How did HFBL's Q2 earnings compare to Q1 this year?

Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana (HFBL) experienced a slight increase in net income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, but a decrease for the six-month period.

1. **Q2 Earnings vs. Q1 Earnings in 2024**:
- For the three months ended December 31, 2024, HFBL reported a net income of $1.02 million, up from $1.00 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
- The basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) remained steady at $0.33 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023.
- However, for the six months ended December 31, 2024, net income decreased to $2.0 million from $2.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2023.
- The basic and diluted EPS also decreased to $0.64 for the six months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $0.73 and $0.72, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2023.
2. **Key Financial Metrics**:
- The net interest margin for the three months ended December 31, 2024, was 3.12%, slightly down from 3.14% in the same period in 2023.
- For the six months ended December 31, 2024, the net interest margin was 3.06%, compared to 3.26% in the prior year.
- Nonperforming assets totaled $1.8 million, or 0.30% of total assets, at December 31, 2024, compared to $1.9 million, or 0.30% of total assets, at June 30, 2024.
- There was a decrease in total interest income, which was partially offset by a decrease in total interest expense.
3. **Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Developments**:
- HFBL reported a decrease in total assets by $29.7 million, or 4.7%, from $637.5 million at June 30, 2024, to $607.8 million at December 31, 2024.
- Total liabilities decreased by $30.9 million, or 5.3%, from $584.7 million at June 30, 2024, to $553.8 million at December 31, 2024.
- The company achieved a decrease in non-interest expenses and an increase in non-interest income.

In conclusion, while HFBL showed a positive trend in net income for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, compared to the previous year, the six-month performance indicated a decline in net income and EPS. This reflects a challenging environment for the bank, requiring careful management of financial metrics and assets in the face of declining interest income and total assets.