What drove BSVN's earnings growth in 2024?

Bank7's earnings growth in 2024 was primarily driven by the following factors: 1. **Net Interest Income (NII) Growth**: The increase in NII from $86.20 million in 2023 to $131.54 million in 2024, reflected in the 10-K report, was a significant contributor to the overall earnings growth. This growth was due to higher interest income on loans and short-term investments, which offset the slight increase in interest expenses. 2. **Loan Portfolio Growth**: The loan portfolio grew by 2.69% to $1.4 billion in 2024 compared to $1.4 billion in 2023. This growth in the loan portfolio contributed to the increase in interest income from loans. 3. **Provision for Credit Losses**: Bank7 did not record any provision for credit losses in 2024, compared to $21.1 million in 2023. The elimination of provision for credit losses contributed to the bank's strong earnings performance, indicating robust underlying asset quality. 4. **Disciplined Cost Controls**: The bank maintained disciplined cost controls, keeping noninterest expenses relatively stable, which allowed the increase in net interest income to translate directly into higher earnings. 5. **Strategic Initiatives**: Bank7's strategic initiatives, such as the acquisition of First American Mortgage, Inc. in February 2025, further enhanced the bank's mortgage division and demonstrated its commitment to delivering comprehensive financial solutions. While this acquisition may not have directly impacted the 2024 earnings, it reflects the bank's growth and innovation strategy, which is likely to support future earnings growth. In summary, Bank7's 2024 earnings growth was driven by a combination of NII growth, loan portfolio expansion, prudent cost management, and strategic initiatives that positioned the bank for future growth.