Q2 2024 Cadence Bank Earnings Call

that the presentation, along with our earnings release, contain our customary disclosures around forward-looking statements and any non-GAAP metrics that may be discussed. The disclosures regarding forward-looking statements contained in those documents apply to our presentation today. And now I'll turn to Dan for his opening comments.

Operator: And now I'll turn to Dan for his opening comments. Good morning.

Dan: Thank you all for joining us this morning to discuss our strong second quarter 2024 results. Valerie will provide more detail on our financials after I cover a few highlights. Our executive management team will be available for questions following our prepared comments.

Dan: Good morning. Thank you all for joining us this morning to discuss our strong second quarter 2024 results. Valerie will provide more detail on our financials after I cover a few highlights.

Dan: Our executive management team will be available for questions following our prepared comments.

Dan: We're proud of our progress over the past few years, and we're very pleased to report another quarter of continued improvement across virtually all facets of our business. Our results are a reflection of our vision of helping people, companies, and communities prosper, as well as our core values, including putting customers at the center of our business. In the second quarter, we achieved steady loan growth, successful retention and expansion of core deposits, stable credit quality and capital, and continued focus on enhancing our operating efficiency. It's really a pretty straightforward formula resulting in the improvements we've reported. We reported a gap net income for the second quarter of $135.1 million, or $0.73 per diluted common share.

Dan: We are proud of our progress over the past few years and we're very pleased to report another quarter of continued improvement across virtually all facets of our business.

Dan: Our results are a reflection of our vision of helping people, companies, and communities prosper, as well as our core values, including putting customers at the center of our business.

Dan: In the second quarter, we achieved steady loan growth, successful retention and expansion of core deposits, stable credit quality and capital, and continued focus on enhancing our operating efficiency. It's really a pretty straightforward formula resulting in the improvements we've reported.

Dan: We reported gap net income for the second quarter of $135.1 million or 73 cents per diluted common share.

Dan: With adjusted net income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 127.9 cents, or 69 cents per diluted common share, which represents an increase of seven cents, or over 11% compared to the first quarter of 2024. The difference in our gap and adjusted earnings numbers was driven by a couple of items that Valerie will spend a few minutes on in just a second. From a balance sheet perspective, our loan pipelines continue to be active.

Dan: With adjusted net income from continuing operations for the second quarter of $127.9 or $0.69 per diluted common share, which represents an increase of $0.07 or over 11% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Dan: The difference in our gap and adjusted earnings numbers was driven by a couple of items that Valerie will spend a few minutes on in just a second.

Valerie: From a balance sheet perspective, our loan pipelines continue to be active.

Dan: As we have in each and every quarter since we announced the merger between Bancorp South and Legacy Cadence, we posted good loan growth. We reported net loan growth of $430 million, or just over 5% annualized, right in line with our full-year expectations. The growth for the quarter was within our income-producing CRE, commercial and industrial, and residential mortgage portfolios spread across our footprint, further reflecting the strength of our diversified business model. While total deposits declined just over $260 million, when you exclude public funds and broker deposits, core customer deposits grew $237 million, or just under 3% annualized, and have grown approximately 4% annualized year-to-date. We continue to reduce broker deposits and be very selective around public fund money.

Speaker Change: As we have in each and every quarter since we announced the merger between Bancorp South and Legacy Cadence, we posted good loan growth. We reported net loan growth of $430 million, or just over 5% annualized, right in line with our full-year expectations.

Speaker Change: The growth for the quarter was within our income-producing CRE, commercial and industrial and residential mortgage portfolios spread across our footprint, further reflecting the strength of our diversified business model.

Speaker Change: While total deposits declined just over $260 million, when you exclude public funds and broker deposits, core customer deposits grew $237 million or just under 3% annualized, and have grown approximately 4% annualized year-to-date.

Speaker Change: We continue to reduce broker deposits.

Dan: These two funding sources collectively declined approximately $500 million during the quarter. In fact, since quarter end, we have further reduced broker deposits by approximately $100 million, which represents the bulk of this non-core funding. As a result of our diversified loan growth, improved earning asset mix, and slowed deposit cost increases, we reported our third consecutive quarter of improvement in our net interest margin to 3.27%, which was up five basis points compared with the first quarter margin of 3.22%. Additionally, credit quality continued to reflect stability for the quarter.

Speaker Change: And be very selective around public fund money. These two funding sources collectively declined approximately $500 million during the quarter. In fact, since quarter end, we have further reduced broker deposits by approximately $100 million, which represents the bulk of this non-core funding source.

Speaker Change: As a result of our diversified loan growth, improved earning asset mix, and slowed deposit cost increases, we reported our third consecutive quarter of improvement in our net interest margin to 3.27%, which was up five basis points compared with the first quarter margin of 3.22%.

Dan: Our provision for credit losses and net charge-offs were both relatively flat compared to the first quarter, and we saw improvement in our non-performing, criticized, and classified loan totals as well as near-term delinquency. We continue to see what we believe to be mostly normal inflows and outflows in our credit processes and no pervasive signs of weakness. Our results for the quarter also reflect continued improvement in operating efficiency. Our adjusted expenses declined by over 12 million compared to the first quarter, which resulted in our adjusted efficiency ratio improving to 56.7% for the quarter.

Speaker Change: Additionally, credit quality continued to reflect stability for the quarter. Our provision for credit losses and net charge-offs were both relatively flat compared to the first quarter, and we saw improvement in our non-performing, criticized, and classified loan totals as well as near-term delinquencies.

Speaker Change: We continue to see what we believe to be mostly normal inflows and outflows in our credit processes and no pervasive sign of weakness.

Speaker Change: Our results for the quarter also reflect continued improvement in operating efficiency.

Speaker Change: Our adjusted expenses declined by over $12 million compared to the first quarter, which resulted in our adjusted efficiency ratio improving to 56.7% for the quarter.

Dan: While this improvement did include a few one-off tailwinds that Valerie will discuss in just a moment, the fruits of our efficiency initiatives are obvious. You can all rest assured that while we're proud of the efficiency improvements we've made, we are not finished. We intend to continue to chip away at this as we move forward. In addition, we called $139 million in outstanding subordinated debt at a weighted average coupon of 5.65%.

Speaker Change: While this improvement did include a few one-off tailwinds that Valerie will discuss in just a moment, the fruits of our efficiency initiatives are obvious. You can all rest assured, while we're proud of the efficiency improvements we've made, we are not finished. We intend to continue to chip away on this as we move forward.

Valerie: In addition, we called $139 million in outstanding subordinated debt at a weighted average coupon of 5.65%.

Valerie: And again, took advantage of market swings and repurchased just over 256,000 shares of our stock. Our capital metrics remain strong with CET1 of 11.9 and total capital of 14.2 at June 30th, 2024. I'll now turn the call over to Valerie for her comments.

Valerie: And again, took advantage of market swings and repurchased just over 256,000 shares of our stock.

Valerie: Our capital metrics remain strong, with CET1 of 11.9 and total capital of 14.2 at June 30, 2024. I'll now turn the call over to Valerie for her comments. Valerie? Thank you, Dan. It's great to be here this morning discussing another strong quarter of continued improvement in our performance.

Valerie: Thank you, Dan. It's great to be here this morning discussing another strong quarter of continued improvement in our performance. As Dan mentioned, we reported adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $0.69, an increase of over 10% compared to both the second quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. To further highlight the results, when compared to the first quarter of this year, we achieved a 12 basis point increase in adjusted ROA to 1.09%.

Valerie: As Dan mentioned, we reported adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $0.69, an increase of over 10% compared to both the second quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.

Valerie: To further highlight the results, when compared to the first quarter of this year, we achieved a 12 basis point increase in adjusted ROA to 1.09 percent.

Valerie: A 145 basis point increase in adjusted return on tangible common equity to 14.4% and a 339 basis point improvement in the adjusted efficiency ratio to 56.7%. These adjusted results exclude a couple of non-routine items in the second quarter. The first is the FDIC Deposit Insurance Special Assessment of $6.3 million.

Speaker Change: A 145-basis point increase in adjusted return on tangible common equity to 14.4% and a 339-basis point improvement in the adjusted efficiency ratio to 56.7%.

Speaker Change: These adjusted results exclude a couple of non-routine items in the second quarter. The first is the FDIC Deposit Insurance Special Assessment of $6.3 million.

Valerie: The second was a gain on sale of $15 million in other non-interest revenue that included the mid-second quarter sale of Cadence Business Solutions, a small payroll processing unit that previously rolled up into Cadence Insurance prior to that sale last fall. Over the last 12 months, this unit had annual revenue and expense of approximately $8-$9 million and $6-$7 million, respectively. So the net impact of that sale isn't significant, ongoing. Let's dive in further into the results, turning to margin and net interest revenue, beginning on slide 10. We reported net interest income of $356 million for the second quarter, an increase of $2.4 million or 0.7% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Speaker Change: The second was a gain on sale of $15 million in other non-interest revenue that included the mid-second quarter sale of Cadence Business Solutions.

Speaker Change: A small payroll processing unit that previously rolled up into Cadence Insurance prior to that sale last fall.

Speaker Change: Over the last 12 months, this unit had annual revenue and expense of approximately $8 to $9 million and $6 to $7 million, respectively. So the net impact of that sale isn't significant, ongoing.

Speaker Change: Let's dive in further into the results turning to margin and net interest revenue beginning on slide 10.

Speaker Change: We reported net interest income of $356 million for the second quarter, an increase of $2.4 million or 0.7% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Valerie: Our net interest margin was 3.27% for the second quarter, up five basis points. Again, three main themes continue to drive our margin improvement. The earning assets make shifts resulting from steady loan growth supported by securities cash. The upward repricing of earning assets and slowed increases in funding costs. Our yield on net loans, excluding accretion, was 6.56% for the second quarter, up 10 basis points from the first quarter yield. And our total cost of deposits increased only eight basis points to 2.53% for the second quarter, the lowest quarterly increase cycle to date.

Speaker Change: Our net interest margin was 3.27% for the second quarter, up five basis points.

Speaker Change: Again, three main themes continue to drive our margin improvement.

Speaker Change: The earning assets make shifts resulting from steady loan growth supported by securities cash flows.

Speaker Change: The Upward Repricing of Earning Assets and Slowed Increases in Funding Costs.

Speaker Change: Our yield on net loans, excluding accretion, was 6.56% for the second quarter, up 10 basis points from the first quarter yield.

Speaker Change: And our total cost of deposits increased only eight basis points to 2.53% for the second quarter, the lowest quarterly increase cycle to date.

Valerie: We also slowed the mix shift within deposits with non-interest bearing deposit balances ending the second quarter at 22.7% of total deposits, down just slightly from 23.1% at the end of the first quarter. Non-interest revenue, highlighted on slide 13, was $85.7 million on an adjusted basis, an increase of $1.9 million or 2.3% compared to the first quarter. Wealth Management Income increased $1.2 million, or 5% compared to the first quarter of 2024, positively impacted by seasonal trust tax fees.

Speaker Change: We also slowed the mix shift within deposits, with non-interest bearing deposit balances ending the second quarter at 22.7% of total deposits, down just slightly from 23.1% at the end of the first quarter.

Speaker Change: Non-interest revenue, highlighted on slide 13, was $85.7 million on an adjusted basis, an increase of $1.9 million, or 2.3%, compared to the first quarter.

Speaker Change: Wealth management income increased $1.2 million, or 5% compared to the first quarter of 2024, impacted positively by seasonal trust tax fees.

Valerie: Compared to the same quarter in 2023, wealth management income was up over 10%. Mortgage origination revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was $4 million, up 26% from the first quarter of 2024 and up 14% from the same quarter last year. However, after factoring in the mortgage servicing rights valuation, total mortgage revenue for the second quarter declined by $300,000.

Speaker Change: Compared to the same quarter in 2023, wealth management income was up over 10 percent.

Speaker Change: Mortgage origination revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was $4 million, up 26% from the first quarter of 2024, and up 14% from the same quarter last year. After factoring in the mortgage servicing rights valuation, total mortgage revenue for the second quarter declined by $300,000.

Valerie: Looking at total adjusted revenue on a year to date basis, it was up nearly 20 million, or 2.3% compared to the 2023 year to date revenue. We continue to support our guidance for adjusted revenue growth of 5 to 8% for the full 2024 year. According to slides 14 and 15, total adjusted non-issues expense was $251.1 million for the quarter, reflecting a linked quarter decline of $12.4 million. This decline drove another quarter of significant improvement in our adjusted efficiency ratio to 56.7% for the second quarter compared to 60.1% for the first quarter.

Speaker Change: Looking at total adjusted revenue on a year-to-date basis, it was up nearly 20 million or 2.3% compared to the 2023 year-to-date revenue. We continue to support our guidance for adjusted revenue growth of 5 to 8% for the full 2024 year.

Speaker Change: According to slides 14 and 15, total adjusted non-issues expense was $251.1 million for the quarter, reflecting a linked quarter decline of $12.4 million.

Speaker Change: This decline drove another quarter of significant improvement in our adjusted efficiency ratio to 56.7% for the second quarter compared to 60.1% for the first quarter.

Valerie: As expected, salaries and employee benefits declined $8.7 million on an adjusted basis compared to the first quarter, including seasonal declines in FICA expense and 401k match, as well as higher deferred loan origination costs linked to the seasonal mortgage loan volume. Legal expense declined $2.9 million primarily due to the favorable resolution of certain legal matters.

Speaker Change: As expected, salaries and employee benefits declined $8.7 million on an adjusted basis compared to the first quarter, including seasonal declines in FICA expense and 401k match, as well as higher deferred loan origination costs linked to the seasonal mortgage loan volume.

Speaker Change: Legal expense declined $2.9 million primarily due to the favorable resolution of certain legal matters.

Valerie: Another miscellaneous expense was down $3.4 million on an adjusted basis and included a reduction in operational losses, partially as a result of increased recoveries, and credits from franchise tax and quarterly state regulatory assessments. Stepping back, there was probably close to $9 or $10 million in various lower second quarter expenses, the larger ones that I just mentioned. Well, we benefit from and are evident of the strong expense focus from our teammates, but that is likely not sustainable as we look forward. Additionally, our annual merit increases were effective on July 1st, so that will impact salaries going forward by close to $4 million per quarter.

Speaker Change: Another miscellaneous expense was down $3.4 million on an adjusted basis and included a reduction in operational losses, partially as a result of increased recoveries, and credits from franchise tax and quarterly state regulatory assessments.

Speaker Change: Stepping back, there was probably close to $9 or $10 million in various lower second quarter expenses, the larger ones that I just mentioned.

Speaker Change: that we benefited from and are evident of the strong expense focus from our teammates, but that are likely not sustainable as we look forward.

Speaker Change: Additionally, our annual merit increases were effective on July 1st, so that will impact salaries going forward by close to $4 million per quarter.

Valerie: As such, we do expect expenses to be higher in the latter half of this year, but we continue to maintain our annual guidance of plus or minus 1% on adjusted expenses for the full year compared to 2023. However, given the strong second quarter results, we now expect to finish the year toward the lower end of that range. Moving on to credit quality on slides eight and nine, we recorded a provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 22 million, consistent with the prior quarter's provision level. Net charge-offs were 22.6 million, or 28 basis points as a percent of loans annualized, up just slightly from the 24 basis points in net charge-offs in the first quarter and in range with our full-year expectations.

Speaker Change: As such, we do expect expenses to be higher in the latter half of this year, but we continue to maintain our annual guidance of plus or minus 1% on adjusted expenses for the full year compared to 2023.

Speaker Change: However, given the strong second quarter results, we now expect to finish the year toward the lower end of that range.

Speaker Change: Moving on to credit quality, on slides eight and nine, we recorded a provision for credit losses for the second quarter of $22 million, consistent with the prior quarter's provision level.

Speaker Change: Net charge-offs were 22.6 million, or 28 basis points as a percent of loans annualized, up just slightly from the 24 basis points in net charge-offs in the first quarter, and in range with our full-year expectations.

Valerie: Our allowance for credit loss coverage remains solid at 1.41%, down three basis points from the prior quarter. Our capital is shown on slide 16 and continues to reflect our strong earnings and strong balance sheet. As Dan mentioned, we repurchased just over 256,000 shares during the second quarter, again taking advantage of temporary market declines and repurchasing these shares at a weighted average price of $26.97. In addition, we culled $139 million in subdebt with a 5.65% coupon, which qualified as Tier 2 regulatory capital.

Speaker Change: Our allowance for credit loss coverage remains solid at 1.41% down three basis points from the prior quarter.

Speaker Change: Our capital is shown on slide 16 and continues to reflect our strong earnings and strong balance sheet. As Dan mentioned, we repurchased just over 256,000 shares during the second quarter.

Dan: Again, taking advantage of temporary market declines of repurchasing these shares at a weighted average price of $26.97.

Dan: In addition, we culled $139 million in sub-debt with a 5.65% coupon, which qualified as Tier 2 regulatory capital.

Valerie: This sub-debt would have converted to a higher variable rate in July and would also have been phased out of regulatory capital treatment over time. This action will save us about $5 million annually on a prospective basis at current rates.

Speaker Change: This sub-debt would have converted to a higher variable rate in July and would have also been phased out of regulatory capital treatment over time.

Speaker Change: This action will save us about $5 million annually on a prospective basis at current rates.

Dan: In summary, the second quarter reflected continued steady loan and customer deposit growth, further increases in net interest margin and improvements in efficiency, stable credit, and growing capital that supports flexibility in reducing debt, buying back stock, and continuing a healthy dividend, and a 12% linked quarter growth in adjusted net income. This is what happens when everybody is working together toward a common vision, working together to help people, companies, and communities prosper. Operator, we would like to open the call to questions. We will now begin the question and answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then one on your touchtone phone.

Speaker Change: In summary, the second quarter reflected continued steady loan and customer deposit growth, further increases in net interest margin, and improvements in efficiency.

Speaker Change: stable credit and growing capital that supports flexibility and reducing debt, buying back stock and continuing a healthy dividend, and a 12% linked quarter growth in adjusted net income.

Speaker Change: This is what happens when everybody is working together toward a common vision, working together to help people, companies, and communities prosper.

Speaker Change: Operator, we would like to open the call to questions please.

Speaker Change: We will now begin the question and answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then 1 on your touchtone phone.

Operator: If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. If at any time your question has been answered and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star and then two. Our first question comes from Manan Gosalia with Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead. Good morning.

Speaker Change: If you are using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. If at any time your question has been addressed and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star and then 2.

Manan Gosalia: I wanted to start on the net interest, sorry, the non-interest bearing deposits. I think the NIB mix was better than you originally anticipated this quarter. I think previously you had it as that NIB mix being around 20%. Just given that there's a higher likelihood of rates going down from here, should we expect that that NIB mix to stabilize around this 20% to 23% level? Hi Manan, thanks for the question.

Speaker Change: Our first question comes from Manan Gosalia with Morgan Stanley . Please go ahead.

Manan Gosalia: Hi, good morning.

Manan Gosalia: I wanted to start on the net interest, sorry, the non-interest bearing deposits. You know, I think you, the NIB mix was better than you originally anticipated this quarter. I think previously you've got it to that NIB mix being around 20%. Just given that, you know, there's a higher likelihood of rates going down from here, should we expect that that NIB mix stabilizes around this 20 to 23% level?

Dan: You know, we still actually have the same theory that those deposits as a percent of total deposits will continue to come down until we get, you know, more meaningful rate cuts, but we are tempering our expectations there and really expecting those to come down closer to a 21% level toward the end of this year and likely not reach the 20% level that we talked about previously until perhaps the middle of next. And then maybe pivoting over to capital, you know? The CT1 ratio is at 11.9%. I think that the number of shares bought back this quarter came down, one by one. I know you've mentioned you want to be opportunistic, but clearly, you're creating a lot of capital here as well.

Speaker Change: Thanks for the question. You know, we still actually have the same theory that those.

Speaker Change: Deposits as a percent of total deposits will continue to come down until we get

Speaker Change: You know, more meaningful rate cuts.

Speaker Change: But we are tempering our expectations there and really expecting those to come down closer to a 21% level toward the end of this year and likely not reach the 20% level that we talked about previously until perhaps middle of next year.

Speaker Change: Got it, and then...

Speaker Change: Maybe pivoting over to capital, CD1 ratio is at 11.9%.

Speaker Change: I think that the number of shares bought back this quarter came down queue on queue. I know you've mentioned you want to be opportunistic, but...

Speaker Change: You're creating a lot of capital here as well. How should we think about buybacks in the second half?

Dan: So how should we think about buybacks in the second half? And to the extent that you don't do buybacks, is that more a function of holding capital either for organic or inorganic growth as we get into 2025? Yeah, I think our buyback program has not changed for years. We want to be opportunistic and take advantage of the market when it gives us opportunities. We're not afraid to hold capital for uses in the future, whether that's organic or inorganic growth.

Speaker Change: You don't do buybacks, is that more a function of holding capital either for organic or inorganic growth as we get into 2025?

Dan: As you said, you know, we want to be opportunistic. And I think you'll continue to see us be that way as we look forward. Is there any room to do any more on the securities repositioning side there? The answer is, in a material way, probably not, but you can always tweak around on things, and we continue to tweak on everything that we're doing. Got it.

Speaker Change: Yeah, I think our buyback program has not changed for years. We want to be opportunistic and take advantage of the market when it gives us opportunities.

Speaker Change: We're not afraid to hold capital for uses in the future, whether that's organic or inorganic growth, as you said. We want to be opportunistic, and I think you'll continue to see us be that way as we look forward.

Speaker Change: Is there any room to do any more on the securities repositioning side there?

Speaker Change: The answer is, in a material way, probably not, but you can always tweak around on things, and we continue to tweak on everything that we're doing.

Speaker Change: Got it. Thank you.

Manan Gosalia: Thank you. Thank you. The next question comes from Brett Rabatin with The Hooved Group. Please go ahead.

Speaker Change: Thank you.

Speaker Change: The next question comes from Brett Rabatin with the Hooved Group. Please go ahead.

Brett D. Rabatin: Hey, good morning, everyone. I wanted to start on credit, and just if you could provide any color, it was nice to see the criticized improvement this quarter. Any color on, you know, the ins and outs of the decrease there and then any comments specifically on the restaurant or the QSR portfolio and how that's behaving? Yeah, Chris and Billy are both in the room here, and they'll be happy to take some of that, you know. I think.

Brett D. Rabatin: Hey, good morning, everyone.

Brett D. Rabatin: I wanted to start on credit and just if you could provide any color, it was nice to see the criticized improvement this quarter. Any color on the ins and outs of the decrease there and then any comments?

Speaker Change: Specifically on the restaurant or the QSR portfolio and how that's behaving.

Speaker Change: Yeah, Chris and Billy are both in the room here and they'll be happy to take some of that, you know, I think

Dan: We went after credit a long time ago, you know, more than a year ago. We've seen our criticized number escalate over a year ago, and we've seen it be basically flat, and now we think we're working that down. We've seen normal, you know, migration within those criticized numbers into NPA, out of NPA, and we feel really good about where we sit today. Your specific question on the restaurant side, QSR, any one of you guys want to jump in on that? Well, I mean, you covered it well, Dan.

Speaker Change: We went after credit a long time ago, you know, more than a year ago, we've seen our criticized number escalate.

Speaker Change: Over a year ago, and we've seen it be basically flat, and now we think we're working that down. We've seen normal migration within those criticized numbers into NPA, out of NPA, and we feel really good about where we sit today. Your specific question on the restaurant side and QSR, one of you guys want to jump in on that? Well, I mean, you covered it well, Dan.

Unknown Executive: I think part of it is the loans that we've been working through over the last nine months. So you're right, the credit size has come down, and that's a function that we haven't seen a backfill in, right? So this was actually the first quarter.

Speaker Change: Part of it is the loans that we've been working through over the last nine months. So you're right, the criticized has come down. And that's a function that we haven't seen a backfill there, right? So this was actually the first quarter, I think we've seen.

Unknown Executive: I think we've seen fewer loans go into our special assets group than go out. So we're working real hard to remediate credit, pretty granular. Our average loan size is small, so there's a lot of energy going on there. But you're right.

Speaker Change: Less loans go into our special assets group than went out, so we're working real hard to remediate credits.

Speaker Change: Pretty granular. Our average loan size is small, so there's a lot of energy going on there.

Unknown Executive: So the good news is we haven't seen a, to this date, we haven't seen a back flow of credits coming in. So it hasn't been any systemic issues or ever focused on restaurants a little bit. So we remediated three or four credits there over the last two quarters, and we just really haven't seen anything migrate in from a negative perspective there either, other than those two or three credits that we've been remediating.

Speaker Change: But you're right, so the good news is we haven't seen a, to this today, we haven't seen a...

Speaker Change: A back flow of credits coming in, so it's been, it hasn't been any systemic issues or ever. Focusing on restaurants a little bit, so we remediated three or four credits there over the last two quarters.

Speaker Change: And we just really haven't seen anything migrate in from a negative perspective there either, other than those two or three credits that we've been remediating. Billy, you might have some additional color there.

Unknown Executive: Yeah, I'll just on the QSR specifically; we have seen some incremental improvement there. No more negative migration, I guess, is the answer to that question. And, you know, following Chris's logic, we, the ones we had identified earlier, we've been working through so there is no more negative migration and coming to resolution specifically within that segment, based off of particular credits that were identified almost a year ago. Okay, that's really helpful. The other question I had... Sorry, Dan.

Billy: Yeah, I'll just, on the QSR specifically,

Billy: We have seen some incremental improvement there. No more negative migration, I guess, is the answer to that question.

Billy: And, you know, following Chris's logic, the ones we had identified earlier, we've been working through. So, no more negative migration and coming to a resolution specifically within that segment based off of particular credits that were identified, you know, almost a year ago at this point.

Dan: The other question I had was just on loan growth. And Dan, you've been, it feels like, fairly optimistic about your potential for growth. And this quarter, you know, growth was mostly in the RESI book and general C&I. What does the pipeline look like for the back half of the year? And would you think maybe some of the other components of the loan portfolio might contribute, or are there pieces that you want to manage to flattish levels or maybe down?

Speaker Change: Okay, that's really helpful. The other question I had...

Speaker Change: The other question I had was just on loan growth, and Dan, you've been, it feels like, fairly optimistic.

Dan: You know, on your potential for growth.

Speaker Change: And this quarter, you know, growth was mostly in the resi.

Dan: Book, and General C&I. What does the pipeline look like for the back half of the year and would you think maybe some of the other components of the loan portfolio might contribute or are there pieces that you want to manage to flattish levels or maybe down?

Dan: I think we're looking to see growth across the book, but I think what we see is some seasonality in the quarter. Mortgage is always going to be higher in this quarter. We do have some ARM products in our portfolio, but the secondary market for ARM products is tough.

Speaker Change: I think we're looking to see growth across the...

Speaker Change: across the book. But, you know, I think what we see is some seasonality in the quarter. Mortgage is always going to be higher in this quarter. We do portfolio some armed product.

Dan: We've got some portfolio products that we have also. So we certainly see the resi piece pick up in this quarter. I think we actually saw some pretty good growth on the CNI side, but we also saw some pretty good paydowns on the CNI side this quarter. And so I think that's a good thing. You want things to come and go like they're supposed to.

Speaker Change: The secondary market for ARM is tough. We've got some portfolio products that we have also.

Speaker Change: So we certainly see the resi piece pick up in this quarter. I think we actually saw some pretty good growth on the C&I side, but we also saw some pretty good paydowns on the C&I side of this quarter. And so I think that's a good thing. You know, you want things to come and go like they're supposed to. The pipelines look pretty good, Billy. Talk about pipelines.

Billy Braddock: The pipelines look pretty good. Billy, talk about pipelines. Yeah, pipelines are as strong as we've seen since 22 really. And our pull through rate has been fantastic. Dan alluded to some payoffs that we saw over the quarter. I think I've mentioned it to several of you guys that within our energy segment, midstream specifically, there was some M&A activity that created some payoffs. There was also some good news in the bond market opening up. And clients took advantage of that, and it paid us down that stem to some degree. So the pipelines we're seeing right now are as full as we've ever seen.

Billy: Yeah, pipelines are as strong as we've seen, you know, since 22, really.

Billy: And our pull-through rate has been fantastic. Dan alluded to some payoffs that we saw over the quarter. I think I've mentioned it to several of you guys.

Speaker Change: Within our energy segment, midstream specifically, there was some M&A activity that created some payoffs. There was also some good bond market had opened up.

Speaker Change: The clients took advantage of that and it paid us down. That stemmed to some degree. So the pipelines we're seeing right now are as full as we've seen. I mean, I pulled through, I think the last five quarters of...

Billy Braddock: I mean, our pull through, I think the last five quarters of approvals, and I'm speaking to our corporate banks specifically. Approvals over the last five quarters are as high as they've been since they peaked last, which was in 22, so pipelines look fantastic. I would add the same for community banks on the side. Their pipelines are full.

Speaker Change: Approvals in our, and I'm speaking to our corporate banks specifically, approvals over the last five quarters.

Speaker Change: As far as how they've been since they had peaked last, which was in 22, so pipelines look fantastic. I would add the same for community bank side. Their pipelines are full. It's higher than it's been in the previous three quarters.

Billy Braddock: It's higher than it was in the previous three quarters. So we're balanced across all lines, if you will. Remember, the community bank is hugely amortizing its portfolios. They have to run really hard to grow, but we still see some great pipelines there.

Speaker Change: So we're balanced across.

Speaker Change: across all lines, if you will. Remember, the community bank hugely amortizing portfolios. They have to run really hard to grow, but we still see some great pipelines there. And the good news, bad news, I guess, on the corporate side is that...

Dan: And the good news, the bad news, I guess on the corporate side is that strong pipelines are an indicator of the secondary market opening it up a bit, as Billy indicated, so we're seeing some payoffs, which is a good thing, right? So we're... And we're seeing that across the footprint. So Texas is clearly leading the way, but Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee are doing well, and our community bank across our footprint actually saw some good growth for the fourth quarter. Okay, that's great, Kyle. I appreciate it. Thank you, Brett. The next question comes from Jon Arfstrom with RBC Capital Markets. Please go ahead. Hey, thanks. Good morning. Good morning. Hey, good morning.

Speaker Change: Strong Pipelines are an indicator of the secondary market opening it up a bit, as Billy indicated, so we're seeing some payoffs, which is a good thing, right? So we're seeing some

Speaker Change: And we're seeing that across the footprint. So Texas is clearly leading the way, but Georgia, Florida, Tennessee are doing well, and our community bank across our footprint actually saw some good growth for the quarter.

Speaker Change: Okay, that's great, I appreciate it.

Cole: Thank you, bro.

Cole: The next question comes from Jon Arfstrom with RBC Capital Markets. Please go ahead. Hey, thanks. Good morning.

Jon Glenn Arfstrom: Valerie, I appreciate all the detail on expenses. Can you give us an idea of the starting point you'd like us to use on expenses? I mean, if you split the difference and you add the 1%, it looks like it's around 280. But, I'm just curious if you could help us out a little bit on that. Yeah, no, Jon, what I intended to do was also guide toward the lower end of that plus or minus 1% annualized expectations. Just because we did have such a good second quarter.

Jon Glenn Arfstrom: Valerie, can you, I appreciate all the detail on expenses, can you give us an idea of the starting point?

Jon Glenn Arfstrom: You'd like us to use on expenses. I mean, if you split the difference and you add the 1%, it looks like it's around 280, but I'm just curious if you would help us out a little bit on that.

Valerie: Yeah, no, Jon, what, what I intended to do was also guide toward the lower end of that plus or minus 1%.

Speaker Change: Annualized Expectations. Just because we did have such a good second quarter. If you look back over the last several years, the second quarter for Cadence

Valerie: If you look back over the last several years, the second quarter for Cadence has been a low quarter for expenses. That's because of a couple of reasons. One, just kind of the quarterly reset of some of the FICA 401k things. It also has to do with some of the cyclicality and mortgage loan growth. You know, those are granular loans that you have a higher level of deferred costs associated with. So all of that serves to lower the second quarter.

Speaker Change: Has been a low quarter for expenses. That's because of a couple reasons. One, just kind of the quarterly reset of some of the FICA 401k things. It also has to do with some of the cyclicality and the mortgage loan growth.

Speaker Change: You know, those are granular loans that you have a higher level of deferred costs associated with. So all of that serves to lower the second quarter and then we have our July cycle of merit increases that come in. And so what I mentioned, kind of a nine or 10 million of things that

Valerie: And then we have our July cycle of merit increases that come in. And so what I mentioned, kind of the nine or 10 million things that are really reflective of a lot of hard work on expenses, you know, grabbing recoveries and credits where you can. But they're probably not sustainable.

Speaker Change: And I'm going to wrap it up with a couple of questions that are really reflective of a lot of hard work on expenses, you know, grabbing recoveries and credits where you can. They're probably not sustainable, so if you add that back to our 251 that we've got this quarter and then layer in some merits, that gets you to a low $2.60.

Valerie: So if you add that back to our 251, or, excuse me, our 251 that we've got this quarter, and then layer in some merits, that gets you to a low. And we'll continue to work, as Dan said, we're going to continue to work to chip away at that every quarter. But that's probably a reasonable base level to start from.

Speaker Change: low to mid-260 level as we look forward. And we'll continue to work. As Dan said, we're going to continue to work to chip away at that every quarter.

Speaker Change: But that's probably a reasonable base level to start from. There are several things in there we'd like for them to be sustainable. I'd like for fraud losses to go to zero, but fraud is a major problem for our industry.

Valerie: There are several things in there we'd like for them to be sustainable. I'd like for fraud losses to go to zero, but fraud is a major problem for our industry. Okay. Yeah, that's helpful. I appreciate that. Valerie, I had that backwards. I had the up one instead of the down one.

Speaker Change: Yeah, that's helpful. I appreciate that. Valerie, I had that backwards. I had the up one instead of down one, so that helps. Yeah, down one is a good thing for us. Yeah, yeah, I agree. And then...

Jon Glenn Arfstrom: So that helps. And it's a good thing. Yeah, yep, I agree. And then you talked up in your guidance also that your revenue guide is the same, and it's inclusive of the forward curve at 630. How much of an impact does the change in the forward curve from last quarter to this quarter have on your outlook, if at all, on revenues? Yeah, it's really not much, Jon.

Speaker Change: You talked up in your guidance also, you talked about that your revenue guide is the same and it's inclusive of the forward curve at 630. How much of an impact...

Speaker Change: Does the change in the forward curve from last quarter to this quarter, how much has that impacted your outlook, if at all, on revenues?

Valerie: When we take a look at it, one of the big things that were driving that nice bump that we had in the loan yields this quarter was just not only the fact that we've got good volume in our new growth, in the new loan growth that is coming on, but we also have, again, that back book that continues to reprice, the variable loans that come on, and we continue to share that in our slides with you, that have a significant impact on So even if we get a 25 basis point dip, we're still going to have these new loans coming on, we're still going to have the repricing of that back book, and that's going to help offset some of the more immediate impact on some of the variable rates. Okay, that helps.

Speaker Change: It's really not much, Jon.

Speaker Change: When we take a look at it, you know, one of the big things that was driving that nice bump that we had in the loan yields this quarter was just not only the fact that we've got

Speaker Change: Good volume in our new growth in the new loan growth that are coming on is that those deals But we also have again that back book that continues to reprice the variable loans that come on and we you know Continue to share that in our slides with you

Speaker Change: That has a significant impact on the ability to continue to reprice up. So even if we get a 25 basis point dip.

Speaker Change: We're still going to have these new loans coming on, we're still going to have the repricing of that BAT book, and that's going to help offset some of the more immediate impact on some of the variable rate loans.

Jon Glenn Arfstrom: Thank you. Hey, thanks, John. And the next question comes from Brandon King with Truist. Please go ahead. Hey, good morning. Morning, Brandon.

Speaker Change: Okay, that helps. Thank you.

Jon Glenn Arfstrom: Thanks, John.

Jon Glenn Arfstrom: And the next question comes from Brandon King with Truist. Please go ahead.

Brandon Thomas King: So what is the outlook here from a deposit cost perspective; do you think deposit costs could tend to be relatively stable from here? And then also, what are you expecting from a CD repricing standpoint in the back half? Absolutely. So we really had, you know, this last quarter, and in fact, the past several quarters, that deposit cost increase has continued to be less and less. And it does continue to stabilize, particularly with mixed shift stabilization.

Brandon Thomas King: Hey, good morning.

Speaker Change: Morning, Brandon.

Brandon Thomas King: So, what is the outlook here is from a deposit cost perspective, do you think deposit cost could, tends to be relatively stable from here and then also what are you expecting from a CD repricing standpoint in the back half of the year?

Speaker Change: So we really had, you know, this last quarter, in fact, the past several quarters, that deposit cost increase has continued to be less and less.

Valerie: And so if we're able to continue to keep the mixed shift out of non-interest-bearing deposits as low as it has been, there's a possibility that we could be nearing the peak of deposit costs. You know, whether that's another quarter, another two quarters, or we're there already, you know, I think that's a little hard to say. But we don't feel that there's... Material upward pressure, at least in what we're seeing today. Factoring into that is the fact, you know, as you pointed out, on the CD book. There is a portion of that CD book that just auto-renews into a standard product when it renews, but most do go back into the promo.

Speaker Change: And it does continue to stabilize, particularly with a mixed shift stabilization. And so if we're able to continue to keep the mixed shift out of non-interest bearing as low as it has been, there's a possibility that we could be...

Speaker Change: nearing the peak of deposit costs, you know, whether that's another quarter, another two quarters or one there, you know, I think that's a little hard to say, but we we don't feel that there's

Speaker Change: Material Upward Pressure, at least in what we're seeing today. Factoring into that is the fact, you know, as you pointed out, on the CD book.

Speaker Change: There is a portion of that CD book that just auto-renews into a standard product when it renews, but most do go back into the promo rates. This quarter, the blended average CD new and renewed rate was about 23 basis points less than it was last quarter.

Valerie: This quarter, the blended average CD new and renewed rate was about 23 basis points less than it was last quarter. So that's coming in at about 433. And so even though that book is still out there at a higher rate, it's repricing lower, and that serves to benefit us as we look at the quarterly shift in deposits. Okay, that's helpful.

Speaker Change: So that's coming in at about $4.33. And so even though that book is still out there at a higher rate, it's repricing lower, and that serves to benefit us as we look at the quarter-to-quarter shift in deposit costs.

Brandon Thomas King: Yep, that's helpful. And then as far as loan yields, there was kind of an uptick in the increase in loan yields, even execution this quarter versus last. So is that sort of pace sustainable going forward? Or were there, I guess, some maybe one-time items there that kind of elevated the increase in loans? I think we talked last quarter that last quarter's number was Yeah, it's a factor of loan growth.

Speaker Change: Okay, that's helpful.

Speaker Change: Yep, that's helpful. And then, as far as loan yields, there was kind of an uptick in the increase in loan yields, even execution this quarter versus last. So, is that sort of pace sustainable going forward, or were there, I guess, some maybe one-time items there that kind of elevated the…

Speaker Change: Increasingly Used.

Speaker Change: I think we talked last quarter that last quarter's number was muted by some items so...

Valerie: And then the repricing, I'd say the repricing dynamic is fairly consistent as we look forward, at least at stable rates, when rates come down a little bit, and you know, that'll be muted by 25 basis points or so. But it's really a dynamic of that loan growth, and to the extent that we can keep that up, then that will help us keep that loan yield. Okay, so it's fair to say it's at a sustainable pace, I guess, at least in their time. That's what we're hoping. Hello,

Speaker Change: Yeah, it's a factor of the loan growth and then the repricing.

Speaker Change: I'd say the repricing dynamic is fairly consistent as we look forward.

Speaker Change: At least at stable rates, you know, when rates come down a little bit, then, you know, that'll be muted by 25 basis points or so, but it's really a dynamic of that loan growth and the extent that we can keep that up, then that will help us keep that loan yield up as well.

Speaker Change: Okay, so at its very safest, have a sustainable pace, I guess, at least in the interim.

Brandon Thomas King: Okay. Thanks for taking my question. Thank you, Bryda. The next question comes from Michael Rose with Raymond James. Please go ahead. Hey, good morning, everyone.

Speaker Change: That's what we're hoping.

Speaker Change: Okay, thanks for taking my questions.

Speaker Change: Thank you, Brandon.

Speaker Change: The next question comes from Michael Rose with Raymond James. Please go ahead.

Michael Edward Rose: Thanks for taking my questions. I just wanted to follow up on Jon's questions on expenses. I just wanted to be clear if the updated outlook includes kind of the impact, I guess it's about $3.5 million in the back half of the year in expenses from Cadence Business Solutions. And then separately for you, Dan, you guys have done a lot of work to get the efficiency ratio down. Seems like you're in a good spot; more momentum to come.

Michael Edward Rose: Hey, good morning, everyone. Thanks for taking my questions. I just wanted to follow up on Jon's questions on expenses. I just wanted to be clear.

Michael Edward Rose: The updated outlook includes kind of the impact.

Speaker Change: I guess it's about $3.5 million in the back half of the year in expenses from

Speaker Change: from Cadence Business Solutions, and then separately for you, Dan, just

Speaker Change: You guys have done a lot of work to get the efficiency ratio down. Seems like you're in a good spot, more momentum to come. As we think about kind of...

Michael Edward Rose: As we think about kind of the intermediate to longer-term balancing ongoing investments in the franchise, I mean, should we be thinking about kind of a mid-50s efficiency as kind of a target as we think about kind of the investment spend versus the ongoing cost-saving efforts? Yeah, so on the expense side, Valerie, do you want to take the expense side? Yeah, yeah, that guidance does include the Cadence Business Services impact. It reflects everything

Speaker Change: You know, the intermediate to longer-term, you know, balancing, you know, ongoing investments in the franchise. I mean, should we be thinking about kind of a mid-50s efficiency as kind of a target as we think about kind of the investment spend versus the ongoing cost-saving efforts? Thanks.

Speaker Change: Yeah, so on the expense side, Valerie, you want to take the expense side? Yeah, yeah, that guidance does include the Cadence Business Services impact. So it reflects everything. We do expect that the expenses in the latter half of the year will be incrementally greater than the first half, and that's incorporated in that guidance.

Dan: We do expect that the expenses in the latter half of the year will be incrementally greater than the first half, and that's incorporated. And I think part of that is just continuing to invest, as you said, in the franchise. I think we should continue to look for people, we should continue to look for opportunities to improve our technology, we should continue to look for opportunities to invest in what we're doing every day. And I think that we can continue to do that, and we can continue to drive efficiency down. You know, the word target is not in my vocabulary, so I don't have a target for you today.

Speaker Change: Part of that is just continuing to invest, as you said, in the franchise. I think we continue to look for people, we continue to look for opportunities.

Speaker Change: To improve our technology, we continue to look for opportunities to invest in what we're doing every day, and I think that we can continue to do that, and we can continue to drive efficiency down.

Speaker Change: You know, the word target is not in my vocabulary, so I don't have a target for you today. But I do think that we want to continue to be focused on what we're doing.

Dan: But I do think that we want to continue to be focused on what we're doing to drive our overall efficiency down. We can do that on the revenue side, probably easier today than we can on the expense side. But there's a lot of opportunity in front of us. I'm more excited today than I've been in some time.

Speaker Change: to drive our overall efficiency down. We can do that on the revenue side, probably easier today than we can on the expense side, but there's a lot of opportunity in front of us. I'm more excited today than I've been in some time. When you look back over the last three years,

Dan: When you look back over the last three years, the BancorpSAL merger with Legacy Cadence, you know, the thoughts and the plans that went into that three years ago maybe took us a little longer to get where we are today, but the benefits are real. We knew they would be, and we're seeing that today. We're really proud of what the team's doing. Well, Dan, I was hoping you had brought your crystal ball today, but I guess you left it at home.

Speaker Change: The BancorpSouth merger with Legacy Cadence, you know, the thoughts and the plans that went into that three years ago maybe took us a little longer to get where we are today, but the benefits are real. We knew they would be, and we're seeing that today. We're really proud of what the team's doing.

Speaker Change: Well, Dan, I was hoping you had brought your crystal ball today, but I guess you left it at home. Maybe just as a follow-up.

Michael Edward Rose: Maybe just as a follow-up, you guys have clearly been acquisitive in the past, and, you know, kind of on the doorstep of $50 billion. I know there's obviously that big $100 billion, you know, target out there. But, you know, how do you currently think about the opportunity for, you know, acquisitions at this point? I mean, is it something that you wouldn't want to do until you kind of get through the election?

Speaker Change: You know, you guys have clearly been acquisitive in the past and, you know, kind of on the doorstep of $50 billion.

Speaker Change: Obviously, that big $100 billion target out there. How do you currently think about the opportunity for acquisitions at this point? Is it something that you wouldn't want to do until you get through the election, or is it just internally focused?

Dan: Or is it just internally focused? And just help us frame kind of what, you know, Cadence, at almost $50 billion, would, in theory, be looking for if you were to do a deal, both from the size and geography, as well as metrics, if you could. Thanks. Yeah, that's a great question.

Speaker Change: And just help us frame kind of what, you know, Cadence at almost $50 billion would in theory be looking for if you were to do a deal, both from, you know, size and geography as well as metrics, if you could.

Dan: M&A clearly has been a part of our past, and I would expect that that would be a part of our future. You know, we start with culture, and we want a footprint. So you know, what is it that we're doing? Can the teams work together?

Speaker Change: Yeah, that's a great question. M&A clearly has been a part of our past, and I would expect that that would be a part of our future. You know, we start with culture.

Speaker Change: And we want in-footprint. So, you know, what is it that we're doing? Can the teams work together? Can we grow within the footprint we already have? So in-footprint market expansion, you know, that's going to be a key for us that's maybe not in favor today with the current administration.

Dan: Can we grow within the footprint we already have? So in footprint market expansion, you know, that's going to be a key for us that's maybe not in favor today with the current administration. But, you know, I think there are opportunities out there for us. We have active conversations on a regular basis.

Speaker Change: But I think there are opportunities out there for us.

Dan: We're not running away from anything. We're ready today. If we wanted to do something, it's a matter of finding the right culture, the right team, it's something that makes a difference for us. You know, so making a difference for us is where part of the question comes in. Is it making a difference for us?

Speaker Change: We're not running away from anything. We're ready today. If we wanted to do something, it's a matter of finding the right culture, the right team, something that makes a difference for us. So making a difference for us is where part of the question comes in. Is it making a difference for us?

Speaker Change: Is it making a difference for us in size perspective? We clearly don't want to get too close to the sun. The sun being 100 billion, you can burn up. And so we want to make sure that we've got lots of runway in front of us. And I think when you look at our organic growth prospects,

Dan: [inaudible] when you look at our organic growth prospect. In the footprints we serve, we've got. We like the position we're in today. I appreciate the comments. Thanks for taking my questions. The next question comes from Gary Tenner with D.A. Davidson. Please go ahead.

Speaker Change: In the footprints we serve, we've got.

Speaker Change: We like the position we're in today.

Speaker Change: I appreciate the comments. Thanks for taking my questions.

Michael Edward Rose: Thank you, Michael.

Michael Edward Rose: The next question comes from Gary Tenner with D.A. Davidson. Please go ahead.

Gary Tenner: Thanks for joining us. Hey, so y'all have been pretty consistent in the first half of the year on loan growth and one of probably a small number of banks that haven't kind of pulled back on their loan growth outlook for the full year. You know, obviously, the Texas market is an advantage. I was wondering if you could talk about where you think maybe you've gained an advantage over other institutions in the ability to be consistent with loan growth the way you have.

Gary Tenner: Thanks for your time. Good morning.

Gary Tenner: Hey, so y'all have been pretty consistent the first half of the year on loan growth and one of probably a small number of banks that haven't kind of pulled back on their loan growth outlook for the full year.

Speaker Change: You know, obviously, the Texas market, you know, is an advantage, just wondering if you could talk about where you think maybe you've gained an advantage to other institutions in the ability to be consistent on the long road the way you have been.

Gary Tenner: Yeah, one of the things I said when we started the call, you know, long growth was one of the questions around the merger that we did was, you know, could we continue to grow? And we've grown in every quarter since we announced. I think that's footprint-driven, and I think that's people-driven. I think the team that we have on the field today, we're coming up on Olympic time, you know, so we can use Olympic analogies, but the team we have on the field is great, and we want to keep the team out there, keep them energized, keep them focused on putting customers at the center of our business. And take care of what we do every day. Our footprint and our team would be what I would brag on, Billy or Chris. That's it, exactly. I mean, really. We are advantaged in where we sit.

Speaker Change: Yeah, one of the things I said when we started the call, you know, when you look back, you know, long growth was one of the questions around the merger that we did was, you know, could we continue to grow? And we've grown in every quarter since we announced the merger.

Speaker Change: I think that's footprint-driven, and I think that's people-driven. I think the team that we have on the field today, we're coming up on Olympics time, you know, so we can use Olympic analogies, but the team we have on the field is great, and we want to keep the team out there, keep them energized, keep them focused on putting customers at the center of our business.

Speaker Change: and take care of what we're doing every day. Our footprint and our team would be what I would brag on. Billy or Chris?

Speaker Change: That's it, exactly. I mean, it's really, we are advantaged in where we sit.

Dan: But we've had a history of having outsized win rates with this team that we have on the field. That's what I think we're going to continue to pursue. I think our diversification is also a huge win for us. We not only have multiple verticals on the corporate side, we've got the community platform, the SBA group, and the mortgage group. We've really got great diversification that spans not only across those industries but across the footprint as well. It works in every footprint.

Speaker Change: So we've had a history of having ALFSA.

Speaker Change: I think our diversification is also a huge win for us. We not only have multiple verticals in the corporate side, we've got the community platform, the SBA group, the mortgage group, we've really got great diversification that spans

Billy Braddock: Again, whether you're in the rural south or whether you're in the metropolitan south, we've got bankers out there that are taking care of business. Again, we saw that growth in this quarter. The community bank showed good growth across the rural south, even though the corporate bank was having some payoffs in the middle of that.

Speaker Change: Not only across those industries, but across the footprint as well. It works in every footprint. So again, whether you're in the rural south, or whether you're in the metropolitan south, you know, we've got bankers out there that are taking care of business. And again, we saw that growth.

Speaker Change: In this quarter, the Community Bank showed good growth across the rural South, even though the Corporate Bank was having some payoffs in the middle of that. The Corporate Bank was doing great, growing, and then you get a couple of payoffs. When you look at what's coming in the pipeline for us across our verticals, as Valerie said, exciting times for us.

Billy Braddock: The corporate bank was doing great growing, and then you get a couple of payoffs. When you look at what's coming in the pipeline for us across our verticals, as Valerie said, exciting times for us. Great, I appreciate the thoughts.

Gary Tenner: And then I guess as the follow-up to that, you had the M&A question earlier, but from a just investment perspective in terms of people, as you think of your comments you just made about people and some of your markets, where do you think there is a need or the most opportunity to add people from other institutions to continue to push that growth forward? We're constantly investing in our people, and we're looking for opportunities.

Speaker Change: Great, I appreciate the thoughts. And then I guess as the follow-up to that, you had the M&A question earlier, but from a just investment.

Speaker Change: Perspective in terms of people, as you think of your comments you just made around people and some of your markets, where do you think there is a need or most opportunity to add people from other institutions to continue to push back growth forward?

Speaker Change: We're constantly investing in our people and we're looking for opportunities. And so I don't know that there's one market or two markets that we would call out and say, you know, we need help here or there. But we're actively looking and we've brought some folks in in the last couple of quarters that I think are making a difference for us. So, you know, we've never gone out and hired a team of 20 or a team of 30 or, you know, whatever some big group is and moved into a new market like some of the bigger guys have done. But, you know, we certainly are looking for opportunities to invest in the team.

Gary Tenner: And so I don't know that there's one market or two markets that we would call out and say, you know, we need help here or there. But we're actively looking, and we've brought in some folks in the last couple of quarters that I think are making a difference for us. So, you know, we've never gone out and hired a team of 20 or a team of 30 or whatever some big group is and moved into a new market like some of the bigger guys have done.

Dan: But, you know, we certainly are looking for opportunities to invest in the, Great, thank you very much. Thank you, Gary. The next question comes from Matt Olney with Stevens. Please go ahead. Hey, thanks. Good morning.

Speaker Change: Great, thank you very much.

Gary: Thank you, Gary.

Gary: The next question comes from Matt Olney with Stevens. Please go ahead.

Matthew Covington Olney: You mentioned that the 2Q loan growth was funded by the cash flows from the securities portfolio. I'd be interested to learn more about the funding plan for the back half of the year for the loan growth. Thanks. Yeah, that's a good question.

Matthew Covington Olney: Hey, thanks. Good morning. You mentioned that the 2Q loan growth was funded by the cash flows from the securities portfolio. I'd be interested to learn more about the funding plan for the back half of the year for the loan growth. Thanks.

Valerie: I think, you know, as you heard, we've, we've, we've gotten our brokered funds to a level that I think is probably sustainable, including the hundred million that has run off in this quarter. We've continued to de-emphasize or maybe be more disciplined in our pricing on public funds. The public funds are bid dollars.

Speaker Change: Yeah, that's a good question. I think, you know, so we've, we've, as you heard, you know, we've, we've, we've gotten our brokered funds to a level that I think is probably sustainable, including the $100 million that has run off in this quarter. We've continued to de-emphasize or maybe be more disciplined in our

Valerie: We do expect to see some public funds run out in this quarter also. So you know, I think when you're looking at the core funding base, that's where it's going to come from. So we want to continue to focus on that deposit growth. We've now shown four consecutive quarters of really good core customer deposit growth, and we think the team has it in them to continue to do that. Yeah, we do think that, you know, there could be another quarter or so where you're actually funding some additional loan growth from the securities book, the securities cash flow. We have the room to certainly do that.

Speaker Change: Pricing on public funds, the public funds are bid dollars.

Speaker Change: We do expect to see some public fund run out in this quarter also. So I think when you're looking at the core funding base, that's where it's going to come from. So we want to continue to focus on that deposit growth. We've now shown four consecutive quarters of really good core customer deposit growth, and we think the team has it in them to continue to do that.

Speaker Change: Yeah, we do think that, you know, there could be another quarter or so where you're actually funding some additional loan growth from the securities book, the securities cash flow. We have the room to certainly do that.

Valerie: But to Dan's point, you know, as you kind of get past... The total balance sheet in the securities book would end up where? Yeah, ballpark 15%-ish or so of total assets. But, you know, there's a little bit of flexibility, plus or minus on that.

Speaker Change: But, to Dan's point, you know, as you kind of get past... The total balance sheet in the securities book would end up where? Yeah, ballpark 15%-ish or so of total assets. But, you know, there's a little bit of flexibility, plus or minus on that. But you get kind of to a base level of that public funds, and then what you see is that those headwinds...

Valerie: But you get kind of to a base level of that public funds, and then what you see is that those headwinds..., you know, are set aside, and what you see coming through is that core deposit growth that we've been talking about. I think we used the last year, post March Madness a year ago, to really look at our overall funding. And I think the core funding that we have today, you know, if we, We're going to finish our project of making sure that the public funds that we're doing business with are profitable and beneficial to us.

Speaker Change: You know, are set aside and what you see coming through is that core deposit growth that we've been talking about.

Speaker Change: I think we've used the last year, post-March Madness a year ago, to really look at our overall funding. And I think the core funding that we have today, you know, if we...

Speaker Change: We're going to finish our project of making sure that the public funds that we're doing business with are profitable and beneficial to us, and we've now finished the cleanup on the broker deposits. I think you're going to see just normal, organic growth of deposits take care of business for us.

Dan: And we've now finished the cleanup on the broker deposits. I think you're going to see just normal, organic growth of deposits take care of business. Okay, appreciate the color there.

Matthew Covington Olney: And then I also want to ask about the Bank Term Funding Program. You have about three and a half billion dollars still out there. I assume that expires early next year.

Speaker Change: Okay, appreciate the color there. And then I also want to ask about the bank term funding program. You have about three and a half billion dollars still out there. I assume that expires early next year. Just any updated thoughts about how you want to handle that as it expires in 2025? Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Valerie: Just any updated thoughts about how you want to handle that as it expires in 2025? January of next year, and depending on where the balance sheet is, you know we'll be flexible there, depending on where rates are. We'll be flexible there. I would say, based on where the rate forecast is today, we'll likely have some type of short-term borrowing to replace that, but, you know, and maybe it shoots up a little bit longer term once the rates settle in. And continue to focus on core deposit growth. Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker Change: January next year's right. Yep, that's right. January of next year. And, and, you know, depending on where the balance sheet is, you know, we'll be flexible there depending on where rates are, it'll be flexible there. I would say, based on where the rate forecast is today, we'll likely have some type of short term borrowing to replace that. But.

Speaker Change: You know, and maybe like a sense of a little bit longer term once the rates settle in and continue focused on the core deposit growth Yeah, absolutely

Matthew Covington Olney: Okay. All right. Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.

Catherine Fitzhugh Summerson Mealor: Thanks, Matt. Thanks, Matt. And the next question comes from Catherine Mealor with KBW. Please go ahead. Afternoon, good morning. Catherine, your line may be on mute. I was on mute, and I apologize about that.

Speaker Change: Okay. All right. Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.

Matthew Covington Olney: Thanks, Matt. Thanks, Matt.

Matthew Covington Olney: And the next question comes from Catherine Mealor with KBW. Please go ahead.

Speaker Change: Catherine, good morning. Catherine, your line may be on mute.

Dan: So if you think about your guidance for this year, it feels like we're trending towards the high end of the revenue growth guide, if things kind of go as they seem like they are. And we're trending towards the low end of the expense growth guide. So you're seeing pretty phenomenal operating leverage in 24. As we think about 25, do you think... an environment where we start to see more Fed cuts?

Catherine Fitzhugh Summerson Mealor: I was on mute. I apologize about that. So if you think about your guidance for this year, it feels like...

Speaker Change: We're trending towards the high end of the revenue growth guide if things kind of go as it seems like it is. And we're trending towards the low end of the expense growth guide. So you're seeing pretty phenomenal operating leverage in 24. As we think about 25, do you think...

Dan: I think that's an environment where we can still see positive operating leverage, and do you think you can still see NIM expand as we move through 2020? I think we're set up for, I think we're set up in a nice way today. I think when we look forward at what we've got, the work we've done on our balance sheet, the work we've done with our team, the markets that we serve, we have a high confidence level that we're set in a nice way. Yeah, no, I would totally agree.

Speaker Change: In an environment where we start to see more Fed cuts, do you think that's an environment where we can still see positive operating leverage and do you think you can still see the NIM expand as we move through 2025 specifically?

Speaker Change #101: I think we're set up.

Will Fisackerly: and Will Fisackerly.

Will Fisackerly: You know, I think we're set up in a nice way today. I think when we look forward at what we've got.

Will Fisackerly: The work we've done on our balance sheet, the work we've done with our team, the markets that we serve.

Valerie: We feel like we are well positioned for some upcoming rate cuts as we look out into the future, and just with the level of, I believe that's an opportunity for us. What would be detrimental is if we had, you know, a very sudden 300 basis point decline or something along that range, but as long as we get something that's gradual, we absolutely believe that we're very well positioned for that as we look ahead.

Will Fisackerly: We have a high confidence level that we're set in a nice way, Valerie.

Valerie: Yeah, no, I would totally agree. We feel like we are well-positioned for some upcoming rate cuts as we look out into the future and just with the level of

Valerie: Expansion and organically that we have on the ballot sheet. I believe that's an opportunity for us.

Valerie: You know, what would be detrimental is if we had, you know, a very sudden 300 basis points decline or something along that range. But as long as we get something that's gradual, we absolutely believe that we're very well positioned for that as we look forward.

Valerie: And then just one follow-up on the securities. Valerie, you just mentioned that we have one more, probably one more quarter of funding loan growth through securities cash flows. So do you think we have one more quarter of... Security balances coming down, and then we kind of just stabilize from there and you see security balances kind of flat to growing, or how do we think about the size of the Yeah, I mean, we have the capacity to be able to fund loan growth for, you know, longer than that?

Speaker Change: That's helpful. And then just one follow-up on the securities. Valerie, you just mentioned that we have probably one more quarter of funding loan growth through securities cash flows. So do you think we have one more quarter of

Speaker Change #100: So security balance is coming down and then we kind of just stabilize from there and you see security balance is kind of flat to growing or how do we think about kind of size of the balance sheet with that?

Valerie: That's more a dynamic of, you know, given the core deposit growth that we've seen quarter over quarter and the stabilization that we believe after this next quarter that we may have in some of the public funds, we're hopeful that we'll be able to do more of the funding with core deposit growth than the securities portfolio, but we've got flexibility there. Okay, great.

Valerie: Yeah, I mean, we have the capacity to be able to fund loan growth for, you know, longer than that. That's more a dynamic of, you know, given the core deposit growth that we've seen quarter over quarter and the stabilization that we believe after this next quarter that we may have in some of the public funds that

Speaker Change #100: We're hopeful that we'll be able to do more of the funding with core deposit growth than the securities portfolio, but we've got flexibility there.

Catherine Fitzhugh Summerson Mealor: Thank you, Catherine. It's good to hear from you. And the final question comes from Jared Shaw with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Speaker Change #102: Okay, great, thank you.

Speaker Change #102: Thank you, Catherine. Good to hear from you.

Speaker Change #103: And the final question comes from Jared Shaw with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Jared Shaw: Hey, Jared. Hey, everybody. Hey, good morning.

Unknown Executive: Thanks. Most questions were asked, but I guess, you know, just looking at the office and CRE portfolio. It looks like loan-to-value actually declined in the quarter.

Speaker Change #102: Hey, Jared. Hey, everybody. Hey, good morning. Thanks. Most questions were asked, but I guess, you know, just looking at the office,

Unknown Executive: What's driving that? Is it reappraisals? Is that just payoffs of higher LTV loans? What's sort of driving that underlying trend there? It's not reappraisals. It's just normal everyday business. It's just business mix, you know, but remember that the average ticket size in there is really small. We're just not seeing, [inaudible] Great, thank you. And just a reminder, that's 2% of the total.

Jared Shaw: CRE portfolio. It looks like loan-to-value actually declined in the quarter. What's driving that? Is that reappraisals? Is that just payoffs of higher LTV loans? What's sort of driving that underlying trend there?

Speaker Change #105: It's not reappraisals. It's just normal everyday business. It's just business mix, you know. Remember, the average ticket size in there is really small. We're just not seeing...

Speaker Change #105: issue in that book at all, so I don't have an answer for that because I didn't study on it, Chris. I would say amortization. We're not replacing that book with anything significant in dollars. Just amortizing the principal.

Chris: Great. Thank you. And just a reminder, that's 2% of the total notebook. So it's really small. Small.

Operator: (inaudible) This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Dan Rollins for any closing remarks. All right, thanks again for joining us this morning. Our results are a reflection of the outstanding effort of our over 5,000 Cadence bankers. It's been a rewarding experience to see the hard work of teammates across our company positively impact and significantly improve our financial performance. Our bankers have done a tremendous job of growing loans at a steady pace and effectively retaining and growing core customer deposits.

Chris: This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Dan Rollins for any closing remarks.

James D. Rollins: All right, thanks again for joining us this morning. Our results are a reflection of the outstanding effort of our over 5,000 Cadence bankers. It's been a rewarding experience to see the hard work of teammates across our company positively impact and significantly improve our financial performance.

James D. Rollins: Our bankers have done a tremendous job of growing loans at a steady pace and effectively retaining and growing core customer deposits. Our fee lines of business have contributed meaningful revenue growth as well as our operational and support teammates have done an outstanding job of supporting our frontline and improving processes behind the scenes.

Operator: Our fee lines of business have contributed meaningful revenue growth, and our operational and support teammates have done an outstanding job of supporting our front line and improving processes behind the scenes. We've been able to steadily improve our net interest margin and operating efficiency while maintaining stable credit quality and strong capital metrics.

Unknown Executive: Saints. We've been able to steadily improve our net interest margin and operating efficiency while maintaining stable credit quality and strong capital metrics. As we look forward, I'm confident our team is prepared and ready to shine.

James D. Rollins: We've been able to steadily improve our net interest margin and operating efficiency while maintaining stable credit quality and strong capital metrics.

Dan: As we look forward, I'm confident our team is prepared and ready to shine. Thanks again for joining us today. We look forward to seeing you all on the road soon. The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.

James D. Rollins: As we look forward, I'm confident our team is prepared and ready to shine. Thanks again for joining us today. We look forward to seeing you all on the road soon.

Unknown Executive: Thanks again for joining us today, with a forward to seeing you all on the road soon.

Unknown Executive: The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation.

Unknown Executive: You may now disconnect. Thank you very much.

Speaker Change #108: The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.