South Plains Financial, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

South Plains Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPFI) reported a net income of $15.2 million for Q3 2021, up from $13.7 million in Q2 2021 but down from $16.7 million in Q3 2020. Diluted EPS was $0.82 compared to $0.74 in the previous quarter. The average cost of deposits decreased to 0.25%. Loans held for investment grew by 5.5% to $2.43 billion. Nonperforming assets declined to 0.32%. The company did not record a provision for loan losses compared to $2 million in Q2 2021. As part of its growth strategy, South Plains repurchased approximately 190,000 shares.

Positive

• Net income increased to $15.2 million in Q3 2021.
• Loans held for investment grew by $125.6 million, a 5.5% increase.
• Average cost of deposits decreased to 0.25%.
• No provision for loan losses recorded, indicating improved asset quality.
• Share repurchase of approximately 190,000 shares under a $10 million plan.

Negative

• Diluted EPS decreased from $0.92 in Q3 2020 to $0.82 in Q3 2021.
• Noninterest income fell by $5.9 million compared to Q3 2020, primarily from a decline in mortgage banking activities.

LUBBOCK, Texas, Oct. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- South Plains Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPFI) (“South Plains” or the “Company”), the parent company of City Bank (“City Bank” or the “Bank”), today reported its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Third Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Net income for the third quarter of 2021 was $15.2 million, compared to $13.7 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $16.7 million for the third quarter of 2020.
• Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2021 was $0.82, compared to $0.74 for the second quarter of 2021 and $0.92 for the third quarter of 2020.
• Average cost of deposits for the third quarter of 2021 decreased to 25 basis points, compared to 27 basis points for the second quarter of 2021 and 34 basis points for the third quarter of 2020.
• The Company did not record a provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2021, compared to a negative provision for loan losses of $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2021 and provision for loan losses of $6.1 million for the third quarter of 2020.
• Loans held for investment grew $125.6 million, or 5.5%, during the third quarter of 2021 as compared to June 30, 2021.
• Nonperforming assets to total assets were 0.32% at September 30, 2021, compared to 0.37% at June 30, 2021 and 0.46% at September 30, 2020.
• Return on average assets for the third quarter of 2021 was 1.61% annualized, compared to 1.46% annualized for the second quarter of 2021 and 1.88% annualized for the third quarter of 2020.
• Tangible book value (non-GAAP) per share was $20.90 as of September 30, 2021, compared to $20.35 per share as of June 30, 2021 and $18.00 per share as of September 30, 2020.

Curtis Griffith, South Plains’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “I am very pleased with our team’s performance again in the third quarter and would like to thank our employees for their hard work as they continue to deliver outstanding service to our customers which continues to translate into strong results for the Bank. This can be seen in our financial performance as we grew loans by 5.5% in the third quarter of 2021 and have benefited from a strong Texas economy. We are also benefiting from our plan to grow our lending team by more than 30% over a two-year timeframe, as the lenders who we have recruited have begun growing their loan portfolios. In fact, we are seeing an acceleration in activity in several of our key markets, like Houston, where we have recently hired a new market leader. We expect to continue redeploying our excess liquidity into higher yielding loans, which we believe will drive an acceleration to net interest income and offset the eventual decline in mortgage revenue as activity normalizes in future periods. We remain very optimistic with what the future holds for South Plains and continue to see our shares trading below intrinsic value. As a result, we were aggressive in the third quarter having repurchased approximately 190,000 shares under our previously-announced $10 million share repurchase plan.”

Results of Operations, Quarter Ended September 30, 2021

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $31.2 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $29.6 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $31.3 million for the third quarter of 2020. Net interest margin was 3.58% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to 3.42% for the second quarter of 2021 and 3.82% for the third quarter of 2020. The average yield on loans was 4.99% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to 4.97% for the second quarter of 2021 and 5.08% for the third quarter of 2020. The average cost of deposits was 25 basis points for the third quarter of 2021, representing a two basis point decrease from the second quarter of 2021 and a 9 basis point decrease from the third quarter of 2020.

Interest income was $34.4 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $33.0 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $34.5 million for the third quarter of 2020. Interest income increased $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2021 from the second quarter of 2021 due primarily to an increase of $1.5 million in loan interest income as a result of the growth of $82.9 million in average loans outstanding during the third quarter of 2021. In the third quarter of 2021, interest and fees on Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans declined $405 thousand compared to the second quarter of 2021, as the average balance of PPP loans decreased $70.3 million during the third quarter of 2021 due to PPP loan forgiveness payments received from the SBA during the quarter. Interest income was flat in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020 as average interest-earning assets were $199.2 million higher and the related yield was 26 basis points lower in the third quarter of 2021. During the third quarter of 2021, the Company recognized $1.7 million in deferred PPP-related SBA fees. At September 30, 2021, the Company had $2.9 million of deferred PPP fees that have not been accreted to income, the majority of which are expected to be recognized as PPP loans continue to be forgiven by the SBA over the next several quarters.

Interest expense was $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $3.4 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2020. Interest expense declined 4.8% as compared to the second quarter of 2021 as a result of lower average interest-bearing deposits and a reduction in interest rates on these deposits. Interest expense was consistent as compared to the third quarter of 2020, with a reduction in interest rates on interest-bearing deposits offset by an increase in the overall cost of long-term borrowings. The increase in the cost of long-term borrowings was due to the issuance of $50 million in subordinated notes at the end of the third quarter of 2020.

Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

Noninterest income was $25.8 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $22.3 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $31.7 million for the third quarter of 2020. The growth from the second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to the seasonal increase of $2.6 million in income from insurance activities and an increase of $1.1 million in mortgage banking activities revenue. The growth in mortgage banking revenues was mainly the result of an increase of $470 thousand in the fair value adjustment to the Company’s mortgage servicing rights as mortgage interest rates began to rise in September 2021. The decrease in noninterest income for the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the third quarter of 2020 was primarily due to a decline of $6.6 million in mortgage banking activities revenue as a result a reduction of $75 million in interest rate lock commitments and a decline in gain on sale margins. This decrease was partially offset by increases in income from insurance activities and bank card services and interchange fees as compared to the third quarter of 2020.

Noninterest expense was $38.1 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $36.8 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $36.0 million for the third quarter of 2020. The growth from the second quarter of 2021 was primarily the result of an increase of $739 thousand in personnel expense due to the payment of an additional $1.2 million in commissions on insurance activities and a reduction in mortgage commissions related to an decline in mortgage production. There was also a $397 thousand increase net occupancy expense from the second quarter of 2021, primarily the result of higher repairs and maintenance expense related to several projects, additional rent expense as the Company has increased leased space at several locations, and higher seasonal utility costs. The increase in noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the third quarter of 2020 was primarily driven by a $444 thousand increase in personnel expense, which is reflective of the Company’s stated initiative of growing its loan officer capacity. There were also smaller increases in mortgage related expenses, bank card expenses, technology costs, and travel related expenses as compared to the third quarter of 2020.

As part of the Bank’s information technology roadmap, management is implementing a process to begin transitioning the Company’s computing and data storage to the cloud, which is expected to deliver increased security, more seamless maintenance, and lower costs. The Bank is also refocusing its advertising to digital media to improve new customer lead generation. The Bank’s technology initiatives are expected to modestly add to noninterest expense and started in the third quarter of 2021.

Loan Portfolio and Composition

Loans held for investment were $2.43 billion as of September 30, 2021, compared to $2.30 billion as of June 30, 2021 and $2.29 billion as of September 30, 2020. The $125.6 million, or 5.5%, increase during the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021 was primarily the result of organic net loan growth of $177.6 million, partially offset by a decrease from SBA forgiveness and repayments of $52.0 million in PPP loans during the third quarter of 2021. The organic loan growth remained relationship-focused and occurred in a majority of loan segments, with the largest volume growth in multifamily properties, agricultural production loans, and direct energy loans. As of September 30, 2021, loans held for investment increased $140.8 million, or 6.2%, from September 30, 2020, attributable to organic loan growth experienced in each quarter of 2021, partially offset by SBA forgiveness or repayments, net of originations, of $149.6 million on PPP loans.

Agricultural production loans were $119.3 million as of September 30, 2021, compared to $96.2 million as of June 30, 2021 and $133.9 million as of September 30, 2020. The increase from the second quarter of 2021 is due to typical seasonal funding on these agricultural production loans. The decrease from the third quarter of 2020 is primarily due to the loss of several large agricultural loan customers.

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits totaled $3.21 billion as of September 30, 2021, compared to $3.16 billion as of June 30, 2021 and $2.94 billion as of September 30, 2020. Deposits increased by $53.8 million, or 1.7%, in the third quarter of 2021 from June 30, 2021. The largest increase in deposits in the third quarter of 2021 was experienced in non-personal demand accounts. As of September 30, 2021, deposits increased $268.4 million, or 9.1%, from September 30, 2020. The increase in deposits since September 30, 2020 is primarily a result of organic growth as well as existing customers depositing funds received from PPP loan advances, stimulus checks, and generally maintaining higher liquidity in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Noninterest-bearing deposits were $1.05 billion as of September 30, 2021, compared to $998.9 million as of June 30, 2021 and $906.1 million as of September 30, 2020. Noninterest-bearing deposits represented 32.8% of total deposits as of September 30, 2021. The change in noninterest-bearing deposit balances at September 30, 2021 compared to June 30, 2021 was an increase of $55.3 million, or 5.5%. The change in noninterest-bearing deposit balances at September 30, 2021 compared to September 30, 2020 was an increase of $148.2 million, or 16.4%. The changes from both compared periods is primarily a result of organic growth as well as existing customers increasing their deposit balances.

Asset Quality

As part of the Bank’s efforts to support its customers and protect the Bank as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank has provided borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with relief by offering varying forms of loan modifications including 90-day payment deferrals, 6-month interest only terms, or in certain select cases periods of longer than 6 months of interest only. As of September 30, 2021, total active loan modifications attributed to COVID-19 were $16.4 million, or 0.7% of the Company’s loan portfolio, down from $36.6 million, or 1.6% of the Company’s loan portfolio, at June 30, 2021. Approximately 97% of these active modified loans at September 30, 2021 are in the hotel portfolio and have original modified terms that extended up to 18 months. We expect that these remaining modified loans will return to full payment status at the end of their respective modification periods.

The Company did not record a provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2021, compared to a negative provision for loan losses of $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2021 and a provision for loan losses of $6.1 million for the third quarter of 2020. While the Company experienced growth in the loan portfolio and classified loans increased by 7% in the third quarter of 2021, the Company determined that no provision for loan losses was necessary in the third quarter of 2021 in light of the continued general improvement in the economy and a decline in the amount of loans that are actively under a modification. This increase in classified loans resulted from one credit, which was resolved in the fourth quarter of 2021 with no loss to the Company. There is continued uncertainty from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the full extent of the impact on the economy and the Bank’s customers remains unknown at this time. Accordingly, additional provisions for loan losses may be necessary in future periods.

The ratio of allowance for loan losses to loans held for investment was 1.76% as of September 30, 2021, compared to 1.87% as of June 30, 2021 and 2.01% as of September 30, 2020. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-PPP loans held for investment was 1.81% as of September 30, 2021.

The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets as of September 30, 2021 was 0.32%, compared to 0.37% as of June 30, 2021 and 0.46% at September 30, 2020. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.03% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to 0.01% for the second quarter of 2021 and 0.10% for the third quarter of 2020.

Conference Call

South Plains will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2021 financial results today, October 26, 2021, at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-877-407-9716 (international callers please dial 1-201-493-6779) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live audio webcast of the conference call and conference materials will be available on the Company’s website at https://www.spfi.bank/news-events/events.

A replay of the conference call will be available within two hours of the conclusion of the call and can be accessed on the investor section of the Company’s website as well as by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (international callers please dial 1-412-317-6671). The pin to access the telephone replay is 13723541. The replay will be available until November 9, 2021.

About South Plains Financial, Inc.

South Plains is the bank holding company for City Bank, a Texas state-chartered bank headquartered in Lubbock, Texas. City Bank is one of the largest independent banks in West Texas and has additional banking operations in the Dallas, El Paso, Greater Houston, the Permian Basin, and College Station, Texas markets, and the Ruidoso, New Mexico market. South Plains provides a wide range of commercial and consumer financial services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in its market areas. Its principal business activities include commercial and retail banking, along with insurance, investment, trust and mortgage services. Please visit https://www.spfi.bank for more information.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures include Tangible Book Value Per Common Share, Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets, and Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Income. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the Company’s financial position and performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for any analysis based on GAAP financial measures.

We classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows. Not all companies use the same calculation of these measures; therefore, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures as presented by other companies.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures is provided at the end of this press release.

Available Information

The Company routinely posts important information for investors on its web site (under www.spfi.bank and, more specifically, under the News & Events tab at www.spfi.bank/news-events/press-releases). The Company intends to use its web site as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, investors should monitor the Company’s web site, in addition to following the Company’s press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts.

The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the Company’s web site is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect South Plains’ current views with respect to, among other things, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other future events. Any statements about South Plains’ expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. South Plains cautions that the forward-looking statements in this press release are based largely on South Plains’ expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond South Plains’ control. Factors that could cause such changes include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, competition and market expansion opportunities, changes in non-interest expenditures or in the anticipated benefits of such expenditures, and changes in applicable laws and regulations. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties to which South Plains’ business and future financial performance are subject is contained in South Plains’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K on file with the SEC, and other documents South Plains files with the SEC from time to time. South Plains urges readers of this press release to review the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the “Risk Factors” section of other documents South Plains files or furnishes with the SEC from time to time, which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements due to additional risks and uncertainties of which South Plains is not currently aware or which it does not currently view as, but in the future may become, material to its business or operating results. Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, the Company can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and South Plains does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, new information, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements, express or implied, included in the press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Contact:	Mikella Newsom, Chief Risk Officer and Secretary
	(866) 771-3347
	investors@city.bank

Source: South Plains Financial, Inc.

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Consolidated Financial Highlights - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

	As of and for the quarter ended
	September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020
Selected Income Statement Data:
Interest income	$	34,438			$	33,016			$	32,982			$	33,984			$	34,503
Interest expense		3,260				3,423				3,438				3,619				3,230
Net interest income		31,178				29,593				29,544				30,365				31,273
Provision for loan losses		-				(2,007	)			89				141				6,062
Noninterest income		25,791				22,250				26,500				26,172				31,660
Noninterest expense		38,063				36,778				37,057				36,504				35,993
Income tax expense		3,716				3,422				3,738				3,968				4,147
Net income		15,190				13,650				15,160				15,924				16,731
Per Share Data (Common Stock):
Net earnings, basic		0.85				0.76				0.84				0.88				0.93
Net earnings, diluted		0.82				0.74				0.82				0.87				0.92
Cash dividends declared and paid		0.09				0.07				0.05				0.05				0.03
Book value		22.34				21.81				20.75				20.47				19.52
Tangible book value		20.90				20.35				19.28				18.97				18.00
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic		17,931,660				18,039,553				18,069,186				18,053,467				18,059,174
Weighted average shares outstanding, dilutive		18,464,183				18,553,050				18,511,120				18,366,129				18,256,161
Shares outstanding at end of period		17,824,094				18,014,398				18,053,229				18,076,364				18,059,174
Selected Period End Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents		327,600				383,949				413,406				300,307				290,885
Investment securities		752,562				777,613				777,208				803,087				726,329
Total loans held for investment		2,429,041				2,303,462				2,242,676				2,221,583				2,288,234
Allowance for loan losses		42,768				42,963				45,019				45,553				46,076
Total assets		3,774,175				3,712,915				3,732,894				3,599,160				3,542,666
Interest-bearing deposits		2,157,981				2,159,554				2,193,427				2,057,029				2,037,743
Noninterest-bearing deposits		1,054,264				998,941				962,205				917,322				906,059
Total deposits		3,212,245				3,158,495				3,155,632				2,974,351				2,943,802
Borrowings		122,121				125,965				164,553				223,532				204,704
Total stockholders’ equity		398,276				392,815				374,671				370,048				352,568
Summary Performance Ratios:
Return on average assets		1.61	%			1.46	%			1.66	%			1.76	%			1.88	%
Return on average equity		15.24	%			14.27	%			16.51	%			17.53	%			19.32	%
Net interest margin (1)		3.58	%			3.42	%			3.52	%			3.64	%			3.82	%
Yield on loans		4.99	%			4.97	%			5.07	%			5.10	%			5.08	%
Cost of interest-bearing deposits		0.37	%			0.40	%			0.41	%			0.45	%			0.50	%
Efficiency ratio		66.45	%			70.52	%			65.76	%			64.19	%			56.90	%
Summary Credit Quality Data:
Nonperforming loans		10,895				12,538				14,316				14,964				15,006
Nonperforming loans to total loans held for investment		0.45	%			0.54	%			0.64	%			0.67	%			0.66	%
Other real estate owned		1,081				1,146				1,377				1,353				1,336
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.32	%			0.37	%			0.42	%			0.45	%			0.46	%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans held for investment		1.76	%			1.87	%			2.01	%			2.05	%			2.01	%
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)		0.03	%			0.01	%			0.11	%			0.11	%			0.10	%

	As of and for the quarter ended
	September 30 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020
Capital Ratios:
Total stockholders’ equity to total assets		10.55	%			10.58	%			10.04	%			10.28	%			9.95	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		9.94	%			9.94	%			9.39	%			9.60	%			9.25	%
Common equity tier 1 to risk-weighted assets		12.68	%			13.14	%			13.23	%			12.96	%			12.49	%
Tier 1 capital to average assets		10.83	%			10.54	%			10.35	%			10.24	%			10.01	%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets		18.21	%			18.95	%			19.24	%			19.08	%			18.67	%

(1) Net interest margin is calculated as the annual net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Average Balances and Yields - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	For the Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2021										September 30, 2020
	Average Balance			Interest Income Expense			Yield				Average Balance			Interest Income Expense			Yield
Assets
Loans, excluding PPP (1)	$	2,365,010		$	28,947			4.86	%		$	2,195,507		$	29,162			5.28	%
Loans - PPP		86,645			1,872			8.57	%			212,337			1,602			3.00	%
Debt securities - taxable		531,620			2,309			1.72	%			525,301			2,613			1.98	%
Debt securities - nontaxable		221,026			1,468			2.64	%			187,400			1,343			2.85	%
Other interest-bearing assets		284,369			151			0.21	%			168,922			105			0.25	%
Total interest-earning assets		3,488,670			34,747			3.95	%			3,289,467			34,825			4.21	%
Noninterest-earning assets		259,641										247,338
Total assets	$	3,748,311									$	3,536,805
Liabilities & stockholders’ equity
NOW, Savings, MMA’s	$	1,820,677			1,005			0.22	%		$	1,695,476			1,213			0.28	%
Time deposits		330,161			1,025			1.23	%			322,535			1,304			1.61	%
Short-term borrowings		725			-			0.00	%			12,080			3			0.10	%
Notes payable & other long-term borrowings		-			-			0.00	%			95,870			65			0.27	%
Subordinated debt securities		75,728			1,013			5.31	%			26,472			403			6.06	%
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures		46,393			217			1.86	%			46,393			242			2.08	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,273,684			3,260			0.57	%			2,198,826			3,230			0.58	%
Demand deposits		1,035,910										944,420
Other liabilities		43,171										49,008
Stockholders’ equity		395,546										344,551
Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity	$	3,748,311									$	3,536,805
Net interest income				$	31,487									$	31,595
Net interest margin (2)								3.58	%									3.82	%

(1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
(2) Net interest margin is calculated as the annualized net income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Average Balances and Yields - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	For the Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2021										September 30, 2020
	Average Balance			Interest Income Expense			Yield				Average Balance			Interest Income Expense			Yield
Assets
Loans, excluding PPP (1)	$	2,246,650		$	82,314			4.90	%		$	2,188,988		$	89,041			5.43	%
Loans - PPP		141,040			7,147			6.78	%			127,880			2,678			2.80	%
Debt securities - taxable		540,380			7,118			1.76	%			544,650			9,285			2.28	%
Debt securities - nontaxable		219,242			4,414			2.69	%			142,158			3,037			2.85	%
Other interest-bearing assets		328,412			373			0.15	%			164,936			963			0.78	%
Total interest-earning assets		3,475,724			101,366			3.90	%			3,168,612			105,004			4.43	%
Noninterest-earning assets		261,449										248,523
Total assets	$	3,737,173									$	3,417,135
Liabilities & stockholders’ equity
NOW, Savings, MMA’s	$	1,834,113			3,259			0.24	%		$	1,630,524			5,199			0.43	%
Time deposits		326,862			3,114			1.27	%			334,189			4,361			1.74	%
Short-term borrowings		10,725			5			0.06	%			19,758			102			0.69	%
Notes payable & other long-term borrowings		26,188			38			0.19	%			117,726			518			0.59	%
Subordinated debt securities		75,682			3,044			5.38	%			26,472			1,210			6.11	%
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures		46,393			661			1.90	%			46,393			937			2.70	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,319,963			10,121			0.58	%			2,175,062			12,327			0.76	%
Demand deposits		991,331										870,606
Other liabilities		41,996										40,579
Stockholders’ equity		383,883										330,888
Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity	$	3,737,173									$	3,417,135
Net interest income				$	91,245									$	92,677
Net interest margin (2)								3.51	%									3.91	%

(1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
(2) Net interest margin is calculated as the annualized net income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, divided by average interest-earning assets.

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	As of
	September 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	62,638			$	76,146
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		264,962				224,161
Federal funds sold		—				—
Investment securities		752,562				803,087
Loans held for sale		90,880				111,477
Loans held for investment		2,429,041				2,221,583
Less:  Allowance for loan losses		(42,768	)			(45,553	)
Net loans held for investment		2,386,273				2,176,030
Premises and equipment, net		59,056				60,331
Goodwill		19,508				19,508
Intangible assets		6,296				7,562
Other assets		132,000				120,858
Total assets	$	3,774,175			$	3,599,160
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Liabilities
Noninterest bearing deposits	$	1,054,264			$	917,322
Interest-bearing deposits		2,157,981				2,057,029
Total deposits		3,212,245				2,974,351
Other borrowings		-				101,550
Subordinated debt securities		75,728				75,589
Trust preferred subordinated debentures		46,393				46,393
Other liabilities		41,533				31,229
Total liabilities		3,375,899				3,229,112
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock		17,824				18,076
Additional paid-in capital		136,402				141,112
Retained earnings		229,737				189,521
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		14,313				21,339
Total stockholders’ equity		398,276				370,048
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,774,175			$	3,599,160

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2021			September 30, 2020			September 30, 2021				September 30, 2020
Interest income:
Loans, including fees	$	30,818		$	30,724		$	89,458			$	91,600
Other		3,620			3,779			10,978				12,647
Total Interest income		34,438			34,503			100,436				104,247
Interest expense:
Deposits		2,030			2,517			6,373				9,560
Subordinated debt securities		1,013			403			3,044				1,210
Trust preferred subordinated debentures		217			242			661				937
Other		-			68			43				620
Total Interest expense		3,260			3,230			10,121				12,327
Net interest income		31,178			31,273			90,315				91,920
Provision for loan losses		-			6,062			(1,918	)			25,429
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		31,178			25,211			92,233				66,491
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposits		1,851			1,749			5,023				5,171
Income from insurance activities		3,794			3,303			6,146				5,484
Mortgage banking activities		14,802			21,409			47,329				48,117
Bank card services and interchange fees		3,045			2,608			8,760				7,190
Other		2,299			2,591			7,283				7,151
Total Noninterest income		25,791			31,660			74,541				75,431
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		24,116			23,672			71,811				66,103
Net occupancy expense		3,896			3,710			10,960				10,896
Professional services		1,388			1,177			4,483				4,710
Marketing and development		777			615			2,157				2,189
Other		7,886			6,819			22,487				21,313
Total noninterest expense		38,063			35,993			111,898				105,211
Income before income taxes		18,906			20,878			54,876				36,711
Income tax expense (benefit)		3,716			4,147			10,876				7,282
Net income	$	15,190		$	16,731		$	44,000			$	29,429

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Loan Composition
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	As of
	September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020
Loans:
Commercial Real Estate	$	746,775		$	663,344
Commercial - Specialized		390,394			311,686
Commercial - General		452,776			518,309
Consumer:
1-4 Family Residential		387,167			360,315
Auto Loans		239,397			205,840
Other Consumer		69,079			67,595
Construction		143,453			94,494
Total loans held for investment	$	2,429,041		$	2,221,583

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Deposit Composition
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	As of
	September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,054,264		$	917,322
NOW & other transaction accounts		359,177			332,829
MMDA & other savings		1,464,376			1,398,699
Time deposits		334,428			325,501
Total deposits	$	3,212,245		$	2,974,351

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	As of and for the quarter ended
	September 30, 2021			June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			September 30, 2020
Pre-tax, pre-provision income
Net income	$	15,190		$	13,650			$	15,160		$	15,924		$	16,731
Income tax expense		3,716			3,422				3,738			3,968			4,147
Provision for loan losses		-			(2,007	)			89			141			6,062
Pre-tax, pre-provision income	$	18,906		$	15,065			$	18,987		$	20,033		$	26,940

South Plains Financial, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	As of
	September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020
Tangible common equity
Total common stockholders’ equity	$	398,276			$	392,815			$	374,671			$	370,048			$	352,568
Less:  goodwill and other intangibles		(25,804	)			(26,226	)			(26,648	)			(27,070	)			(27,502	)
Tangible common equity	$	372,472			$	366,589			$	348,023			$	342,978			$	325,066
Tangible assets
Total assets	$	3,774,175			$	3,712,915			$	3,732,894			$	3,599,160			$	3,542,666
Less:  goodwill and other intangibles		(25,804	)			(26,226	)			(26,648	)			(27,070	)			(27,502	)
Tangible assets	$	3,748,371			$	3,686,689			$	3,706,246			$	3,572,090			$	3,515,164
Shares outstanding		17,824,094				18,014,398				18,053,229				18,076,364				18,059,174
Total stockholders’ equity to total assets		10.55	%			10.58	%			10.04	%			10.28	%			9.95	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		9.94	%			9.94	%			9.39	%			9.60	%			9.25	%
Book value per share	$	22.34			$	21.81			$	20.75			$	20.47			$	19.52
Tangible book value per share	$	20.90			$	20.35			$	19.28			$	18.97			$	18.00

FAQ

What are the latest earnings results for South Plains Financial (SPFI)?

For Q3 2021, South Plains Financial reported a net income of $15.2 million and diluted EPS of $0.82.

How much did loans held for investment grow in Q3 2021 for SPFI?

Loans held for investment grew by $125.6 million, or 5.5%, during Q3 2021.

What was the nonperforming assets ratio for South Plains Financial (SPFI) as of September 30, 2021?

The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.32%.

Did South Plains Financial (SPFI) record a provision for loan losses in Q3 2021?

No, South Plains Financial did not record a provision for loan losses in Q3 2021.

How many shares did South Plains Financial (SPFI) repurchase recently?

The company repurchased approximately 190,000 shares under its $10 million share repurchase plan.