Pacific Premier Bancorp (PPBI) 8-KPacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and a Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.33 Per Share

Irvine, Calif., October 24, 2024 -- Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPBI) (the “Company” or “Pacific Premier”), the holding company of Pacific Premier Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income of $36.0 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2024, compared with net income of $41.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024, and net income of $46.0 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023.

Steven R. Gardner, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the Company, commented, “We delivered solid results in the third quarter with net income of $36.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.37. Our relationship managers and their branch banking colleagues' consistent efforts to generate new business opportunities while deepening existing client relationships contributed to an increase in non-interest-bearing deposits, which comprised 32% of total deposits at quarter-end. We leveraged these positive core deposit trends to further reduce higher-cost wholesale funding sources by decreasing brokered deposits by $184 million and repaying a $200 million FHLB ("Federal Home Loan Bank") term advance.

“Third quarter asset quality remained strong, as total delinquencies decreased to 0.08% of loans and non-performing assets decreased to 0.22% of total assets. This performance positions us among the strongest in the industry in terms of asset quality.

“Beginning in the second half of 2022, we proactively prioritized capital accumulation over balance sheet growth in light of the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, while at the same time continuing to provide best-in-class service to our clients. As a result, our peer-leading capital ratios have created significant optionality for our organization to pursue organic and strategic growth opportunities that can enhance long-term franchise value.

Net interest income totaled $130.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of $5.5 million, or 4.0%, from the second quarter of 2024. The decrease in net interest income was primarily attributable to lower average loan balances and a higher cost of funds as borrowers continued deploying excess cash reserves to pay down and pay off higher-yielding commercial loan balances.

The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2024 decreased 10 basis points to 3.16%, from 3.26% in the prior quarter. The decrease was primarily due to a higher cost of funds.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2024 decreased $18.7 million, or 12.5%, compared to the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was attributable to lower average interest-earning asset balances and a higher cost of funds, partially offset by lower average interest-bearing liabilities balances and higher yields on average interest-earning assets, all the result of the prolonged higher interest rate environment in the past twelve months and the Company's strategy to prioritize capital accumulation.

For the third quarter of 2024, the Company recorded a $486,000 provision expense, compared to $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2024, and $3.9 million for the third quarter of 2023. The decrease in provision for credit losses compared to the second quarter of 2024 was largely attributable to the decrease in loan balances and changes in the loan composition, partially offset by increases associated with economic forecasts.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2024 was $18.9 million, an increase of $645,000 from the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to a $748,000 increase in other income largely attributable to a $1.0 million decrease in Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") investment loss.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2024 increased $316,000 compared to the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $756,000 increase in earnings on bank owned life insurance, partially offset by a $543,000 decrease in trust custodial account fees.

Noninterest expense totaled $101.6 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $4.1 million compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to a $3.9 million increase in legal and professional services, driven by the prior quarter's $4.0 million insurance claim receivable that decreased the expense during the period.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2024 decreased by $540,000 compared to the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to an $809,000 decrease in other expense, a $775,000 decrease in marketing expense, and a $668,000 decrease in compensation and benefits, partially offset by a $1.7 million increase in deposit expense due to higher deposit administration service fees and a $737,000 increase in legal and professional services.

For the third quarter of 2024, income tax expense totaled $11.7 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 24.5%, compared with income tax expense of $13.9 million and an effective tax rate of 24.9% for the second quarter of 2024, and income tax expense of $16.0 million and an effective tax rate of 25.8% for the third quarter of 2023.

New origination activity during the third quarter of 2024 decreased compared to the second quarter of 2024, and increased compared to the third quarter of 2023. New loan commitments totaled $104.1 million, and new loan fundings totaled $39.4 million, compared with $150.7 million in loan commitments and $58.6 million in new loan fundings for the second quarter of 2024, and $67.8 million in loan commitments and $25.6 million in new loan fundings for the third quarter of 2023.

At September 30, 2024, the total loan-to-deposit ratio was 83.1%, compared to 85.4% and 82.9% at June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

The following table presents the primary loan roll-forward activities for total gross loans, including both loans held for investment and loans held for sale, during the quarters indicated:

The following table presents the composition of the loans held for investment as of the dates indicated:

The end-of-period weighted average interest rate on loans, excluding fees and discounts and impact from interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges, at September 30, 2024 was 4.82%, compared to 4.88% at June 30, 2024, and 4.76% at September 30, 2023. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was a result of lower new loan fundings, customers paying down and paying off higher-rate loans. The year-over-year increase reflects higher rates on new originations and the repricing of loans as a result of the increases in benchmark interest rates.

The following table presents the composition of loan commitments originated during the quarters indicated:

The weighted average interest rate on new loan commitments was 8.43% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 8.58% in the second quarter of 2024, and 8.01% in the third quarter of 2023.

During the third quarter of 2024, the Company incurred $2.3 million of net charge-offs, compared to $10.3 million during the second quarter of 2024, and $6.8 million during the third quarter of 2023.

The following table provides the allocation of the ACL for loans held for investment as well as the activity in the ACL attributed to various segments in the loan portfolio as of and for the period indicated:

The ratio of ACL to loans held for investment at September 30, 2024 increased to 1.51%, compared to 1.47% at June 30, 2024, and 1.42% at September 30, 2023. The fair value net discount on loans acquired through acquisitions was $35.9 million, or 0.30% of total loans held for investment, as of September 30, 2024, compared to $38.6 million, or 0.31% of total loans held for investment, as of June 30, 2024, and $46.2 million, or 0.35% of total loans held for investment, as of September 30, 2023.

Nonperforming assets totaled $39.1 million, or 0.22% of total assets, at September 30, 2024, compared with $52.1 million, or 0.28% of total assets, at June 30, 2024, and $25.9 million, or 0.13% of total assets, at September 30, 2023. Loan delinquencies were $9.9 million, or 0.08% of loans held for investment, at September 30, 2024, compared to $17.9 million, or 0.14% of loans held for investment, at June 30, 2024, and $10.9 million, or 0.08% of loans held for investment, at September 30, 2023.

Classified loans totaled $120.5 million, or 1.00% of loans held for investment, at September 30, 2024, compared with $183.8 million, or 1.47% of loans held for investment, at June 30, 2024, and $149.3 million, or 1.12% of loans held for investment, at September 30, 2023.

The following table presents the asset quality metrics of the loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.

At September 30, 2024, AFS and held-to-maturity (“HTM”) investment securities were $1.32 billion and $1.71 billion, respectively, compared to $1.32 billion and $1.71 billion, respectively, at June 30, 2024, and $1.91 billion and $1.74 billion, respectively, at September 30, 2023.

In total, investment securities were $3.03 billion at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $70,000 from June 30, 2024, and a decrease of $622.3 million from September 30, 2023. The decrease in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter was primarily the result of $123.6 million in principal payments, amortization and accretion, and redemptions, partially offset by $113.3 million in purchases, primarily AFS U.S. Treasury securities, as well as an improvement of $10.2 million in AFS investment securities mark-to-market unrealized loss.

The decrease in investment securities from September 30, 2023 was the result of $1.52 billion in sales of AFS investment securities, primarily related to the investment securities portfolio repositioning during the fourth quarter of 2023, and $646.8 million in principal payments, amortization and accretion, and redemptions, partially offset by $1.27 billion in purchases of AFS and HTM investment securities and a decrease of $277.0 million in AFS securities mark-to-market unrealized loss.

At September 30, 2024, total deposits were $14.48 billion, a decrease of $146.7 million, or 1.0%, from June 30, 2024, and a decrease of $1.53 billion, or 9.5%, from September 30, 2023. The decrease from the prior quarter was primarily driven by reductions of $184.2 million in brokered certificates of deposit, as well as $39.1 million in money market and savings, partially offset by an increase of $66.4 million in retail certificates of deposit and $23.0 million in noninterest-bearing checking.

The decrease from September 30, 2023 was attributable to decreases of $1.14 billion in noninterest-bearing checking, $927.2 million in brokered certificates of deposit, and $68.1 million in money market and savings, partially offset by an increase of $447.0 million in retail certificates of deposit and $164.9 million in interest-bearing checking.

The decrease from the third quarter of 2023 was attributable to clients utilizing their deposits to prepay or pay down loans, reduced funding needs, as well as redeploying funds into higher-yielding alternatives due to elevated benchmark interest rates.

At September 30, 2024, maturity deposits totaled $2.27 billion, a decrease of $117.8 million, or 4.9%, from June 30, 2024, and a decrease of $480.1 million, or 17.4%, from September 30, 2023. The decrease in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter was primarily driven by the decrease of $184.2 million in brokered certificates of deposit, a direct result of the planned maturity and reduction of higher-costing brokered time deposits, partially offset by an increase of $66.4 million in retail certificates of deposit. The decrease from September 30, 2023 was primarily driven by decreases in brokered certificates of deposit, partially offset by increases of retail certificates of deposit.

At September 30, 2024, the end-of-period weighted average rate of total deposits was 1.80%, compared to 1.81% at June 30, 2024, and 1.52% at September 30, 2023. At September 30, 2024, the end-of-period weighted average rate of non-maturity deposits was 1.26%, compared to 1.25% at June 30, 2024, and 0.96% at September 30, 2023.

At September 30, 2024, the Company’s FDIC-insured deposits as a percentage of total deposits was 60%, and the insured and collateralized deposits comprised 66% of total deposits, relatively consistent with 61% and 67%, respectively, at June 30, 2024, and 62% and 66%, respectively, at September 30, 2023.

The following table presents the composition of deposits as of the dates indicated.

At September 30, 2024, total borrowings amounted to $272.3 million, a decrease of $259.8 million from June 30, 2024, and a decrease of $859.4 million from September 30, 2023. Total borrowings at September 30, 2024 were comprised of $272.3 million of subordinated debt. The decrease in borrowings at September 30, 2024 as compared to June 30, 2024 was due to the early redemption of a $200.0 million FHLB term advance and the maturity of $60.0 million in subordinated debentures during the quarter. The decrease in borrowings at September 30, 2024 as compared to September 30, 2023 was due to a decrease of $800.0 million in FHLB term advances and the maturity of $60.0 million in subordinated debentures.

As of September 30, 2024, our unused borrowing capacity was $8.83 billion, which consists of available lines of credit with FHLB and other correspondent banks, as well as access through the Federal Reserve Bank's discount window, which was not utilized during the third quarter of 2024.

The Company implemented the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model on January 1, 2020 and elected to phase in the full effect of CECL on regulatory capital over the five-year transition period. In the first quarter of 2022, the Company began phasing into regulatory capital the cumulative adjustments at the end of the second year of the transition period at 25% per year. At September 30, 2024, the Company and Bank were in compliance with the capital conservation buffer requirement and exceeded the minimum Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1, and total capital ratios, inclusive of the fully phased-in capital conservation buffer of 7.0%, 8.5%, and 10.5%, respectively, and the Bank qualified as “well capitalized” for purposes of the federal bank regulatory prompt corrective action regulations.

On October 22, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.33 per share dividend, payable on November 12, 2024 to stockholders of record as of November 4, 2024. In January 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, which authorized the repurchase of up to 4,725,000 shares of its common stock. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock.

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPBI) is the parent company of Pacific Premier Bank, a California-based commercial bank focused on serving small, middle-market, and corporate businesses throughout the western United States in major metropolitan markets in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada. Founded in 1983, Pacific Premier Bank has grown to become one of the largest banks headquartered in the western region of the United States, with approximately $18 billion in total assets. Pacific Premier Bank provides banking products and services, including deposit accounts, digital banking, and treasury management services, to businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and nonprofit organizations. Pacific Premier Bank also offers a wide array of loan products, such as commercial business loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, commercial real estate loans, agribusiness loans, franchise lending, home equity lines of credit, and construction loans. Pacific Premier Bank offers commercial escrow services and facilitates 1031 Exchange transactions through its Commerce Escrow division. Pacific Premier Bank offers clients IRA custodial services through its Pacific Premier Trust division, which has approximately $18 billion of assets under custody and 32,000 client accounts comprised of self-directed investors, financial institutions, capital syndicators, and financial advisors. Additionally, Pacific Premier Bank provides nationwide customized banking solutions to Homeowners’ Associations and Property Management companies. Pacific Premier Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. For additional information about Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Pacific Premier Bank, visit our website: www.ppbi.com.

The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including, without limitation, plans, strategies and goals, and statements about the Company’s expectations regarding revenue and asset growth, financial performance and profitability, loan and deposit growth, yields and returns, loan diversification and credit management, stockholder value creation, tax rates, liquidity, and the impact of acquisitions we have made or may make.

Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be the same as those anticipated by management. The Company cautions readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the strength of the United States ("U.S.") economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations; adverse developments in the banking industry and the potential impact of such developments on customer confidence, liquidity, and regulatory responses to these developments; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; interest rate, liquidity, economic, market, credit, operational, and inflation risks associated with our business, including the speed and predictability of changes in these risks; our ability to attract and retain deposits and access to other sources of liquidity, particularly in a rising or high interest rate environment, and the quality and composition of our deposits; business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, nationally and within our current and future geographic markets, including the tight labor market, ineffective management of the U.S. Federal budget or debt, or turbulence or uncertainty in domestic or foreign

The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release any revision or update to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.