Investar Holding Corporation Announces 2023 Third Quarter Results

In this article:

BATON ROUGE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / October 19, 2023 / Investar Holding Corporation ("Investar") (NASDAQ:ISTR), the holding company for Investar Bank, National Association (the "Bank"), today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Investar reported net income of $2.8 million, or $0.28 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2023, compared to net income of $6.5 million, or $0.67 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and net income of $7.3 million, or $0.73 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.

On a non-GAAP basis, core earnings per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2023 were $0.33 compared to $0.67 for the second quarter of 2023 and $0.71 for the third quarter of 2022. Core earnings exclude certain items including, but not limited to, loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net, severance and loan purchase expense (refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures tables for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP metrics).

Strong Credit Quality

Investar has increased its focus on underwriting high quality credits that are less susceptible to effects from a potential economic downturn and continues to de-risk the portfolio by proactively exiting credit relationships that do not fit this strategy. As a result, credit quality has continued to improve as nonperforming loans were only $5.6 million, or 0.27% of total loans at September 30, 2023 compared to $7.0 million, or 0.34%, at June 30, 2023.

Loan Purchase Agreement

Investar entered into a loan purchase agreement to acquire commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $163 million in two tranches. The purchase of the first tranche, consisting of revolving lines of credit with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $36 million, was completed in the third quarter. The purchase of the second tranche, consisting of revolving lines of credit with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $127 million, closed in the fourth quarter. The revolving lines of credit are variable-rate and short-term in nature with varying renewal terms.

Exit of Consumer Mortgage Origination Business

In an effort to focus more on its core business and optimize profitability, Investar made the strategic decision to exit its consumer mortgage origination business. Investar will retain and continue to service the existing consumer mortgage loan portfolio. Consumer mortgage loan products are generally long-term and fixed-rate and generally require a higher relative allowance for credit losses than other loan products. Consumer mortgage volumes have decreased to historical lows due to the combination of rising housing prices and interest rates and constriction of housing supply. As a result of this decision, Investar further optimized its workforce and will continue to dedicate resources to its more profitable business lines. The consumer mortgage portfolio was approximately $264.1 million at September 30, 2023 and is included in the 1-4 family loan category.

Investar's President and Chief Executive Officer John D'Angelo commented:

"During the third quarter, we made several significant achievements towards our strategic goals. Most notably, we entered into the next phase of our digital transformation by executing on several pillars of our strategic goals.

As a result of our continuous efforts toward product consolidation, we agreed to acquire assets comprised wholly of variable-rate revolving lines of credit. These loans are to consumer finance lending companies that possess a history of high credit quality and provide opportunities to deepen the relationships through our expansive services including treasury management. After a thorough due diligence process, we hand-selected the loans that align with our desired credit profile. Moreover, we hired two new lenders with over 50 years of combined experience within this lending segment. The borrowers primarily consist of seasoned operating companies with tenured management teams who have experience through many economic cycles. Also, importantly, this transaction is accretive to our core financial metrics, immediately increasing expected per share returns to our stockholders. We believe these variable-rate products, combined with new loan production coming on at higher rates, will help to offset the margin pressure of higher funding costs.

Furthermore, as part of our strategy to optimize our balance sheet, we have made the decision to exit from the consumer mortgage origination business. The decision was based on a number of factors, including the steep decline in mortgage volumes and the negative outlook for mortgage lending coupled with our preference for shorter duration and better risk-adjusted return asset classes. We will retain and continue to provide excellent customer service to our existing mortgage customers.

Finally, we continue to execute on the evaluation and optimization of our physical branch and ATM footprint. As a result of our ongoing review, we ceased operation of 14 ATMs which will result in future cost savings while maintaining uninterrupted service to our valued customers.

As always, we remain focused on shareholder value and returning capital to shareholders. We repurchased 52,407 shares of our common stock during the third quarter well below tangible book value at an average price of $12.89 per share.

We believe Investar is well-positioned for a higher-for-longer interest rate environment but also poised to benefit from a potential decrease in rates. As we look forward, we are beginning a pivot from a growth strategy to a focus on consistent, quality earnings through the optimization of our balance sheet."

Third Quarter Highlights

Credit quality continued to strengthen as nonperforming loans improved to 0.27% of total loans at September 30, 2023 compared to 0.34% at June 30, 2023.

Total loans increased $18.2 million, or 0.9%, to $2.10 billion at September 30, 2023, compared to $2.08 billion at June 30, 2023. Excluding the revolving lines of credit purchased in the third quarter of 2023, total loans decreased $17.6 million, or 0.8%, to $2.07 billion at September 30, 2023, compared to $2.08 billion at June 30, 2023.

The yield on the loan portfolio increased to 5.53% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to 5.44% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Total revenues, or interest and noninterest income, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 totaled $34.8 million, an increase of $0.3 million, or 1.0%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Total deposits increased $28.6 million, or 1.3%, to $2.21 billion at September 30, 2023, compared to $2.18 billion at June 30, 2023. Uninsured deposits were 34% of total deposits at September 30, 2023.

Investar entered into a loan purchase agreement to acquire commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $163 million and total commitments of approximately $238 million in two tranches. The first and second tranches consist of unpaid principal balances of approximately $36 million and $127 million, respectively, and total commitments of $61 million and $177 million, respectively.

Investar exited its consumer mortgage origination business to focus more on its core business lines. Related severance expense was $0.1 million.

Investar converted its existing loan and deposit production office in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to a cashless branch designed to provide a dynamic and streamlined digital banking experience. This is Investar's seventh branch in the Alabama market.

On July 19, 2023, Investar's Board of Directors approved an additional 350,000 shares for repurchase under Investar's stock repurchase program. Investar repurchased 52,407 shares of its common stock through the program at an average price of $12.89 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, leaving 546,032 shares authorized for repurchase under the program at September 30, 2023.

Loans

Total loans were $2.10 billion at September 30, 2023, an increase of $18.2 million, or 0.9%, compared to June 30, 2023, and an increase of $97.3 million, or 4.9%, compared to September 30, 2022.

The following table sets forth the composition of the total loan portfolio as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

Linked Quarter Change

Year/Year Change

Percentage of Total Loans

9/30/2023

6/30/2023

9/30/2022

$

%

$

%

9/30/2023

9/30/2022

Mortgage loans on real estate

Construction and development

$

211,390

$

197,850

$

220,609

$

13,540

6.8%

$

(9,219)

(4.2)%

10.0%

11.0%

1-4 Family

415,162

414,380

391,857

782

0.2

23,305

5.9

19.7

19.5

Multifamily

102,974

80,424

57,306

22,550

28.0

45,668

79.7

4.9

2.9

Farmland

8,259

8,434

14,202

(175)

(2.1)

(5,943)

(41.8)

0.4

0.7

Commercial real estate

Owner-occupied

440,208

441,393

445,671

(1,185)

(0.3)

(5,463)

(1.2)

20.9

22.2

Nonowner-occupied

501,649

530,820

464,520

(29,171)

(5.5)

37,129

8.0

23.9

23.2

Commercial and industrial

411,290

399,488

397,759

11,802

3.0

13,531

3.4

19.6

19.8

Consumer

12,090

12,074

13,753

16

0.1

(1,663)

(12.1)

0.6

0.7

Total loans

$

2,103,022

$

2,084,863

$

2,005,677

$

18,159

0.9%

$

97,345

4.9%

100%

100%

At September 30, 2023, the Bank's total business lending portfolio, which consists of loans secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate properties and commercial and industrial loans, was $851.5 million, an increase of $10.6 million, or 1.3%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $840.9 million at June 30, 2023, and an increase of $8.1 million, or 1.0%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $843.4 million at September 30, 2022. The increase in the business lending portfolio compared to June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 is primarily driven by the purchase of commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit described above, partially offset by lower loan demand due to higher rates.

Nonowner-occupied loans totaled $501.6 million at September 30, 2023, a decrease of $29.2 million, or 5.5%, compared to $530.8 million at June 30, 2023, and an increase of $37.1 million, or 8.0%, compared to $464.5 million at September 30, 2022. The decrease in nonowner-occupied loans compared to June 30, 2023 is primarily due to a reclassification of approximately $24.1 million nonowner-occupied loans to multifamily loans due to a change to the primary use of the property. The increase in nonowner-occupied loans compared to September 30, 2022 is due to organic growth.

Credit Quality

Nonperforming loans were $5.6 million, or 0.27% of total loans, at September 30, 2023, a decrease of $1.4 million compared to $7.0 million, or 0.34% of total loans, at June 30, 2023, and a decrease of $7.5 million compared to $13.1 million, or 0.65% of total loans, at September 30, 2022. The decrease in nonperforming loans compared to June 30, 2023 is mainly attributable to paydowns. Included in nonperforming loans are acquired loans with a balance of $1.9 million at September 30, 2023, or 35% of nonperforming loans.

On January 1, 2023, Investar adopted FASB ASC Topic 326 " Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments " Update No. 2016-13 . The ASU, referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") standard, requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Upon adoption, Investar recorded a one-time, cumulative effect adjustment to increase the allowance for credit losses by $5.9 million and reduce retained earnings, net of tax, by $4.3 million.

The allowance for credit losses was $29.8 million, or 534.1% and 1.42% of nonperforming and total loans, respectively, at September 30, 2023, compared to $30.0 million, or 429.6% and 1.44% of nonperforming and total loans, respectively, at June 30, 2023, and $23.2 million, or 176.6% and 1.15% of nonperforming and total loans, respectively, at September 30, 2022.

Investar recorded a negative provision for credit losses of $34,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to a negative provision for credit losses of $2.8 million and a provision for credit losses of $1.2 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. The negative provision for credit losses in the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to net recoveries. The negative provision for credit losses in the quarter ended June 30, 2023 was driven by net recoveries of $2.4 million, primarily attributable to recoveries on one loan relationship that became impaired in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of Hurricane Ida. The provision for credit losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 was due to organic loan growth.

Deposits

Total deposits at September 30, 2023 were $2.21 billion, an increase of $28.6 million, or 1.3%, compared to $2.18 billion at June 30, 2023, and an increase of $156.8 million, or 7.6%, compared to $2.05 billion at September 30, 2022.

The following table sets forth the composition of deposits as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

Linked Quarter Change

Year/Year Change

Percentage of Total Deposits

9/30/2023

6/30/2023

9/30/2022

$

%

$

%

9/30/2023

9/30/2022

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

$

459,519

$

488,311

$

590,610

$

(28,792)

(5.9)%

$

(131,091)

(22.2)%

20.8%

28.8%

Interest-bearing demand deposits

482,706

514,501

624,025

(31,795)

(6.2)

(141,319)

(22.6)

21.8

30.4

Money market deposit accounts

186,478

158,984

251,213

27,494

17.3

(64,735)

(25.8)

8.4

12.2

Savings accounts

131,743

125,442

167,131

6,301

5.0

(35,388)

(21.2)

6.0

8.1

Brokered time deposits

197,747

153,365

-

44,382

28.9

197,747

-

9.0

-

Time deposits

751,240

740,250

419,704

10,990

1.5

331,536

79.0

34.0

20.5

Total deposits

$

2,209,433

$

2,180,853

$

2,052,683

$

28,580

1.3%

$

156,750

7.6%

100%

100%

The increase in money market deposit accounts at September 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2023 is primarily due to higher rates offered. The decrease in money market deposit accounts at September 30, 2023 compared to September 30, 2022 is primarily due to customers shifting into higher yielding interest-bearing deposit products as a result of rising interest rates. The increase in time deposits at September 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2023 is primarily due to existing customer funds migrating from other deposit categories. The increase in time deposits at September 30, 2023 compared to September 30, 2022 is primarily due to organic growth and existing customer funds migrating from other deposit categories. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits decreased over the periods due to shifts by customers into higher yielding interest-bearing deposit products as a result of rising interest rates. Brokered time deposits increased to $197.7 million at September 30, 2023 from $153.4 million at June 30, 2023. Investar utilizes brokered time deposits, entirely in denominations of less than $250,000, to secure fixed cost funding and reduce short-term borrowings. At September 30, 2023, the balance of brokered time deposits remained below 10% of total assets, and the remaining weighted average duration is approximately 13 months with a weighted average rate of 5.02%.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' equity was $208.7 million at September 30, 2023, a decrease of $9.6 million compared to June 30, 2023, and an increase of $3.0 million compared to September 30, 2022. The decrease in stockholders' equity compared to June 30, 2023 is primarily attributable to an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to a decrease in the fair value of the Bank's available for sale securities portfolio, partially offset by net income for the quarter. The increase in stockholders' equity compared to September 30, 2022 is primarily attributable to net income for the last twelve months, partially offset by an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to a decrease in the fair value of the Bank's available for sale securities portfolio and the cumulative effect adjustment as a result of the adoption of the CECL standard, reflected in retained earnings.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 totaled $17.5 million, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 5.0%, compared to the second quarter of 2023, and a decrease of $6.0 million, or 25.6%, compared to the third quarter of 2022. Total interest income was $33.2 million, $32.4 million and $27.0 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Total interest expense was $15.7 million, $14.0 million and $3.5 million for the corresponding periods. Included in net interest income for the quarters ended September 30, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 is $36,000, $47,000, and $0.1 million, respectively, of interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans. Also included in net interest income for each of the quarters ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 are interest recoveries of $0.1 million. There were no interest recoveries for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Investar's net interest margin was 2.66% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to 2.82% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and 3.77% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023 was driven by a 28 basis point increase in the overall cost of funds, partially offset by a seven basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets. The decrease in net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 was driven by a 228 basis point increase in the overall cost of funds, partially offset by a 71 basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets.

The yield on interest-earning assets was 5.05% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to 4.98% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and 4.34% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The increase in the yield on interest-earning assets compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to a nine basis point increase in the yield on the loan portfolio, partially offset by a 10 basis point decrease in the yield on the taxable securities portfolio. The increase in the yield on interest-earning assets compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 was primarily driven by a 67 basis point increase in the yield on the loan portfolio and a 38 basis point increase in the yield on the taxable securities portfolio.

Exclusive of the interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans, interest recoveries, and accelerated fee income recognized due to the forgiveness or pay-off of Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans, adjusted net interest margin decreased to 2.64% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to 2.82% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and 3.72% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The adjusted yield on interest-earning assets was 5.03% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to 4.97% and 4.29% for the quarters ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures table for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP metrics.

The cost of deposits increased 42 basis points to 2.73% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to 2.31% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and increased 237 basis points compared to 0.36% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The increase in the cost of deposits compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023 resulted from both a higher average balance and an increase in rates paid on time deposits, a higher average balance of brokered time deposits, and an increase in rates paid on interest-bearing demand deposits and savings deposits. The increase in the cost of deposits compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 resulted from both a higher average balance and an increase in rates paid on time deposits, a higher average balance of brokered time deposits, and an increase in rates paid on interest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by a lower average balance of interest-bearing demand deposits.

The cost of short-term borrowings decreased 12 basis points to 4.97% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to 5.09% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and increased 257 basis points compared to 2.40% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, the Bank began utilizing the Federal Reserve's Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP") to secure fixed rate funding for up to a one-year term and reduce short-term Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances, which are priced daily. The Bank utilized this source of funding due to its lower rate as compared to FHLB advances, the ability to prepay the obligations without penalty, and as a means to lock in funding. The decrease in the cost of short-term borrowings compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023 resulted primarily from the reduction of short-term advances from the FHLB and the increased utilization of short-term repurchase agreements. The increase in the cost of short-term borrowings compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 resulted from an increase in the Federal Reserve's federal funds rate, which drives the costs of short-term borrowings under the BTFP and short-term advances from the FHLB.

The overall cost of funds for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 increased 28 basis points to 3.07% compared to 2.79% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and increased 228 basis points compared to 0.79% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The increase in the cost of funds for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023 resulted from both a higher average balance and an increase in the cost of deposits, partially offset by both a lower average balance and a decrease in the cost of short-term borrowings. The increase in the cost of funds for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 resulted from both a higher average balance and an increase in the cost of deposits and both a higher average balance and an increase in the cost of short-term borrowings.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2023 totaled $1.6 million, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 20.9%, compared to the second quarter of 2023 and a decrease of $1.0 million, or 38.6%, compared to the third quarter of 2022.

The decrease in noninterest income compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023 is driven by a $0.3 million increase in loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets and a $0.3 million decrease in other operating income, partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in the change in fair value of equity securities and a $0.1 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts. The decrease in other operating income is primarily attributable to a $0.2 million decrease in the change in the net asset value of other investments and a $0.1 million decrease in distributions from investments.

The decrease in noninterest income compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 is mainly attributable to a $0.3 million increase in loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets and a $0.7 million decrease in other operating income. The decrease in other operating income is primarily attributable to a $0.4 million decrease in the change in the net asset value of other investments and a $0.3 million decrease in derivative fee income.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2023 totaled $15.8 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or 3.5%, compared to the second quarter of 2023, and a decrease of $0.2 million, or 1.2%, compared to the third quarter of 2022.

The increase in noninterest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023 was primarily driven by a $0.1 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $0.2 million increase in professional fees, and a $0.2 million increase in other operating expenses. The increase in salaries and employee benefits is primarily due to severance related to Investar's exit from its consumer mortgage origination business. Other operating expenses include, among other things, software expense, other real estate expense, FDIC assessments, bank security, and bank shares tax.

The decrease in noninterest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 is primarily a result of a $0.2 million decrease in depreciation and amortization and a $0.2 million decrease in occupancy, partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in salaries and employee benefits. The decreases in depreciation and amortization and occupancy are due to the sale of the Alice and Victoria, Texas branches in January 2023 and the closure of one branch location in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in salaries and employee benefits is primarily due to severance related to Investar's exit from its consumer mortgage origination business.

Taxes

Investar recorded an income tax expense of $0.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, which equates to an effective tax rate of 17.4%, compared to effective tax rates of 18.7% and 18.9% for the quarters ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

Investar reported basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.28 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.67 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.74 and $0.73, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.

About Investar Holding Corporation

Investar, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, provides full banking services, excluding trust services, through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Investar Bank, National Association. The Bank currently operates 29 branch locations serving Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama. At September 30, 2023, the Bank had 328 full-time equivalent employees and total assets of $2.8 billion.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. These measures and ratios include "tangible common equity," "tangible assets," "tangible equity to tangible assets," "tangible book value per common share," "core noninterest income," "core earnings before noninterest expense," "core noninterest expense," "core earnings before income tax expense," "core income tax expense," "core earnings," "core efficiency ratio," "core return on average assets," "core return on average equity," "core basic earnings per share," and "core diluted earnings per share." We also present certain average loan, yield, net interest income and net interest margin data adjusted to show the effects of, accelerated fee income for PPP loans, interest recoveries, and interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding Investar's financial results, and Investar believes that its presentation, together with the accompanying reconciliations, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting Investar's business and allow investors to view performance in a manner similar to management, the entire financial services sector, bank stock analysts and bank regulators. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and Investar strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this press release to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included at the end of the financial statement tables.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect Investar's current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. Investar generally identifies forward-looking statements by terminology such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "could," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates," or the negative version of those words or other comparable words.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the historical performance of Investar and its subsidiaries or on Investar's current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by Investar that the future plans, estimates or expectations by Investar will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to Investar's operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Investar's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, Investar's actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these statements. Investar does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following, any one or more of which could materially affect the outcome of future events:

the significant risks and uncertainties for our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios and other regulatory requirements caused by business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry in particular, whether nationally, regionally or in the markets in which we operate, including risks and uncertainties caused by disruptions in the banking industry earlier this year, potential continued higher inflation and interest rates, supply and labor constraints, the wars in Ukraine and Israel and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;

our ability to achieve organic loan and deposit growth, and the composition of that growth;

changes (or the lack of changes) in interest rates, yield curves and interest rate spread relationships that affect our loan and deposit pricing, including potential continued increases in interest rates in 2023;

our ability to identify and enter into agreements to combine with attractive acquisition candidates, finance acquisitions, complete acquisitions after definitive agreements are entered into, and successfully integrate and grow acquired operations;

our adoption on January 1, 2023 of ASU 2016-13, and inaccuracy of the assumptions and estimates we make in establishing reserves for credit losses and other estimates;

changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including adverse developments in borrower industries or in the repayment ability of individual borrowers;

a reduction in liquidity, including as a result of a reduction in the amount of deposits we hold or other sources of liquidity, which may continue to be adversely impacted by the disruptions in the banking industry earlier this year causing bank depositors to move uninsured deposits to other banks or alternative investments outside the banking industry;

changes in the quality and composition of, and changes in unrealized losses in, our investment portfolio, including whether we may have to sell securities before their recovery of amortized cost basis and realize losses;

the extent of continuing client demand for the high level of personalized service that is a key element of our banking approach as well as our ability to execute our strategy generally;

our dependence on our management team, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

the concentration of our business within our geographic areas of operation in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama;

concentration of credit exposure;

any deterioration in asset quality and higher loan charge-offs, and the time and effort necessary to resolve problem assets;

fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas;

data processing system failures and errors;

cyberattacks and other security breaches; and

hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical depressions, floods, winter storms, droughts and other adverse weather events, all of which have affected Investar's market areas from time to time; other natural disasters; oil spills and other man-made disasters; acts of terrorism, an outbreak or intensifying of hostilities including the wars in Ukraine and Israel or other international or domestic calamities, acts of God and other matters beyond our control.

These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risk factors can be found in Part I Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Part II Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Investar's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and in Part II Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in Investar's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023 filed with the SEC.

For further information contact:
Investar Holding Corporation
John Campbell
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(225) 227-2215
John.Campbell@investarbank.com


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

As of and for the three months ended

9/30/2023

6/30/2023

9/30/2022

Linked Quarter

Year/Year

EARNINGS DATA

Total interest income

$

33,160

$

32,396

$

27,002

2.4

%

22.8

%

Total interest expense

15,691

14,009

3,535

12.0

343.9

Net interest income

17,469

18,387

23,467

(5.0

)

(25.6

)

Provision for credit losses

(34

)

(2,840

)

1,162

98.8

(102.9

)

Total noninterest income

1,637

2,070

2,665

(20.9

)

(38.6

)

Total noninterest expense

15,774

15,241

15,967

3.5

(1.2

)

Income before income tax expense

3,366

8,056

9,003

(58.2

)

(62.6

)

Income tax expense

585

1,509

1,699

(61.2

)

(65.6

)

Net income

$

2,781

$

6,547

$

7,304

(57.5

)

(61.9

)

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA

Total assets

$

2,736,358

$

2,748,171

$

2,621,611

(0.4

)%

4.4

Total interest-earning assets

2,603,837

2,611,172

2,468,357

(0.3

)

5.5

Total loans

2,072,617

2,100,751

1,954,493

(1.3

)

6.0

Total interest-bearing deposits

1,707,848

1,655,506

1,456,826

3.2

17.2

Total interest-bearing liabilities

2,026,587

2,013,482

1,772,960

0.7

14.3

Total deposits

2,170,373

2,145,629

2,069,603

1.2

4.9

Total stockholders' equity

220,393

221,528

226,624

(0.5

)

(2.7

)

PER SHARE DATA

Earnings:

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.28

$

0.67

$

0.74

(58.2

)%

(62.2

)%

Diluted earnings per common share

0.28

0.67

0.73

(58.2

)

(61.6

)

Core Earnings (1) :

Core basic earnings per common share (1)

0.33

0.67

0.71

(50.7

)

(53.5

)

Core diluted earnings per common share (1)

0.33

0.67

0.71

(50.7

)

(53.5

)

Book value per common share

21.34

22.21

20.78

(3.9

)

2.7

Tangible book value per common share (1)

17.00

17.87

16.40

(4.9

)

3.7

Common shares outstanding

9,779,688

9,831,145

9,901,078

(0.5

)

(1.2

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

9,814,727

9,880,721

9,965,374

(0.7

)

(1.5

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

9,817,607

9,881,385

10,086,249

(0.6

)

(2.7

)

PERFORMANCE RATIOS

Return on average assets

0.40

%

0.96

%

1.11

%

(58.3

)%

(64.0

)%

Core return on average assets (1)

0.47

0.97

1.08

(51.5

)

(56.5

)

Return on average equity

5.01

11.85

12.79

(57.7

)

(60.8

)

Core return on average equity (1)

5.87

11.98

12.46

(51.0

)

(52.9

)

Net interest margin

2.66

2.82

3.77

(5.7

)

(29.4

)

Net interest income to average assets

2.53

2.68

3.55

(5.6

)

(28.7

)

Noninterest expense to average assets

2.29

2.22

2.42

3.2

(5.4

)

Efficiency ratio (2)

82.56

74.50

61.10

10.8

35.1

Core efficiency ratio (1)

79.98

74.21

61.63

7.8

29.8

Dividend payout ratio

35.71

14.93

12.84

139.2

178.1

Net recoveries to average loans

(0.01

)

(0.11

)

-

(90.9

)

-

(1) Non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation.
(2) Efficiency ratio represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income (before provision for credit losses) and noninterest income.

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

As of and for the three months ended

9/30/2023

6/30/2023

9/30/2022

Linked Quarter

Year/Year

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.36

%

0.40

%

0.58

%

(10.0

)%

(37.9

)%

Nonperforming loans to total loans

0.27

0.34

0.65

(20.6

)

(58.5

)

Allowance for credit losses to total loans

1.42

1.44

1.15

(1.4

)

23.5

Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans

534.08

429.60

176.63

24.3

202.4

CAPITAL RATIOS

Investar Holding Corporation:

Total equity to total assets

7.48

%

7.93

%

7.73

%

(5.7

)%

(3.2

)%

Tangible equity to tangible assets (1)

6.05

6.48

6.20

(6.6

)

(2.4

)

Tier 1 leverage ratio

8.53

8.45

8.48

0.9

0.6

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (2)

9.40

9.86

9.65

(4.7

)

(2.6

)

Tier 1 capital ratio (2)

9.79

10.28

10.08

(4.8

)

(2.9

)

Total capital ratio (2)

12.87

13.49

13.15

(4.6

)

(2.1

)

Investar Bank:

Tier 1 leverage ratio

10.05

9.96

9.84

0.9

2.1

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (2)

11.53

12.11

11.70

(4.8

)

(1.5

)

Tier 1 capital ratio (2)

11.53

12.11

11.70

(4.8

)

(1.5

)

Total capital ratio (2)

12.78

13.36

12.77

(4.3

)

0.1

(1) Non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation.
(2) Estimated for September 30, 2023 and includes impact of commitments related to the purchase of second tranche of loans, which closed in the fourth quarter, on risk weighted assets.

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

September 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

September 30, 2022

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

27,084

$

34,697

$

31,711

Interest-bearing balances due from other banks

36,584

31,082

4,302

Federal funds sold

-

128

-

Cash and cash equivalents

63,668

65,907

36,013

Available for sale securities at fair value (amortized cost of $481,296, $452,053, and $477,242, respectively)

404,485

389,583

413,186

Held to maturity securities at amortized cost (estimated fair value of $19,815, $17,913, and $8,951, respectively)

20,044

17,812

9,373

Loans

2,103,022

2,084,863

2,005,677

Less: allowance for credit losses

(29,778

)

(30,044

)

(23,164

)

Loans, net

2,073,244

2,054,819

1,982,513

Equity securities

13,334

14,938

26,629

Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $21,646, $21,886, and $21,421, respectively

44,764

45,925

50,327

Other real estate owned, net

4,438

4,137

2,326

Accrued interest receivable

13,633

12,661

11,915

Deferred tax asset

20,989

17,658

16,587

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

42,496

42,677

43,360

Bank owned life insurance

58,425

58,068

57,033

Other assets

30,013

29,489

12,432

Total assets

$

2,789,533

$

2,753,674

$

2,661,694

LIABILITIES

Deposits

Noninterest-bearing

$

459,519

$

488,311

$

590,610

Interest-bearing

1,749,914

1,692,542

1,462,073

Total deposits

2,209,433

2,180,853

2,052,683

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

23,500

23,500

333,100

Borrowings under Bank Term Funding Program

235,800

235,800

-

Federal funds purchased

-

-

168

Repurchase agreements

13,930

5,183

-

Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs

44,296

44,272

44,201

Junior subordinated debt

8,602

8,574

8,484

Accrued taxes and other liabilities

45,255

37,135

17,358

Total liabilities

2,580,816

2,535,317

2,455,994

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preferred stock, no par value per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized

-

-

-

Common stock, $1.00 par value per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 9,779,688, 9,831,145, and 9,901,078 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

9,780

9,831

9,901

Surplus

145,241

145,347

146,155

Retained earnings

114,148

112,344

100,247

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(60,452

)

(49,165

)

(50,603

)

Total stockholders' equity

208,717

218,357

205,700

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

2,789,533

$

2,753,674

$

2,661,694

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

For the three months ended

September 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

September 30, 2022

INTEREST INCOME

Interest and fees on loans

$

28,892

$

28,513

$

23,924

Interest on investment securities

Taxable

3,055

3,262

2,769

Tax-exempt

216

119

105

Other interest income

997

502

204

Total interest income

33,160

32,396

27,002

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest on deposits

11,733

9,534

1,315

Interest on borrowings

3,958

4,475

2,220

Total interest expense

15,691

14,009

3,535

Net interest income

17,469

18,387

23,467

Provision for credit losses

(34)

(2,840)

1,162

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

17,503

21,227

22,305

NONINTEREST INCOME

Service charges on deposit accounts

806

746

820

Loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net

(367)

(58)

(103)

Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net

23

5

50

Servicing fees and fee income on serviced loans

2

4

17

Interchange fees

399

443

511

Income from bank owned life insurance

357

353

341

Change in the fair value of equity securities

22

(107)

(27)

Other operating income

395

684

1,056

Total noninterest income

1,637

2,070

2,665

Income before noninterest expense

19,140

23,297

24,970

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Depreciation and amortization

900

919

1,087

Salaries and employee benefits

9,463

9,343

9,345

Occupancy

618

646

810

Data processing

888

827

861

Marketing

83

82

84

Professional fees

516

323

460

Other operating expenses

3,306

3,101

3,320

Total noninterest expense

15,774

15,241

15,967

Income before income tax expense

3,366

8,056

9,003

Income tax expense

585

1,509

1,699

Net income

$

2,781

$

6,547

$

7,304

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.28

$

0.67

$

0.74

Diluted earnings per common share

0.28

0.67

0.73

Cash dividends declared per common share

0.10

0.10

0.095

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET, INTEREST EARNED AND YIELD ANALYSIS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

For the three months ended

September 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

September 30, 2022

Interest

Interest

Interest

Average

Income/

Average

Income/

Average

Income/

Balance

Expense

Yield/ Rate

Balance

Expense

Yield/ Rate

Balance

Expense

Yield/ Rate

Assets

Interest-earning assets:

Loans

$

2,072,617

$

28,892

5.53%

$

2,100,751

$

28,513

5.44%

$

1,954,493

$

23,924

4.86%

Securities:

Taxable

442,556

3,055

2.74

460,765

3,262

2.84

466,012

2,769

2.36

Tax-exempt

25,493

216

3.35

17,235

119

2.77

16,528

105

2.50

Interest-bearing balances with banks

63,171

997

6.26

32,421

502

6.22

31,324

204

2.58

Total interest-earning assets

2,603,837

33,160

5.05

2,611,172

32,396

4.98

2,468,357

27,002

4.34

Cash and due from banks

27,734

30,326

33,291

Intangible assets

42,595

42,777

43,472

Other assets

92,108

94,467

98,936

Allowance for credit losses

(29,916)

(30,571)

(22,445)

Total assets

$

2,736,358

$

2,748,171

$

2,621,611

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Deposits:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

668,732

$

2,462

1.46%

$

683,016

$

2,013

1.18%

$

887,040

$

594

0.27%

Savings deposits

130,262

179

0.54

127,028

22

0.07

173,582

20

0.05

Brokered time deposits

159,244

1,990

4.96

151,370

1,870

4.95

-

-

-

Time deposits

749,610

7,102

3.76

694,092

5,629

3.25

396,204

701

0.70

Total interest-bearing deposits

1,707,848

11,733

2.73

1,655,506

9,534

2.31

1,456,826

1,315

0.36

Short-term borrowings

242,363

3,039

4.97

281,651

3,572

5.09

191,210

1,156

2.40

Long-term debt

76,376

919

4.77

76,325

903

4.74

124,924

1,064

3.38

Total interest-bearing liabilities

2,026,587

15,691

3.07

2,013,482

14,009

2.79

1,772,960

3,535

0.79

Noninterest-bearing deposits

462,525

490,123

612,777

Other liabilities

26,853

23,038

9,250

Stockholders' equity

220,393

221,528

226,624

Total liability and stockholders' equity

$

2,736,358

$

2,748,171

$

2,621,611

Net interest income/net interest margin

$

17,469

2.66%

$

18,387

2.82%

$

23,467

3.77%

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
INTEREST EARNED AND YIELD ANALYSIS ADJUSTED FOR ACCELERATED PPP INCOME, INTEREST RECOVERIES, AND ACCRETION
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

For the three months ended

September 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

September 30, 2022

Interest

Interest

Interest

Average

Income/

Average

Income/

Average

Income/

Balance

Expense

Yield/ Rate

Balance

Expense

Yield/ Rate

Balance

Expense

Yield/ Rate

Interest-earning assets:

Loans

$

2,072,617

$

28,892

5.53%

$

2,100,751

$

28,513

5.44%

$

1,954,493

$

23,924

4.86%

Adjustments:

Accelerated fee income for forgiven or paid off PPP loans

-

-

58

Interest recoveries

118

-

121

Accretion

36

47

142

Adjusted loans

2,072,617

28,738

5.50

2,100,751

28,466

5.44

1,954,493

23,603

4.79

Securities:

Taxable

442,556

3,055

2.74

460,765

3,262

2.84

466,012

2,769

2.36

Tax-exempt

25,493

216

3.35

17,235

119

2.77

16,528

105

2.50

Interest-bearing balances with banks

63,171

997

6.26

32,421

502

6.22

31,324

204

2.58

Adjusted interest-earning assets

2,603,837

33,006

5.03

2,611,172

32,349

4.97

2,468,357

26,681

4.29

Total interest-bearing liabilities

2,026,587

15,691

3.07

2,013,482

14,009

2.79

1,772,960

3,535

0.79

Adjusted net interest income/adjusted net interest margin

$

17,315

2.64%

$

18,340

2.82%

$

23,146

3.72%

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

September 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

September 30, 2022

Tangible common equity

Total stockholders' equity

$

208,717

$

218,357

$

205,700

Adjustments:

Goodwill

40,088

40,088

40,088

Core deposit intangible

2,308

2,489

3,172

Trademark intangible

100

100

100

Tangible common equity

$

166,221

$

175,680

$

162,340

Tangible assets

Total assets

$

2,789,533

$

2,753,674

$

2,661,694

Adjustments:

Goodwill

40,088

40,088

40,088

Core deposit intangible

2,308

2,489

3,172

Trademark intangible

100

100

100

Tangible assets

$

2,747,037

$

2,710,997

$

2,618,334

Common shares outstanding

9,779,688

9,831,145

9,901,078

Tangible equity to tangible assets

6.05

%

6.48

%

6.20

%

Book value per common share

$

21.34

$

22.21

$

20.78

Tangible book value per common share

17.00

17.87

16.40

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

Three months ended

9/30/2023

6/30/2023

9/30/2022

Net interest income

(a)

$

17,469

$

18,387

$

23,467

Provision for credit losses

(34

)

(2,840

)

1,162

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

17,503

21,227

22,305

Noninterest income

(b)

1,637

2,070

2,665

Loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net

367

58

103

Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net

(23

)

(5

)

(50

)

Change in the fair value of equity securities

(22

)

107

27

Change in the net asset value of other investments (1)

105

(78

)

(305

)

Core noninterest income

(d)

2,064

2,152

2,440

Core earnings before noninterest expense

19,567

23,379

24,745

Total noninterest expense

(c)

15,774

15,241

15,967

Severance (2)

(123

)

-

-

Loan purchase expense (3)

(29

)

-

-

Core noninterest expense

(f)

15,622

15,241

15,967

Core earnings before income tax expense

3,945

8,138

8,778

Core income tax expense (4)

686

1,522

1,659

Core earnings

$

3,259

$

6,616

$

7,119

Core basic earnings per common share

0.33

0.67

0.71

Diluted earnings per common share (GAAP)

$

0.28

$

0.67

$

0.73

Loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net

0.03

-

0.01

Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net

-

-

-

Change in the fair value of equity securities

-

0.01

-

Change in the net asset value of other investments (1)

0.01

(0.01

)

(0.03

)

Severance (2)

0.01

-

-

Loan purchase expense (3)

-

-

-

Core diluted earnings per common share

$

0.33

$

0.67

$

0.71

Efficiency ratio

(c) / (a+b)

82.56

%

74.50

%

61.10

%

Core efficiency ratio

(f) / (a+d)

79.98

74.21

61.63

Core return on average assets (5)

0.47

0.97

1.08

Core return on average equity (5)

5.87

11.98

12.46

Total average assets

$

2,736,358

$

2,748,171

$

2,621,611

Total average stockholders' equity

220,393

221,528

226,624

(1)Change in net asset value of other investments represents unrealized gains or losses on Investar's investments in Small Business Investment Companies and other investment funds and is included in other operating income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

(2)Adjustments to noninterest expense directly attributable to Investar's exit from its consumer mortgage origination business, consisting of salaries and employee benefits.

(3)Adjustments to noninterest expense directly attributable to the purchase of loans, consisting of professional fees for legal and consulting services.

(4)Core income tax expense is calculated using the effective tax rates of 17.4%, 18.7% and 18.9% for the quarters ended September 30, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

(5)Core earnings used in calculation. No adjustments were made to average assets or average equity.

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SOURCE: Investar Holding Corporation



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