ABTX - Allegiance Bancshares Inc. Reports Strong Results for the Third Quarter 2021

• Net income and diluted earnings per share of $19.1 million and $0.93 for the third quarter 2021, respectively, and $60.0 million and $2.95 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively
  
• Deposit growth of 15.2% to $5.67 billion as of September 30, 2021 from $4.92 billion as of September 30, 2020, driven primarily by $435.5 million, or 13.8%, growth in interest-bearing deposits and $314.0 million, or 17.7%, growth in noninterest-bearing deposits
• Core loans of $4.00 billion, which exclude PPP loans, as of September 30, 2021 increased $37.9 million, or 3.8% (annualized), compared to June 30, 2021 and $117.3 million, or 3.0%, from $3.88 billion at September 30, 2020
• Board declared quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock

HOUSTON, Oct. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABTX) (Allegiance), the holding company of Allegiance Bank (the "Bank"), today reported record net income of $19.1 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.93 for the third quarter 2021 compared to net income of $16.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.79 for the third quarter 2020. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $60.0 million, or $2.95 per diluted share, compared to $29.6 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The third quarter ended September 30, 2021 results were driven by increased net interest income and an increased provision for credit losses compared to the third quarter 2020. The nine months ended September 30, 2021 results were primarily due to a lower provision for credit losses and increased net interest income driven by lower funding costs compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

“This quarter was a period of outstanding focus and execution by our bankers. We continued to experience growth as we saw opportunities to grow deposit and loan volumes even though the loan market remains very competitive,” said Steve Retzloff, Allegiance’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are very pleased with our solid third quarter operating metrics and credit performance,” commented Retzloff.

“I could not be more proud of our team as I look back on a very successful 2021 so far. Their hard work has been instrumental to our growth as we welcomed and retained a significant number of our PPP customers, evidence of our ongoing dedication to customer service and the strong value proposition we offer our customers. We believe our core strength is the unwavering commitment to service that we provide to our customers and communities that consistently yields an outstanding customer experience. As we look to the future, we feel very well-positioned to execute our business model and seize the opportunity to gain market share,” concluded Retzloff.

Third Quarter 2021 Results

Net interest income before the provision for credit losses in the third quarter 2021 increased $6.3 million, or 12.1%, to $58.2 million from $51.9 million for the third quarter 2020 and increased $1.6 million, or 2.8%, from $56.6 million for the second quarter 2021.These increases were primarily due to changes in the volume and relative mix of the underlying assets and liabilities, the impact of loans within the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) as well as lower costs on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased 5 basis points to 3.90% for the third quarter 2021 from 3.95% for the third quarter 2020 and decreased 12 basis points from 4.02% for the second quarter 2021. The decreases in the margin were primarily due to the decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets, driven by the increase in cash and securities, partially offset by the decrease in funding costs.

Noninterest income for the third quarter 2021 was $2.1 million, an increase of $249 thousand, or 13.5%, compared to $1.9 million for the third quarter 2020 and decreased $174 thousand, or 7.7%, compared to $2.3 million for the second quarter 2021. Third quarter 2021 noninterest income reflected higher transactional fee income when compared to the third quarter 2020 and lower correspondent bank rebates, included in other noninterest income, than the second quarter 2021.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter 2021 increased $1.7 million, or 5.3%, to $34.3 million from $32.6 million for the third quarter 2020 and increased $701 thousand, or 2.1%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase over the prior year was primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits, as a result of increased performance-based bonus and profit sharing accruals, partially offset by decreased other real estate expenses as $1.9 million of other real estate write-downs were recorded in the third quarter 2020.

In the third quarter 2021, Allegiance’s efficiency ratio decreased to 56.91% compared to 60.58% for the third quarter 2020 and decreased from 57.07% for the second quarter 2021. Third quarter 2021 annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.14%, 9.45% and 13.49%, respectively, compared to 1.09%, 8.59% and 12.72% for the third quarter 2020. Annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity for the second quarter 2021 were 1.42%, 11.87% and 17.20%, respectively. Return on average tangible equity is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation on page 10.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Results

Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased $22.7 million, or 15.3%, to $170.5 million from $147.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to lower costs related to interest-bearing liabilities as well as an $825.4 million, or 16.8%, increase in average interest-earning assets over the prior year including the impact of PPP loans. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased 3 basis points to 4.03% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 from 4.06% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in the margin over the prior year was primarily due to the decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets partially offset by decreased funding costs.

Noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $6.1 million, a decrease of $29 thousand, or 0.5%, compared to $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due primarily to lower correspondent bank rebates and gains on the sale of securities partially offset by increased debit card and ATM card income.

Noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased $8.1 million, or 8.5%, to $102.8 million from $94.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in noninterest expense over the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to increased performance-based bonus and profit sharing accruals along with the reduced amount of deferred PPP loan origination costs, increased other expenses and the write-down of assets related to the closure of a bank office partially offset by lower other real estate expenses as $4.1 million of other real estate write-downs were recorded during the prior year 2020.

Allegiance’s efficiency ratio decreased from 61.67% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to 58.24% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.25%, 10.30% and 14.89%, respectively, compared to 0.72%, 5.43% and 8.16%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Return on average tangible equity is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation on page 10.

Financial Condition

Total assets at September 30, 2021 increased $792.0 million, or 13.3%, to $6.76 billion compared to $5.97 billion at September 30, 2020 and increased $251.1 million, or 15.4% (annualized), compared to $6.51 billion at June 30, 2021, primarily due to increased liquidity, growth in the securities portfolio and the origination of core loans partially offset by paydowns of PPP loans.

Total loans at September 30, 2021 decreased $302.9 million, or 6.6%, to $4.29 billion compared to $4.59 billion at September 30, 2020 and decreased $171.3 million, or 15.4% (annualized), compared to $4.46 billion at June 30, 2021, primarily due to paydowns on PPP loans. Core loans, which exclude PPP loans, increased $117.3 million, or 3.0%, to $4.00 billion at September 30, 2021 from $3.88 billion at September 30, 2020 and increased $37.9 million, or 3.8% (annualized), from $3.96 billion at June 30, 2021.

Deposits at September 30, 2021 increased $749.5 million, or 15.2%, to $5.67 billion compared to $4.92 billion at September 30, 2020 and increased $233.5 million, or 17.2% (annualized), compared to $5.43 billion at June 30, 2021.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $29.8 million, or 0.44%, of total assets, at September 30, 2021 compared to $46.8 million, or 0.78%, of total assets, at September 30, 2020 and $38.0 million, or 0.58%, of total assets at June 30, 2021. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.18% at September 30, 2021, 1.06% at September 30, 2020 and 1.11% at June 30, 2021.

The provision for credit losses for the third quarter 2021 was $2.3 million, an increase of $1.0 million, compared to $1.3 million for the third quarter 2020 and a recapture of provision for credit losses of $2.7 million for the second quarter 2021, reflective of the current uncertainty surrounding the economic impact caused by COVID-19 compared to the prior quarter where there were improvements in economic factors.

Third quarter 2021 net charge-offs were $450 thousand, or 0.04% (annualized) of average loans, an increase from net charge-offs of $291 thousand, or 0.03% (annualized) of average loans, for the third quarter 2020 and $162 thousand, or 0.01% (annualized) of average loans, for the second quarter 2021.

Dividend

The Board of Directors of Allegiance declared a cash dividend on October 27, 2021 of $0.12 per share to be paid on December 15, 2021 to all shareholders of record as of November 30, 2021. The amount and timing of any future dividend payments to shareholders will be subject to the discretion of Allegiance’s Board of Directors.

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Allegiance’s management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its performance. Please refer to the GAAP Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 10 of this earnings release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Allegiance’s management team will host a conference call on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss its third quarter 2021 results. Individuals and investment professionals may participate in the call by dialing (877) 279-2520. The conference ID number is 6951679. Alternatively, a simultaneous audio-only webcast may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Allegiance’s website at www.allegiancebank.com, under Upcoming Events. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of Allegiance’s website at www.allegiancebank.com, under News and Events, Event Calendar, Past Events.

Allegiance Bancshares, Inc.

As of September 30, 2021, Allegiance was a $6.76 billion asset Houston, Texas-based bank holding company. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Allegiance Bank, Allegiance provides a diversified range of commercial banking services primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses and individual customers in the Houston region. Allegiance’s super-community banking strategy was designed to foster strong customer relationships while benefiting from a platform and scale that is competitive with larger local and regional banks. As of September 30, 2021, Allegiance Bank operated 27 full-service banking locations in the Houston region, which we define as the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land and Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan statistical areas, with 26 bank offices in the Houston metropolitan area and one bank office in Beaumont, just outside of the Houston metropolitan area. Visit www.allegiancebank.com for more information.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws that are derived utilizing assumptions, present expectations, estimates and projections about Allegiance and its subsidiaries. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “continues,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “potential,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing words. Forward-looking statements include information concerning Allegiance’s expected future financial performance, business and growth strategy, projected plans and objectives, as well as projections of macroeconomic and industry trends, which are inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact economic trends, and any such variations may be material. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Allegiance’s control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to whether Allegiance can: continue to develop and maintain new and existing customer and community relationships; successfully implement its growth strategy, including identifying suitable acquisition targets and integrating the businesses of acquired companies and banks; sustain its current internal growth rate; provide quality and competitive products and services that appeal to its customers; continue to have access to debt and equity capital markets; and achieve its performance objectives. Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and its future effects on Allegiance are difficult to predict. These and various other risk factors are discussed in Allegiance’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and in other reports and statements Allegiance has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of such filings are available for download free of charge from the Investor Relations section of Allegiance’s website at www.allegiancebank.com, under Financial Information, SEC Filings.  Any forward-looking statement made by Allegiance in this release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause Allegiance’s actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Allegiance to predict all of them. Because of these uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Allegiance disclaims any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

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