HBT - HBT Financial Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Third Quarter Highlights

• Net income of $13.7 million, or $0.50 per diluted share; return on average assets (ROAA) of 1.37%; return on average stockholders' equity (ROAE) of 14.29%; and return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) ⁽¹⁾ of 15.32%
• Adjusted net income ⁽¹⁾ of $14.5 million; or $0.53 per diluted share; adjusted ROAA ⁽¹⁾ of 1.45%; adjusted ROAE ⁽¹⁾ of 15.08%; and adjusted ROATCE ⁽¹⁾ of 16.18%

(1)         See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Oct. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (the “Company” or “HBT Financial” or “HBT”), the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company and NXT Bank, today reported net income of $13.7 million, or $0.50 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2021. This compares to net income of $13.7 million, or $0.50 diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2021, and net income of $10.6 million, or $0.38 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2020.

Fred L. Drake, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HBT Financial, said, “We continued to deliver strong financial results in the third quarter driven by a higher level of revenue, disciplined expense management, and healthy credit metrics. We are beginning to see stronger loan demand in our legacy markets. We also benefited from our acquisition of NXT Bancorporation by buying participations in some of NXT Bank’s third quarter loan production prior to the closing of the acquisition. As a result, our total loan balances increased 3% during the third quarter, excluding PPP loans. With ample liquidity and capital levels, strong asset quality, and a growing low-cost deposit base, we remain well positioned to support our customers and communities as economic conditions and loan demand may continue to strengthen.”

“The completion of our acquisition of NXT Bancorporation on October 1, 2021 is a significant milestone for the Company. In the near-term, we will have more opportunities to bring back loans they have previously participated out to other banks onto our balance sheet and redeploy more of our excess liquidity into higher-yielding earning assets. Over the longer-term, we believe the expansion of our franchise into Iowa and the addition of a talented group of bankers from NXT will positively impact the level of organic growth that we generate. We are also seeing better opportunities to attract high quality commercial lenders that we expect will further strengthen our business development capabilities, improving our ability to capitalize on disruption in the Chicago banking market created by merger activity,” said Mr. Drake.

Adjusted Net Income

In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company believes adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which adjust for the additional C Corp equivalent tax expense for periods prior to October 11, 2019, acquisition expenses, branch closure expenses, net earnings (losses) from closed or sold operations, charges related to termination of certain employee benefit plans, realized gains (losses) on sales of securities, and mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) fair value adjustments, provide investors with additional insight into its operational performance. The Company reported adjusted net income of $14.5 million, or $0.53 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2021. This compares to adjusted net income of $14.2 million, or $0.52 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2021, and adjusted net income of $10.8 million, or $0.39 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2020 (see "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" tables).

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2021 was $30.7 million, an increase of 3.4% from $29.7 million for the second quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in PPP loan fees recognized as loan interest income which totaled $3.0 million during the third quarter of 2021 and $2.4 million during the second quarter of 2021.

Relative to the third quarter of 2020, net interest income increased $1.8 million, or 6.4%. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in PPP loan fees recognized as loan interest income which totaled $0.9 million during the third quarter of 2020.

Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2021 was 3.18%, compared to 3.14% for the second quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to the recognition of PPP loan fees. The contribution of PPP loan fees to net interest margin was 31 basis points during the third quarter of 2021 and 25 basis points during the second quarter of 2021.

Relative to the third quarter of 2020, net interest margin decreased from 3.39%. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in the average yield on earning assets and increased balances being held in cash and lower-yielding securities.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2021 was $8.4 million, a decrease of 4.4% from $8.8 million for the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to impairment losses of $0.6 million related to the branches closed during the third quarter of 2021 pursuant to our branch rationalization plan. Additionally, gains on sale of mortgage loans decreased $0.3 million due to a lower level of mortgage refinancing activity. Partially offsetting these declines were a positive $40 thousand mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) fair value adjustment during the third quarter of 2021, compared to a negative $0.3 million MSR fair value adjustment in the second quarter of 2021, and a $0.3 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts.

Relative to the third quarter of 2020, noninterest income decreased 16.5% from $10.0 million, primarily attributable to a $1.9 million decrease in gains on sale of mortgage loans due to a lower level of mortgage refinancing activity and the $0.6 million of impairment losses related to the branches closed pursuant to our branch rationalization plan. Partially offsetting this decline was an increase in wealth management fees and card income. Wealth management fees increased $0.4 million as a result of higher values of assets under management during the third quarter of 2021 relative to the third quarter of 2020. Card income increased $0.4 million as a result of increased card transaction volume driven by the full reopening of Illinois following COVID-19 prevention measures.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2021 was $22.2 million, nearly unchanged from the second quarter of 2021. A decrease in salaries expense, due to a lower employee count, was mostly offset by increases in occupancy of bank premise and loan collection and servicing expenses.

Relative to the third quarter of 2020, noninterest expense decreased 1.4% from $22.5 million. The decline was primarily attributable to lower salaries and employee benefits expenses, as a result of lower employee count relative to the third quarter of 2020. Partially offsetting these improvements were higher marketing and data processing expenses.

NXT Bancorporation, Inc. Acquisition

On October 1, 2021, HBT completed its previously announced acquisition of NXT Bancorporation, Inc. (NXT), the holding company for NXT Bank. The acquisition expands HBT’s footprint into Iowa. Acquisition-related expenses were $0.4 million during the third quarter of 2021 and $0.2 million during the second quarter of 2021. As of September 30, 2021, NXT had $232 million in total assets, $196 million in total loans, and $181 million in total deposits. NXT’s results are not reflected in HBT’s results for the third quarter of 2021. The merger and system conversion of NXT Bank and Heartland Bank and Trust is currently scheduled for December 3, 2021.

Branch Rationalization Plan

In April 2021, the Company made plans to close or consolidate six branches. One branch was consolidated during the second quarter of 2021, and the remaining five branches were closed during the third quarter of 2021. Branch closure costs were $0.6 million, consisting almost entirely of impairment losses, during the third quarter of 2021, and $0.1 million, primarily salaries expense, during the second quarter of 2021. The Company estimates annual pre-tax cost savings, net of associated revenue impacts, related to the branch rationalization plan to be approximately $1.1 million.

Loan Portfolio

Total loans outstanding, before allowance for loan losses, were $2.15 billion at September 30, 2021, compared with $2.15 billion at June 30, 2021 and $2.28 billion at September 30, 2020. A $65.7 million decrease in PPP loans was mostly offset by increases in commercial real estate – non-owner occupied and construction & land development loans, with $39.0 million of the increase attributed to new loans funded in partnership with NXT Bank ahead of the acquisition.

Deposits

Total deposits were $3.42 billion at September 30, 2021, compared with $3.42 billion at June 30, 2021 and $3.02 billion at September 30, 2020. Total deposits remained almost unchanged from June 30, 2021 to September 30, 2021, following the end of certain federal economic stimulus programs, such as PPP loans and direct payments to individuals, which had driven deposit growth since the first quarter of 2020.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming loans totaled $5.5 million, or 0.26% of total loans, at September 30, 2021, compared with $7.4 million, or 0.34% of total loans, at June 30, 2021, and $15.2 million, or 0.67% of total loans, at September 30, 2020. The $1.9 million decrease in nonperforming loans from June 30, 2021 was primarily attributable to the payoff of one relationship and a pay down on another relationship which together totaled $1.6 million at June 30, 2021. The $9.7 million reduction in nonperforming loans from September 30, 2020 was primarily attributable to the return to accrual status of one agricultural credit and the transfer of one loan to foreclosed assets which together totaled $8.4 million at September 30, 2020.

The Company recorded a negative provision for loan losses of $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to a negative provision for loan losses of $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2021. The negative provision was primarily due to a $0.9 million decrease in specific reserves on loans individually evaluated for impairment. Additionally, improvements in qualitative factors resulted in a $0.7 million decrease in required reserve, primarily reflecting the shrinking impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our borrowers.

Net recoveries for the third quarter of 2021 were $21 thousand, or less than 1 basis point of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to net charge-offs of $90 thousand, or 0.02% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the second quarter of 2021, and net charge-offs of $0.2 million, or 0.04% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the third quarter of 2020.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses was 1.16% of total loans and 449.73% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2021, compared with 1.23% of total loans and 357.91% of nonperforming loans at June 30, 2021.

Capital

At September 30, 2021, the Company exceeded all regulatory capital requirements under Basel III and was considered to be “well-capitalized,” as summarized in the following table:

Stock Repurchase Program

During the third quarter of 2021, the Company repurchased 20,625 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $16.66 under its stock repurchase program. Purchases were conducted in accordance with Rule 10b-18 and in compliance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $15 million of its common stock under its stock repurchase program in effect until December 31, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $12.7 million remaining under the current stock repurchase authorization.

About HBT Financial, Inc.

HBT Financial, Inc. is headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois and is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company and NXT Bank. HBT provides a comprehensive suite of business, commercial, wealth management, and retail banking products and services to individuals, businesses and municipal entities throughout Central and Northeastern Illinois and Eastern Iowa through 61 branches. As of September 30, 2021, HBT had total assets of $3.9 billion, total loans of $2.1 billion, and total deposits of $3.4 billion. HBT is a longstanding Central Illinois company, with banking roots that can be traced back to 1920.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include net interest income (tax-equivalent basis), net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis), originated loans and acquired loans and any ratios derived therefrom, efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per share, adjusted net income, adjusted return on average assets, adjusted return on average stockholders' equity, and adjusted return on average tangible common equity. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, together with the related GAAP financial measures, in its analysis of our performance and in making business decisions. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present these non-GAAP financial measures, and accordingly believes that providing these measures may be useful for peer comparison purposes. These disclosures should not be viewed as substitutes for the results determined to be in accordance with GAAP; nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that may be presented by other companies. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" tables.

Forward-Looking Statements

Readers should note that in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to statements about the Company’s expected benefits, synergies, results and growth resulting from the acquisition of NXT and NXT Bank, and the Company’s plans, objectives, future performance, goals, future earnings levels and future loan growth, including as a result of expected improvement in economic conditions with respect to COVID-19. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of NXT into those of HBT; the possibility that expected benefits, synergies and results from the acquisition are delayed or not achieved; the effects of the merger on HBT’s future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; potential adverse reactions or changes to customer or employee relationships resulting from the completion of the transaction; the diversion of management time on integration-related issues; the severity, magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic; the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental responses to the pandemic on our operations and our customers’ businesses; the continued disruption or worsening of global, national, state and local economies associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including in connection with inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints, which could affect our capital levels and earnings, impair the ability of our borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair collateral values and further increase our allowance for credit losses; our asset quality and any loan charge-offs; changes in interest rates and general economic, business and political conditions in the United States generally or in Illinois and Iowa in particular, including in the financial markets; changes in business plans as circumstances warrant; risks relating to other acquisitions; and other risks detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers should note that the forward-looking statements included in this press release are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will," "propose," "may," "plan," "seek," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue," or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

CONTACT:
Matthew Keating
HBTIR@hbtbank.com
(310) 622-8230