SANTA ROSA, Calif., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Summit State Bank (the "Bank") (NASDAQ:SSBI) today reported net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 of $928,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2,985,000, or $0.45 per diluted share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. "Our second quarter earnings continue to be directly impacted by the high interest rate environment and its impact on funding costs, a challenge that is affecting the entire banking industry," said Brian Reed, President and CEO. "We are implementing steps to grow net income and remain focused on improving our financial performance. Loan balances decreased modestly during the second quarter related to our efforts to focus on asset quality and pricing versus growth. Our focus is on improving our performance metrics and increasing profitability in each successive quarter. While the possibility of a continued industry-wide higher-for-longer interest rate cycle still exists, we remain optimistic about our future performance." Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights (at or for the three months ended June 30, 2024) Net income was $928,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to $2,985,000, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2023 and $1,395,000, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.52% on June 30, 2024 which is based on estimating credit losses for the life of the loans in the portfolio. The Bank maintains strong total liquidity of 479,202,000, or 44.3% of total assets as of June 30, 2024. This includes on balance sheet liquidity (cash and equivalents and unpledged available-for-sale securities) of $115,094,000 or 10.6% of total assets, plus available borrowing capacity of $364,108,000 or 33.6% of total assets. The Bank remains well-capitalized and all regulatory capital ratios were well above minimum requirements on June 30, 2024. Net loans decreased $11,292,000 to $913,514,000 at June 30, 2024, compared to $924,806,000 one year earlier and decreased $4,171,000 compared to $917,685,000 three months earlier. Total deposits decreased 8% to $966,587,000 at June 30, 2024, compared to $1,048,316,000 at June 30, 2023, and increased 3% when compared to the prior quarter end of $939,202,000. Book value was $14.44 per share, compared to $13.92 per share a year ago and $14.43 in the preceding quarter. Operating Results For the second quarter of 2024, the annualized return on average assets was 0.35% and the annualized return on average equity was 3.82%. This compared to an annualized return on average assets of 1.03% and an annualized return on average equity of 12.69%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2023. Summit's net interest margin was 2.71% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 2.81% in the preceding quarter and 3.44% in the second quarter of 2023. The increased interest costs were partially offset by positive trends in loan yields. Interest and dividend income decreased 8.0% to $14,371,000 in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $15,625,000 in the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in interest income is attributable to a $998,000 decrease in interest on deposits with banks, a $298,000 decrease in interest on loans, and offset by an increase in dividends on FHLB stock of $48,000. "Higher funding costs outpaced the increase in loan yields during the second quarter, causing our net interest margin to contract 10 basis points compared to the preceding quarter," said Reed. "The cost of deposits was 2.95% during the second quarter, compared to 2.83% during the preceding quarter, as customers continue to look for higher yields. Given the current interest rate environment, the change in deposit mix has and will continue to place pressure on funding costs. While the bank has seen an increase in deposit costs, we are fortunate to maintain local deposit relationships as we work through this interest rate cycle." Noninterest income decreased in the second quarter of 2024 to $801,000 compared to $1,449,000 in the second quarter of 2023. The variance is primarily attributed to the Bank recognizing $1,023,000 in one-time FHLB fee income for prepayment of long term advances in the second quarter of 2023. This was partially offset by the Bank recognizing $270,000 in gains on sales of SBA and USDA guaranteed loan balances in the second quarter of 2024 compared to no gains on sales of SBA and USDA guaranteed loan balances in the second quarter of 2023. Operating expenses decreased in the second quarter of 2024 to $6,627,000 compared to $6,822,000 in the second quarter of 2023. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in stock appreciation rights expense of $416,000 and a decrease in employee bonus expense of $328,000. This was offset by a $278,000 increase in salaries and commissions net of deferred fees and costs and a $209,000 increase in FDIC Insurance expenses. Balance Sheet Review Net loans decreased 1% to $913,514,000 at June 30, 2024, compared to $924,806,000 at June 30, 2023, and decreased 0.5% compared to March 31, 2024. The Bank's largest loan types are commercial real estate loans which make up 74% of the portfolio, secured by farmland totaling 9% of the portfolio, and 6% in commercial and industrial loans. Of the commercial real estate total, approximately 34% or $231,000,000 is owner occupied and the remaining 66% or $459,000,000 is non-owner occupied. The portfolio is well diversified between industries with no significant concentrations, including no material concentration in office space which totals $113,700,000. Total deposits decreased 8% to $966,587,000 at June 30, 2024, compared to $1,048,316,000 at June 30, 2023, and increased 3% when compared to the prior quarter end. At June 30, 2024, noninterest bearing demand deposit accounts decreased 14% compared to a year ago and represented 19% of total deposits; savings, NOW and money market accounts increased 11% compared to a year ago and represented 49% of total deposits, and CDs decreased 24% compared to a year ago and comprised 32% of total deposits. The decrease in deposits is a result of the Bank managing its liquidity levels and asset growth. The average cost of deposits was 2.95% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 2.26% in the second quarter of 2023. Shareholders' equity was $97,949,000 at June 30, 2024, compared to $97,878,000 three months earlier and $94,435,000 a year earlier. The increase in shareholders' equity compared to a year ago was primarily due to an increase of $2,807,000 in retained earnings. At June 30, 2024 book value was $14.44 per share, compared to $14.43 three months earlier, and $13.92 at June 30, 2023. Summit State Bank continues to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as "well-capitalized" with average equity to assets of 9.04% at June 30, 2024, compared to 8.96% at March 31, 2024, and 8.15% at June 30, 2023. The increase compared to June 2023 was due to the Bank's retention of capital which is exceeding asset growth. Credit Quality "We continue to closely monitor asset quality and are diligently working to reduce portfolio risk," said Reed. "Nonperforming loans which are concentrated in the secured by farmland category declined from the immediate prior quarter while our commercial real estate portfolios continue to perform well." Nonperforming assets were $40,994,000, or 3.79% of total assets, at June 30, 2024. This compared to $41,548,000 in nonperforming assets at March 31, 2024, and $24,908,000 in nonperforming assets at June 30, 2023. There are three specific relationships totaling $31,800,000, and one real estate owned for $5,130,000, that together make up 90% of nonperforming assets portfolio. These three relationships are secured by farmland and the Bank has specific reserves set aside based on current appraised values. Net charge-offs were $1,347,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to net recoveries of $281,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and net recoveries of $10,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2023. Net charge offs for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were related to a loan taken into real estate owned. For the second quarter of 2024, consistent with factors within the allowance for credit losses, the Bank recorded a $6,000 provision for credit loss expense for loans, a $26,000 reversal of credit losses for unfunded loan commitments and a $4,000 provision for credit losses on investments. This compared to no provision for credit loss expense on loans and a $35,000 provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments and no provision for credit losses on investments in the second quarter of 2023. The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.52% on June 30, 2024, and 1.62% on June 30, 2023. The decrease is due to charging off $1,347,000 on a loan taken into real estate owned; this loan was previously listed as nonperforming and carried a specific reserve amount equal to the chargeoff amount. Although the loan portfolio decreased in the second quarter of 2024, there was a minimal provision for credit losses on loans of $6,000 recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2024. About Summit State Bank Summit State Bank, a local community bank, has total assets of $1.1 billion and total equity of $98 million at June 30, 2024. Headquartered in Sonoma County, the Bank specializes in providing exceptional customer service and customized financial solutions to aid in the success of local small businesses and nonprofits throughout Sonoma County. Summit State Bank is committed to embracing the diverse backgrounds, cultures and talents of its employees to create high performance and support the evolving needs of its customers and community it serves. At the center of diversity is inclusion, collaboration, and a shared vision for delivering superior service to customers and results for shareholders. Presently, 54% of management are women and minorities with 60% represented on the Executive Management Team. Through the engagement of its team, Summit State Bank has received many esteemed awards including: Best Business Bank by North Bay biz magazine, Best Places to Work in the North Bay by North Bay Business Journal, Top Performing Banks by ICBA, Top Community Bank Loan Producer, Raymond James Bankers Cup, Super Premier Performing Bank by Findley Reports, Bank & Thrift SM-ALL Star by Piper Sandler, Corporate Philanthropy Award by the San Francisco Business Times, Hall of Fame by North Bay Biz Magazine, and Diversity in Business. Summit State Bank's stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol SSBI. Further information can be found at www.summitstatebank.com. Forward-looking Statements The financial results in this release are preliminary. Final financial results and other disclosures will be reported in Summit State Bank's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2024 and may differ materially from the results and disclosures in this release due to, among other things, the completion of final review procedures, the occurrence of subsequent events or the discovery of additional information. Except for historical information contained herein, the statements contained in this news release, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not necessarily limited to fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, government regulations and general economic conditions, and competition within the business areas in which the Bank will be conducting its operations, including the real estate market in California and other factors beyond the Bank's control. Such risks and uncertainties could cause results for subsequent interim periods or for the entire year to differ materially from those indicated. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date hereof. The Bank undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.                   SUMMIT STATE BANK STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands except earnings per share data)                                             Three Months Ended         June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   June 30, 2023         (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)                   Interest and dividend income:             Interest and fees on loans $ 13,083     $ 13,274     $ 13,381     Interest on deposits with banks   451       362       1,449     Interest on investment securities   709       712       715     Dividends on FHLB stock   128       129       80         Total interest and dividend income   14,371       14,477       15,625   Interest expense:             Deposits   7,046       6,786       5,819     Federal Home Loan Bank advances   137       190       48     Junior subordinated debt   94       94       94         Total interest expense   7,277       7,070       5,961         Net interest income before provision for credit losses   7,094       7,407       9,664   Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on loans   6       (15 )     -   (Reversal of) provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments   (26 )     (65 )     35   Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on investments   4       (5 )     -         Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit                 losses on loans, unfunded loan commitments and investments   7,110       7,492       9,629   Non-interest income:             Service charges on deposit accounts   227       233       215     Rental income   60       60       39     Net gain on loan sales   270       514       -     Other income   244       141       1,195         Total non-interest income   801       948       1,449   Non-interest expense:             Salaries and employee benefits   4,039       4,182       4,199     Occupancy and equipment   443       485       442     Other expenses   2,145       1,733       2,181         Total non-interest expense   6,627       6,400       6,822         Income before provision for income taxes   1,284       2,040       4,256   Provision for income taxes   356       645       1,271         Net income $ 928     $ 1,395     $ 2,985                     Basic earnings per common share $ 0.14     $ 0.21     $ 0.45   Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.14     $ 0.21     $ 0.45                     Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding   6,719       6,698       6,697   Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding   6,719       6,698       6,700                                     SUMMIT STATE BANK STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands except earnings per share data)                                         Six Months Ended         June 30, 2024     June 30, 2023         (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                 Interest and dividend income:           Interest and fees on loans $ 26,358       $ 26,321     Interest on deposits with banks   813         2,355     Interest on investment securities   1,421         1,434     Dividends on FHLB stock   258         164         Total interest and dividend income   28,850         30,274   Interest expense:           Deposits   13,832         10,219     Federal Home Loan Bank advances   328