First Merchants Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2024 Earnings per Share

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Oct 24, 2024

MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ - FRME)

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights:

  • Net income available to common stockholders was $48.7 million and diluted earnings per common share totaled $0.84, compared to $55.9 million and $0.94 in the third quarter of 2023, and $39.5 million and $0.68 in the second quarter of 2024. Excluding the loss from repositioning of the available for sale securities portfolio, adjusted net income was $55.6 million or $0.95 per share for the third quarter of 2024.
  • Strong capital position with Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 11.25% and Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio of 8.76%.
  • Net interest margin was 3.23% compared to 3.16% on a linked quarter basis.
  • Total loans grew $15.5 million, or 0.5% annualized, on a linked quarter basis, and $385.1 million, or 3.1% during the last twelve months.
  • Total deposits grew by $83.7 million, or 2.3% annualized, on a linked quarter basis after normalizing for $287.7 million of deposits reclassified to held for sale.
  • Nonperforming assets to total assets were 35 basis points compared to 36 basis points on a linked quarter basis.
  • The efficiency ratio totaled 53.76% for the quarter.
  • Announced sale of five Illinois branches and certain loans and deposits to Old Second National Bank on August 27, 2024.

“We are pleased with our third quarter results and the focused momentum that we are building,” said Mark Hardwick, Chief Executive Officer. "The pending sale of five non-core Illinois branches, restructure of the securities portfolio, and successful completion of four major technology initiatives provides us with the opportunity to reprioritize our core markets and introduce innovative customer acquisition strategies.”

Third Quarter Financial Results:

First Merchants Corporation (the “Corporation”) has reported third quarter 2024 net income available to common stockholders of $48.7 million compared to $55.9 million during the same period in 2023. Diluted earnings per common share for the period totaled $0.84 compared to the third quarter of 2023 result of $0.94. Excluding the $9.1 million pre-tax loss from repositioning of the available for sale securities portfolio, adjusted net income was $55.6 million, or $0.95 diluted earnings per common share for the third quarter of 2024.

During the quarter, the Corporation signed a definitive agreement to sell five Illinois branches along with certain loans and deposits, representing an exit from suburban Chicago markets. Loans of $9.2 million, deposits of $287.7 million and fixed assets of $3.4 million have been moved to held for sale categories as of September 30, 2024. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.

Total assets equaled $18.3 billion as of quarter-end and loans totaled $12.7 billion. During the past twelve months, total loans grew by $385.1 million, or 3.1%. On a linked quarter basis, loans grew $15.5 million, or 0.5%, with growth primarily in commercial & industrial loans.

Investments totaling $3.7 billion decreased $51.6 million, or 1.4%, during the last twelve months and decreased $90.9 million, or 9.7% annualized, on a linked quarter basis. The decline during the quarter was due to $158.9 million in sales of available for sale securities with a weighted average tax-equivalent yield of 2.85%, partially offset by an increase in the securities portfolio valuation.

Total deposits were $14.4 billion as of quarter-end and decreased by $281.5 million, or 1.9%, over the past twelve months. The decline was primarily due to $287.7 million of deposits being reclassified to held for sale. Excluding this impact, deposits increased by $6.2 million. On a linked quarter basis, deposits grew organically by $83.7 million or 2.3%. The loan to deposit ratio increased to 88.0% at period end from 86.8% in the prior quarter, primarily due to the reclassification of deposits to held for sale as previously described.

The Corporation’s Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans (ACL) totaled $187.8 million as of quarter-end, or 1.48% of total loans, a decrease of $1.7 million from prior quarter. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries totaled $6.7 million and provision for loans of $5.0 million was recorded during the quarter. Reserves for unfunded commitments totaled $19.5 million and remained unchanged from the prior quarter. Non-performing assets to total assets were 35 basis points for the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of one basis point compared to 36 basis points in the prior quarter.

Net interest income totaled $131.1 million for the quarter, an increase of $2.5 million, or 2.0%, compared to prior quarter and a decrease of $2.3 million, or 1.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2023. Fully-tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.23%, an increase of 7 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2024, and a decrease of 6 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2023. The increase in net interest margin compared to the second quarter was due to higher earning asset yields.

Non-interest income totaled $24.9 million for the quarter, a decrease of $6.5 million, or 20.6%, compared to the second quarter of 2024 and a decrease of $3.0 million, or 6.7% from the third quarter of 2023. The decrease from second quarter of 2024 was driven by realized losses on sales of available for sale securities associated with the repositioning of the bond portfolio, partially offset by increases in gains on sales of mortgage loans and earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance.

Non-interest expense totaled $94.6 million for the quarter, an increase of $3.2 million from the second quarter of 2024 and an increase of $0.8 million from the third quarter of 2023. The increase from the linked quarter was from higher salaries and employee benefits primarily driven by higher incentives.

The Corporation’s total risk-based capital ratio equaled 13.18%, common equity tier 1 capital ratio equaled 11.25%, and the tangible common equity ratio totaled 8.76%. These ratios continue to reflect the Corporation’s strong liquidity and capital positions.

CONFERENCE CALL

First Merchants Corporation will conduct a third quarter earnings conference call and web cast at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

To access via phone, participants will need to register using the following link where they will be provided a phone number and access code: (https://register.vevent.com/register/BI34430e309ed545808c7c8195f36e86b6)

To view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to (https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/6grv3upw) during the time of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available until October 24, 2025.

Detailed financial results are reported on the attached pages.

About First Merchants Corporation

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank).

First Merchants Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company’s Internet web page (http://www.firstmerchants.com).

FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield Logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can often, but not always, be identified by the use of words like “believe”, “continue”, “pattern”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “expect” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “can”, “may”, or similar expressions. These statements include statements about First Merchants’ goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding the First Merchants’ business plan and growth strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of First Merchants’ loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of First Merchants’ risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements, including, among other things: possible changes in monetary and fiscal policies, and laws and regulations; the effects of easing restrictions on participants in the financial services industry; the cost and other effects of legal and administrative cases; possible changes in the credit worthiness of customers and the possible impairment of collectability of loans; fluctuations in market rates of interest; competitive factors in the banking industry; changes in the banking legislation or regulatory requirements of federal and state agencies applicable to bank holding companies and banks like First Merchants’ affiliate bank; continued availability of earnings and excess capital sufficient for the lawful and prudent declaration of dividends; changes in market, economic, operational, liquidity (including the ability to grow and maintain core deposits and retain large, uninsured deposits), credit and interest rate risks associated with the First Merchants’ business; and other risks and factors identified in each of First Merchants’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. First Merchants does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this press release. In addition, First Merchants’ past results of operations do not necessarily indicate its anticipated future results.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands)September 30,
20242023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks$84,719$125,173
Interest-bearing deposits359,126348,639
Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses of $245,000 and $245,0003,662,1453,713,724
Loans held for sale40,65230,972
Loans12,646,80812,271,422
Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans(187,828)(205,782)
Net loans12,458,98012,065,640
Premises and equipment129,582132,441
Federal Home Loan Bank stock41,71641,797
Interest receivable92,05590,011
Goodwill and other intangibles733,601741,283
Cash surrender value of life insurance304,613306,106
Other real estate owned5,2476,480
Tax asset, deferred and receivable86,732135,521
Other assets348,384340,476
TOTAL ASSETS$18,347,552$18,078,263
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing$2,334,197$2,554,984
Interest-bearing12,030,90312,091,592
Total Deposits14,365,10014,646,576
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased30,000—
Securities sold under repurchase agreements124,894152,537
Federal Home Loan Bank advances832,629713,384
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings93,562158,665
Total Borrowings1,081,0851,024,586
Deposits and other liabilities held for sale288,476—
Interest payable18,08916,473
Other liabilities292,429297,984
Total Liabilities16,045,17915,985,619
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 600 cumulative shares
Issued and outstanding - 125 cumulative shares125125
Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, $2,500 liquidation preference:
Authorized -- 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares
Issued and outstanding - 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares25,00025,000
Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
Authorized -- 100,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 58,117,115 and 59,398,022 shares7,2657,425
Additional paid-in capital1,192,6831,234,402
Retained earnings1,229,1251,132,962
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(151,825)(307,270)
Total Stockholders' Equity2,302,3732,092,644
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$18,347,552$18,078,263
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMEThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)September 30,September 30,
2024202320242023
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable:
Taxable$206,680$191,705$606,116$550,314
Tax-exempt8,6228,28825,24223,757
Investment securities:
Taxable9,2638,59027,06226,563
Tax-exempt13,50913,94740,73344,296
Deposits with financial institutions2,1545,88411,6429,685
Federal Home Loan Bank stock8557192,5692,281
Total Interest Income241,083229,133713,364656,896
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits98,85685,551296,292209,437
Federal funds purchased329—4551,420
Securities sold under repurchase agreements7007972,3772,624
Federal Home Loan Bank advances8,5446,89621,71520,775
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings1,5442,5065,7817,303
Total Interest Expense109,97395,750326,620241,559
NET INTEREST INCOME131,110133,383386,744415,337
Provision for credit losses5,0002,00031,5002,000
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES126,110131,383355,244413,337
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts8,3617,97524,48223,147
Fiduciary and wealth management fees8,5257,39425,55022,653
Card payment fees5,1214,71614,36014,425
Net gains and fees on sales of loans6,7645,51715,15911,548
Derivative hedge fees7365161,4882,336
Other customer fees3443841,2311,643
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance2,7551,7616,2765,145
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities(9,114)(1,650)(9,165)(4,613)
Other income1,3741,2293,4572,874
Total Noninterest Income24,86627,84282,83879,158
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits55,22355,566165,730167,778
Net occupancy6,9946,83721,05220,770
Equipment6,9495,69819,77418,005
Marketing1,8362,3694,8074,780
Outside data processing fees7,1506,57321,11119,290
Printing and office supplies3783331,0851,150
Intangible asset amortization1,7722,1825,5006,561
FDIC assessments3,7202,98111,2857,117
Other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses9426771,8491,575
Professional and other outside services3,0353,83310,80912,191
Other expenses6,6306,80519,97520,950
Total Noninterest Expenses94,62993,854282,977280,167
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX56,34765,371155,105212,328
Income tax expense7,1609,00518,05231,021
NET INCOME49,18756,366137,053181,307
Preferred stock dividends4684681,4061,406
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS$48,719$55,898$135,647$179,901
Per Share Data:
Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders$0.84$0.95$2.32$3.04
Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders$0.84$0.94$2.31$3.03
Cash Dividends Paid to Common Stockholders$0.35$0.34$1.04$1.00
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)58,28959,50358,62959,465
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands)Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,September 30,
2024202320242023
NET CHARGE-OFFS$6,709$20,365$48,606$22,495
AVERAGE BALANCES:
Total Assets$18,360,580$18,152,239$18,374,370$18,115,504
Total Loans12,680,16612,287,63212,592,90712,264,787
Total Earning Assets16,990,35816,947,66917,042,54016,913,965
Total Deposits14,702,45414,735,59214,826,05614,627,448
Total Stockholders' Equity2,251,5472,154,2322,232,4192,126,005
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on Average Assets1.07%1.24%0.99%1.33%
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity8.6610.388.1011.28
Return on Tangible Common Stockholders' Equity13.3916.5412.6418.10
Average Earning Assets to Average Assets92.5493.3692.7593.37
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans as % of Total Loans1.481.671.481.67
Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)0.210.660.510.24
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets12.2611.8712.1511.74
Tax Equivalent Yield on Average Earning Assets5.825.555.725.32
Interest Expense/Average Earning Assets2.592.262.561.90
Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Average Earning Assets3.233.293.163.42
Efficiency Ratio53.7653.9155.5452.60
Tangible Common Book Value Per Share$26.64$22.43$26.64$22.43
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
(Dollars In Thousands)September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,
20242024202420232023
Nonaccrual Loans$59,088$61,906$62,478$53,580$53,102
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessions5,2474,8244,8864,8316,480
Nonperforming Assets (NPA)64,33566,73067,36458,41159,582
90+ Days Delinquent14,1051,6862,83817289
NPAs & 90 Day Delinquent$78,440$68,416$70,202$58,583$59,671
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans$187,828$189,537$204,681$204,934$205,782
Quarterly Net Charge-offs6,70939,6442,2533,14820,365
NPAs / Actual Assets %0.35%0.36%0.37%0.32%0.33%
NPAs & 90 Day / Actual Assets %0.43%0.37%0.38%0.32%0.33%
NPAs / Actual Loans and OREO %0.51%0.53%0.54%0.47%0.48%
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans / Actual Loans (%)1.48%1.50%1.64%1.64%1.67%
Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)0.21%1.26%0.07%0.10%0.66%
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands)September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,
20242024202420232023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks$84,719$105,372$100,514$112,649$125,173
Interest-bearing deposits359,126168,528410,497436,080348,639
Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses3,662,1453,753,0883,783,5743,811,3643,713,724
Loans held for sale40,65232,29215,11818,93430,972
Loans12,646,80812,639,65012,465,58212,486,02712,271,422
Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans(187,828)(189,537)(204,681)(204,934)(205,782)
Net loans12,458,98012,450,11312,260,90112,281,09312,065,640
Premises and equipment129,582133,245132,706133,896132,441
Federal Home Loan Bank stock41,71641,73841,75841,76941,797
Interest receivable92,05597,54692,55097,66490,011
Goodwill and other intangibles733,601735,373737,144739,101741,283
Cash surrender value of life insurance304,613306,379306,028306,301306,106
Other real estate owned5,2474,8244,8864,8316,480
Tax asset, deferred and receivable86,732107,080101,12199,883135,521
Other assets348,384367,845331,006322,322340,476
TOTAL ASSETS$18,347,552$18,303,423$18,317,803$18,405,887$18,078,263
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing$2,334,197$2,303,313$2,338,364$2,500,062$2,554,984
Interest-bearing12,030,90312,265,75712,546,22012,321,39112,091,592
Total Deposits14,365,10014,569,07014,884,58414,821,45314,646,576
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased30,000147,229———
Securities sold under repurchase agreements124,894100,451130,264157,280152,537
Federal Home Loan Bank advances832,629832,703612,778712,852713,384
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings93,56293,589118,612158,644158,665
Total Borrowings1,081,0851,173,972861,6541,028,7761,024,586
Deposits and other liabilities held for sale288,476————
Interest payable18,08918,55419,26218,91216,473
Other liabilities292,429329,302327,500289,033297,984
Total Liabilities16,045,17916,090,89816,093,00016,158,17415,985,619
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 600 cumulative shares
Issued and outstanding - 125 cumulative shares125125125125125
Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, $2,500 liquidation preference:
Authorized -- 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares
Issued and outstanding - 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares25,00025,00025,00025,00025,000
Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
Authorized -- 100,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding7,2657,2567,3217,4287,425
Additional paid-in capital1,192,6831,191,1931,208,4471,236,5061,234,402
Retained earnings1,229,1251,200,9301,181,9391,154,6241,132,962
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(151,825)(211,979)(198,029)(175,970)(307,270)
Total Stockholders' Equity2,302,3732,212,5252,224,8032,247,7132,092,644
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$18,347,552$18,303,423$18,317,803$18,405,887$18,078,263
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,
20242024202420232023
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable:
Taxable$206,680$201,413$198,023$197,523$191,705
Tax-exempt8,6228,4308,1908,1978,288
Investment securities:
Taxable9,2639,0518,7488,6448,590
Tax-exempt13,50913,61313,61113,82113,947
Deposits with financial institutions2,1542,9956,4938,0345,884
Federal Home Loan Bank stock855879835771719
Total Interest Income241,083236,381235,900236,990229,133
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits98,85699,15198,28596,65585,551
Federal funds purchased329126—1—
Securities sold under repurchase agreements7006451,032827797
Federal Home Loan Bank advances8,5446,3986,7736,4316,896
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings1,5441,4902,7473,0132,506
Total Interest Expense109,973107,810108,837106,92795,750
NET INTEREST INCOME131,110128,571127,063130,063133,383
Provision for credit losses5,00024,5002,0001,5002,000
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES126,110104,071125,063128,563131,383
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts8,3618,2147,9077,6907,975
Fiduciary and wealth management fees8,5258,8258,2008,1877,394
Card payment fees5,1214,7394,5004,4374,716
Net gains and fees on sales of loans6,7645,1413,2544,1115,517
Derivative hedge fees7364892631,049516
Other customer fees344460427237384
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance2,7551,9291,5923,2021,761
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities(9,114)(49)(2)(2,317)(1,650)
Other income (loss)1,3741,586497(152)1,229
Total Noninterest Income24,86631,33426,63826,44427,842
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits55,22352,21458,29360,96755,566
Net occupancy6,9946,7467,3129,0896,837
Equipment6,9496,5996,2266,1085,698
Marketing1,8361,7731,1982,6472,369
Outside data processing fees7,1507,0726,8895,8756,573
Printing and office supplies378354353402333
Intangible asset amortization1,7721,7711,9572,1822,182
FDIC assessments3,7203,2784,2877,5572,981
Other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses9423735341,743677
Professional and other outside services3,0353,8223,9523,9813,833
Other expenses6,6307,4115,9347,5526,805
Total Noninterest Expenses94,62991,41396,935108,10393,854
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX56,34743,99254,76646,90465,371
Income tax expense7,1604,0676,8254,4259,005
NET INCOME49,18739,92547,94142,47956,366
Preferred stock dividends468469469469468
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS$48,719$39,456$47,472$42,010$55,898
Per Share Data:
Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders$0.84$0.68$0.80$0.71$0.95
Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders$0.84$0.68$0.80$0.71$0.94
Cash Dividends Paid to Common Stockholders$0.35$0.35$0.34$0.34$0.34
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)58,28958,32859,27359,55659,503
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on Average Assets1.07%0.87%1.04%0.92%1.24%
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity8.667.168.477.8910.38
Return on Tangible Common Stockholders' Equity13.3911.2913.2112.7516.54
Average Earning Assets to Average Assets92.5492.8192.9193.6293.36
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans as % of Total Loans1.481.501.641.641.67
Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)0.211.260.070.100.66
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets12.2612.0212.1711.5811.87
Tax Equivalent Yield on Average Earning Assets5.825.695.655.645.55
Interest Expense/Average Earning Assets2.592.532.552.482.26
Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Average Earning Assets3.233.163.103.163.29
Efficiency Ratio53.7653.8459.2163.2653.91
Tangible Common Book Value Per Share$26.64$25.10$25.07$25.06$22.43
LOANS
(Dollars In Thousands)September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,
20242024202420232023
Commercial and industrial loans$4,041,217$3,949,817$3,722,365$3,670,948$3,490,953
Agricultural land, production and other loans to farmers238,743239,926234,431263,414233,838
Real estate loans:
Construction814,704823,267941,726957,5451,022,261
Commercial real estate, non-owner occupied2,251,3512,323,5332,368,3602,400,8392,360,596
Commercial real estate, owner occupied1,152,7511,174,1951,137,8941,162,0831,153,707
Residential2,366,9432,370,9052,316,4902,288,9212,257,385
Home equity641,188631,104618,258617,571609,352
Individuals' loans for household and other personal expenditures158,480162,089161,459168,388176,523
Public finance and other commercial loans981,431964,814964,599956,318966,807
Loans12,646,80812,639,65012,465,58212,486,02712,271,422
Allowance for credit losses - loans(187,828)(189,537)(204,681)(204,934)(205,782)
NET LOANS$12,458,980$12,450,113$12,260,901$12,281,093$12,065,640
DEPOSITS
(Dollars In Thousands)September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,
20242024202420232023
Demand deposits$7,678,510$7,757,679$7,771,976$7,965,862$7,952,040
Savings deposits4,302,2364,339,1614,679,5934,516,4334,572,162
Certificates and other time deposits of $100,000 or more1,277,8331,415,1311,451,4431,408,9851,280,607
Other certificates and time deposits802,949889,949901,280849,906761,196
Brokered certificates of deposits1303,572167,15080,29280,26780,571
TOTAL DEPOSITS2$14,365,100$14,569,070$14,884,584$14,821,453$14,646,576

1 - Total brokered deposits of $838.3 million, which includes brokered CD's of $303.6 million at September 30, 2024.
2 - Total deposits at September 30, 2024 excludes $287.7 million of deposits reclassified to Deposits and other liabilities held for sale related to the pending Illinois branch sale.

CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
(Dollars in Thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Average BalanceInterest
Income /
Expense
Average
Rate
Average BalanceInterest
Income /
Expense
Average
Rate
ASSETS
Interest-bearing deposits$252,113$2,1543.42%$502,967$5,8844.68%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock41,7308558.2041,8267196.88
Investment Securities: (1)
Taxable1,789,5269,2632.071,817,2198,5901.89
Tax-exempt (2)2,226,82317,1003.072,298,02517,6553.07
Total Investment Securities4,016,34926,3632.634,115,24426,2452.55
Loans held for sale31,9914836.0424,2273866.37
Loans: (3)
Commercial8,699,733164,9227.588,456,527153,9937.28
Real estate mortgage2,183,09524,3334.462,079,06721,6184.16
Installment832,22216,9428.14827,31815,7087.59
Tax-exempt (2)933,12510,9144.68900,49310,4914.66
Total Loans12,680,166217,5946.8612,287,632202,1966.58
Total Earning Assets16,990,358246,9665.82%16,947,669235,0445.55%
Total Non-Earning Assets1,370,2221,204,570
TOTAL ASSETS$18,360,580$18,152,239
LIABILITIES
Interest-Bearing Deposits:
Interest-bearing deposits$5,455,298$40,4502.97%$5,425,829$37,7802.79%
Money market deposits2,974,18825,9503.492,923,79823,6073.23
Savings deposits1,425,0474,2081.181,641,3383,8440.94
Certificates and other time deposits2,499,65528,2484.522,106,91020,3203.86
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits12,354,18898,8563.2012,097,87585,5512.83
Borrowings1,071,44011,1174.151,032,18010,1993.95
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities13,425,628109,9733.2813,130,05595,7502.92
Noninterest-bearing deposits2,348,2662,637,717
Other liabilities335,139230,235
Total Liabilities16,109,03315,998,007
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY2,251,5472,154,232
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$18,360,580109,973$18,152,23995,750
Net Interest Income (FTE)$136,993$139,294
Net Interest Spread (FTE) (4)2.54%2.63%
Net Interest Margin (FTE):
Interest Income (FTE) / Average Earning Assets5.82%5.55%
Interest Expense / Average Earning Assets2.59%2.26%
Net Interest Margin (FTE) (5)3.23%3.29%
(1) Average balance of securities is computed based on the average of the historical amortized cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustments. Annualized amounts are computed using a 30/360 day basis.
(2) Tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21 percent for 2024 and 2023. These totals equal $5,883 and $5,911 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(3) Non accruing loans have been included in the average balances.
(4) Net Interest Spread (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net Interest Margin (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
(Dollars in Thousands)
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Average BalanceInterest
Income /
Expense
Average
Rate
Average BalanceInterest
Income /
Expense
Average
Rate
ASSETS
Interest-bearing deposits$383,007$11,6424.05%$340,887$9,6853.79%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock41,7482,5698.2041,1602,2817.39
Investment Securities: (1)
Taxable1,787,11927,0622.021,872,26726,5631.89
Tax-exempt (2)2,237,75951,5613.072,394,86456,0713.12
Total Investment Securities4,024,87878,6232.604,267,13182,6342.58
Loans held for sale27,7351,2425.9722,3981,0466.23
Loans: (3)
Commercial8,659,088484,9797.478,515,148444,4226.96
Real estate mortgage2,159,73870,4894.352,008,85260,3544.01
Installment825,06049,4067.98833,13344,4927.12
Tax-exempt (2)921,28631,9524.62885,25630,0724.53
Total Loans12,592,907638,0686.7612,264,787580,3866.31
Total Earning Assets17,042,540730,9025.72%16,913,965674,9865.32%
Total Non-Earning Assets1,331,8301,201,539
TOTAL ASSETS$18,374,370$18,115,504
LIABILITIES
Interest-Bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing deposits$5,487,106$120,9352.94%$5,412,482$97,0162.39%
Money market deposits3,018,52680,5633.562,812,89155,8682.65
Savings deposits1,497,62011,4851.021,730,11010,6930.82
Certificates and other time deposits2,447,68483,3094.541,821,40845,8603.36
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits12,450,936296,2923.1711,776,891209,4372.37
Borrowings990,02230,3284.081,144,36832,1223.74
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities13,440,958326,6203.2412,921,259241,5592.49
Noninterest-bearing deposits2,375,1202,850,557
Other liabilities325,873217,683
Total Liabilities16,141,95115,989,499
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY2,232,4192,126,005
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$18,374,370326,620$18,115,504241,559
Net Interest Income (FTE)$404,282$433,427
Net Interest Spread (FTE) (4)2.48%2.83%
Net Interest Margin (FTE):
Interest Income (FTE) / Average Earning Assets5.72%5.32%
Interest Expense / Average Earning Assets2.56%1.90%
Net Interest Margin (FTE) (5)3.16%3.42%
(1) Average balance of securities is computed based on the average of the historical amortized cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustments. Annualized amounts are computed using a 30/360 day basis.
(2) Tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21 percent for 2024 and 2023. These totals equal $17,538 and $18,090 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(3) Non accruing loans have been included in the average balances.
(4) Net Interest Spread (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net Interest Margin (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.
ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - NON-GAAP
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,September 30,September 30,
2024202420242023202320242023
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders - GAAP$48,719$39,456$47,472$42,010$55,898$135,647$179,901
Adjustments:
PPP loan income———(7)(8)—(42)
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities9,1144922,3171,6509,1654,613
Non-core expenses1,2——3,48112,682—3,481—
Tax on adjustments(2,220)(12)(848)(3,652)(403)(3,081)(1,121)
Adjusted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders - Non-GAAP$55,613$39,493$50,107$53,350$57,137$145,212$183,351
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)58,28958,32859,27359,55659,50358,62959,465
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - GAAP$0.84$0.68$0.80$0.71$0.94$2.31$3.03
Adjustments:
PPP loan income———————
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities0.15——0.040.030.160.07
Non-core expenses1,2——0.060.21—0.06—
Tax on adjustments(0.04)—(0.01)(0.06)(0.01)(0.05)(0.02)
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - Non-GAAP$0.95$0.68$0.85$0.90$0.96$2.48$3.08

1 - Non-core expenses in 4Q23 included $6.3 million from early retirement and severance costs, $4.3 million from the FDIC special assessment, and $2.1 million from a lease termination.
2 - Non-core expenses in 1Q24 included $2.4 million from duplicative online banking conversion costs and $1.1 million from the FDIC special assessment.

NET INTEREST MARGIN ("NIM"), ADJUSTED
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,September 30,September 30,
2024202420242023202320242023
Net Interest Income (GAAP)$131,110$128,571$127,063$130,063$133,383$386,744$415,337
Fully Taxable Equivalent ("FTE") Adjustment5,8835,8595,7955,8535,91117,53818,090
Net Interest Income (FTE) (non-GAAP)$136,993$134,430$132,858$135,916$139,294$404,282$433,427
Average Earning Assets (GAAP)$16,990,358$17,013,984$17,123,851$17,222,714$16,947,669$17,042,540$16,913,965
Net Interest Margin (GAAP)3.09%3.02%2.97%3.02%3.15%3.03%3.27%
Net Interest Margin (FTE) (non-GAAP)3.23%3.16%3.10%3.16%3.29%3.16%3.42%
RETURN ON TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY - NON-GAAP
(Dollars In Thousands)Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,June 30,March 31,December 31,September 30,September 30,September 30,
2024202420242023202320242023
Total Average Stockholders' Equity (GAAP)$2,251,547$2,203,361$2,242,139$2,130,993$2,154,232$2,232,419$2,126,005
Less: Average Preferred Stock(25,125)(25,125)(25,125)(25,125)(25,125)(25,125)(25,125)
Less: Average Intangible Assets, Net of Tax(729,581)(730,980)(732,432)(734,007)(735,787)(730,993)(737,476)
Average Tangible Common Equity, Net of Tax (Non-GAAP)$1,496,841$1,447,256$1,484,582$1,371,861$1,393,320$1,476,301$1,363,404
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders (GAAP)$48,719$39,456$47,472$42,010$55,898$135,647$179,901
Plus: Intangible Asset Amortization, Net of Tax1,3991,3991,5461,7241,7244,3455,182
Tangible Net Income (Non-GAAP)$50,118$40,855$49,018$43,734$57,622$139,992$185,083
Return on Tangible Common Equity (Non-GAAP)13.39%11.29%13.21%12.75%16.54%12.64%18.10%

For more information, contact:
Nicole M. Weaver, Vice President and Director of Corporate Administration
765-521-7619
http://www.firstmerchants.com

SOURCE: First Merchants Corporation, Muncie, Indiana

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