Preferred Bank: A Quarter of Growth and Challenges
Friday, Jan 10, 2025 4:12 pm ET
PFBC --
As the calendar turns to 2025, Preferred Bank (PFBC) has announced its fourth quarter earnings release and conference call, scheduled for January 27 and 28, respectively. The Bank, one of the larger independent commercial banks in California, has had a year marked by both growth and challenges. Let's take a closer look at the Bank's recent performance and the trends shaping its future.

A Quarter of Growth
In the second quarter of 2024, Preferred Bank reported net income of $33.6 million, a slight increase from the previous quarter but down by $4.3 million from the same quarter last year. Despite the decrease in net income, the Bank continues to deliver top-of-peer group profitability metrics and long-term shareholder returns.
Total loans increased by $103 million or 1.9% for the quarter, while total deposits grew by $77 million or 1.3%. The Bank's return on average assets was 1.97%, and the return on beginning equity was 19.44%. The net interest margin (NIM) was 3.96%, a slight decrease from the previous quarter but still competitive within the industry.
Challenges Ahead
While the Bank's performance has been strong, it faces several challenges in the coming quarters. Rising deposit costs have put pressure on the Bank's net interest income, leading to a decrease in the net interest margin. The Bank has also seen an increase in non-performing loans (NPLs), which reached $40.6 million in the second quarter, up from $28.7 million in the first quarter.
To address these challenges, Preferred Bank has been actively managing its loan portfolio and reducing asset sensitivity. The Bank has also been focusing on cost control and improving its efficiency ratio, which stood at 28.3% in the second quarter.

Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to the Bank's fourth quarter earnings release and conference call, investors will be eager to hear more about Preferred Bank's strategies to navigate the current interest rate environment and maintain its strong performance. The Bank's ability to manage its loan portfolio, control costs, and adapt to changing market conditions will be crucial in determining its success in the coming quarters.
In conclusion, Preferred Bank has had a quarter of growth and challenges, with strong performance offset by rising deposit costs and an increase in non-performing loans. As the Bank looks ahead to its fourth quarter earnings release and conference call, investors will be watching closely to see how the Bank continues to navigate the current market landscape and deliver value to shareholders.
Word count: 598