Sierra Bancorp Reports Quarterly Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq: BSRR) reported a consolidated net income of $7.4 million for Q1 2022, down from $11.1 million in Q1 2021, primarily due to a $3.8 million decrease in net interest income. Return on average assets fell to 0.88%, and return on average equity decreased to 8.64%. Deposits grew 3% to $2.9 billion, supported by expanded agricultural lending efforts. The Company repurchased $4.9 million in shares and declared a cash dividend of $0.23 per share, marking its 93rd consecutive dividend.

Positive

• Deposits increased by $83.4 million (3%) in Q1 2022.
• Opened a new loan production office in Templeton, California, expanding agricultural lending.
• Repurchased 182,562 shares totaling $4.9 million.

Negative

• Net income decreased by $3.7 million (33%) from Q1 2021.
• Net interest income dropped by $3.8 million (13%) year-over-year.
• Nonperforming assets increased by $25.9 million due to higher non-accrual loans.

PORTERVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq: BSRR), parent of Bank of the Sierra, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. Sierra Bancorp reported consolidated net income of $7.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $11.1 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2021. The unfavorable variance in net income came largely from a $3.8 million decrease in net interest income. The Company's return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.88% and 8.64%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to 1.40% and 12.94%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2021.

In April 2022, the Company opened its second loan production office in Templeton, California which demonstrates our investment in expanding our agricultural presence in the state. With the recent hire of Mark Pearce, we now have seven experienced relationship managers and a strong support team of underwriters, analysts, and other support focused on agricultural lending throughout California. While we have reduced exposure in the dairy industry, some of the areas of focus include winery and vineyard lending on the Central Coast and diversified farming operations in the Central Valley.

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

“Over the past few months, we have successfully added new agricultural, commercial real estate, and mortgage warehouse experts to our lending team,” stated Kevin McPhaill, President and CEO. “This has created a higher level of energy and excitement as we look to grow these segments of our loan portfolio. In addition to our new lenders, new loan opportunities have increased throughout our branches as our bankers diligently work with existing and new customers throughout our markets. We have also launched new deposit products and enhanced our treasury services as we look to add to our already strong deposit growth. While this year will have challenges, there will be opportunities as well. We are excited about our prospects and look forward to continued success this year!” McPhaill concluded.

Financial Highlights

Quarterly Changes (comparisons to the first quarter of 2021)

• The $3.8 million, or 13%, decrease in net interest income is due mostly to a $3.4 million decrease in interest income resulting primarily from lower loan volumes combined with lower rates. In addition, there was a $0.4 million unfavorable increase in interest expense due to the issuance of subordinated debt during the third quarter of 2021.
• The provision for credit losses on loans & leases at $0.6 million is $0.4 million higher as a result of higher charge-offs partially offset by a reduction in the pooled allowance under the new current expected credit losses (“CECL”) methodology implemented on January 1, 2022.
• All capital ratios were above the regulatory requirements for a well-capitalized institution. The Community Bank Leverage ratio was 11.65% for Bank of the Sierra. The Sierra Bancorp leverage ratio was 10.48%.
• Sierra Bancorp repurchased 182,562 shares totaling $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2022.
• Our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.23 per share on April 21, 2022. This is the 93rd consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Sierra Bancorp. The cash dividend is payable on May 12, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 2, 2022.

Linked Quarter Changes (comparisons to the three months ended December 31, 2021)

• Net income decreased by $2.2 million, or 23%, driven mostly by a $1.8 million decline in net interest income and a $0.6 million provision for credit losses compared to a $1.2 million provision reversal in the prior quarter.
• Noninterest expense decreased $2.0 million, or 9%, favorably impacting net income, mostly due to a decrease in professional fees.

Balance Sheet Changes (comparisons to December 31, 2021)

• Total assets were relatively unchanged at $3.4 billion.
• Deposits increased by $83.4 million, or 3%. The growth in deposits came primarily from noninterest bearing or low-cost transaction and savings accounts, while higher-cost time deposits decreased slightly.
• Gross loan balances were flat at $2.0 billion, however real estate secured loans increased $62.9 million, due mostly to high quality jumbo single family mortgage loan pool purchases. This increase was offset by a reduction in commercial and industrial loans of $22.6 million due predominately to Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (“SBA PPP”) loan forgiveness. Other significant declines included a decrease in Mortgage Warehouse lines for $44.0 million due to reduced refinance activity.

Other financial highlights are reflected in the following table.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)
			As of or for the
			three months ended
			3/31/2022			12/31/2021			3/31/2021
Net income		$	7,407		$	9,621		$	11,078
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.49		$	0.63		$	0.72
Return on average assets			0.88%			1.10%			1.40%
Return on average equity			8.64%			10.47%			12.94%
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)			3.21%			3.31%			3.93%
Yield on average loans and leases			4.32%			4.59%			4.53%
Cost of average total deposits			0.08%			0.08%			0.09%
Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent) (1)			67.08%			64.86%			56.43%
Total assets		$	3,418,854		$	3,371,014		$	3,326,037
Loans & leases net of deferred fees		$	1,982,131		$	1,987,861		$	2,284,751
Noninterest demand deposits		$	1,104,691		$	1,084,544		$	1,020,350
Total deposits		$	2,864,943		$	2,781,572		$	2,853,892
Noninterest-bearing deposits over total deposits			38.6%			39.0%			35.8%
Shareholders equity / total assets			9.5%			10.8%			10.5%
Tangible common equity ratio (2)			8.7%			9.9%			9.6%
Book value per share		$	21.59		$	23.74		$	22.58
Tangible book value per share (2)		$	19.58		$	21.73		$	20.54

(1)		Noninterest expense as a percentage of the sum of net interest income and noninterest income excluding net gains (losses) from securities and bank owned life insurance income.
(2)		See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measurement in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" later in this document

INCOME STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $24.8 million for the first quarter of 2022, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 7%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and a decrease of $3.8 million, or 13%, as compared to the first quarter of 2021. As compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, overall loan interest income declined by $2.9 million, or 12%, due primarily to a $95.8 million decline in average loan balances, as well as by a 27 basis point decrease in loan yield. There was no change in the cost of interest bearing liabilities for the first three months of 2022 as compared to the prior linked quarter.

For the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same quarter in 2021, average loan balances decreased $415.3 million, primarily in real estate loans, mortgage warehouse lines and SBA PPP loans contributing to the $5.6 million decrease in loan interest income. In addition, there was an unfavorable rate variance due to a 21 bps decrease in loan yield. While overall deposit costs declined in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same quarter in 2021, there was an 8 bps increase in the overall cost of interest bearing liabilities due to $50 million in subordinated debentures issued at 3.25% in September 2021.

At March 31, 2022, approximately 16% of the Bank’s loan portfolio is schedule to mature or reprice within twelve months with another 9% repricing within three years. In addition, approximately $347.3 million, or 34%, of the securities portfolio consists of floating rate bonds that will reprice in less than 90 days.

Interest expense was $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2022, relatively unchanged from the linked quarter, and an increase of $0.4 million, or 47% from the same period in 2021. The increase in the quarterly comparison is attributable to the issuance of subordinated debentures described above, as the interest expense on deposit accounts was primarily flat.

Our net interest margin was 3.21% for the first quarter of 2022, as compared to 3.31% for the linked quarter and 3.93% for the quarter ending March 31, 2021. Average overnight cash balances from increased liquidity due to deposit growth were $194.8 million in the first quarter of 2022 and $311.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, yielded an average rate of 19 and 15 bps respectively. The average balance of overnight cash was $76.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. The average balance of investment accounts increased $159.2 million for the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and increased $494.9 million over the same quarter in 2021. The yield on investment balances increased 6 bps for the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 but declined 27 bps over the same quarter in 2021.

Provision for Credit Losses

The Company implemented the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") accounting method under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update 2016-03 and related amendments, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) on January 1, 2022. Upon implementation the Company recorded a $10.4 million increase in the allowance for credit losses, which included a $0.9 million reserve for unfunded commitments as an adjustment to equity, net of deferred taxes.

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses on loan and leases of $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2022, as compared to a benefit for loan and lease losses of $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, and a provision for loan and lease losses of $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2021. The higher provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2022 over both the linked quarter and the same quarter in 2021, was primarily due to the impact of a $1.8 million in net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2022, partially offset by a decrease in the allowance for credit losses for loans evaluated on a pool basis. The increase in net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2022 was primarily related to a single loan relationship that defaulted in late March 2022 upon the discovery of new information. No additional allowance was booked for this loan individually evaluated for expected losses. The first quarter of 2022 decrease in the allowance for credit losses evaluated on a pooled basis was primarily due to a decline in the qualitative factors resulting from improvements in regional economic factors. The net benefit for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2021 was due mostly to lower historical loan loss rates, a decline in outstanding balances on loans, and a change in the mix of loans.

The Company recorded a benefit for credit losses on unfunded commitments in the first quarter of 2022 for $0.1 million with no corresponding benefit or provision in the first quarter of 2021. The benefit for credit losses was due to a reduction in the reserve rate utilized in the calculation of the reserve as well as reductions in availability of credit lines.

The Company did not record a provision for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities. Although there were debt securities in an unrealized loss position the declines in market values were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and volatility in the financial markets and not a result of an expected credit loss.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income decreased by $1.0 million, or 15%, to $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to $7.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Noninterest income decreased by $0.8 million, or 11%, in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same quarter in 2021. The first quarter 2022 decrease of $1.0 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, is primarily due to valuation decreases related to restricted equity investments for $0.3 million and BOLI fluctuations associated with deferred compensation plans for $0.9 million. In addition, there was a $1.0 million gain on sale of securities in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to $0.7 million in gains on sales of various assets in the fourth quarter of 2021.

In comparing the first quarter of 2022 to the same period in 2021, the reasons for the variances include a $1.2 million decrease in the change in the annual valuation change of restricted equity investments, as well as BOLI fluctuations associated with deferred compensation plans for $1.2 million. These negative variances were partially offset by a $1.0 million gain on the sale of investment securities in an effort to rebalance the portfolio by selling longer duration and higher price volatility securities as a hedge against rising interest rates, due to likely persistent inflationary pressures in the near-intermediate term environment.

Service charges on customer deposit account income declined by $0.1 million, or 4%, to $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. This same income was $0.3 million higher in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2021 due to higher returned check charges and overdraft fees.

Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest expense had a favorable decline of $2.0 million, or 9%, in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and decreased $0.1 million compared to the first quarter of 2021.

Salaries and benefits were $1.6 million higher in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and $0.7 million higher than the first quarter of 2021. The increase in the linked quarter and year-over-year quarterly comparison is due to several factors, including merit increases for employees due to annual performance evaluations during the first quarter of 2022, higher payroll taxes in the first quarter, the strategic hiring of lending and management staff, and the impact of a favorable bonus adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2021. Overall full-time equivalent employees were 484 at March 31, 2022 as compared to 480 at December 31, 2021 and 508 at March 31, 2021.

Occupancy expense was down $0.1 million for the linked quarters and $0.2 million lower for the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same quarter last year. We closed five branch facilities in the second quarter of 2021 which impacted the decrease for the year-over-year quarterly comparison.

Other noninterest expense decreased $3.5 million, or 37%, in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and was $0.6 million, or 8% lower than the first quarter of 2021. The primary reason for the decrease in both the linked quarters and the year-over-year quarterly comparison was lower professional services expense, primarily due to lower legal fees.

The Company's effective tax rate was 27.0% in the first quarter of 2022 relative to 24.2% in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 25.5% for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 is due to tax credits and tax-exempt income representing a smaller percentage of total taxable income.

Balance Sheet Summary

The $47.8 million, or 1% increase in total assets during the first quarter of 2022, is primarily a result of a $51.7 million increase in investment securities, due mostly to the purchase of collateralized loan obligations.

Gross loan balances remained relatively flat during the first quarter of 2022 with an overall 0.3% change. The net change did have some offsetting components with the larger fluctuations being a $44.0 million decline in mortgage warehouse line utilization, a $25.8 million decrease in non-owner occupied commercial real estate, and a $16.8 million decrease in PPP loans. These declines were mostly offset by a $109.4 million increase in 1-4 family mortgage loans due to purchases of high-quality jumbo mortgage loans. The Company’s regulatory commercial real estate concentration ratio decreased to 234% at March 31, 2022 as compared to 248% at December 31, 2021.

Regarding line utilization, unused commitments, excluding mortgage warehouse and consumer overdraft lines, were $224.4 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $242.3 million at December 31, 2021. Total utilization excluding mortgage warehouse and consumer overdraft lines was 61% at March 31, 2022, compared to 61% at December 31, 2021. Mortgage warehouse utilization was 16% at March 31, 2022, as compared to 28% at December 31, 2021.

As expected, PPP loans continue to decline as borrowers receive forgiveness on these loans. There were 160 loans for $15.0 million outstanding at March 31, 2022, compared to 438 loans for $31.8 million at December 31, 2021.

In addition to an expanded investment in agricultural lending with the recent opening of our Templeton loan production office, as described above, the real estate and mortgage warehouse teams are experiencing a build-up of existing pipelines and the boarding of new customer relationships.

Deposit balances grew by $83.4 million, or 3%, during the first quarter of 2022 to $2.9 billion at March 31, 2022. Core non-maturity deposits increased $83.6 million, or 3%, for the first three months of 2022, while customer time deposits declined by $0.2 million. There was no change in brokered deposits during the quarter. Overall noninterest-bearing deposits as a percent of total deposits decreased slightly to 38.6% at March 31, 2022, compared to 39.0% at December 31, 2021, and increased from 35.8% at March 31, 2021. Other interest-bearing liabilities of $192.3 million at March 31, 2022, include $107.8 million of customer repurchase agreements, $49.2 million in subordinated debt, and $35.3 million in trust preferred securities.

The Company continues to have substantial liquidity. At March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the Company had the following sources of primary and secondary liquidity (dollars in thousands):

Primary and secondary liquidity sources			March 31, 2022			December 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents		$	253,534		$	257,528
Unpledged investment securities			861,857			806,132
Excess pledged securities			40,403			47,024
FHLB borrowing availability			748,101			787,519
Unsecured lines of credit			305,000			305,000
Funds available through fed discount window			44,587			50,608
Totals		$	2,253,482		$	2,253,811

Total capital of $325.7 million at March 31, 2022, reflects a decrease of $36.8 million, or 10%, compared to December 31, 2021. The decrease in equity during the first quarter of 2022 is due to net income of $7.4 million, offset by a $3.5 million dividend paid to shareholders, $4.9 million in share repurchases and a $28.9 million unfavorable swing in other comprehensive income/loss due principally to changes in investment securities' fair value. The remaining difference is related to stock options exercised and restricted stock compensation recognized during the quarter.

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets, comprised of non-accrual loans and foreclosed assets, increased by $25.9 million, during the first quarter of 2022. The increase resulted from an increase in non-accrual loans, primarily as a result of one relationship in the dairy industry consisting of four separate loans. These loans were written down by $1.96 million in the first quarter of 2022 and no further allowance for credit losses was deemed necessary on these loans. The Company's ratio of nonperforming assets to loans plus foreclosed assets increased to 1.54% at March 31, 2022, from 0.23% at December 31, 2021 due primarily to the loan relationship downgrade previously mentioned. All the Company's nonperforming assets are individually evaluated for credit loss quarterly and management believes the established allowance for credit loss on such loans are appropriate.

The Company's allowance for credit losses on loans and leases was $22.5 million at March 31, 2022, as compared to $14.3 million at December 31, 2021, and $18.3 million at March 31, 2021. The $8.3 million increase in the allowance for credit losses on loan and leases during the first quarter of 2022 is due to a $9.5 million one-time adjustment from the implementation of CECL on January 1, 2022, a $0.6 million provision for credit losses on loan and leases, and net loan charge-offs of $1.8 million.

The allowance was 1.14% of total loans at March 31, 2022, 0.72% of total loans at December 31, 2021, and 0.80% of total loans at March 31, 2021. Management's detailed analysis indicates that the Company's allowance for credit losses on loan and leases should be sufficient to cover credit losses for the life of the loan and leases outstanding as of March 31, 2022, but no assurance can be given that the Company will not experience substantial future losses relative to the size of the loan and lease loss allowance.

The Company provided loan modification deferrals to customers under Section 4013 of the CARES Act, which were not treated as troubled debt restructured loans. As of March 31, 2022 there are no loans remaining on deferred status.

About Sierra Bancorp

Sierra Bancorp is the holding Company for Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com), which is in its 45^th year of operations and is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. Bank of the Sierra is a community-centric regional bank, which offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking services through full-service branches located within the counties of Tulare, Kern, Kings, Fresno, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. The Bank also maintains an online branch and provides specialized lending services through an agricultural credit center in Templeton, California, an SBA center, and a dedicated loan production office in Roseville, California. In 2022, Bank of the Sierra was recognized as one of the strongest and top-performing community banks in the country, with a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ from those projected. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including but not limited to our borrowers' actual payment performance as loan deferrals related to the COVID-19 pandemic expire, changes to statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies or practices as a result of, or in response to COVID-19, including the potential adverse impact of loan modifications and payment deferrals implemented consistent with recent regulatory guidance, the health of the national and local economies, the impacts of inflation, the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled employees, customers' service expectations, the Company's ability to successfully deploy new technology, the success of acquisitions and branch expansion, closure or consolidation, changes in interest rates, loan portfolio performance, and other factors detailed in the Company's SEC filings, including the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recent Form 10‑K and Form 10‑Q.

STATEMENT OF CONDITION
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
ASSETS			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				9/30/2021				6/30/2021				3/31/2021
Cash and due from banks		$	253,534			$	257,528			$	422,350			$	373,902			$	346,211
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value			1,025,032				973,314				732,312				607,474				552,931
Real estate loans
1-4 family residential construction			8,800				21,369				34,720				37,165				36,818
Other construction/land			24,633				25,299				25,512				27,682				50,433
1-4 family - closed-end			398,871				289,457				220,240				106,599				126,949
Equity lines			23,389				26,588				31,341				33,334				36,276
Multi-family residential			59,711				53,458				55,628				58,230				58,324
Commercial real estate - owner occupied			331,764				334,446				345,116				359,021				359,777
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied			857,051				882,888				995,921				1,048,153				1,071,532
Farmland			98,865				106,706				124,446				125,783				126,157
Total real estate loans			1,803,084				1,740,211				1,832,924				1,795,967				1,866,266
Agricultural production loans			31,663				33,990				43,296				42,952				45,476
Commercial and industrial			87,173				109,791				132,292				150,632				183,762
Mortgage warehouse lines			57,178				101,184				126,486				150,351				187,940
Consumer loans			4,233				4,550				4,828				4,894				5,024
Gross loans and leases			1,983,331				1,989,726				2,139,826				2,144,796				2,288,468
Deferred loan and lease fees			(1,200	)			(1,865	)			(2,612	)			(3,835	)			(3,717	)
Allowance for credit losses on loans and leases			(22,530	)			(14,256	)			(15,617	)			(16,421	)			(18,319	)
Net loans and leases			1,959,601				1,973,605				2,121,597				2,124,540				2,266,432
Bank premises and equipment			23,239				23,571				24,490				25,949				26,795
Other assets			157,448				142,996				141,990				140,183				133,668
Total assets		$	3,418,854			$	3,371,014			$	3,442,739			$	3,272,048			$	3,326,037
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
Noninterest demand deposits		$	1,104,691			$	1,084,544			$	1,111,411			$	1,073,833			$	1,020,350
Interest-bearing transaction accounts			776,457				744,553				765,823				752,137				770,271
Savings deposits			480,178				450,785				451,248				435,076				415,230
Money market deposits			149,918				147,793				141,348				133,977				136,653
Customer time deposits			293,699				293,897				290,816				295,891				411,388
Wholesale brokered deposits			60,000				60,000				60,000				85,000				100,000
Total deposits			2,864,943				2,781,572				2,820,646				2,775,914				2,853,892
Long-term debt			49,151				49,141				49,221				-				-
Subordinated debentures			35,347				35,302				35,258				35,213				35,169
Other interest-bearing liabilities			107,760				106,937				92,553				70,535				56,527
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities			3,057,201				2,972,952				2,997,678				2,881,662				2,945,588
Allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments			1,040				203				203				193				289
Other liabilities			34,922				35,365				80,351				32,464				32,179
Total capital			325,691				362,494				364,507				357,729				347,981
Total liabilities and capital		$	3,418,854			$	3,371,014			$	3,442,739			$	3,272,048			$	3,326,037

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				9/30/2021				6/30/2021				3/31/2021
Goodwill		$	27,357			$	27,357			$	27,357			$	27,357			$	27,357
Core deposit intangible			3,022				3,275				3,527				3,780				4,038
Total intangible assets		$	30,379			$	30,632			$	30,884			$	31,137			$	31,395
CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				9/30/2021				6/30/2021				3/31/2021
Non-accruing loans		$	30,446			$	4,522			$	6,788			$	7,276			$	8,599
Foreclosed assets			93				93				93				774				945
Total nonperforming assets		$	30,539			$	4,615			$	6,881			$	8,050			$	9,544
Performing TDR's (not included in NPA's)		$	4,568			$	4,910			$	5,509			$	10,774			$	10,596
Net (recoveries) / charge offs		$	1,778			$	(168	)		$	(329	)		$	(533	)		$	(331	)
Past due & still accruing (30-89)		$	2,809			$	2,013			$	380			$	3,197			$	2,991
Non-performing loans to gross loans			1.54	%			0.23	%			0.32	%			0.34	%			0.38	%
NPA's to loans plus foreclosed assets			1.54	%			0.23	%			0.32	%			0.38	%			0.42	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans and leases to loans			1.14	%			0.72	%			0.73	%			0.77	%			0.80	%
SELECT PERIOD-END STATISTICS
(Unaudited)
			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				9/30/2021				6/30/2021				3/31/2021
Shareholders’ equity / total assets			9.5	%			10.8	%			10.6	%			10.9	%			10.5	%
Gross loans / deposits			69.2	%			71.5	%			75.9	%			77.3	%			80.2	%
Non-interest bearing deposits / total deposits			38.6	%			39.0	%			39.4	%			38.7	%			35.8	%

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)			For the three months ended:
			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				3/31/2021
Interest income		$	26,081			$	27,897			$	29,458
Interest expense			1,325				1,331				903
Net interest income			24,756				26,566				28,555
Provision / (benefit) for credit losses on loans and leases			600				(1,200	)			250
Benefit for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments			(94	)			-				-
Net interest income after provision			24,250				27,766				28,305
Service charges			3,040				3,169				2,767
BOLI (expense) income			(645	)			203				583
Gain on investments			1,032				-				-
Other noninterest income			2,636				3,730				3,480
Total noninterest income			6,063				7,102				6,830
Salaries and benefits			11,805				10,237				11,151
Occupancy expense			2,294				2,366				2,486
Other noninterest expenses			6,074				9,572				6,634
Total noninterest expense			20,173				22,175				20,271
Income before taxes			10,140				12,693				14,864
Provision for income taxes			2,733				3,072				3,786
Net income		$	7,407			$	9,621			$	11,078
TAX DATA
Tax-exempt muni income		$	1,726			$	1,761			$	1,449
Interest income - fully tax equivalent		$	26,540			$	28,365			$	29,843

PER SHARE DATA
(Unaudited)			For the three months ended:
			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				3/31/2021
Basic earnings per share		$	0.49			$	0.63			$	0.73
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.49			$	0.63			$	0.72
Common dividends		$	0.23			$	0.22			$	0.21
Weighted average shares outstanding			15,021,138				15,226,834				15,223,010
Weighted average diluted shares			15,120,990				15,297,414				15,337,710
Book value per basic share (EOP)		$	21.59			$	23.74			$	22.58
Tangible book value per share (EOP)		$	19.58			$	21.73			$	20.54
Common shares outstanding (EOP)			15,086,032				15,270,010				15,410,763
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
(Unaudited)			For the three months ended:
			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				3/31/2021
Return on average equity			8.64	%			10.47	%			12.94	%
Return on average assets			0.88	%			1.10	%			1.40	%
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)			3.21	%			3.31	%			3.93	%
Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent)¹			67.08	%			64.86	%			56.43	%
Net charge offs (recoveries) to avg loans (not annualized)			0.09	%			0.01	%			(0.01	)%

(1)

Noninterest expense as a percentage of the sum of net interest income and noninterest income excluding net gains (losses) from securities and bank owned life insurance income.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Unaudited)
			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				3/31/2021
Total stockholders' equity		$	325,691			$	362,494			$	347,981
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets			30,379				30,632				31,395
Tangible common equity		$	295,312			$	331,862			$	316,586
Total assets		$	3,418,854			$	3,371,014			$	3,326,037
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets			30,379				30,632				31,395
Tangible assets		$	3,388,475			$	3,340,382			$	3,294,642
Common shares outstanding			15,086,032				15,270,010				15,410,763
Book value per common share		$	21.59			$	23.74			$	22.58
Tangible book value per common share		$	19.58			$	21.73			$	20.54
Equity ratio - GAAP (total stockholders' equity / total assets			9.53	%			10.75	%			10.46	%
Tangible common equity ratio (tangible common equity / tangible assets)			8.72	%			9.93	%			9.61	%

NONINTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
			For the three months ended:
Noninterest income:			3/31/2022				12/31/2021				3/31/2021
Service charges on deposit accounts		$	3,040			$	3,169			$	2,767
Checkcard fees			2,056				2,165				1,894
Bank-owned life insurance			(645	)			203				583
Other service charges and fees			696				992				1,718
Gain on sale of securities			1,032				—				—
Loss on tax credit investment			(113	)			(133	)			(133	)
Other			(3	)			706				1
Total noninterest income		$	6,063			$	7,102			$	6,830
As a % of average interest earning assets (1)			0.77	%			0.87	%			0.93	%
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		$	11,805			$	10,237			$	11,151
Occupancy costs
Furniture & equipment			454				409				452
Premises			1,840				1,957				2,034
Advertising and marketing costs			406				539				321
Data processing costs			1,485				1,481				1,426
Deposit services costs			2,245				2,298				2,068
Loan services costs
Loan processing			111				158				169
Foreclosed assets			(5	)			(6	)			107
Other operating costs
Telephone & data communications			444				431				380
Postage & mail			56				56				84
Other			419				906				462
Professional services costs
Legal & accounting			546				2,703				442
Other professional service			143				796				897
Stationery & supply costs			85				85				78
Sundry & tellers			139				125				200
Total noninterest expense		$	20,173			$	22,175			$	20,271
As a % of average interest earning assets (1)			2.57	%			2.72	%			2.75	%
Efficiency ratio (2)(3)			67.08	%			64.86	%			56.43	%

---

(1)		Annualized
(2)		Tax equivalent
(3)		Noninterest expense as a percentage of the sum of net interest income and noninterest income excluding net gains (losses) from securities and bank owned life insurance income.

AVERAGE BALANCES AND RATES
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
		For the quarter ended							For the quarter ended							For the quarter ended
		March 31, 2022							December 31, 2021							March 31, 2021
		Average Balance (1)		Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate (2)			Average Balance (1)		Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate (2)			Average Balance (1)		Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate (2)
Assets
Investments:
Federal funds sold/interest-earning due from's		$	194,846	$	93	0.19	%		$	311,386	$	120	0.15	%		$	76,504	$	19	0.10	%
Taxable			744,599		3,490	1.90	%			593,959		2,403	1.61	%			317,254		1,578	2.02	%
Non-taxable			294,409		1,726	3.01	%			285,811		1,679	2.95	%			226,838		1,449	3.28	%
Total investments			1,233,854		5,309	1.90	%			1,191,156		4,202	1.55	%			620,596		3,046	2.24	%
Loans and leases: (3)
Real estate			1,753,394		18,326	4.24	%			1,794,285		20,864	4.61	%			1,879,359		21,391	4.62	%
Agricultural production			33,986		302	3.60	%			38,191		361	3.75	%			46,153		419	3.68	%
Commercial			97,127		1,398	5.84	%			118,159		1,457	4.89	%			191,656		2,451	5.19	%
Consumer			4,448		206	18.78	%			4,720		237	19.92	%			5,422		196	14.66	%
Mortgage warehouse lines			61,255		510	3.38	%			90,736		747	3.27	%			242,865		1,928	3.22	%
Other			1,485		30	8.19	%			1,430		29	8.05	%			1,588		27	6.90	%
Total loans and leases			1,951,695		20,772	4.32	%			2,047,521		23,695	4.59	%			2,367,043		26,412	4.53	%
Total interest earning assets (4)			3,185,549	$	26,081	3.38	%			3,238,677	$	27,897	3.47	%			2,987,639	$	29,458	4.05	%
Other earning assets			15,679							21,425							13,275
Non-earning assets			210,724							206,344							201,114
Total assets		$	3,411,952						$	3,466,446						$	3,202,028
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Interest bearing deposits:
Demand deposits		$	202,962	$	106	0.21	%		$	131,810	$	80	0.24	%		$	130,763	$	73	0.23	%
NOW			546,280		82	0.06	%			615,245		112	0.07	%			569,171		101	0.07	%
Savings accounts			467,700		67	0.06	%			451,369		65	0.06	%			391,091		53	0.05	%
Money market			151,339		23	0.06	%			146,174		25	0.07	%			136,422		30	0.09	%
Time deposits			293,684		234	0.32	%			291,516		241	0.33	%			412,416		289	0.29	%
Wholesale brokered deposits			60,000		48	0.32	%			60,000		49	0.32	%			100,000		62	0.25	%
Total interest bearing deposits			1,721,965		560	0.13	%			1,696,114		572	0.13	%			1,739,863		608	0.14	%
Borrowed funds:
Other interest-bearing liabilities			105,238		82	0.31	%			98,326		86	0.35	%			63,449		48	0.31	%
Long-term debt			49,143		428	3.53	%			49,156		430	3.47	%			—		—	0.00	%
Subordinated debentures			35,320		255	2.93	%			35,276		243	2.73	%			35,141		247	2.85	%
Total borrowed funds			189,701		765	1.64	%			147,482		516	1.65	%			98,590		295	1.21	%
Total interest bearing liabilities			1,911,666		1,325	0.28	%			1,878,872		1,331	0.28	%			1,838,453		903	0.20	%
Demand deposits - noninterest bearing			1,093,709							1,120,323							977,137
Other liabilities			59,026							102,838							39,199
Shareholders' equity			347,551							364,413							347,239
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	3,411,952						$	3,466,446						$	3,202,028
Interest income/interest earning assets						3.38	%						3.47	%						4.05	%
Interest expense/interest earning assets						0.17	%						0.16	%						0.12	%
Net interest income and margin (5)				$	24,756	3.21	%				$	26,566	3.31	%				$	28,555	3.93	%
_________________________

(1)		Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
(2)		Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 21% effective tax rate.
(3)		Loans are gross of the allowance for expected credit losses. Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Net loan fees and loan acquisition FMV amortization were $0.4 million and $1.4 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $0.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.
(4)		Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of computing total earning assets.
(5)		Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

Category: Financial
Source: Sierra Bancorp

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220425005123/en/

Kevin McPhaill, President/CEO

(559) 782‑4900 or (888) 454‑BANK

www.sierrabancorp.com

Source: Sierra Bancorp

FAQ

What were Sierra Bancorp's Q1 2022 results?

Sierra Bancorp reported a net income of $7.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, a decrease from $11.1 million or $0.72 per diluted share in Q1 2021.

What caused the decline in net income for Sierra Bancorp in Q1 2022?

The decline was primarily due to a $3.8 million decrease in net interest income, linked to lower loan volumes and rates.

What is the current state of Sierra Bancorp's deposits?

Sierra Bancorp's deposits increased by $83.4 million, or 3%, to $2.9 billion as of March 31, 2022.

What dividend has Sierra Bancorp declared in 2022?

Sierra Bancorp declared a cash dividend of $0.23 per share, payable on May 12, 2022.

How did Sierra Bancorp's return on assets change in Q1 2022?

Return on average assets for Q1 2022 decreased to 0.88% from 1.40% in Q1 2021.