Five Star Bancorp Announces Quarterly Results

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Oct. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Five Star Bancorp (Nasdaq: FSBC) (the “Company” or “Five Star”), the holding company for Five Star Bank, today reported net income of $11.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to $9.8 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and $9.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Financial Highlights

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company terminated its status as a “Subchapter S” corporation in connection with its initial public offering (“IPO”). As such, results presented for the three months ended September 30, 2020 have been calculated using a 3.50% S Corporation tax rate, while results presented for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023 have been calculated using a weighted average tax rate of 20.77% as noted in the section titled “Provision for Income Taxes” herein. Performance highlights and other developments for the Company as of and for the three months ended September 30, 2023 included the following:

  • Diluted earnings per share was $0.64 for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $0.67 for the second quarter of 2023 and $0.94 for the third quarter of 2020. Earnings per share was as follows:
  For the three months ended
  Sep 30, 2023   Jun 30, 2023   Sep 30, 2020  
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.64   $ 0.67   $ 0.94  
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.64   $ 0.67   $ 0.94  
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding   17,095,957     14,650,208     9,902,952  
Weighted average diluted common shares   17,123,182     14,667,804     9,902,952  
  • Loan and deposit growth as of September 30, 2023, as compared to June 30, 2023, were as follows:
  As of              
(dollars in thousands) Sep 30, 2023   Jun 30, 2023   $ Change   % Change  
Total loans, excluding Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans $ 1,648,483   $ 1,466,866   $ 181,617     12.38%    
PPP loans   61,499     120,936     (59,437 )   (49.15 )%  
PPP deferred fees   1,706     3,534     (1,828 )   (51.73 )%  
Non-interest-bearing deposits   895,468     829,036     66,432     8.01%    
Interest-bearing deposits   1,272,926     1,237,249     35,677     2.88%    
  • PPP fee income recognized during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 totaled $1.8 million, as compared to $1.4 million and $1.0 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
  • As of September 30, 2023, the Company reported total loans, total assets, and total deposits of $1.7 billion, $2.4 billion, and $2.2 billion, respectively, as compared to $1.5 billion, $2.0 billion, and $1.8 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
  • During the three months ended September 30, 2023 and the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company did not record a provision for loan losses, as compared to a provision of $1.9 million recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2020.
  • As of September 30, 2023, the ratio of nonperforming loans to period end loans of 0.03% remained unchanged, as compared to December 31, 2020.
  • For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, net interest margin was 3.60%, as compared to 3.48% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and 3.30% for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.
  • The Company’s Board of Directors declared, and the Company subsequently paid, a cash dividend of $0.15 per share during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
  • For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company’s return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 1.85% and the return on average equity (“ROAE”) was 19.26%, as compared to ROAA and ROAE of 1.75% and 24.25%, respectively for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and 1.81% and 32.33%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2020.

President and Chief Executive Officer James Beckwith commented, “We delivered strong earnings this quarter through the execution of our organic growth strategy following our IPO in May 2023, which gained momentum with the planned addition of new staff and seized market opportunities. We continue to manage expenses, execute on conservative underwriting practices, and onboard customers who appreciate a differentiated customer experience based on our commitment to their success. Building and sustaining trust with our customers and community partners resulted in both deposit and loan growth. This quarter, we also declared another dividend to shareholders which exemplifies our focus on shareholder value. As we benefit from an improved economic outlook which drives consumer confidence, we will continue to expand our verticals to meet the increased demand in the markets we serve. We expect the acceleration of our growth and our disciplined business practices, to benefit our customers, employees, and shareholders.”

Summary Results

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company’s ROAA was 1.85% and the ROAE was 19.26%, as compared to 1.81% and 32.33%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in ROAA is the result of 18.09% higher net income despite the higher effective tax rate used in the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decline in ROAE is the result of increased average equity balance during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

The following is a summary of the components of the Company’s operating results and performance ratios for the periods indicated:

    For the three months ended      
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)   Sep 30, 2023   Jun 30, 2023   $ Change   % Change  
Selected operating data:                          
Net interest income   $ 19,909   $ 18,296   $ 1,613     8.82%    
Provision for loan losses                 0.00%    
Non-interest income     2,028     1,846     182     9.86%    
Non-interest expense     8,641     9,580     (939 )   (9.80 )%  
Net income     11,026     9,828     1,198     12.19%    
                           
Earnings per common share:                          
Basic   $ 0.64   $ 0.67   $ (0.03 )   (4.48 )%  
Diluted     0.64     0.67     (0.03 )   (4.48 )%  
                           
Performance and other financial ratios:                          
ROAA     1.85 %   1.75 %            
ROAE     19.26 %   24.25 %            
Net interest margin     3.60 %   3.48 %            
Cost of funds     0.17 %   0.20 %            
    For the three months ended      
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)   Sep 30, 2023   Sep 30, 2020   $ Change   % Change  
Selected operating data:                          
Net interest income   $ 19,909   $ 16,227   $ 3,682     22.69%    
Provision for loan losses         1,850     (1,850 )   (100.00 )%  
Non-interest income     2,028     2,535     (507 )   (20.00 )%  
Non-interest expense     8,641     7,234     1,407     19.45%    
Net income     11,026     9,337     1,689     18.09%    
                           
Earnings per common share:                          
Basic   $ 0.64   $ 0.94   $ (0.30 )   (31.91 )%  
Diluted     0.64     0.94     (0.30 )   (31.91 )%  
                           
Performance and other financial ratios:                          
ROAA     1.85 %   1.81 %            
ROAE     19.26 %   32.33 %            
Net interest margin     3.60 %   3.30 %            
Cost of funds     0.17 %   0.46 %            

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets at September 30, 2023 were $2.4 billion, an increase of $480.7 million from $2.0 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to a $240.3 million increase in cash and cash equivalents, a $201.9 million increase in loans, net of allowance for loan losses, and a $35.8 million increase in total investments. The increase in cash and cash equivalents since December 30, 2020 was primarily a result of net income recognized of $31.1 million, proceeds from the sale of securities of $40.8 million, an increase in deposits of $384.4 million, and net proceeds of $111.2 million from the issuance of 6,054,750 shares of common stock in our IPO. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $92.1 million related to sales of securities, total loan originations and advances, net of principal collected, of $201.9 million, and cash distributions of $49.4 million during the same period. Of the $201.9 million increase in total loans between December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2023, $102.5 million was related to PPP loan originations and $580.4 million was related to non-PPP loan originations, partially offset by $197.1 million in PPP loan forgiveness and $284.0 million in non-PPP loan payoffs and paydowns.

Total liabilities were $2.2 billion at September 30, 2023, an increase of $387.9 million from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase in total liabilities was primarily attributable to growth in deposits of $384.4 million, largely due to increases in money market and non-interest-bearing deposits of $139.7 million and $199.8 million, respectively.

Total shareholders’ equity increased by $92.9 million, from $133.8 million at December 31, 2020 to $226.6 million at September 30, 2023, primarily as a result of net income recognized of $31.1 million and net proceeds of $111.2 million from the issuance of 6,054,750 shares of common stock in our IPO, partially offset by $49.4 million in cash distributions paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Balance Sheet Change                          
Ending Balances   As of              
(dollars in thousands)   Sep 30, 2023   Dec 31, 2020   $ Change   % Change  
Selected financial condition data:                      
Total assets   $ 2,434,493   $ 1,953,765   $ 480,728     24.61 %
Cash and cash equivalents     530,832     290,493     240,339     82.73 %
Total loans, net     1,682,868     1,480,970     201,898     13.63 %
Total investments     158,776     122,928     35,848     29.16 %
Total liabilities     2,207,855     1,819,990     387,865     21.31 %
Total deposits     2,168,394     1,784,001     384,393     21.55 %
Subordinated notes, net     28,370     28,320     50     0.18 %
Total shareholders’ equity     226,638     133,775     92,863     69.42 %

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

The following is a summary of the components of net interest income for the periods indicated:

    For the three months ended              
(dollars in thousands)   Sep 30, 2023   Jun 30, 2023   $ Change   % Change  
Interest income   $ 20,832   $ 19,308   $ 1,524     7.89%    
Interest expense     923     1,012     (89 )   (8.79 )%  
Net interest income     19,909     18,296     1,613     8.82%    
Net interest margin     3.60 %   3.48 %            
    For the three months ended              
(dollars in thousands)   Sep 30, 2023   Sep 30, 2020   $ Change   % Change  
Interest income   $ 20,832   $ 18,434   $ 2,398     13.01%    
Interest expense     923     2,207     (1,284 )   (58.18 )%  
Net interest income     19,909     16,227     3,682     22.69%    
Net interest margin     3.60 %   3.30 %            

The following table shows the components of net interest income and net interest margin for the quarterly periods indicated:

    Three months ended
September 30, 2023
  Three months ended
June 30, 2023
  Three months ended
September 30, 2020
 
(dollars in thousands)   Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Yield/ Rate   Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Yield/ Rate   Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Yield/ Rate  
Assets                                                        
Interest-earning deposits with banks   $ 412,953   $ 175     0.17 % $ 378,000   $ 125     0.13 % $ 311,349   $ 199     0.25 %
Investment securities     157,305     571     1.44 %   149,814     557     1.49 %   102,820     501     1.94 %
Loans     1,625,995     20,086     4.90 %   1,578,438     18,626     4.73 %   1,539,239     17,734     4.58 %
Total interest-earning assets     2,196,253     20,832     3.76 %   2,106,252     19,308     3.68 %   1,953,408     18,434     3.75 %
Other assets, net     168,906                 140,757                 94,412              
Total assets   $ 2,365,159               $ 2,247,009               $ 2,047,820              
                                                         
Liability and Shareholders’ Equity                                                        
Interest-bearing transaction accounts   $ 149,479   $ 38     0.10 % $ 150,852   $ 37     0.10 % $ 146,700   $ 98     0.27 %
Savings accounts     76,669     19     0.10 %   75,424     19     0.10 %   41,063     17     0.17 %
Money market accounts     966,629     389     0.16 %   949,448     475     0.20 %   1,018,594     1,476     0.58 %
Time accounts including CDARS     54,314     34     0.25 %   36,773     37     0.40 %   94,896     173     0.73 %
Subordinated debenture     28,359     443     6.20 %   28,339     444     6.27 %   28,292     443     6.23 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,275,450     923     0.29 %   1,240,836     1,012     0.33 %   1,329,545     2,207     0.67 %
Demand accounts     853,017                 827,992                 597,097              
Interest payable and other liabilities     9,537                 15,621                 6,289              
Shareholders’ equity     227,155                 162,560                 114,889              
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity $   2,365,159               $ 2,247,009               $ 2,047,820              
                                                         
Net interest spread                 3.48 %               3.35 %               3.09 %
Net interest income/margin         $ 19,909     3.60 %       $ 18,296     3.48 %       $ 16,227     3.30 %

During the three months ended September 30, 2023, net interest income increased $1.6 million, or 8.82%, to $19.9 million, compared to $18.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023. Additionally, net interest margin increased 12 basis points to 3.60% during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to 3.48% during the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase in net interest margin was due primarily to an improving yield on interest-earning assets related to income earned, including origination fees, from PPP loans forgiven during the quarter, which was 3.76% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, representing an increase of 8 basis points from 3.68% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Average loan yields increased 17 basis points from 4.73% during the three months ended June 30, 2023 to 4.90% during the three months ended September 30, 2023. Average loan yields, excluding PPP loans, decreased 10 basis points from 4.76% during the three months ended June 30, 2023 to 4.66% during the three months ended September 30, 2023. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure is set forth in the “Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)” table included herein. The decline in interest expense is primarily attributed to the reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased by four basis points to 0.29% as of September 30, 2023 from 0.33% at June 30, 2023, as a direct result of the declining interest rate environment.

During the three months ended September 30, 2023, net interest income increased $3.7 million, or 22.68%, to $19.9 million, compared to $16.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020. Additionally, net interest margin increased 30 basis points to 3.60% during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to 3.30% during the three months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in net interest margin was due primarily to an increase in interest-earning assets, which increased from an average balance of $2.0 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to an average balance of $2.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Average loan yields increased 32 basis points from 4.58% during the three months ended September 30, 2020 to 4.90% during the three months ended September 30, 2023. Average loan yields, excluding PPP loans, decreased 31 basis points from 4.97% during the three months ended September 30, 2020 to 4.66% during the three months ended September 30, 2023. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure is set forth in the “Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)” table included herein. The decline in interest expense is primarily attributed to the reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased by 37 basis points to 0.29% as of September 30, 2023 from 0.67% at September 30, 2020, as a direct result of the declining interest rate environment.

Asset Quality

Small Business Administration (“SBA”) PPP

In March 2020, the SBA PPP was created to help small businesses keep workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an SBA Preferred Lender, the Company was able to provide PPP loans to small business customers. As of September 30, 2023, there were 183 PPP loans outstanding totaling $61.5 million, which included 180 loans totaling $54.4 million funded during the first nine months of 2023 under the second round of the PPP stimulus plan. Approximately 72 of these PPP loans, or 39.34% of total PPP loans as of September 30, 2023, totaling $4.3 million, were less than or equal to $0.15 million and had access to streamlined forgiveness processing. As of September 30, 2023, 1,258 PPP loan forgiveness applications had been submitted to the SBA and forgiveness payments had been received on 1,245 of these PPP loans, totaling $292.7 million in principal and interest. We expect full forgiveness of the first round of PPP loans to be completed in the near term.

COVID-19 Deferments

Following the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), the “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised)” was issued by federal bank regulators, which offers temporary relief from troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) accounting for loan payment deferrals for certain customers whose businesses are experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19. The Company is closely monitoring the effects of the pandemic on our loan and deposit customers. Our management team continues to be focused on assessing the risks in our loan portfolio and working with our customers to mitigate where possible the risk of potential losses. The Company implemented loan programs to allow certain consumers and businesses impacted by the pandemic to defer loan principal and interest payments. As of September 30, 2023, eight borrowing relationships with eight loans totaling $12.2 million were on COVID-19 deferment. All loans that ended COVID-19 deferments in the quarter ended September 30, 2023 returned to their contractual payment structures prior to the COVID-19 pandemic with no risk rating downgrades to classified nor any TDR, and we anticipate that the remaining loans on COVID-19 deferment will return to their pre-COVID-19 contractual payment status after their COVID-19 deferments end.

Allowance for Loan Losses

At September 30, 2023, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was $21.8 million, as compared to $22.2 million at December 31, 2020. At September 30, 2023, the Company’s ratio of nonperforming loans to period end loans of 0.03% remained unchanged compared to December 31, 2020. At September 30, 2023, eight loans totaling $12.2 million, or 0.72% of the loan portfolio, were in a COVID-19 deferment period and six loans totaling $0.7 million had been in a COVID-19 deferment in the second quarter of 2023 but were not in such deferment as of September 30, 2023. Loans designated as watch and substandard decreased slightly to $57.9 million at September 30, 2023 from $60.1 million at December 31, 2020, which did not have an impact to the reserve overall. There were no loans with doubtful risk grades at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2020. A summary of the allowance for loan losses by loan class is as follows:

    September 30, 2023   December 31, 2020  
(dollars in thousands)   Amount   % of Total   Amount   % of Total  
Collectively evaluated for impairment:                          
Real Estate:                          
Commercial   $ 11,695     53.53 % $ 9,358     42.17 %
Commercial land and development     112     0.51 %   77     0.35 %
Commercial construction     343     1.57 %   821     3.70 %
Residential construction     60     0.27 %   87     0.39 %
Residential     207     0.95 %   220     0.99 %
Farmland     666     3.05 %   615     2.77 %
Commercial:                          
Secured     7,260     33.23 %   9,476     42.71 %
Unsecured     218     1.00 %   179     0.81 %
PPP         0.00 %       0.00 %
Consumer and other     638     2.92 %   632     2.85 %
Unallocated     515     2.36 %   724     3.26 %
      21,714     99.39 %   22,189     100.0 %
Individually evaluated for impairment:                          
Commercial Secured     134     0.61 %       0.00 %
                           
Total allowance for loan losses   $ 21,848     100.00 % $ 22,189     100.00 %

The ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.28% at September 30, 2023, compared to 1.47% at December 31, 2020. Excluding SBA-guaranteed PPP loans, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.33% and 1.63% at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2020, respectively. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure is set forth in the “Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)” table included herein.

Non-interest Income

The following table presents the key components of non-interest income for the periods indicated:

    For the three months ended   $   %  
(dollars in thousands)   Sep 30, 2023   Jun 30, 2023   Change   Change  
Service charges on deposit accounts   $ 112   $ 106   $ 6     5.66 %
Gain on sale of securities     435     92     343     372.83 %
Gain on sale of loans     988     1,091     (103 )   (9.44 )%
Loan-related fees     87     211     (124 )   (58.77 )%
Dividends on FHLB stock     100     92     8     8.70 %
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     68     60     8     13.33 %
Other income     238     194     44     22.68 %
Total non-interest income   $ 2,028   $ 1,846   $ 182     9.86 %

Non-interest income during the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $0.2 million, or 9.86%, to $2.0 million, compared to $1.8 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023. Gain on sale of securities increased by $0.3 million, or 372.83%, during the quarter, totaling $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to the sale of approximately $24.6 million of municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities, and U.S. government treasuries during the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in gain on sale of loans of $0.1 million, or 9.44%, and a decrease in loan-related fees of $0.1 million, or 58.77%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The decline in gain on sale of loans related to a change in the fiscal transfer agent in the SBA’s 7a loan guarantee program, effective August 30, 2023. The change in transfer agent slowed the Company’s ability to sell loans in September 2023, thus resulting in a decline in gain on sale of loans. The decrease in loan-related fees resulted primarily from a decrease in swap referral fees recognized in the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023.   

The following table presents the key components of non-interest income for the periods indicated:

    For the three months ended   $   %  
(dollars in thousands)   Sep 30, 2023   Sep 30, 2020   Change   Change  
Service charges on deposit accounts   $ 112   $ 93   $ 19     20.43 %
Gain on sale of securities     435     275     160     58.18 %
Gain on sale of loans     988     1,194     (206 )   (17.25 )%
Loan-related fees     87     710     (623 )   (87.75 )%
Dividends on FHLB stock     100     74     26     35.14 %
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     68     59     9     15.25 %
Other income     238     130     108     83.08 %
Total non-interest income   $ 2,028   $ 2,535   $ (507 )   (20.00 )%

Non-interest income during the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased $0.5 million, or 20.00%, to $2.0 million, compared to $2.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020. Gain on sale of loans decreased by $0.2 million, or 17.25%, to $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The decline in gain on sale of loans related to a change in the fiscal transfer agent in the SBA’s 7a loan guarantee program, effective August 30, 2023. The change in transfer agent slowed the Company’s ability to sell loans in September 2023, thus resulting in a decline in gain on sale of loans. Additionally, the decline in gain on sale of loans resulted from lower volumes period over period. Loan-related fees decreased by $0.6 million, or 87.75%, to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in loan-related fees resulted primarily from a $0.3 million decrease in swap referral fees recognized in the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2020, combined with $0.4 million of loan-related fees earned during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 for processing micro-loans to businesses in the local area in response to COVID-19, which did not recur in the quarter ended September 30, 2023. These declines were partially offset by an increase in gain on sale of securities of approximately $0.2 million, or 58.18%, to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to the sale of approximately $24.6 million of municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities, and U.S. government treasuries during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to sales of approximately $7.7 million of municipal and mortgage-backed securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Non-interest Expense

The following table presents the key components of non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

    For the three months ended   $   %  
(dollars in thousands)   Sep 30, 2023   Jun 30, 2023   Change   Change  
Salaries and employee benefits   $ 4,980   $ 4,939   $ 41     0.83 %
Occupancy and equipment     502     441     61     13.83 %
Data processing and software     611     598     13     2.17 %
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance     110     150     (40 )   (26.67 )%
Professional services     505     1,311     (806 )   (61.48 )%
Advertising and promotional     366     265     101     38.11 %
Loan-related expenses     462     218     244     111.93 %
Other operating expenses     1,105     1,658     (553 )   (33.35 )%
Total non-interest expense   $ 8,641   $ 9,580   $ (939 )   9.80 %

Non-interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 decreased $0.9 million, or 9.80%, to $8.6 million, as compared to $9.6 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2023, primarily as a result of a $0.8 million, or 61.48%, decrease in professional services and a $0.6 million, or 33.35%, decrease in other operating expenses, partially offset by an increase of $0.2 million, or 111.93%, in loan-related expenses. The $0.8 million decrease in professional services was primarily a result of $0.7 million of audit, consulting, and legal costs incurred in the quarter ended June 30, 2023 to support corporate organizational matters leading up to the Company’s IPO in May 2023, which did not recur in the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Other operating expenses, which are comprised of travel, insurance, postage and supplies, director fees, other employee expenses, armored car expenses, courier services, and other miscellaneous administrative expenses, decreased by $0.6 million, primarily due to stock compensation expense recognized in the quarter ended June 30, 2023 for director grants of $0.8 million, which did not recur in the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Loan-related expenses increased by $0.2 million, primarily as a result of a $0.2 million accrual for an SBA matter in the normal course of business.

The following table presents the key components of non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

    For the three months ended   $   %  
(dollars in thousands)   Sep 30, 2023   Sep 30, 2020   Change   Change  
Salaries and employee benefits   $ 4,980   $ 3,969   $ 1,011     25.47 %
Occupancy and equipment     502     447     55     12.30 %
Data processing and software     611     529     82     15.50 %
FDIC insurance     110     320     (210 )   (65.63 )%
Professional services     505     447     58     12.98 %
Advertising and promotional     366     264     102     38.64 %
Loan-related expenses     462     185     277     149.73 %
Other operating expenses     1,105     1,073     32     2.98 %
Total non-interest expense   $ 8,641   $ 7,234   $ 1,407     19.45 %

Non-interest expense increased by $1.4 million, or 19.45%, to $8.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily as a result of a $1.0 million, or 25.47%, increase in salaries and employee benefits and a $0.3 million, or 149.73%, increase in loan-related expenses, partially offset by a $0.2 million, or 65.63%, decrease in FDIC insurance. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $1.0 million to $5.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily related to an increase of full-time equivalent employees, increased commissions related to our loan and deposit growth for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to September 30, 2020, and restricted stock compensation expense recognized for employee grants of $0.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023. Loan-related expenses increased by $0.3 million period-over-period to $0.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, due to a $0.2 million accrual for an SBA matter in the normal course of business. FDIC insurance decreased from $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to an improvement in the leverage ratio used in the FDIC assessment as a result of the Company’s IPO in May 2023.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company terminated its status as a “Subchapter S” corporation as of May 5, 2023, in connection with the Company’s IPO and became a C Corporation. Prior to that date, as an S Corporation, the Company had no U.S. federal income tax expense. The provision recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was calculated using an effective tax rate of 20.77%, representing the weighted average rate between the S Corporation tax rate of 3.50% and the C Corporation tax rate of 29.56% based on the number of days as each type of corporation during 2023. Refer to the section entitled “Pro Forma C Corporation Income Tax Expense” below for a discussion on what the Company’s income tax expense and net income would have been had the Company been taxed as a C Corporation for the quarters ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2020.

In conjunction with the termination of the Subchapter S corporation status as of May 5, 2023, the C Corporation deferred tax assets and liabilities were estimated for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of the Company’s existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The deferred tax assets and liabilities were measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of the change in tax rates resulting from becoming a C Corporation was recognized as a net deferred tax asset of $5.4 million and a reduction to the provision for income taxes of $4.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023.

Provision for income taxes for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 increased by $1.5 million, or 209.26%, to $2.3 million, as compared to $0.7 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2023. This increase is due to the change in the annual effective tax rate used from 3.50% prior to the IPO to 20.77% after the IPO, as noted above, as applied to estimated taxable income during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. During the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the provision for income taxes was partially offset by the $4.6 million reduction to the provision for income taxes for the adjustment of the net deferred tax assets due to the termination of the Company’s S Corporation status.

Provision for income taxes increased by $1.9 million, or 565.69%, to $2.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase is due to the change in the effective tax rate used from 3.50% to 20.77%, as noted above, and as applied to estimated taxable income during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as noted above.

Pro Forma C Corporation Income Tax Expense

Because of the Company’s status as a Subchapter S Corporation prior to May 5, 2023, no U.S. federal income tax expense was recorded for the S Corporation period of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and for the entirety of the three months ended September 30, 2020. Had the Company been taxed as a C Corporation and paid U.S. federal income tax for such periods, the combined statutory income tax rate would have been 29.56% in each period. These pro forma statutory rates reflect a U.S. federal income tax rate of 21.00% and a California income tax rate of 8.56%, after adjustment for the federal tax benefit, on corporate taxable income. Had the Company been subject to U.S. federal income tax for each of these periods, on a statutory income tax rate pro forma basis, the provision for combined federal and state income tax would have been $3.1 million and $2.9 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2020, respectively. As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company’s pro forma net income (after U.S. federal and California state income tax) for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2020 would have been $7.4 million and $6.8 million, respectively.

Webcast Details

Five Star Bancorp will host a webcast on Tuesday, October 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. PT (1:00 p.m. ET), to discuss its third quarter results. To view the live webcast, visit the “News & Events” section of the Company’s website under “Events” at https://investors.fivestarbank.com/news-events/events. The webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for a period of 90 days.

About Five Star Bancorp

Five Star is a bank holding company headquartered in Rancho Cordova, California. Five Star operates through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank. Five Star has seven branches and two loan production offices throughout Northern California.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections and statements of the Company’s beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements include without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “plan” or words or phases of similar meaning. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company’s expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company’s control. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be beyond the Company’s control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which change over time, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict their occurrence or how they will affect the Company. If one or more of the factors affecting the Company’s forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release. Therefore, the Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking information and statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

The Company disclaims any duty to revise or update the forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking statements, except as specifically required by law.

Condensed Financial Data (Unaudited)

    For the three months ended  
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)   September 30,
2021
  June 30,
2023
  September 30,
2020
 
Revenue and Expense Data                    
Interest income   $ 20,832   $ 19,308   $ 18,434  
Interest expense     923     1,012     2,207  
Net interest income     19,909     18,296     16,227  
Provision for loan losses             1,850  
Net interest income after provision     19,909     18,296     14,377  
Non-interest income:                    
Service charges on deposit accounts     112     106     93  
Gain on sale of securities     435     92     275  
Gain on sale of loans     988     1,091     1,194  
Loan-related fees     87     211     710  
Dividends on FHLB stock     100     92     74  
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     68     60     59  
Other income     238     194     130  
Total non-interest income     2,028     1,846     2,535  
Non-interest expense:                    
Salaries and employee benefits     4,980     4,939     3,969  
Occupancy and equipment     502     441     447  
Data processing and software     611     598     529  
FDIC insurance     110     150     320  
Professional services     505     1,311     447  
Advertising and promotional     366     265     264  
Loan-related expenses     462     218     185  
Other operating expenses     1,105     1,658     1,073  
Total non-interest expense     8,641     9,580     7,234  
Total income before taxes     13,296     10,562     9,678  
Provision for income taxes     2,270     734     341  
Net income   $ 11,026   $ 9,828   $ 9,337  
                     
Share Data                    
Earnings per common share:                    
Basic   $ 0.64   $ 0.67   $ 0.94  
Diluted   $ 0.64   $ 0.67   $ 0.94  
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding     17,095,957     14,650,208     9,902,952  
Weighted average diluted common shares     17,123,182     14,667,804     9,902,952  
                     
Credit Quality                    
Allowance for loan losses to period end nonperforming loans     3923.67 %   5139.91 %   1319.30 %
Nonperforming loans to period end loans     0.03 %   0.03 %   0.10 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.02 %   0.02 %   0.07 %
Nonperforming loans plus performing TDRs to total loans     0.03 %   0.03 %   0.11 %
COVID-19 deferments to period end loans     0.72 %   0.81 %   2.51 %
                     
Selected Financial Ratios                    
ROAA     1.85 %   1.75 %   1.81 %
ROAE     19.26 %   24.25 %   32.33 %
Net interest margin     3.60 %   3.48 %   3.30 %
Loan to deposit     78.86 %   76.84 %   82.73 %
(dollars in thousands)   September 30,
2021
  June 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
 
Balance Sheet Data                    
Cash and due from financial institutions   $ 89,951   $ 165,927   $ 46,028  
Interest-bearing deposits     440,881     370,677     244,465  
Time deposits in banks     17,204     19,451     23,705  
Securities – available-for-sale, at fair value     153,821     160,074     114,949  
Securities – held-to-maturity, at amortized cost     4,955     6,473     7,979  
Loans held for sale     5,267     2,340     4,820  
Loans, gross     1,704,716     1,585,462     1,503,159  
Allowance for loan losses     (21,848 )   (22,153 )   (22,189 )
Loans, net     1,682,868     1,563,309     1,480,970  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock     6,723     6,723     6,232  
Premises and equipment, net     1,630     1,649     1,663  
Bank owned life insurance     11,142     11,074     8,662  
Interest receivable and other assets     20,052     20,170     14,292  
Total assets   $ 2,434,493   $ 2,327,867   $ 1,953,765  
                     
Non-interest-bearing deposits   $ 895,468   $ 829,036   $ 695,687  
Interest-bearing deposits     1,272,926     1,237,249     1,088,314  
Total deposits     2,168,394     2,066,285     1,784,001  
Subordinated notes, net     28,370     28,353     28,320  
Interest payable and other liabilities     11,091     14,915     7,669  
Total liabilities     2,207,855     2,109,553     1,819,990  
                     
Common stock     218,026     218,026     110,082  
Retained earnings     8,442         22,348  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net     (20 )   288     1,345  
Total shareholders’ equity   $ 226,638   $ 218,314   $ 133,775  
                     
Quarterly Average Balance Data                    
Average loans   $ 1,625,995   $ 1,578,438   $ 1,530,227  
Average interest-earning assets   $ 2,196,253   $ 2,106,252   $ 1,866,372  
Average total assets   $ 2,365,159   $ 2,247,009   $ 1,983,049  
Average deposits   $ 2,100,108   $ 2,040,489   $ 1,818,360  
Average borrowings and subordinated debt   $ 28,364   $ 28,339   $ 28,311  
Average total equity   $ 227,155   $ 162,560   $ 129,762  
                     
Capital Ratio Data                    
Total shareholders’ equity to total assets     9.31 %   9.38 %   6.85 %
Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)     9.31 %   9.38 %   6.85 %
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)     15.70 %   16.41 %   12.18 %
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)     12.84 %   13.39 %   8.98 %
Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)     12.84 %   13.39 %   8.98 %
Tier 1 leverage ratio     9.54 %   9.59 %   6.58 %

(1) See “Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)” table for reconciliation of non-GAAP measure.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)

The Company uses financial information in its analysis of the Company’s performance that are not in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors that is supplementary to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP. However, the Company acknowledges that its non-GAAP financial measures have a number of limitations. As such, investors should not view these disclosures as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, and they are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that other banking companies use. Other banking companies may use names similar to those the Company uses for the non-GAAP financial measures the Company discloses but may calculate them differently. Investors should understand how the Company and other companies each calculate their non-GAAP financial measures when making comparisons.

Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets is defined as total equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total shareholders’ equity to total assets. We had no goodwill or other intangible assets as of any of the dates indicated. As a result, tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets is the same as total shareholders’ equity to total assets as of each of the dates indicated.

Average loan yield, excluding PPP loans, is defined as the daily average loan yield, excluding SBA-guaranteed PPP loans, and includes both performing and nonperforming loans. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is average loan yield. 

Allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding SBA-guaranteed PPP loans, is defined as allowance for loan losses, divided by total loans less SBA-guaranteed PPP loans. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is allowance for loan losses to total loans. 

The following reconciliation tables provide a more detailed analysis of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets
(dollars in thousands)
  September 30,
2021
  June 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
 
Tangible shareholders’ equity (numerator)   $ 226,638   $ 218,314   $ 133,775  
Tangible assets (denominator)     2,434,493     2,327,867     1,953,765  
Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets     9.31 %   9.38 %   6.85 %
Average loan yield, excluding SBA PPP loans
(dollars in thousands)
  September 30,
2021
  June 30,
2023
  September 30,
2020
 
Interest income on loans   $ 20,085   $ 18,626   $ 17,735  
Less: interest income on SBA PPP loans     2,054     1,771     1,663  
Interest income on loans, excluding SBA PPP loans     18,031     16,855     16,072  
Annualized interest income on loans, excluding SBA PPP loans (numerator)     71,536     67,605     63,939  
                     
Average total loans   $ 1,625,995   $ 1,578,438   $ 1,539,239  
Less: average SBA PPP loans     89,436     158,568     253,366  
Average total loans, excluding SBA PPP loans (denominator)     1,536,559     1,419,870     1,285,873  
Average loan yield, excluding SBA PPP loans     4.66 %   4.76 %   4.97 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding SBA PPP loans
(dollars in thousands)
  September 30, 2023   December 31, 2020    
Allowance for loan losses (numerator)  $ 21,848    $ 22,189    
Total loans    1,709,982      1,507,979    
Less: SBA PPP loans    61,499      147,965    
Total loans, excluding SBA PPP loans (denominator)    1,648,483      1,360,014    
Allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding SBA PPP loans    1.33 %    1.63 %  

Media Contact:
Heather Luck, CFO
Five Star Bancorp
(916) 626-5008
[email protected]

Shelley Wetton, CMO
Five Star Bancorp
(916) 284-7827
[email protected]

Five Star Bank