Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2025

General

The Company’s results of operations are primarily dependent on the results of Home Federal Bank (the “Bank”), its wholly owned subsidiary. The Bank’s results of operations depend, to a large extent, on net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on its loan and investment portfolios and the cost of funds, consisting of the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Results of operations are also affected by provisions for loan losses and loan sale activities. Non-interest expense principally consists of compensation and employee benefits, office occupancy and equipment expense, data processing, and other expenses. Our results of operations are also significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in interest rates, government policies, and actions of regulatory authorities. Future changes in applicable law, regulations, or government policies may materially impact our financial condition and results of operations.

The Bank operates from its main office in Shreveport, Louisiana and ten full-service branch offices located in Shreveport, Bossier City, Benton and Minden, Louisiana. The Company’s primary market area is the Shreveport-Bossier City-Minden combined statistical area.

Critical Accounting Policies

The accounting and financial reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to general practices within the banking industry. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements require certain estimates, judgments, and assumptions, which are believed to be reasonable, based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the periods presented. Critical accounting policies comprise those that management believes are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. These policies require numerous estimates or economic assumptions that may prove inaccurate or may be subject to variations which may significantly affect our reported results and financial condition for the period or in future periods.

There were no changes made to the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the nine months ended March 31, 2025 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Allowance for Credit Losses. The Company has identified the calculation of the allowance for credit losses as a critical accounting policy, due to the higher degree of judgment and complexity than its other significant accounting policies.

Income Taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax basis of the various assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. The realization of our deferred tax assets principally depends upon our achieving projected future taxable income. We may change our judgments regarding future profitability due to future market conditions and other factors. We may adjust our deferred tax asset balances if our judgments change.

Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from June 30, 2024 to March 31, 2025

General

At March 31, 2025, the Company reported total assets of $619.6 million, a decrease of $17.9 million, or 2.8%, compared to total assets of $637.5 million at June 30, 2024. The decrease in assets was comprised of decreases in net loans receivable of $12.6 million, or 2.7%, from $470.9 million at June 30, 2024 to $458.3 million at March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents of $4.5 million, or 12.9%, from $34.9 million at June 30, 2024 to $30.4 million at March 31, 2025, premises and equipment of $736,000, or 4.0%, from $18.3 million at June 30, 2024 to $17.6 million at March 31, 2025, loans-held-for-sale of $734,000, or 42.4%, from $1.7 million at June 30, 2024 to $999,000 at March 31, 2025, core deposit intangible of $216,000, or 18.0%, from $1.2 million at June 30, 2024 to $983,000 at March 31, 2025, investment securities of $102,000, or 0.1%, from $96.0 million at June 30, 2024 to $95.9 million at March 31, 2025, and partially offset by increases in real estate owned of $482,000, or 115.3% from $418,000 at June 30, 2024 to $900,000 at March 31, 2025, deferred tax asset of $186,000, or 15.7%, from $1.2 million at June 30, 2024 to $1.4 million at March 31, 2025, other assets of $178,000, or 13.2%, from $1.3 million at June 30, 2024 to $1.5 million at March 31, 2025, bank owned life insurance of $87,000, or 1.3%, from $6.8 million at June 30, 2024 to $6.9 million at March 31, 2025, and accrued interest receivable of $27,000, or 1.5%, from $1.78 million at June 30, 2024 to $1.8 million at March 31, 2025.

Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from June 30, 2024 to March 31, 2025 (continued)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $4.5 million, or 12.9%, from $34.9 million at June 30, 2024 to $30.4 million at March 31, 2025. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to a reduction in total deposits.

Loans Receivable, Net

Loans receivable, net, decreased by $12.6 million, or 2.7%, to $458.3 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $470.9 million at June 30, 2024. The decrease in loans receivable, net was primarily due to decreases in construction loans of $8.9 million, commercial real estate loans of $6.9 million, multi-family residential loans of $4.8 million, one-to-four family residential loans of $1.2 million, and other consumer loans of $131,000, partially offset by increases in commercial non-real estate loans of $6.5 million, equity line-of-credit loans of $2.8 million, loans on savings accounts of $58,000, land loans of $10,000, and equity and second mortgage loans of $9,000.

Loans Held-for-Sale

Loans held-for-sale decreased $734,000, from $1.7 million at June 30, 2024 to $999,000 at March 31, 2025. The decrease in loans held-for-sale was due to the majority of originated loans being sold prior to March 31, 2025.

Investment Securities

Investment securities amounted to $95.9 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $96.0 million at June 30, 2024, a decrease of $102,000, or 0.1%. The decrease in investment securities was primarily due to $10.4 million in principal repayments on mortgage backed securities, and a $651,000 increase in securities sold, partially offset by security purchases of $11.1 million.

Premises and Equipment, Net

Premises and equipment, net decreased $736,000, or 4.0%, to $17.6 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $18.3 million at June 30, 2024.

Asset Quality

At March 31, 2025, the Company had $3.0 million of non-performing assets (defined as non-accruing loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due, and other real estate owned) compared to $1.9 million of non-performing assets at June 30, 2024, consisting of six one-to-four family residential loans, six home equity loans, two commercial non-real estate loans, two commercial real-estate loans, one consumer loan, and one single-family residence in other real estate owned at March 31, 2025, compared to five one-to-four family residential loans, four home equity loans, three commercial non-real estate loans, and three single-family residences in other real estate owned at June 30, 2024. At March 31, 2025 the Company had nine one-to-four family residential loans, six home equity loans, five commercial non-real-estate loans, two commercial real-estate loans, and two consumer loans classified as substandard, compared to six one-to-four family residential loans, five commercial non-real-estate loans, four home equity loans and one consumer loan classified as substandard at June 30, 2024. There were no loans classified as doubtful at March 31, 2025 or June 30, 2024.

Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from June 30, 2024 to March 31, 2025 (continued)

Total Liabilities

Total liabilities decreased $19.8 million, or 3.4%, from $584.7 million at June 30, 2024 to $564.9 million at March 31, 2025. The decrease in liabilities was comprised of decreases in total deposits of $17.2 million, or 3.0%, from $574.0 million at June 30, 2024 to $556.8 million at March 31, 2025, other borrowings of $3.0 million, or 42.9%, from $7.0 million at June 30, 2024 to $4.0 million at March 31, 2025, advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance of $137,000, or 26.3%, from $521,000 at June 30, 2024 to $384,000 at March 31, 2025, and partially offset by an increase in other accrued expenses and liabilities of $577,000, or 18.1%, from $3.2 million at June 30, 2024 to $3.8 million at March 31, 2025. The decrease in deposits resulted from decreases in certificates of deposit of $32.5 million, or 15.1%, from $214.9 million at June 30, 2024 to $182.4 million at March 31, 2025, money market deposits of $5.7 million, or 6.6%, from $85.5 million at June 30, 2024 to $79.9 million at March 31, 2025, and non-interest bearing deposits of $535,000, or 0.4%, from $130.3 million at June 30, 2024 to $129.8 million at March 31, 2025, partially offset by increases in savings deposits of $19.3 million, or 25.2%, from $76.6 million at June 30, 2024 to $96.0 million at March 31, 2025, and NOW accounts of $2.1 million, or 3.1%, from $66.6 million at June 30, 2024 to $68.7 million at March 31, 2025. The Company had no balances in brokered deposits at March 31, 2025 or June 30, 2024.

Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity increased $1.9 million, or 3.6%, from $52.8 million at June 30, 2024 to $54.7 million at March 31, 2025. The increase in stockholders’ equity was comprised of net income for the nine-month period of $2.7 million, a decrease in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss of $559,000, the vesting of share awards, stock options, and the release of employee stock ownership plan shares totaling $369,000, and proceeds from the issuance of common stock from the exercise of stock options of $19,000, partially offset by dividends paid totaling $1.2 million, and stock repurchases of $516,000.

Regulatory Capital

The Bank is required to meet minimum capital standards promulgated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”). At March 31, 2025, Home Federal Bank’s regulatory capital was well in excess of the minimum capital requirements. At March 31, 2025, Home Federal Bank exceeded each of its regulatory capital requirements with common equity tier 1, tier 1 capital, total capital, leverage, and tangible capital ratios of 13.42%, 13.42%, 14.53%, 9.24%, and 9.24%, respectively.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

General

The increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, resulted primarily from an increase of $270,000, or 6.1%, in net interest income, an increase of $32,000, or 6.3%, in non-interest income, and a decrease of $5,000, or 45.5%, in the provision for credit losses, partially offset by an increase of $260,000, or 6.5%, in non-interest expense and an increase of $31,000, or 17.6%, in the provision for income taxes. The increase in net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, was primarily due to a decrease of $735,000, or 21.1%, in total interest expense, partially offset by a decrease of $465,000, or 5.9%, in total interest income. The Company’s average interest rate spread was 2.66% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 2.16% for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.33% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 2.89% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (continued)

The decrease in net income for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, resulted primarily from a decrease of $891,000, or 6.1%, in net interest income and an increase of $102,000, or 35.2%, in the provision for income taxes, partially offset by a decrease of $331,000, or 2.7%, in non-interest expense, an increase of $248,000, or 23.0%, in non-interest income, and an increase of $167,000 in the recovery of credit losses. The decrease in net interest income for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, was primarily due to a decrease of $1.2 million, or 5.1%, in total interest income, partially offset by a decrease of $329,000, or 3.5%, in total interest expense. The Company’s average interest rate spread was 2.44% for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 2.46% for the nine months ended March 31, 2024. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.14% for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, and the nine months ended March 31, 2024.

Provision for Credit Losses

The $6,000 provision and $172,000 recovery in the provision for credit losses for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, was due to a slight increase in loans receivable, net, for the quarter and an overall decrease in loans receivable, net for the nine months.

Non-interest Income

The $32,000 increase in non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the prior year quarterly period, was primarily due to an increase of $27,000 in other non-interest income, an increase of $19,000 in service charges on deposit accounts, an increase of $11,000 in gain on sale of loans, and an increase of $1,000 in income on bank owned life insurance, partially offset by a decrease of $26,000 in gain on sale of securities. The $248,000 increase in non-interest income for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the prior year nine-month period was primarily due to a decrease of $149,000 in loss on sale of real estate, an increase of $115,000 in other non-interest income, an increase of $14,000 in service charges on deposit accounts, and an increase of $5,000 in income from bank owned life insurance, partially offset by an increase of $32,000 in loss on sale of securities, and a decrease of $3,000 in gain on sale of loans.

Non-interest Expense

The $260,000 increase in non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, is primarily attributable to increases of $414,000 in data processing expense, $77,000 in occupancy and equipment expense, $67,000 in audit and examination fees, $49,000 in professional fees, $40,000 in other non-interest expense, $15,000 in loan and collection expense, and $12,000 in deposit insurance premium expense. The increases were partially offset by decreases of $317,000 in compensation and benefits expense, $55,000 in advertising expense, $33,000 in franchise and bank shares tax expense, and $9,000 in amortization of core deposit intangible expense. The $331,000 decrease in non-interest expense for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same nine-month period in 2024, is primarily attributable to decreases of $470,000 in compensation and benefits expense, $184,000 in franchise and bank shares tax expense, $179,000 in advertising expense, $65,000 in other non-interest expense, $47,000 in professional fees, $42,000 in amortization of core deposit intangible expense, $22,000 in deposit insurance premium expense, and $19,000 in loan and collection expense. The decreases were partially offset by increases of $594,000 in data processing expense, $86,000 in occupancy and equipment expense, and $17,000 in audit and examination fees. The increase in data processing expense resulted from a billing discrepancy with our core processor, which had failed to issue invoices for certain services dating back to December 2022. Upon discovery of the issue, we negotiated a discounted settlement to resolve the outstanding invoices.

Income Taxes

There was an income tax expense of $207,000 and $392,000 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate of 21.7% and 12.6%. There was an income tax expense of $176,000 and $290,000 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate of 19.4% and 8.9%.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (continued)

Average Balances, Net Interest Income, Yields Earned, and Rates Paid. The following tables show for the periods indicated the total dollar amount of interest from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates, and the net interest margin. Tax-exempt income and yields have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis. All average balances are based on monthly balances. Management does not believe that the monthly averages differ significantly from what the daily averages would be.

(Dollars In Thousands)

(1) Includes retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss.

(2) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted-average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by net average interest-earning assets.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (continued)

(Dollars In Thousands)

(1) Includes retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss.

(2) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted-average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by net average interest-earning assets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Bank maintains levels of liquid assets deemed adequate by management. The Bank adjusts its liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, repay its borrowings, and to fund loan commitments. The Bank also adjusts liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.

The Bank’s primary sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, loan sales, and earnings and funds provided from operations. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. The Bank sets the interest rates on its deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits. In addition, the Bank invests excess funds in short-term interest-earning accounts and other assets which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements. The Bank’s deposit accounts with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas amounted to $21.1 million at March 31, 2025.

A significant portion of the Bank’s liquidity consists of securities classified as available-for-sale and cash and cash equivalents. The Bank’s primary sources of cash are net income, principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, and increases in deposit accounts. If the Bank requires funds beyond its ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas which provides an additional source of funds. At March 31, 2025, The Bank had no advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and had $54.8 million in borrowing capacity. Additionally, at March 31, 2025, the Bank was a party to a Master Purchase Agreement with First National Bankers Bank whereby Home Federal Bank may purchase Federal Funds from First National Bankers Bank in an amount not to exceed $20.4 million. There were no amounts purchased under this agreement as of March 31, 2025.

At March 31, 2025, the Bank had outstanding loan commitments of $50.2 million to originate loans and commitments under unused lines of credit of $11.9 million. At March 31, 2025, certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in less than one year totaled $174.7 million. Based on prior experience, management believes that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. In addition, the cost of such deposits could be significantly higher upon renewal in a rising interest rate environment. The Bank intends to utilize its high levels of liquidity to fund its lending activities. If additional funds are required to fund lending activities, Home Federal Bank intends to sell its securities classified as available-for-sale, as needed.

At March 31, 2025, the Bank exceeded each of its regulatory capital requirements with tangible common equity tier 1, tier 1 capital, total capital, leverage, and tangible capital ratios of 13.42%, 13.42%, 14.53%, 9.24%, and 9.24%, respectively.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At March 31, 2025, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The financial statements and related financial data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in relative purchasing power over time due to inflation.

Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates generally have a more significant impact on a financial institution’s performance than does the effect of inflation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. In addition, in those and other portions of this document the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “except”, “intend”, “should”, and similar expressions, or the negative thereof, as they relate to the Company or the Company’s management are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future looking events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, or intended. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

In addition to factors previously disclosed in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and those identified elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts its operations; general economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities including the effects of the Tax Reform Act; changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, demand for loan products and the demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loans, investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolios; geographic concentration of the Company’s business; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s financial statements will become impaired; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and fees.

Evaluation of Disclosures Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the applicable time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.