares, Inc. Acquisition

On January 31, 2024, we completed our acquisition of Denver Bankshares, Inc. ("DNVB") and its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, the Bank of Denver. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their fair values as of the January 31, 2024 acquisition date, net of any applicable tax effects. The Company considers all purchase accounting estimates provisional and fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the close date.

The table below summarizes the amounts recognized at the acquisition date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

REVENUE REVIEW

Total revenue for the second quarter of 2024 increased $13.4 million from the first quarter of 2024 due to higher noninterest income and net interest income during the quarter. When compared to the second quarter of 2023, total revenue increased $12.2 million due to higher noninterest income, due primarily to the gain on sale from our Florida banking operations, partially offset by lower net interest income due primarily to net interest margin compression.

Net interest income of $36.3 million for the second quarter of 2024 increased $1.6 million from the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to higher interest earning asset volumes and yields, partially offset by higher interest-bearing liability volumes and costs. When compared to the second quarter of 2023, net interest income decreased $0.6 million, primarily due to higher funding costs and volumes, partially offset by higher interest earning asset volumes and yields.

The Company's tax equivalent net interest margin was 2.41%³ in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 2.33%³ in the first quarter of 2024, as higher earning asset yields more than offset increased funding costs. Total interest earning assets yield during the second quarter of 2024 increased 16 bps from the first quarter of 2024 as a result of an increase in loan yields of 18 bps. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities during the second quarter of 2024 increased 10 bps, to 2.85%, due primarily to interest bearing deposit costs of 2.54%, short-term borrowing costs of 4.86%, and long-term debt of 6.95%, which increased 9 bps, 4 bps, and 9 bps, respectively, from the first quarter of 2024. Our cycle-to-date interest bearing deposit beta was 43%.

The Company's tax equivalent net interest margin was 2.41%³ in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 2.52%³ in the second quarter of 2023, driven by higher funding costs, partially offset by higher interest earning asset yields. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 87 bps to 2.85%, primarily due to interest bearing deposit costs of 2.54%, short-term borrowing costs of 4.86%, and long-term debt costs of 6.95%, which increased 75 bps, 195 bps and 57 bps, respectively from the second quarter of 2023. Total interest earning assets yield increased 60 bps from the second quarter of 2023, primarily as a result of an increase in loan yields of 64 bps.

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2024 increased $11.8 million from the linked quarter, primarily due to the sale of our Florida banking operations, which resulted in a gain on sale of $11.1 million that was recorded in other revenue, coupled with an increase of $0.7 million in loan revenue. The increase in loan revenue primarily reflected a favorable quarter-over-quarter change in the fair value of our mortgage servicing rights, from a negative adjustment of $368 thousand in the first quarter of 2024 to a positive adjustment of $129 thousand in the second quarter of 2024. Also contributing to the increase in noninterest income compared to the linked quarter was an increase of $0.3 million in customer back-to-back swap origination fee income, which was recorded in other revenue.

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2024 increased $12.8 million from the second quarter of 2023, primarily due to the gain on sale of $11.1 million previously noted. Loan revenue increased $0.6 million and reflected the favorable year-over-year change in the fair value of our mortgage servicing rights, from a negative adjustment of $581 thousand in the second quarter of 2023 to a positive adjustment of $129 thousand in the second quarter of 2024. Also contributing to the increase in noninterest income compared to the second quarter of 2023 was an increase of $0.5 million in customer back-to-back swap origination fee income, which was recorded in other revenue, and an increase of $0.4 million in investment services and trust activities revenue, driven by growth in assets under administration and market valuation.

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_{³ Non-GAAP measure. See the separate Non-GAAP Measures section for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.}

EXPENSE REVIEW

Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2024 increased $0.2 million from the linked quarter primarily due to increases of $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million in data processing, other, and legal and professional expenses, respectively. The increase in data processing expense was primarily driven by merger-related expenses. The increase in other expense was primarily driven by increases in operating losses and loan expenses. The increase in legal and professional expense was due to increased costs for other outside services, consulting, and audit expense. Partially offsetting these increases was a decline in occupancy expense of premises, net, of $0.4 million, primarily due to a decrease in rental expense and grounds upkeep, and $0.2 million of foreclosed assets, net, stemming from the first quarter of 2024 write-down of other real estate owned, which did not recur in the second quarter of 2024.

Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2024 increased $0.8 million from the second quarter of 2023 primarily due to increases of $0.6 million in both compensation and employee benefits and legal and professional expenses. The increase in compensation and employee benefits expense was primarily driven by annual compensation adjustments, increased headcount as a result of the DNVB acquisition, increased incentive and commission expense, and merger-related expenses. The increase in legal and professional expense stemmed primarily from higher merger-related expenses. Partially offsetting these increases was a decline of $0.5 million in marketing.

The Company's effective tax rate was 24.0% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 22.7% in the linked quarter. The increase in the effective tax rate reflected higher taxable income from the Florida banking operations gain on sale previously noted, which has a higher effective tax rate due to the non-taxable allocation of goodwill. The effective income tax rate for 2024 is expected to be 21-23%.

BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

Total assets were $6.58 billion at June 30, 2024, compared to $6.75 billion at March 31, 2024 and $6.52 billion at June 30, 2023. The decrease from March 31, 2024 was primarily driven by the sale of our Florida banking operations and lower securities balances. Compared to June 30, 2023, the increase was primarily driven by the assets acquired from the acquisition of DNVB, organic loan growth, and higher line of credit usage, partially offset by the sale of our Florida banking operations and lower securities balances due to balance sheet repositioning executed in fourth quarter of 2023 and calls, maturities, and paydowns.

Loans held for investment, net of unearned income, decreased $127.4 million, or 2.9%, to $4.29 billion from $4.41 billion at March 31, 2024. The decrease from the first quarter of 2024 was driven primarily by $163.6 million of loans divested as part of the sale of our Florida banking operations and lower line of credit usage.

Loans held for investment, net of unearned income, increased $268.6 million, or 6.7%, to $4.29 billion from $4.02 billion at June 30, 2023. The increase from the second quarter of 2023 was driven primarily by the loans acquired in the DNVB acquisition, organic loan growth, and higher line of credit usage. Partially offsetting these identified increases was a decline in loans held for investment, net of unearned income stemming from the divestiture of our Florida banking operations.

Investment securities at June 30, 2024 were $1.82 billion, decreasing $38.1 million from March 31, 2024 and $179.0 million from June 30, 2023. The decrease from the first quarter of 2024 was primarily due to principal cash flows received from scheduled payments, calls, and maturities. The decrease from the second quarter of 2023 was primarily due to balance sheet repositioning executed in fourth quarter of 2023 and principal cash flows received from scheduled payments, calls, and maturities.

Deposits declined $172.8 million, or 3.1%, to $5.41 billion, from $5.59 billion at March 31, 2024, primarily due to $133.3 million of deposits divested as part of the sale of our Florida banking operations. Included in the deposits that were sold were $31.8 million of noninterest bearing deposits. Total deposits decreased $33.0 million, or 0.6%, from $5.45 billion at June 30, 2023 primarily due to the sale of our Florida banking operations and a decline of $169.6 million in brokered deposits, partially offset by deposits assumed in the DNVB acquisition.

Borrowed funds were $529.5 million at June 30, 2024, a decrease of $15.5 million from March 31, 2024 and an increase of $41.7 million from June 30, 2023. The decrease compared to the linked quarter was due to a $13 million payoff of a revolving credit facility and scheduled payments on long-term debt, partially offset by an increase in overnight borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The increase compared to June 30, 2023 was primarily due to higher Bank Term Funding Program borrowings, partially offset by lower securities sold under agreements to repurchase, overnight borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank, and scheduled payments on long-term debt.

Total shareholders' equity at June 30, 2024 increased $15.2 million from March 31, 2024, driven by an increase in retained earnings and decreases in accumulated other comprehensive loss and treasury stock. Total shareholders' equity at June 30, 2024 increased $41.9 million from June 30, 2023, driven by decreases in accumulated other comprehensive loss and treasury stock, coupled with an increase in retained earnings.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 30, 2024 decreased $2.7 million compared to March 31, 2024, primarily due to an increase in available for sale securities valuations. Accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased $24.6 million from June 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase in available for sale securities valuations and the recognition of the loss from the fourth quarter 2023 sale of securities as part of a balance sheet repositioning.

On July 23, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.2425 per common share. The dividend is payable September 17, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 3, 2024.

No common shares were repurchased by the Company during the period March 31, 2024 through June 30, 2024 or for the subsequent period through July 25, 2024. The current share repurchase program allows for the repurchase of up to $15.0 million of the Company's common shares. As of June 30, 2024, $15.0 million was available under this program.

CREDIT QUALITY REVIEW

Compared to the linked quarter, the nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets ratios declined 7 bps and 2 bps, to 0.59% and 0.47%, respectively. Special mention/watch loan balances decreased $6.4 million, or 4%, from the linked quarter, while classified loan balances decreased $14.7 million, or 9%, from the linked quarter due to the proactive management of troubled assets. When compared to the same period of the prior year, the nonperforming loans and nonperforming asset ratios increased 23 bps and 25 bps, respectively. Further, the net charge-off ratio increased 3 bps from the linked quarter and decreased 4 bps from the same period in the prior year.

As of June 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses was $53.9 million and the allowance for credit losses ratio was 1.26%, compared with $55.9 million and 1.27% at March 31, 2024. Credit loss expense of $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2024 reflected an additional reserve of $0.8 million on unfunded loan commitments, coupled with an additional reserve taken to support organic loan growth. Credit loss expense in the linked quarter reflected $3.2 million of day 1 credit loss expense related to the DNVB acquisition, as well as additional reserve taken to support organic loan growth.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

The Company will host a conference call for investors at 11:00 a.m. CT on Friday, July 26, 2024. To participate, you may pre-register for this call utilizing the following link: https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=25afc13e&confId=68332. After pre-registering for this event you will receive your access details via email. On the day of the call, you are also able to dial 1-833-470-1428 using an access code of 162387 at least fifteen minutes before the call start time. If you are unable to participate on the call, a replay will be available until October 24, 2024 by calling 1-866-813-9403 and using the replay access code of 323537. A transcript of the call will also be available on the Company’s web site (www.midwestonefinancial.com) within three business days of the call.

ABOUT MIDWESTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa. MidWestOne is the parent company of MidWestOne Bank, which operates banking offices in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado. MidWestOne provides electronic delivery of financial services through its website, MidWestOne.bank. MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MOFG”.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We and our representatives may, from time to time, make written or oral statements that are “forward-looking” and provide information other than historical information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. These factors include, among other things, the factors listed below. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plans,” “goals,” “intend,” “project,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “may” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Additionally, we undertake no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events, except as required under federal securities law.

Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors that could have an impact on our ability to achieve operating results, growth plan goals and future prospects include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the risks of mergers or branch sales (including the recent sale of our Florida banking operations and the acquisition of DNVB), including, without limitation, the related time and costs of implementing such transactions, integrating operations as part of these transactions and possible failures to achieve expected gains, revenue growth and/or expense savings from such transactions; (2) credit quality deterioration, pronounced and sustained reduction in real estate market values, or other uncertainties, including the impact of inflationary pressures on economic conditions and our business, resulting in an increase in the allowance for credit losses, an increase in the credit loss expense, and a reduction in net earnings; (3) the effects of sustained high interest rates, including on our net income and the value of our securities portfolio; (4) changes in the economic environment, competition, or other factors that may affect our ability to acquire loans or influence the anticipated growth rate of loans and deposits and the quality of the loan portfolio and loan and deposit pricing; (5) fluctuations in the value of our investment securities; (6) governmental monetary and fiscal policies; (7) changes in and uncertainty related to benchmark interest rates used to price loans and deposits; (8) legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in banking, securities, trade, and tax laws and regulations and their application by our regulators, and any changes in response to the recent failures of other banks; (9) the ability to attract and retain key executives and employees experienced in banking and financial services; (10) the sufficiency of the allowance for credit losses to absorb the amount of actual losses inherent in our existing loan portfolio; (11) our ability to adapt successfully to technological changes to compete effectively in the marketplace; (12) credit risks and risks from concentrations (by geographic area and by industry) within our loan portfolio; (13) the effects of competition from other commercial banks, thrifts, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, credit unions, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market and other mutual funds, financial technology companies, and other financial institutions operating in our markets or elsewhere or providing similar services; (14) the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of allowances for credit losses and estimation of values of collateral and various financial assets and liabilities; (15) volatility of rate-sensitive deposits; (16) operational risks, including data processing system failures or fraud; (17) asset/liability matching risks and liquidity risks; (18) the costs, effects and outcomes of existing or future litigation; (19) changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions, nationally, internationally or in the communities in which we conduct business, including the risk of a recession; (20) changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board; (21) war or terrorist activities, including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, widespread disease or pandemic, or other adverse external events, which may cause deterioration in the economy or cause instability in credit markets; (22) the occurrence of fraudulent activity, breaches, or failures of our or our third-party vendors' information security controls or cyber-security related incidents, including as a result of sophisticated attacks using artificial intelligence and similar tools; (23) the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies impacting the value of the agricultural or other products of our borrowers; (24) potential changes in federal policy and at regulatory agencies as a result of the upcoming 2024 presidential election; (25) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits; (26) the effects of recent developments and events in the financial services industry, including the large-scale deposit withdrawals over a short period of time that resulted in recent bank failures; and (27) other risk factors detailed from time to time in Securities and Exchange Commission filings made by the Company.

MIDWESTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
FIVE QUARTER CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

MIDWESTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
FIVE QUARTER CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

MIDWESTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
FINANCIAL STATISTICS

MIDWESTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND YIELD ANALYSIS

MIDWESTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND YIELD ANALYSIS

Non-GAAP Measures

This earnings release contains non-GAAP measures for tangible common equity, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible equity, net interest margin (tax equivalent), core net interest margin, loan yield (tax equivalent), core yield on loans, and efficiency ratio. Management believes these measures provide investors with useful information regarding the Company’s profitability, financial condition and capital adequacy, consistent with how management evaluates the Company’s financial performance. The following tables provide a reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP measure.