First Business Bank Reports Fourth Quarter 2023 Net Income of $9.6 Million

Rhea-AI Summary

First Business Financial Services, Inc. reported quarterly net income available to common shareholders of $9.6 million, with robust deposit and loan growth, and record Private Wealth assets under management exceeding $3 billion. The company exceeded its own expectations by achieving a 17% increase in loans, a 29% increase in deposits, and a 13% increase in operating revenue. The net interest income grew 3.3% from the linked quarter and 7.6% from the prior year quarter. The Company’s continued success in driving double-digit loan and deposit growth supported this expansion, offsetting the ongoing impact of industry-wide net interest margin compression.

Positive

• Robust deposit and loan growth
• Record Private Wealth assets under management
• Exceeded loan, deposit, and revenue growth expectations
• Net interest income grew 3.3% from the linked quarter and 7.6% from the prior year quarter

Negative

• Net interest margin declined seven basis points from the linked quarter
• Non-interest income decreased by 15.8% to $7.1 million

Insights

Financial Analyst

First Business Financial Services, Inc.'s (FBIZ) reported earnings showcase a solid performance in terms of deposit and loan growth, which is indicative of the company's competitive positioning in the market. The reported 17% increase in loans and 29% increase in deposits significantly outpaces the company's own strategic goals and suggests strong operational execution. Such growth metrics are critical for investors as they reflect the company's ability to attract and retain customers, which is a fundamental driver of revenue and, ultimately, shareholder value.

Furthermore, the expansion of Private Wealth assets under management to over $3 billion is a noteworthy milestone that demonstrates the company's diversification of revenue streams. This diversification can provide a buffer against market volatility in the core banking business and is a positive signal for the company's long-term financial health. The increase in tangible book value per share by 13% is also a positive indicator of value creation for shareholders, as it suggests that the company is effectively generating profit from its equity base.

However, the slight decline in net income available to common shareholders compared to previous quarters, coupled with a compression in net interest margin, may warrant attention. A narrowing net interest margin, which has decreased to 3.69%, could signal rising funding costs or pricing pressures in the market, which could impact profitability if not managed effectively. The company's proactive management of net interest margin in the current interest rate environment and the strategic approach to deposit generation are crucial factors that investors should monitor closely.

Market Research Analyst

First Business Bank's strategic focus on relationship-based deposit generation and its success in attracting new client relationships are commendable. These strategies have not only supported robust deposit growth but have also resulted in a deposit growth rate that exceeds loan growth. This is particularly significant in the context of the banking industry's competitive landscape, where customer loyalty and retention are paramount. The strategic pivot towards prioritizing quality balance sheet and revenue growth, while optimizing technology, suggests that the company is aligning its business model with contemporary market demands and digital transformation trends.

The company's efficiency ratio improvement, from 61.96% to 58.34%, is another positive aspect, indicating that the company is managing its operating expenses effectively relative to its revenue. This metric is important for investors as it provides insight into the bank's operational efficiency and cost management capabilities. An improving efficiency ratio can be a harbinger of higher profitability and operational excellence.

Economist

The reported financial results of First Business Financial Services, Inc. reflect broader economic trends, such as interest rate fluctuations and their impact on the banking sector's net interest margins. The bank's proactive management of its net interest margin amidst these economic headwinds is a critical aspect of its financial health. It indicates a strategic response to external economic pressures, which is essential for maintaining profitability in a changing interest rate environment.

The bank's provision for credit losses has increased, which may be reflective of a more cautious outlook on potential credit risks in the market. This could be interpreted as a prudent move, given the potential for economic headwinds and market normalization. The company's anticipation of continued stress within certain borrower groups in 2024 suggests a forward-looking approach to risk management, which is crucial for maintaining financial stability and investor confidence.

Overall, the company's performance, including its ability to exceed strategic growth targets and manage its balance sheet effectively, positions it well within the financial services industry. However, the bank must continue to navigate economic uncertainties and competitive pressures to sustain its growth trajectory and profitability.

-- Robust deposit and loan growth and positive operating leverage support continued tangible book value expansion --

-- Private Wealth assets under management cross $3 billion milestone --

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Business Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”, the “Bank”, or “First Business Bank”) (Nasdaq:FBIZ) reported quarterly net income available to common shareholders of $9.6 million, or earnings per share of $1.15 on a diluted basis. This compares to net income available to common shareholders of $9.7 million, or $1.17 per share, in the third quarter of 2023 and $9.9 million, or $1.18 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2022.

“We had tremendous success attracting new client relationships in the fourth quarter, which again drove robust loan and deposit growth and resulted in record pre-tax, pre-provision income,” said Corey Chambas, Chief Executive Officer. “2023 marked the culmination of our five-year strategic plan in which First Business Bank committed to growing loans, deposits, and revenues at a 10% annual pace. We surpassed our own expectations by achieving a 17% increase in loans, a 29% increase in deposits, and a 13% increase in operating revenue. We outperformed our peers and delivered significant value to our shareholders by growing pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings by 17% over 2022, while tangible book value per share rose 13%. Additionally, we grew Private Wealth assets under management and administration to record levels, exceeding $3 billion for the first time. Our team executed our plan with consistency and efficiency, producing outstanding results even as industry net interest margins narrowed and industry asset quality began to normalize away from the historically pristine levels seen in recent years.”

“We are pleased with our ability to manage net interest margin in the current interest rate environment,” Chambas added. “Much of our success stems from our relationship-based approach to deposit generation. This requires accepting incremental short-term costs due to marketplace pricing. The fourth quarter demonstrated the success of this long-held deposit-centric strategy, with deposit growth exceeding loan growth and new deposit account balances comprising nearly $70 million of the linked quarter increase.”

“Comprehensive planning has been underway for the past year to develop our strategies and establish our goals for the next five-year period,” Chambas continued. “It is expected this updated strategic plan will be rolled out company-wide in 2024. We expect our team to prioritize quality balance sheet and revenue growth while optimizing technology for the benefit of our clients and stakeholders, evolving with our industry in a manner that stays true to First Business Bank’s deep-rooted culture.”

Quarterly Highlights

• Robust Deposit Growth. Total deposits grew $139.8 million, increasing 21.0% annualized from the third quarter and $628.6 million, or 29.0%, from the fourth quarter of 2022. In-market deposits grew to a record $2.339 billion, up $149.8 million, or 27.4% annualized, from the third quarter and $373.1 million, or 19.0%, from the fourth quarter of 2022. Successful execution of client deposit initiatives attracted new relationships, which drove in-market deposit growth. New relationships also contributed to increased gross Treasury Management service charges, which grew 16.8% to $1.5 million, compared to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

• Strong Loan Growth. Loans increased $86.2 million, or 12.5% annualized, from the third quarter of 2023, and $407.2 million, or 16.7%, from the fourth quarter of 2022, reflecting ongoing expansion across the Company’s products and geographies in the fourth quarter.

• Net Interest Income Expansion. Net interest income grew 3.3% from the linked quarter and 7.6% from the prior year quarter. The Company’s continued success in driving double-digit loan and deposit growth supported this expansion, offsetting the ongoing impact of industry-wide net interest margin compression. Net interest margin of 3.69% declined seven basis points from the linked quarter. Recent deposit client acquisition and retention at higher deposit rates drove the decline during the quarter.

• Record Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision (“PTPP”) Income. PTPP income grew to $15.3 million, up 8.4% from the linked quarter and 17.8% from the prior year quarter. This performance reflects solid growth across the Company’s balance sheet and efficient execution of the Company’s revenue growth strategies. PTPP adjusted return on average assets measured 1.77%, compared to 1.72% and 1.81% for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

• Tangible Book Value Growth. The Company’s strong earnings generation produced a 13.9% annualized increase in tangible book value per common share compared to the linked quarter and 12.9% compared to the prior year quarter.

Quarterly Financial Results

(Unaudited)		As of and for the Three Months Ended												As of and for the Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Net interest income		$	29,540			$	28,596			$	27,452			$	112,588			$	98,422
Adjusted non-interest income (1)			7,094				8,430				6,164				31,353				28,619
Operating revenue (1)			36,634				37,026				33,616				143,941				127,041
Operating expense (1)			21,374				22,943				20,658				87,788				79,155
Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings (1)			15,260				14,083				12,958				56,153				47,886
Less:
Provision for credit losses			2,573				1,817				702				8,182				(3,868	)
Net loss on repossessed assets			4				4				22				12				49
Contribution to First Business Charitable Foundation			—				—				809				—				809
SBA recourse provision			210				242				(322	)			775				(188	)
Tax credit investment impairment recovery			—				—				—				—				(351	)
Add:
Bank-owned life insurance claim			—				—				809				—				809
Net loss on sale of securities			—				—				—				(45	)			—
Income before income tax expense			12,473				12,020				12,556				47,139				52,244
Income tax expense			2,703				2,079				2,400				10,112				11,386
Net income		$	9,770			$	9,941			$	10,156			$	37,027			$	40,858
Preferred stock dividends			219				218				219				875				683
Net income available to common shareholders		$	9,551			$	9,723			$	9,937			$	36,152			$	40,175
Earnings per share, diluted		$	1.15			$	1.17			$	1.18			$	4.33			$	4.75
Book value per share		$	33.39			$	32.32			$	29.74			$	33.39			$	29.74
Tangible book value per share (1)		$	31.94			$	30.87			$	28.28			$	31.94			$	28.28
Net interest margin (2)			3.69	%			3.76	%			4.15	%			3.78	%			3.82	%
Adjusted net interest margin (1)(2)			3.50	%			3.66	%			3.94	%			3.63	%			3.63	%
Fee income ratio (non-interest income / total revenue)			19.36	%			22.77	%			20.26	%			21.76	%			23.02	%
Efficiency ratio (1)			58.34	%			61.96	%			61.45	%			60.99	%			62.31	%
Return on average assets (2)			1.11	%			1.19	%			1.39	%			1.13	%			1.46	%
Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted return on average assets (1)(2)			1.77	%			1.72	%			1.81	%			1.75	%			1.74	%
Return on average common equity (2)			13.99	%			14.62	%			16.26	%			13.79	%			16.79	%
Period-end loans and leases receivable		$	2,850,261			$	2,764,014			$	2,443,066			$	2,850,261			$	2,443,066
Average loans and leases receivable		$	2,810,793			$	2,711,851			$	2,384,091			$	2,647,851			$	2,304,990
Period-end in-market deposits		$	2,339,071			$	2,189,264			$	1,965,970			$	2,339,071			$	1,965,970
Average in-market deposits		$	2,247,639			$	2,105,716			$	1,950,625			$	2,098,153			$	1,928,815
Allowance for credit losses, including unfunded commitment reserves		$	32,997			$	31,036			$	24,230			$	32,997			$	24,230
Non-performing assets		$	20,844			$	17,689			$	3,754			$	20,844			$	3,754
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases			1.16	%			1.12	%			0.99	%			1.16	%			0.99	%
Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets			0.59	%			0.52	%			0.13	%			0.59	%			0.13	%

(1)		This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes these measures are meaningful because they reflect adjustments commonly made by management, investors, regulators, and analysts to evaluate financial performance, provide greater understanding of ongoing operations, and enhance comparability of results with prior periods. See the section titled Non-GAAP Reconciliations at the end of this release for a reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures.
(2)		Calculation is annualized.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Compared to Third Quarter 2023

Net interest income increased $944,000, or 3.3%, to $29.5 million.

• The increase in net interest income was driven by an increase in average loans and leases receivable and fees in lieu of interest, partially offset by a decrease in net interest margin. Average loans and leases receivable increased $98.9 million, or 14.6% annualized, to $2.811 billion. Fees in lieu of interest, which vary from quarter to quarter based on client-driven activity, totaled $1.1 million, compared to $582,000 in the prior quarter. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, net interest income increased $450,000, or 1.6%.

• The yield on average interest-earning assets increased 14 basis points to 6.85% from 6.71%. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, the yield earned on average interest-earning assets increased 8 basis points to 6.71% from 6.63%. The daily average effective federal funds rate increased 7 basis points compared to the linked quarter, which equates to an average adjusted interest-earning asset beta of 118.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to 104.8% in the linked quarter. The cumulative adjusted interest-earning asset beta since December 31, 2021 was 60.4%. The change in yield of the respective interest-earning asset or the rate paid on interest-bearing liability compared to the change in short-term market rates is commonly referred to as a beta.

• The rate paid for average interest-bearing, in-market deposits increased 25 basis points to 3.99% from 3.74% due to heightened competition for deposits. Similarly, the rate paid for average total bank funding increased 20 basis points to 3.27% from 3.07%. Total bank funding is defined as total deposits plus Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. The cumulative bank funding beta since December 31, 2021 was 56.0%.

• Net interest margin was 3.69%, down 7 basis points compared to 3.76% in the linked quarter. Adjusted net interest margin¹ was 3.50%, down 16 basis points compared to 3.66% in the linked quarter. The decrease in adjusted net interest margin was due to an increase in the rate paid on total bank funding, partially offset by an increase in the yield on average interest earning assets.

• Management believes net interest margin is nearing a floor, and based on current trends we believe our net interest margin should stabilize above our existing strategic plan goal of 3.50%.

The Bank reported a provision expense of $2.6 million, compared to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2023. The fourth quarter provision expense included increases of $2.0 million in net specific reserves, $629,000 due to strong loan growth, and net charge-offs of $610,000. This expense was partially offset by a $432,000 reduction due to qualitative factor changes and a $260,000 reduction in general reserve due to an improved economic outlook in our model forecast compared to the prior period. Similar to the third quarter, the increase in specific reserves and charge-offs was primarily related to defaults by transportation and logistics borrowers in our Equipment Finance loan portfolio, which management believes is consistent with the cyclical nature of this industry, and to a lesser extent, the SBA portfolio. The Company expects continued stress within this group of borrowers in 2024.

Non-interest income decreased $1.3 million, or 15.8%, to $7.1 million.

• Private Wealth and Company Retirement Plan (“Private Wealth”) fee income decreased $12,000, or 0.4% to $2.9 million. Private Wealth assets under management and administration measured $3.122 billion on December 31, 2023, up $206.9 million from the prior quarter. Fee income is based on overall asset levels and market value performance and is recognized on a one-month lag. The decrease in fourth quarter fees reflects weaker market performance in September and October, partially offset by improved performance in November.

• Gains on sale of SBA loans decreased $567,000, or 66.6%, to $284,000 driven by the timing of loan sales. SBA gross loan production totaled $14.2 million for the first six months of 2023 and $26.6 million for the last six months of 2023.

• Commercial loan swap fee income of $438,000 decreased by $554,000, or 55.8%. Swap fee income varies from period to period based on loan activity and the interest rate environment.

• Other fee income decreased $299,000 to $1.7 million, compared to $2.0 million in the prior quarter. The decrease was primarily due to lower returns on the Company’s investments in mezzanine funds in the fourth quarter. Income from mezzanine funds was $860,000 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.2 million in the linked quarter. Income from mezzanine funds varies from period to period based on changes in the realized and unrealized fair value of underlying investments. Frequency of the income recognized from mezzanine funds will occur quarterly, prospectively.

1 Adjusted net interest margin is a non-GAAP measure representing net interest income excluding fees in lieu of interest and other recurring, but volatile, components of net interest margin divided by average interest-earning assets less other recurring, but volatile, components of average interest-earning assets.

Non-interest expense decreased $1.6 million, or 6.9%, to $21.6 million, while operating expense decreased $1.6 million, or 6.8%, to $21.4 million.

• Compensation expense was $14.5 million, reflecting a decrease of $1.1 million, or 7.2%, from the linked quarter primarily due to a $563,000 decrease in the annual cash incentive bonus and profit sharing accruals, a $240,000 decrease in incentive compensation mainly due to timing of payouts on loan and deposit production, and a $101,000 decrease in Social Security expenses as employees met annual maximums in the prior quarter. Average full-time equivalents (“FTEs”) for the fourth quarter of 2023 were 343, down from 349 in the linked quarter. The Company’s compensation philosophy is to provide base salaries competitive with the market. Given the competitive job market and the critical importance to the Company of retaining employees, annual base salaries were increased an additional $1.5 million, or approximately 4.1%, in the aggregate for 2024. As of December 31, 2023, we had 15 open positions, 11 of which were filled in January 2024.

• Professional fees were $1.3 million, decreasing $116,000, or 8.1%, from the linked quarter primarily due to a decrease in recruiting expenses.

• FDIC insurance expense was $585,000, decreasing $95,000, or 14.0%, from the linked quarter primarily due to a decrease in the assessment rate.

• Other non-interest expense decreased $231,000, or 14.6%, to $1.4 million from the linked quarter primarily due to a $570,000 decrease in liquidation expense related to an Asset-Based Lending (“ABL”) ABL loan relationship. In past loan resolutions, the Bank has been able to recover similar liquidation expenses. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in charitable contributions and travel expense.

Income tax expense increased $624,000, or 30.0%, to $2.7 million. The effective tax rate was 21.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to 17.3% for the linked quarter. Management completed its analysis of the Wisconsin State Budget 2023, which included language that provides an exemption for state tax on certain loan income for loans to Wisconsin small businesses. Management estimates this law will eliminate the Bank’s Wisconsin state income tax in 2023 and the foreseeable future. This conclusion results in a 2023 benefit of $2.3 million more than offset by a one-time $2.8 million charge to state income tax expense to recognize a valuation allowance on deferred state income taxes. Based on expected earnings, reduction in state tax, and future tax credit investments, the Company expects to report an effective tax rate between 18% and 19% for 2024.

Total period-end loans and leases receivable increased $86.2 million, or 12.5% annualized, to $2.850 billion. Management expects loan growth to moderate to our long term target of 10% in future quarters. Management is evaluating loan sale and participation strategies as a means of adding to and further diversifying fee income while maintaining regulatory capital ratios at greater than well-capitalized levels. The average rate earned on average loans and leases receivable was 7.21%, up 15 basis points from 7.06% in the prior quarter. Additionally, $247.5 million of new and renewed loans were originated in the quarter at a weighted average yield of 7.86%.

• Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) loans increased by $64.5 million, or 15.8% annualized, to $1.700 billion. The increase was primarily due to an increase in non-owner occupied CRE and multi-family loans.

• Commercial & Industrial (“C&I”) loans increased $22.1 million, or 8.0% annualized, to $1.106 billion. The increase was due to growth across the majority of the Bank’s C&I products and geographies.

Total period-end in-market deposits increased $149.8 million, or 27.4% annualized, to $2.339 billion, compared to $2.189 billion. The average rate paid was 3.20%, up 23 basis points from 2.97% in the prior quarter.

• The increase was due to growth in all major in-market deposit categories. During the quarter, non-maturity deposit balance increases were split between $68.3 million in growth from new accounts at a weighted average rate of 3.54% and $76.0 million in growth from existing accounts at a weighted average rate of 2.83%, compared to 2.72% in the linked quarter. Certificate of deposit runoff of $163.4 million at a weighted average rate of 4.22% was replaced by new and renewed certificates of deposit of $170.8 million at a weighted average rate of 4.69%.

Period-end wholesale funding, including FHLB advances, brokered deposits, and deposits gathered through internet deposit listing services, decreased $43.0 million, or 22.0% annualized, to $739.2 million.

• Wholesale deposits decreased $10.0 million to $457.7 million, compared to $467.7 million, as in-market deposit growth exceeded earning asset growth . Consistent with the Bank’s long-held philosophy to manage interest rate risk, management will continue to utilize the most efficient and cost-effective source of wholesale funds to match-fund fixed-rate loans as necessary. The average rate paid on wholesale deposits decreased 8 basis points to 4.15% and the weighted average original maturity increased to 4.4 years from 4.0 years.

• FHLB advances decreased $33.0 million to $281.5 million. The average rate paid on FHLB advances decreased 3 basis points to 2.45% and the weighted average original maturity was 5.2 years for both periods.

Non-performing assets increased $3.2 million to $20.8 million, or 0.59% of total assets, up from 0.52% in the prior quarter driven by Equipment Finance loans within the C&I portfolio. The increase in non-performing assets was primarily related to defaults by transportation and logistics borrowers in our Equipment Finance loan portfolio, which management believes is consistent with the cyclical nature of this industry. While we continue to expect full repayment of the one ABL loan that defaulted during the second quarter of 2023, the liquidation process has transitioned into Chapter 7 bankruptcy, likely delaying final resolution until the second half of 2024. Excluding the ABL loan, non-performing assets totaled $12.0 million, or 0.34% of total assets in the current quarter and $8.1 million, or 0.24% of total assets in the linked quarter.

The allowance for credit losses, including the unfunded credit commitments reserve, increased $2.0 million, or 6.3%, as increases in specific reserves and the general reserve from loan growth were partially offset by a decrease in the general reserve due a decrease in qualitative factors and an improved economic outlook in our model forecast. The allowance for credit losses, including unfunded credit commitment reserves, as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.16% compared to 1.12% in the prior quarter.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2022

Net interest income increased $2.1 million, or 7.6%, to $29.5 million.

• The increase in net interest income primarily reflects an increase in average gross loans and leases, partially offset by lower fees in lieu of interest and net interest margin compression. Fees in lieu of interest decreased from $1.3 million to $1.1 million. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, net interest income increased $2.3 million, or 8.9%.

• The yield on average interest-earning assets measured 6.85% compared to 5.79%. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, the yield on average interest-earning assets measured 6.71%, compared to 5.59%. This increase in yield was primarily due to the increase in short-term market rates and the reinvestment of cash flows from the securities and fixed rate loan portfolios in a rising rate environment. The daily average effective federal funds rate increased 168 basis points compared to the prior year quarter, which equates to an average adjusted interest-earning asset beta of 67.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year period.

• The rate paid for average interest-bearing in-market deposits increased 198 basis points to 3.99% from 2.01%. The rate paid for average total bank funding increased 159 basis points to 3.27% from 1.67%. The total bank funding beta was 94.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year period.

• Net interest margin decreased 46 basis points to 3.69% from 4.15%. Adjusted net interest margin decreased 44 basis points to 3.50% from 3.94%.

The Company reported a provision expense of $2.6 million, compared to $702,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase compared to the prior year quarter is mainly due to an increase in specific reserves related to the Equipment Finance lending portfolio.

Non-interest income of $7.1 million increased by $121,000, or 1.7%, from $7.0 million in the prior year period.

• Private Wealth fee income increased $363,000, or 14.1%, to $2.9 million. Private Wealth assets under management and administration measured $3.122 billion at December 31, 2023, up $461.5 million, or 17.3%.

• Commercial loan swap fee income of $438,000 decreased by $318,000, or 42.1%. Swap fee income varies from period to period based on loan activity and the interest rate environment.

• Service charges on deposits increased $57,000, or 7.2%, to $848,000, driven by new in-market deposit relationships partially offset by an increase in the earnings credit rate commensurate with the rising rate environment.

• Other fee income decreased $18,000, or 1.0%, to $1.7 million, primarily due to the recognition of a $809,000 bank-owned life insurance death benefit in the prior year quarter, partially offset by higher returns on the Company’s investments in mezzanine funds. Income from mezzanine funds was $860,000 in the fourth quarter, compared to $92,000 in the prior year quarter. Income on mezzanine funds varies from period to period based on changes in the value of underlying investments.

Non-interest expense increased $421,000, or 2.0%, to $21.6 million. Operating expense increased $0.7 million, or 3.5%, to $21.4 million.

• Compensation expense decreased $817,000, or 5.4%, to $14.5 million. The decrease in compensation expense was primarily due to a lower estimated annual incentive cash bonus program accrual partially offset by an increase in average FTEs and annual merit increases and promotions. Average FTEs increased 2% to 343 in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 336 in the fourth quarter of 2022, as a result of expanded hiring efforts that have successfully driven growth while maintaining positive operating leverage.

• FDIC insurance increased $382,000, or 188.2%, to $585,000, primarily due to an increase in the assessment rate and the assessable base.

• Computer software expense increased $228,000, or 20.9%, to $1.3 million, primarily due to continued investment in technology to support the Company’s growth initiatives.

• Data processing expense increased $130,000, or 16.1%, to $936,000, primarily due to an increase in core processing costs commensurate with loan and deposit account growth, as well as various project implementations.

• Professional fees expense increased $103,000, or 8.5%, to $1.3 million, primarily due to an increase in recruiting expense and a general increase in other professional consulting services for various projects.

• Marketing expense increased $83,000, or 12.9%, to $724,000, primarily due to an increase in business development efforts and advertising projects commensurate with our expanded sales force.

• Other expenses increased $429,000, or 46.5%, to $1.4 million, primarily due to increases in SBA recourse provision, travel expenses, swap credit valuation, and liquidation expenses. This was partially offset by a decrease in donations and contributions due to a non-recurring contribution to First Business Charitable Foundation totaling $809,000 in the prior year quarter.

Total period-end loans and leases receivable increased $407.2 million, or 16.7%, to $2.850 billion.

• C&I loans increased $252.5 million, or 29.6%, to $1.106 billion, due to growth across all products and geographies.

• CRE loans increased $157.9 million, or 10.2%, to $1.700 billion, primarily due to increases in non-owner occupied CRE and multi-family loans.

Total period-end in-market deposits grew $373.1 million, or 19.0%, to $2.339 billion, and the average rate paid increased 177 basis points to 3.20%. The increase in rate paid on in-market deposits was primarily due to a change in product mix.

Period-end wholesale funding increased $120.6 million to $739.2 million.

• Wholesale deposits increased $255.5 million to $457.7 million, as the Bank utilized more wholesale deposits in lieu of FHLB advances to build excess liquidity and to match-fund fixed rate assets. The average rate paid on wholesale deposits increased 49 basis points to 4.15% and the weighted average effective maturity increased to 4.4 years from 2.1 years. Consistent with our balance sheet strategy to use the most efficient and cost-effective source of wholesale funding, the Company has entered into several derivative contracts hedging a portion of the wholesale deposits to reduce the fixed rate funding costs.

• FHLB advances decreased $134.9 million to $281.5 million. The average rate paid on FHLB advances increased 24 basis points to 2.45% and the weighted average original maturity decreased to 5.2 years from 3.7 years.

Non-performing assets increased to $20.8 million, or 0.59% of total assets, compared to $3.8 million, or 0.13% of total assets, driven by the ABL, SBA, and Equipment Finance loan portfolios within the C&I portfolio. Excluding one ABL loan for which we expect full repayment, non-performing assets totaled $12.0 million, or 0.34% of total assets.

The allowance for credit losses, including unfunded commitment reserves, increased $8.8 million to $33.0 million, compared to $24.2 million due to an increase in specific reserves, loan growth, and a change in accounting standard. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.16%, compared to the allowance for loan losses of 0.99% under the incurred loss model.

Share Repurchase Program Update

As previously announced, effective January 27, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase by the Company of shares of its common stock with a maximum aggregate purchase price of $5.0 million, effective January 31, 2023 through January 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had repurchased a total of 65,112 shares for approximately $2.0 million at an average cost of $30.72 per share. At this time, the Company does not expect to renew the current plan or adopt a new plan upon its expiration due to strong balance sheet growth.

Investor Presentation

The Company has prepared investor presentation materials that management intends to use from time to time in discussions about the Company’s operations and performance. The presentation will be available for viewing in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at firstbusiness.bank and will also be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 26, 2024.

About First Business Bank

First Business Bank^® specializes in Business Banking, including Commercial Banking and Specialty Finance, Private Wealth, and Bank Consulting services, and through its refined focus delivers unmatched expertise, accessibility, and responsiveness. Specialty Finance solutions are delivered through First Business Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary First Business Specialty Finance, LLC^®. First Business Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Business Financial Services, Inc^®. (Nasdaq: FBIZ). For additional information, visit firstbusiness.bank.

This release may include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect First Business Bank’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information, but rather are related to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Those statements are based on general assumptions and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs, and projections expressed in such statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including among other things:

• Adverse changes in the economy or business conditions, either nationally or in our markets including, without limitation, inflation, supply chain issues, labor shortages, or any future public health epidemics.

• Competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions nationally and in the Company’s markets.

• Increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies.

• Management’s ability to manage growth effectively, including the successful expansion of our client service, administrative infrastructure, and internal management systems.

• Fluctuations in interest rates and market prices.

• Changes in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries.

• Changes in tax requirements, including tax rate changes, new tax laws, and revised tax law interpretations.

• Fraud, including client and system failure or breaches of our network security, including the Company’s internet banking activities.

• Failure to comply with the applicable SBA regulations in order to maintain the eligibility of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans.

• Recent volatility in the banking sector may result in new legislation, regulations or policy changes that could subject the Company and the Bank to increased government regulation and supervision.

• The proportion of the Company’s deposit account balances that exceed FDIC insurance limits may expose the Bank to enhanced liquidity risk.

• The Company may be subject to increases in FDIC insurance assessments as a result of the recent bank failures.

For further information about the factors that could affect the Company’s future results, please see the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SELECTED FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA

(Unaudited)		As of
(in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	139,510			$	132,915			$	112,809			$	185,973			$	102,682
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value			297,006				272,163				253,626				236,989				212,024
Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost			8,503				8,689				9,830				11,461				12,635
Loans held for sale			4,589				4,168				2,191				2,697				2,632
Loans and leases receivable			2,850,261				2,764,014				2,674,583				2,539,363				2,443,066
Allowance for credit losses			(31,275	)			(29,331	)			(28,115	)			(26,140	)			(24,230	)
Loans and leases receivable, net			2,818,986				2,734,683				2,646,468				2,513,223				2,418,836
Premises and equipment, net			6,190				6,157				5,094				4,933				4,340
Repossessed assets			247				61				65				89				95
Right-of-use assets			6,559				6,800				7,049				7,355				7,690
Bank-owned life insurance			55,536				55,123				54,747				54,383				54,018
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost			12,042				13,528				14,482				13,088				17,812
Goodwill and other intangible assets			12,023				12,110				12,073				12,160				12,159
Derivatives			55,597				93,702				70,440				54,612				68,581
Accrued interest receivable and other assets			91,058				78,751				76,864				67,448				63,107
Total assets		$	3,507,846			$	3,418,850			$	3,265,738			$	3,164,411			$	2,976,611
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
In-market deposits		$	2,339,071			$	2,189,264			$	2,073,744			$	2,054,752			$	1,965,970
Wholesale deposits			457,708				467,743				455,108				422,088				202,236
Total deposits			2,796,779				2,657,007				2,528,852				2,476,840				2,168,206
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings			330,916				363,891				370,113				341,859				456,808
Lease liabilities			8,954				9,236				9,499				9,822				10,175
Derivatives			51,949				78,696				61,147				49,012				61,419
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities			29,660				29,262				23,495				20,297				19,363
Total liabilities			3,218,258				3,138,092				2,993,106				2,897,830				2,715,971
Total stockholders’ equity			289,588				280,758				272,632				266,581				260,640
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	3,507,846			$	3,418,850			$	3,265,738			$	3,164,411			$	2,976,611

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)		As of and for the Three Months Ended																As of and for the Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		December 31, 2023			September 30, 2023			June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022			December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Total interest income		$	54,762		$	50,941		$	47,161			$	42,064		$	38,319		$	194,928			$	121,371
Total interest expense			25,222			22,345			19,414				15,359			10,867			82,340				22,949
Net interest income			29,540			28,596			27,747				26,705			27,452			112,588				98,422
Provision for credit losses			2,573			1,817			2,231				1,561			702			8,182				(3,868	)
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			26,967			26,779			25,516				25,144			26,750			104,406				102,290
Private wealth management service fees			2,933			2,945			2,893				2,654			2,570			11,425				10,881
Gain on sale of SBA loans			284			851			444				476			269			2,055				2,537
Service charges on deposits			848			835			766				682			791			3,131				3,849
Loan fees			869			786			905				803			847			3,363				3,010
Loss on sale of securities			—			—			(45	)			—			—			(45	)			—
Swap fees			438			992			977				557			756			2,964				1,793
Other non-interest income			1,722			2,021			1,434				3,238			1,740			8,415				7,358
Total non-interest income			7,094			8,430			7,374				8,410			6,973			31,308				29,428
Compensation			14,450			15,573			15,129				15,908			15,267			61,059				57,742
Occupancy			571			575			603				631			669			2,381				2,358
Professional fees			1,313			1,429			1,240				1,343			1,210			5,325				4,881
Data processing			936			953			1,061				875			806			3,826				3,197
Marketing			724			758			779				628			641			2,889				2,354
Equipment			340			349			355				295			359			1,340				1,091
Computer software			1,317			1,289			1,197				1,183			1,089			4,985				4,416
FDIC insurance			585			680			580				394			203			2,238				1,042
Other non-interest expense			1,352			1,583			1,087				510			923			4,532				2,393
Total non-interest expense			21,588			23,189			22,031				21,767			21,167			88,575				79,474
Income before income tax expense			12,473			12,020			10,859				11,787			12,556			47,139				52,244
Income tax expense			2,703			2,079			2,522				2,808			2,400			10,112				11,386
Net income		$	9,770		$	9,941		$	8,337			$	8,979		$	10,156		$	37,027			$	40,858
Preferred stock dividends			219			218			219				219			219			875				683
Net income available to common shareholders		$	9,551		$	9,723		$	8,118			$	8,760		$	9,937		$	36,152			$	40,175
Per common share:
Basic earnings		$	1.15		$	1.17		$	0.98			$	1.05		$	1.18		$	4.33			$	4.75
Diluted earnings			1.15			1.17			0.98				1.05			1.18			4.33				4.75
Dividends declared			0.2275			0.2275			0.2275				0.2275			0.1975			0.91				0.79
Book value			33.39			32.32			31.34				30.65			29.74			33.39				29.74
Tangible book value			31.94			30.87			29.89				29.19			28.28			31.94				28.28
Weighted-average common shares outstanding(1)			8,110,462			8,107,641			8,061,841				8,148,525			8,180,531			8,131,251				8,226,943
Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding(1)			8,110,462			8,107,641			8,061,841				8,148,525			8,180,531			8,131,251				8,226,943

(1)	Excluding participating securities.

NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS

(Unaudited)		For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023									September 30, 2023									December 31, 2022
		Average Balance			Interest			Average Yield/Rate(4)			Average Balance			Interest			Average Yield/Rate(4)			Average Balance			Interest			Average Yield/Rate(4)
Interest-earning assets
Commercial real estate and other mortgage loans(1)		$	1,675,926		$	27,359		6.53	%		$	1,605,464		$	25,623		6.38	%		$	1,515,975		$	20,948		5.53	%
Commercial and industrial loans(1)			1,089,558			22,751		8.35	%			1,059,512			21,635		8.17	%			819,766			14,972		7.31	%
Consumer and other loans(1)			45,309			577		5.09	%			46,875			610		5.21	%			48,350			514		4.25	%
Total loans and leases receivable(1)			2,810,793			50,687		7.21	%			2,711,851			47,868		7.06	%			2,384,091			36,434		6.11	%
Mortgage-related securities(2)			221,708			2,061		3.72	%			204,291			1,681		3.29	%			164,120			1,008		2.46	%
Other investment securities(3)			67,444			541		3.21	%			67,546			517		3.06	%			49,850			261		2.09	%
FHLB stock			12,960			279		8.61	%			14,770			323		8.75	%			16,281			301		7.40	%
Short-term investments			86,580			1,193		5.51	%			40,318			552		5.48	%			34,807			315		3.62	%
Total interest-earning assets			3,199,485			54,761		6.85	%			3,038,776			50,941		6.71	%			2,649,149			38,319		5.79	%
Non-interest-earning assets			255,167									237,464									218,326
Total assets		$	3,454,652								$	3,276,240								$	2,867,475
Interest-bearing liabilities
Transaction accounts		$	785,480			7,657		3.90	%		$	731,529			6,774		3.70	%		$	492,586			2,360		1.92	%
Money market			734,903			7,145		3.89	%			657,183			5,871		3.57	%			748,502			3,784		2.02	%
Certificates of deposit			278,438			3,160		4.54	%			282,674			2,986		4.23	%			148,949			849		2.28	%
Wholesale deposits			450,880			4,682		4.15	%			410,494			4,172		4.07	%			128,908			1,180		3.66	%
Total interest-bearing deposits			2,249,701			22,644		4.03	%			2,081,880			19,803		3.80	%			1,518,945			8,173		2.15	%
FHLB advances			301,773			1,851		2.45	%			342,117			2,117		2.48	%			389,310			2,149		2.21	%
Other borrowings			49,394			727		5.89	%			34,745			425		4.89	%			41,143			545		5.30	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			2,600,868			25,222		3.88	%			2,458,742			22,345		3.64	%			1,949,398			10,867		2.23	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts			448,818									434,330									560,588
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities			119,833									105,079									100,998
Total liabilities			3,169,519									2,998,151									2,610,984
Stockholders’ equity			285,133									278,089									256,491
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	3,454,652								$	3,276,240								$	2,867,475
Net interest income					$	29,539								$	28,596								$	27,452
Interest rate spread								2.97	%								3.07	%								3.56	%
Net interest-earning assets		$	598,617								$	580,034								$	699,751
Net interest margin								3.69	%								3.76	%								4.15	%

(1)	The average balances of loans and leases include non-accrual loans and leases and loans held for sale. Interest income related to non-accrual loans and leases is recognized when collected. Interest income includes net loan fees collected in lieu of interest.
(2)	Includes amortized cost basis of assets available for sale and held to maturity.
(3)	Yields on tax-exempt municipal obligations are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis in this table.
(4)	Represents annualized yields/rates.

NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS

(Unaudited)		For the Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023									December 31, 2022
		Average Balance			Interest			Average Yield/Rate(4)			Average Balance			Interest			Average Yield/Rate(4)
Interest-earning assets
Commercial real estate and other mortgage loans(1)		$	1,586,967		$	98,370		6.20	%		$	1,484,239		$	66,917		4.51	%
Commercial and industrial loans(1)			1,013,866			81,963		8.08	%			771,056			46,575		6.04	%
Consumer and other loans(1)			47,018			2,316		4.93	%			49,695			1,876		3.78	%
Total loans and leases receivable(1)			2,647,851			182,649		6.90	%			2,304,990			115,368		5.01	%
Mortgage-related securities(2)			200,383			6,433		3.21	%			173,495			3,486		2.01	%
Other investment securities(3)			62,921			1,770		2.81	%			51,700			986		1.91	%
FHLB stock			15,162			1,231		8.12	%			16,462			989		6.01	%
Short-term investments			54,311			2,845		5.24	%			30,845			542		1.76	%
Total interest-earning assets			2,980,628			194,928		6.54	%			2,577,492			121,371		4.71	%
Non-interest-earning assets			231,521									175,424
Total assets		$	3,212,149								$	2,752,916
Interest-bearing liabilities
Transaction accounts		$	689,500			23,727		3.44	%		$	503,668			3,963		0.79	%
Money market			681,336			22,129		3.25	%			761,469			6,241		0.82	%
Certificates of deposit			273,387			11,209		4.10	%			97,448			1,358		1.39	%
Wholesale deposits			346,285			14,353		4.14	%			48,825			1,616		3.31	%
Total interest-bearing deposits			1,990,508			71,418		3.59	%			1,411,410			13,178		0.93	%
FHLB advances			351,990			8,881		2.52	%			414,191			7,024		1.70	%
Other borrowings			38,891			2,041		5.25	%			43,818			2,243		5.12	%
Junior subordinated notes(5)			—			—		—	%			2,429			504		20.75	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			2,381,389			82,340		3.46	%			1,871,848			22,949		1.23	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts			453,930									566,230
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities			102,668									65,611
Total liabilities			2,937,987									2,503,689
Stockholders’ equity			274,162									249,227
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	3,212,149								$	2,752,916
Net interest income					$	112,588								$	98,422
Interest rate spread								3.08	%								3.48	%
Net interest-earning assets		$	599,239								$	705,644
Net interest margin								3.78	%								3.82	%

(1)	The average balances of loans and leases include non-accrual loans and leases and loans held for sale. Interest income related to non-accrual loans and leases is recognized when collected. Interest income includes net loan fees collected in lieu of interest.
(2)	Includes amortized cost basis of assets available for sale and held to maturity.
(3)	Yields on tax-exempt municipal obligations are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis in this table.
(4)	Represents annualized yields/rates.
(5)	The calculation for the year ended December 31, 2022, includes $236,000 in accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs.

ASSET AND LIABILITY BETA ANALYSIS

	For the Three Months Ended															For the Year Ended
(Unaudited)	December 31, 2023			September 30, 2023						December 31, 2022						December 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
	Average Yield/Rate(3)			Average Yield/Rate(3)			Increase (Decrease)			Average Yield/Rate(3)			Increase (Decrease)			Average Yield/Rate			Average Yield/Rate			Increase (Decrease)
Total loans and leases receivable (a)	7.21	%		7.06	%		0.15	%		6.11	%		1.10	%		6.90	%		5.01	%		1.89	%
Total interest-earning assets(b)	6.85	%		6.71	%		0.14	%		5.79	%		1.06	%		6.54	%		4.71	%		1.83	%
Adjusted total loans and leases receivable (1)(c)	7.06	%		6.97	%		0.09	%		5.89	%		1.17	%		6.78	%		4.78	%		2.00	%
Adjusted total interest-earning assets (1)(d)	6.71	%		6.63	%		0.08	%		5.59	%		1.12	%		6.43	%		4.50	%		1.93	%
Total in-market deposits(e)	3.20	%		2.97	%		0.23	%		1.43	%		1.77	%		2.72	%		0.60	%		2.12	%
Total bank funding(f)	3.27	%		3.07	%		0.20	%		1.67	%		1.60	%		2.87	%		0.84	%		2.03	%
Net interest margin(g)	3.69	%		3.76	%		(0.07	)%		4.15	%		(0.46	)%		3.78	%		3.82	%		(0.04	)%
Adjusted net interest margin(h)	3.50	%		3.66	%		(0.16	)%		3.94	%		(0.44	) %		3.63	%		3.63	%		—	%
Effective fed funds rate (2)(i)	5.33	%		5.26	%		0.07	%		3.65	%		1.68	%		5.02	%		1.69	%		3.33	%
Beta Calculations:
Total loans and leases receivable(a)/(i)													65.5	%								56.76	%
Total interest-earning assets(b)/(i)													63.1	%								54.98	%
Adjusted total loans and leases receivable (1)(c)/(i)													69.6	%								60.06	%
Adjusted total interest-earning assets (1)(d)/(i)													67.0	%								57.87	%
Total in-market deposits(e/i)													105.4	%								63.66	%
Total bank funding(f)/(i)													94.6	%								60.96	%
Net interest margin(g/i)													(27.4	)%								(1.20	)%
Adjusted net interest margin(h/i)													(26.2	)%								—	%

(1)	Excluding fees in lieu of interest.
(2)	Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (US), Effective Federal Funds Rate [DFF]. Retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Represents average daily rate.
(3)	Represents annualized yields/rates.

PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSS COMPOSITION

(Unaudited)		For the Three Months Ended																				For the Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Change due to qualitative factor changes		$	(432	)		$	506			$	(50	)		$	9			$	85			$	33			$	(384	)
Change due to quantitative factor changes			(260	)			(1,372	)			(295	)			474				(930	)			(1,453	)			(2,012	)
Charge-offs			724				562				329				166				818				1,781				979
Recoveries			(114	)			(84	)			(245	)			(107	)			(203	)			(548	)			(4,741	)
Change in reserves on individually evaluated loans, net			2,008				1,265				1,093				(36	)			(50	)			4,330				146
Change due to loan growth, net			629				817				1,227				979				982				3,652				2,144
Change in unfunded commitment reserves			17				123				172				76				—				387				—
Total provision for credit losses		$	2,572			$	1,817			$	2,231			$	1,561			$	702			$	8,182			$	(3,868	)

PERFORMANCE RATIOS

			For the Three Months Ended																				For the Year Ended
(Unaudited)			December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Return on average assets (annualized)			1.11	%			1.19	%			1.04	%			1.17	%			1.39	%			1.13	%			1.46	%
Return on average common equity (annualized)			13.99	%			14.62	%			12.58	%			13.96	%			16.26	%			13.79	%			16.79	%
Efficiency ratio			58.34	%			61.96	%			61.68	%			62.02	%			61.45	%			60.99	%			62.31	%
Interest rate spread			2.97	%			3.07	%			3.15	%			3.19	%			3.56	%			3.08	%			3.48	%
Net interest margin			3.69	%			3.76	%			3.81	%			3.86	%			4.15	%			3.78	%			3.82	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities			123.02	%			123.59	%			124.82	%			130.09	%			135.90	%			125.16	%			137.70	%

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS

(Unaudited)		As of
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Non-accrual loans and leases		$	20,597			$	17,628			$	15,721			$	3,412			$	3,659
Repossessed assets			247				61				65				89				95
Total non-performing assets		$	20,844			$	17,689			$	15,786			$	3,501			$	3,754
Non-accrual loans and leases as a percent of total gross loans and leases			0.72	%			0.64	%			0.59	%			0.13	%			0.15	%
Non-performing assets as a percent of total gross loans and leases plus repossessed assets			0.73	%			0.64	%			0.59	%			0.14	%			0.15	%
Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets			0.59	%			0.52	%			0.48	%			0.11	%			0.13	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases			1.16	%			1.12	%			1.11	%			1.08	%			0.99	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of non-accrual loans and leases			160.21	%			176.06	%			188.90	%			807.44	%			662.20	%

NET CHARGE-OFFS (RECOVERIES)

(Unaudited)		For the Three Months Ended																				For the Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Charge-offs		$	724			$	562			$	329			$	166			$	818			$	1,781			$	979
Recoveries			(114	)			(84	)			(245	)			(107	)			(203	)			(548	)			(4,741	)
Net charge-offs (recoveries)		$	610			$	478			$	84			$	59			$	615			$	1,233			$	(3,762	)
Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percent of average gross loans and leases (annualized)			0.09	%			0.07	%			0.01	%			0.01	%			0.10	%			0.05	%			(0.16	)%

CAPITAL RATIOS

		As of and for the Three Months Ended
(Unaudited)		December 31, 2023			September 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
Total capital to risk-weighted assets		11.19	%		11.20	%		10.70	%		11.04	%		11.26	%
Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets		8.74	%		8.74	%		8.70	%		9.01	%		9.20	%
Common equity tier I capital to risk-weighted assets		8.38	%		8.37	%		8.32	%		8.61	%		8.79	%
Tier I capital to adjusted assets		8.43	%		8.65	%		8.80	%		9.00	%		9.17	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		7.60	%		7.53	%		7.64	%		7.69	%		7.98	%

LOAN AND LEASE RECEIVABLE COMPOSITION

(Unaudited)		As of
(in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Commercial real estate:
Commercial real estate - owner occupied (1)		$	256,479			$	236,058			$	244,039			$	233,725			$	268,354
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1)			773,494				753,517				715,309				675,087				687,091
Construction (1)			193,080				211,828				217,069				212,916				218,751
Multi-family (1)			450,529				409,714				392,297				384,043				350,026
1-4 family (1)			26,289				24,235				23,063				23,404				17,728
Total commercial real estate			1,699,871				1,635,352				1,591,777				1,529,175				1,541,950
Commercial and industrial (1)			1,105,835				1,083,698				1,036,921				963,328				853,327
Consumer and other (1)			44,312				44,808				45,743				46,773				47,938
Total gross loans and leases receivable			2,850,018				2,763,858				2,674,441				2,539,276				2,443,215
Less:
Allowance for credit losses			31,275				29,331				28,115				26,140				24,230
Deferred loan fees			(243	)			(156	)			(142	)			(87	)			149
Loans and leases receivable, net		$	2,818,986			$	2,734,683			$	2,646,468			$	2,513,223			$	2,418,836

(1)

On January 1, 2023, the Bank adopted ASU 2016-03 Financial Instruments - Credit losses (“ASC 326”). The Bank adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method which does not require restatement of prior periods. The balances as of March 31, 2023 reflect a reclassification of $43 million to commercial and industrial from commercial real estate, and $7 million from consumer and other to commercial real estate.

DEPOSIT COMPOSITION

(Unaudited)		As of
(in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Non-interest-bearing transaction accounts		$	445,376			$	430,011			$	419,294			$	471,904			$	537,107
Interest-bearing transaction accounts			895,319				779,789				719,198				612,500				576,601
Money market accounts			711,245				694,199				641,969				662,157				698,505
Certificates of deposit			287,131				285,265				293,283				308,191				153,757
Wholesale deposits			457,708				467,743				455,108				422,088				202,236
Total deposits		$	2,796,779			$	2,657,007			$	2,528,852			$	2,476,840			$	2,168,206
Uninsured deposits		$	994,687			$	916,083			$	867,397			$	974,242			$	967,465
Less: uninsured deposits collateralized by pledged assets			17,051				28,873				37,670				32,468				14,326
Total uninsured, net of collateralized deposits			977,636				887,210				829,727				941,774				953,139
% of total deposits			35.0	%			33.4	%			32.8	%			38.0	%			44.0	%

SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY

(Unaudited)		As of
(in thousands)		December 31, 2023			September 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
Short-term investments		$	107,162		$	109,612		$	80,510		$	159,859		$	76,871
Collateral value of unencumbered pledged loans			367,471			315,067			265,884			296,393			184,415
Market value of unencumbered securities			259,791			236,618			217,074			200,332			188,353
Readily available liquidity			734,424			661,297			563,468			656,584			449,639
Fed fund lines			45,000			45,000			45,000			45,000			45,000
Excess brokered CD capacity(1)			1,231,791			1,090,864			1,017,590			1,027,869			1,162,241
Total liquidity		$	2,011,215		$	1,797,161		$	1,626,058		$	1,729,453		$	1,656,880
Total uninsured, net of collateralized deposits			977,636			887,210			829,727			941,774			953,139

(1)	Bank internal policy limits brokered CDs to 50% of total bank funding when combined with FHLB advances.

PRIVATE WEALTH OFF-BALANCE SHEET COMPOSITION

(Unaudited)		As of
(in thousands)		December 31, 2023			September 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
Trust assets under management		$	2,898,516		$	2,715,801		$	2,707,390		$	2,615,670		$	2,483,811
Trust assets under administration			223,013			198,864			199,729			188,458			176,225
Total trust assets		$	3,121,529		$	2,914,665		$	2,907,119		$	2,804,128		$	2,660,036

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

Certain financial information provided in this release is determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (United States) (“GAAP”). Although the Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of its business, these measures are not necessarily comparable to similar measures that may be presented by other companies.

TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE

“Tangible book value per share” is a non-GAAP measure representing tangible common equity divided by total common shares outstanding. “Tangible common equity” itself is a non-GAAP measure representing common stockholders’ equity reduced by intangible assets, if any. The Company’s management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in period-to-period changes in book value per common share exclusive of changes in intangible assets. The information provided below reconciles tangible book value per share and tangible common equity to their most comparable GAAP measures.

(Unaudited)		As of
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Common stockholders’ equity		$	277,596			$	268,766			$	260,640			$	254,589			$	248,648
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets			(12,023	)			(12,110	)			(12,073	)			(12,160	)			(12,159	)
Tangible common equity		$	265,573			$	256,656			$	248,567			$	242,429			$	236,489
Common shares outstanding			8,314,778				8,315,186				8,315,465				8,306,270				8,362,085
Book value per share		$	33.39			$	32.32			$	31.34			$	30.65			$	29.74
Tangible book value per share			31.94				30.87				29.89				29.19				28.28

TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY TO TANGIBLE ASSETS

“Tangible common equity to tangible assets” (“TCE”) is defined as the ratio of common stockholders’ equity reduced by intangible assets, if any, divided by total assets reduced by intangible assets, if any. Adjusted TCE ratio is defined as TCE adjusted for net fair value adjustments of financial assets and liabilities. For more information on fair value adjustments please refer to Note 19 - Fair Value Disclosures in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in the relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets. The information below reconciles tangible common equity and tangible assets to their most comparable GAAP measures.

(Unaudited)		As of
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Common stockholders’ equity		$	277,596			$	268,766			$	260,640			$	254,589			$	248,648
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets			(12,023	)			(12,110	)			(12,073	)			(12,160	)			(12,159	)
Tangible common equity (a)		$	265,573			$	256,656			$	248,567			$	242,429			$	236,489
Total assets		$	3,507,846			$	3,418,850			$	3,265,738			$	3,164,411			$	2,976,611
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets			(12,023	)			(12,110	)			(12,073	)			(12,160	)			(12,159	)
Tangible assets (b)		$	3,495,823			$	3,406,740			$	3,253,665			$	3,152,251			$	2,964,452
Tangible common equity to tangible assets			7.60	%			7.53	%			7.64	%			7.69	%			7.98	%
Fair Value Adjustments:
Financial assets - MTM (c)		$	(29,136	)		$	(45,489	)		$	(43,403	)		$	(24,764	)		$	(24,302	)
Financial liabilities - MTM (d)		$	11,945			$	23,436			$	21,916			$	17,334			$	17,328
Net MTM, after-tax e = (c-d)*(1-21%)		$	(13,581	)		$	(17,422	)		$	(16,975	)		$	(5,870	)		$	(5,509	)
Adjusted tangible equity f = (a-e)		$	251,992			$	239,234			$	231,592			$	236,559			$	230,980
Adjusted tangible assets g = (b-c)		$	3,466,687			$	3,361,251			$	3,210,262			$	3,127,487			$	2,940,150
Adjusted TCE ratio (f/g)			7.27	%			7.12	%			7.21	%			7.56	%			7.86	%

EFFICIENCY RATIO & PRE-TAX, PRE-PROVISION ADJUSTED EARNINGS

“Efficiency ratio” is a non-GAAP measure representing non-interest expense excluding the effects of the SBA recourse provision, impairment of tax credit investments, losses or gains on repossessed assets, amortization of other intangible assets and other discrete items, if any, divided by operating revenue, which is equal to net interest income plus non-interest income less realized gains or losses on securities, if any. “Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings” is defined as operating revenue less operating expense. In the judgment of the Company’s management, the adjustments made to non-interest expense and non-interest income allow investors and analysts to better assess the Company’s operating expenses in relation to its core operating revenue by removing the volatility that is associated with certain one-time items and other discrete items. The information provided below reconciles the efficiency ratio and pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings to its most comparable GAAP measure.

(Unaudited)	For the Three Months Ended																				For the Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Total non-interest expense	$	21,588			$	23,189			$	22,031			$	21,767			$	21,167			$	88,575			$	79,474
Less:
Net loss (gain) on repossessed assets		4				4				(2	)			6				22				12				49
SBA recourse provision (benefit)		210				242				341				(18	)			(322	)			775				(188	)
Contribution to First Business Charitable Foundation		—				—				—				—				809				—				809
Tax credit investment impairment recovery		—				—				—				—				—				—				(351	)
Total operating expense (a)	$	21,374			$	22,943			$	21,692			$	21,779			$	20,658			$	87,788			$	79,155
Net interest income	$	29,540			$	28,596			$	27,747			$	26,705			$	27,452			$	112,588			$	98,422
Total non-interest income		7,094				8,430				7,374				8,410				6,973				31,308				29,428
Less:
Bank-owned life insurance claim		—				—				—				—				809				—				809
Net loss on sale of securities		—				—				(45	)			—				—				(45	)			—
Adjusted non-interest income		7,094				8,430				7,419				8,410				6,164				31,353				28,619
Total operating revenue (b)	$	36,634			$	37,026			$	35,166			$	35,115			$	33,616			$	143,941			$	127,041
Efficiency ratio		58.34	%			61.96	%			61.68	%			62.02	%			61.45	%			60.99	%			62.31	%
Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings (b - a)	$	15,260			$	14,083			$	13,474			$	13,336			$	12,958			$	56,153			$	47,886
Average total assets	$	3,454,652			$	3,276,240			$	3,127,234			$	2,984,600			$	2,867,475			$	3,212,149			$	2,752,916
Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted return on average assets		1.77	%			1.72	%			1.72	%			1.79	%			1.81	%			1.75	%			1.74	%

ADJUSTED NET INTEREST MARGIN

“Adjusted Net Interest Margin” is a non-GAAP measure representing net interest income excluding the fees in lieu of interest and other recurring, but volatile, components of net interest margin divided by average interest-earning assets less other recurring, but volatile, components of average interest-earning assets. Fees in lieu of interest are defined as prepayment fees, asset-based loan fees, non-accrual interest, and loan fee amortization. In the judgment of the Company’s management, the adjustments made to net interest income allow investors and analysts to better assess the Company’s net interest income in relation to its core client-facing loan and deposit rate changes by removing the volatility that is associated with these recurring but volatile components. The information provided below reconciles the net interest margin to its most comparable GAAP measure.

(Unaudited)	For the Three Months Ended																				For the Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Interest income	$	54,762			$	50,941			$	47,161			$	42,064			$	38,319			$	194,928			$	121,371
Interest expense		25,222				22,345				19,414				15,359				10,867				82,340				22,949
Net interest income (a)		29,540				28,596				27,747				26,705				27,452				112,588				98,422
Less:
Fees in lieu of interest		1,075				582				936				651				1,318				3,244				5,283
FRB interest income and FHLB dividend income		1,466				870				1,064				656				613				4,056				1,525
Adjusted net interest income (b)	$	26,999			$	27,144			$	25,747			$	25,398			$	25,521			$	105,288			$	91,614
Average interest-earning assets (c)	$	3,199,485			$	3,038,776			$	2,913,751			$	2,765,087			$	2,649,149			$	2,980,628			$	2,577,492
Less:
Average FRB cash and FHLB stock		99,118				54,677				76,678				45,150				50,522				69,014				46,708
Average non-accrual loans and leases		18,602				15,775				3,781				3,536				3,591				10,450				5,011
Adjusted average interest-earning assets (d)	$	3,081,765			$	2,968,324			$	2,833,292			$	2,716,401			$	2,595,036			$	2,901,164			$	2,525,773
Net interest margin (a / c)		3.69	%			3.76	%			3.81	%			3.86	%			4.15	%			3.78	%			3.82	%
Adjusted net interest margin (b / d)		3.50	%			3.66	%			3.63	%			3.74	%			3.93	%			3.63	%			3.63	%

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240125256729/en/

First Business Financial Services, Inc.

Brian D. Spielmann

Chief Financial Officer

608-232-5977

bspielmann@firstbusiness.bank

Source: First Business Financial Services, Inc.

FAQ

What is the quarterly net income available to common shareholders?

The quarterly net income available to common shareholders is $9.6 million.

What is the ticker symbol for First Business Financial Services, Inc.?

The ticker symbol is FBIZ.

What is the percentage increase in loans from the fourth quarter of 2022?

Loans increased by 16.7% from the fourth quarter of 2022.

What is the percentage increase in deposits from the fourth quarter of 2022?

Deposits increased by 29.0% from the fourth quarter of 2022.

What is the percentage increase in operating revenue?

Operating revenue increased by 13%.

What is the net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2023?

The net interest margin was 3.69% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

What is the total period-end loans and leases receivable?

The total period-end loans and leases receivable is $2.850 billion.

What is the total period-end in-market deposits?

The total period-end in-market deposits is $2.339 billion.

What is the book value per share?

The book value per share is $33.39.

What is the tangible book value per share?

The tangible book value per share is $31.94.