HBT Financial, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2024

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to HBT Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition as of September 30, 2024 (unaudited), as compared with December 31, 2023, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited). Management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2024. Results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are not necessarily indicative of results to be attained for the year ended December 31, 2024, or for any other period.

OVERVIEW

HBT Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, and has banking roots that can be traced back to 1920. We provide a comprehensive suite of financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had total assets of $5.0 billion, loans held for investment of $3.4 billion, and total deposits of $4.3 billion.

Market Area

As of September 30, 2024, our branch network included 66 full-service branch locations throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa. We hold a leading deposit share in many of our central Illinois markets, which we define as a top three deposit share rank, providing the foundation for our strong deposit base. The stability provided by this low-cost funding is a key driver of our strong track record of financial performance. Below is a summary of our loan and deposit balances by geographic region:

(dollars in thousands)

Town and Country Acquisition

On February 1, 2023, HBT Financial completed its acquisition of Town and Country, the holding company for Town and Country Bank. The acquisition of Town and Country further enhanced HBT Financial’s footprint in central Illinois and expanded our footprint into metro-east St. Louis. At the time of acquisition, Town and Country Bank operated 10 full-service branch locations which began operating as branches of Heartland Bank. The core system conversion was successfully completed in April 2023. After considering business combination accounting adjustments, Town and Country added total assets of $937 million, total loans held for investment of $635 million, and total deposits of $720 million.

Total consideration consisted of 3.4 million shares of HBT Financial’s common stock and $38.0 million in cash. Based upon the closing price of HBT Financial common stock of $21.12 on February 1, 2023, the aggregate consideration was approximately $109.4 million. Goodwill of $30.5 million was recorded in the acquisition.

There were no acquisition-related expenses during 2024 or during the third and fourth quarter of 2023. Acquisition-related expenses totaled $13.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, including the recognition of an allowance for credit losses on non-PCD loans of $5.2 million and an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $0.7 million through provision for credit losses.

FACTORS AFFECTING OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Below are selected factors that could affect the Company’s operating results. For a fuller discussion of the factors that could have a material impact on the operations and future prospects of the Company, see the "Risk Factors" section included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2024.

Economic Conditions

The Company's business and financial performance are affected by economic conditions generally in the U.S. and more directly in the Illinois and Iowa markets where we primarily operate. The significant economic factors relevant to our business and our financial performance include the general economic conditions in the U.S. and in the Company's markets (including the effect of inflationary pressures), unemployment rates, real estate markets, and interest rates.

Interest Rates

Net interest income is our primary source of revenue. Net interest income is equal to the excess of interest income earned on interest earning assets (including discount accretion on purchased loans plus certain loan fees) over interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. The level of interest rates as well as the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities both impact net interest income. Net interest income is also influenced by both the pricing and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which, in turn, are impacted by external factors such as local economic conditions, competition for loans and deposits, the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”), and market interest rates.

The cost of our deposits and short-term wholesale borrowings is largely based on short-term interest rates, which are primarily driven by the FRB’s actions. The yields generated by our loans and securities are typically driven by short-term and long-term interest rates, which are set by the market and, to some degree, by the FRB’s actions. Our net interest income is therefore influenced by movements in such interest rates and the pace at which such movements occur. Generally, we expect increases in market interest rates will increase our net interest income and net interest margin in future periods, while decreases in market interest rates may decrease our net interest income and net interest margin in future periods; however, this depends upon the timing and extent of interest rate fluctuations and may not always be the case.

Credit Trends

We focus on originating loans with appropriate risk/reward profiles. We have a detailed loan policy that guides our overall loan origination philosophy and a well-established loan approval process that requires experienced credit officers to approve larger loan relationships. Although we believe our loan approval and credit review processes are strengths that allow us to maintain a high-quality loan portfolio, we recognize that credit trends in the markets in which we operate and in our loan portfolio can materially impact our financial condition and performance and that these trends are primarily driven by the economic conditions in our markets.

Competition

Our profitability and growth are affected by the highly competitive nature of the financial services industry. We compete with community banks in all our markets and, to a lesser extent, with regional and national banks, primarily in the Chicago MSA. Additionally, we compete with non-bank financial services companies, FinTechs and other financial institutions operating within the areas we serve. We compete by emphasizing personalized service and efficient decision-making tailored to individual needs. We do not rely on any individual, group, or entity for a material portion of our loans or our deposits. We continue to see significant competitive pressure on loan rates and terms, as well as deposit pricing, which may affect our financial results in the future.

Digital Banking

Throughout the banking industry, in-person branch traffic is expected to continue to decline as more customers turn to digital banking for routine banking transactions. Additionally, widespread adoption of faster payment and instant payment technologies could require us to substantially increase our expenditures on technology and cybersecurity infrastructure, increase our regulatory compliance costs, and adversely impact the stability of our deposit base. We plan to continue investing in our digital banking platforms while maintaining an appropriately sized branch network. An inability to meet evolving customer expectations for both digital and in-person banking may adversely affect our financial results in the future.

Regulatory Environment and Trends

We are subject to federal and state regulation and supervision, which continue to evolve as the legal and regulatory framework governing our operations continues to change. The current operating environment includes extensive regulation and supervision in areas such as consumer compliance, the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering compliance, risk management, and internal audit. We anticipate that this environment of extensive regulation and supervision will continue for the industry. As a result, changes in the regulatory environment may result in additional costs for additional compliance, risk management, and audit personnel or professional fees associated with advisors and consultants.

FACTORS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

JOBS Act Accounting Election

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. The JOBS Act permits us an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards affecting public companies. The Company may remain an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: (1) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, which is December 31, 2024, (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which the Company has $1.235 billion or more in annual revenues, (3) the date on which the Company is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Exchange Act, or (4) the date on which the Company has, during the previous three year period, issued, publicly or privately, more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities. We have elected to use the extended transition period until we are no longer an emerging growth company or until we choose to affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies. The Company expects to exit its status as an emerging growth company as of December 31, 2024.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview of Recent Financial Results

The following table presents selected financial results and measures:

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" for reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to their most closely comparable GAAP measures.

(2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net income was $18.2 million, decreasing by $1.5 million, or 7.8%, when compared to net income for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Notable changes include the following:

• A $1.5 million negative mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment included in the third quarter of 2024 results;
• Net losses of $0.8 million realized on the sale of debt securities included in the third quarter of 2023 results not present in the third quarter of 2024 results;
• A $0.7 million increase in salaries expense, primarily driven by annual merit increases;
• A $0.5 million decrease in net interest income, primarily attributable to higher funding costs which were partially offset by higher asset yields and an increase in interest-earning assets; and
• A $0.6 million decrease in income tax expense, primarily reflecting lower pre-tax income resulting from the above items.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net income was $51.5 million, increasing by $4.1 million, or 8.7%, when compared to net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Notable changes include the following:

• There were no Town and Country acquisition-related expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $13.7 million of acquisition-related expenses incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;
• Net losses of $3.4 million were realized on the sale of debt securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net losses of $1.8 million realized during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;
• A $2.5 million decrease in net interest income, primarily attributable to higher funding costs which were partially offset by higher asset yields and an increase in interest-earning assets;
• A $1.5 million negative mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment included in the 2024 results, compared to a $0.5 million negative mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment included in the 2023 results; and
• A $2.1 million increase in income tax expense, primarily reflecting higher pre-tax income resulting from the above items as well as an additional $0.5 million for a deferred tax expense write-down, primarily as a result of an Illinois tax change. This increased our effective tax rate to 26.4% during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 25.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. We expect this write-down to be earned back over several years through reduced tax expense.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income equals the excess of interest income on interest earning assets (including discount accretion on acquired loans plus certain loan fees) over interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest rate spread and net interest margin are utilized to measure and explain changes in net interest income. Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the rate paid for interest-bearing liabilities that fund those assets. The net interest margin is expressed as the percentage of net interest income to average interest-earning assets. The net interest margin exceeds the interest rate spread because noninterest-bearing sources of funds, principally noninterest-bearing demand deposits and stockholders’ equity, also support interest-earning assets.

The following tables set forth average balances, average yields and costs, and certain other information. Average balances are daily average balances. Nonaccrual loans are included in the computation of average balances but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and costs, discounts and premiums, as well as purchase accounting adjustments that are accreted or amortized to interest income or expense.

(dollars in thousands)

* Annualized measure.

(1) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

(2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.

(3) See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" for reconciliation of non-GAAP measure to their most closely comparable GAAP measures.

(4) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.

(5) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

(dollars in thousands)

* Annualized measure.

(1) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

(2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.

(3) See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" for reconciliation of non-GAAP measure to their most closely comparable GAAP measures.

(4) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.

(5) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

The following table sets forth the components of loan interest income and their contributions to the total loan yield.

(dollars in thousands)

The following table sets forth the components of net interest income and their contributions to the net interest margin.

(dollars in thousands)

(1) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.

(2) See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" for reconciliation of non-GAAP measure to their most closely comparable GAAP measures.

Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table sets forth the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for the major categories of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Information is provided for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities with respect to changes attributable to volume (i.e., changes in average balances multiplied by the prior-period average rate), and changes attributable to rate (i.e., changes in average rate multiplied by prior-period average balances). For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both volume and rate that cannot be segregated have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

(dollars in thousands)

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $47.7 million, decreasing $0.5 million, or 1.1%, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease is primarily attributable to an increase in funding costs which were mostly offset by higher yields on interest-earning assets and an increase in interest-earning assets.

Net interest margin decreased to 3.98% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.07% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to increases in funding costs outpacing increases in interest-earning asset yields. The contribution of acquired loan discount accretion to net interest margin was flat for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, remaining at 10 basis points.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $141.4 million, decreasing $2.5 million, or 1.8%, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease is primarily attributable to an increase in funding costs which were partially offset by higher yields on interest-earning assets and higher interest-earning asset balances following the Town and Country merger.

Net interest margin decreased to 3.96% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.14% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to increases in funding costs outpacing increases in interest-earning asset yields. Additionally, the contribution of acquired loan discount accretion to net interest margin increased to 10 basis points during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 9 basis points during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The quarterly net interest margins were as follows:

Our net interest margin decreased modestly beginning in the second quarter of 2023 as increased competition for deposits drove an increase in our funding costs. This continued during the remainder of 2023 with increases in funding costs outpacing increases in interest-earning asset yields. Our deposit balances and funding costs began to stabilize during the first quarter of 2024.

In September 2024, the Federal Open Markets Committee ("FOMC") lowered the target range for the federal funds rate by 50 basis points to a range of 4.75% to 5.00%. This decrease, and potential future decreases, may put downward pressure on our net interest margin, as the negative impact on floating rate loans may not be fully offset by the positive impacts of maturing fixed rate loans and securities repricing at higher rates or potential decreases in deposit costs. Generally, we expect increases in market interest rates will increase our net interest income and net interest margin in future periods, while decreases in market interest rates may decrease our net interest income and net interest margin in future periods; however, this depends upon the timing and extent of interest rate fluctuations and may not always be the case.

Provision for Credit Losses

The following table sets forth the components of provision for credit losses for the periods indicated:

(dollars in thousands)

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $0.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a $0.5 million provision during the three months ended September 30, 2023. The third quarter of 2024 provision for credit losses primarily reflects a $1.2 million increase in required reserves resulting from changes in economic forecasts; a $0.2 million increase in required reserves resulting from qualitative factor changes; a $0.6 million decrease in required reserves driven by decreased loan balances and changes within the loan portfolio; and a $0.2 million decrease in specific reserves.

Additionally, the 2023 results included the reversal of an allowance for credit losses of $0.8 million on debt securities available-for-sale related to one bank subordinated debt security after a merger announcement by the issuer.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The 2024 provision for credit losses primarily reflects a $3.9 million increase in required reserves resulting from changes in qualitative factors; a $0.1 million increase in required reserves resulting from changes in economic forecasts; a $1.0 million decrease in specific reserves on individually evaluated loans; and a $0.7 million decrease in required reserves driven by changes within the loan portfolio.

The 2023 results included the recognition of an allowance for credit losses on non-PCD loans of $5.2 million and an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $0.7 million through provision for credit losses which were related to the Town and Country acquisition.

Additionally, the 2023 results included the establishment of an allowance for credit losses of $0.8 million on debt securities available-for-sale during the first half of 2023, related to one bank subordinated debt security, which was later reversed during the third quarter of 2023 after a merger announcement by the issuer of the bank subordinated debt security.

Credit losses are highly dependent on current and forecast economic conditions. Potential deterioration of economic conditions may lead to higher credit losses and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. The economic forecasts utilized in estimating the allowance for credit losses on loans and lending-related unfunded commitments include the unemployment rate and changes in GDP as macroeconomic variables, although other economic metrics are considered on a qualitative basis.

Noninterest Income

The following table sets forth the major categories of noninterest income for the periods indicated:

(dollars in thousands)

NM Not meaningful.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Total noninterest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $8.7 million, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 8.3%, from the three months ended September 30, 2023. Notable changes in noninterest income include the following:

• A $1.5 million negative mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment included the third quarter of 2024 results, primarily due to changes in the prepayment and future interest rate assumptions utilized in the valuations, compared to a $23 thousand positive mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment included in the third quarter 2023 results;
• Realized losses of $0.8 million on the sale of securities recognized during the third quarter of 2023, which were not present in the third quarter 2024 results;
• A $44 thousand loss on foreclosed assets was recognized during the third quarter of 2024, compared to a $0.6 million gain on foreclosed assets during the third quarter of 2023, primarily related to the sale of one property; and
• A $0.3 million increase in wealth management fees, driven by higher values of assets under management.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

Total noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $23.9 million, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 10.8%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Notable changes in noninterest income include the following:

• Net losses of $3.4 million were realized on the sale of debt securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net losses of $1.8 million realized during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;
• A $1.5 million negative mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment included in the 2024 results, primarily due to changes in the prepayment and future interest rate assumptions utilized in the valuations, compared to a $0.5 million negative mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment included in the 2023 results;
• Impairment losses on bank premises of $0.6 million related to the closure of two branch premises, now held for sale, were recognized during 2024 which were not present in the 2023 results; and
• A $0.8 million increase in wealth management fees, driven by higher values of assets under management.

Noninterest Expense

The following table sets forth the major categories of noninterest expense for the periods indicated:

(dollars in thousands)

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Total noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $31.3 million, an increase of $0.7 million, or 2.1%, from the three months ended September 30, 2023. Notable changes in noninterest expense include the following:

• A $0.7 million increase in salaries expense, primarily driven by annual merit increases;
• A $0.4 million increase in benefits, primarily attributable to higher medical benefits expenses; and
• A $0.3 million decrease in marketing and customer relations expense.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

Total noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $93.1 million, a decrease of $7.5 million, or 7.4%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Notable changes in noninterest expense include the following:

• There were no Town and Country acquisition-related noninterest expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, but acquisition-related noninterest expenses totaled $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023;
• Excluding Town and Country acquisition-related expenses, the $1.2 million increase in salaries expense was primarily driven by annual merit increases;
• Excluding Town and Country acquisition-related expenses, the $1.0 million increase in benefits expense was primarily attributable to higher medical benefits expenses; and
• Excluding Town and Country acquisition-related expenses, the $1.9 million decrease in other noninterest expense primarily reflects the absence of $0.8 million of legal fees and $0.8 million of accruals related to litigation matters disclosed in Note 14 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Income Taxes

During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we recorded income tax expense of $6.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 25.8%, and $6.9 million, or an effective tax rate of 25.9%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we recorded income tax expense of $18.5 million, or an effective tax rate of 26.4%, and $16.4 million, or an effective tax rate of 25.7%, respectively. The increase in effective tax rate during 2024 was primarily attributable to an additional $0.5 million of tax expense for a deferred tax asset write-down, recognized during the second quarter of 2024, as a result of an Illinois tax change.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(1) See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" for reconciliation of non-GAAP measure to their most closely comparable GAAP measures.

Notable changes in our consolidated balance sheet include the following:

• Debt securities decreased $65.5 million, largely due to the sale of $66.8 million of municipal securities with sales proceeds used to reduce wholesale funding. Additionally, paydowns, maturities, and calls of debt securities generated another $85.2 million of cash proceeds with $67.3 million being reinvested into debt securities at currently higher yields;
• Loans decreased by $34.6 million, driven by lower line of credit utilization and early payoffs of loans; and
• The $120.7 million decrease in total deposits was primarily attributable to a $114.9 million decrease in brokered deposits. Deposit balances continued to shift towards higher cost deposit products, such as time deposits which increased $176.7 million, including the addition of $65.0 million of time deposits from a State of Illinois loan matching program that are a lower cost source of funding.

Loan Portfolio

The following table sets forth the composition of the loan portfolio, excluding loans held-for-sale, by type of loan.

(dollars in thousands)

Loans, before allowance for credit losses were $3.37 billion at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $34.6 million, or 1.0%, from December 31, 2023. Notable changes include the following:

• A $12.5 million decrease in line of credit utilization, including $13.2 million drawn on two customers' lines of credit in late December 2023 that paid off in early January 2024;
• A $14.8 million increase in multi-family loans and a $8.5 million increase in commercial real estate – non-owner occupied loans primarily attributable to completed construction projects transferred from the construction and land development category, partially offset by early payoffs; and
• A $4.8 million decrease in construction loans primarily attributable to transfers of completed projects into other categories, partially offset by draws on existing construction projects and new construction loans to existing customers.

Commercial Real Estate Portfolios

Commercial real estate – owner occupied loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The commercial real estate – owner occupied portfolio composition, segmented by the owner’s business classification, as of September 30, 2024 was as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

Commercial real estate – non-owner occupied loans are primarily made based on projected cash flows from the rental or sale of the underlying collateral. The commercial real estate – non-owner occupied portfolio composition, segmented by the property type, as of September 30, 2024 was as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

(1) Weighted average LTV is based on the most recent appraisals available, which are generally obtained at the time of origination.

Multi-family loans totaled $432.7 million as of September 30, 2024 and are primarily made based on projected cash flows from the rental or sale of the underlying collateral. As of September 30, 2024, multi-family loans had a weighted average LTV of 58%, based on the most recent appraisals available, which are generally obtained at the time of origination.

Management’s disciplined approach to credit risk management is exercised through portfolio diversification, robust underwriting policies, and routine loan monitoring practices in order to identify and mitigate any credit weakness as early as possible. Management continually monitors and evaluates commercial real estate concentrations by property class, industry, and relative to the Bank’s regulatory capital to remain in line with board established limits and adapt to changing industry conditions. A centralized credit underwriting group, independent of the originating lender, evaluates all exposures over $750 thousand annually, if not more frequently, through a standardized credit review process to ensure uniform application of policies and procedures as well as analyze credit performance. All loans require appropriate internal approval, with a centralized credit approval group reviewing all exposures over $500 thousand. A sampling of the loan portfolio is also reviewed by the Bank’s internal loan review function annually, in addition to an annual third-party review of the portfolio.

In response to the rapid increase in interest rates, we have prepared quarterly cash flow stress tests for our commercial real estate – non-owner occupied and multi-family loans since the fourth quarter of 2022. For commercial real estate – non-owner occupied and multi-family loans over $1 million, we evaluate the impact of current interest rates on the underlying cash flows of the properties securing these loans, based on the most recent cash flow data available. This testing is completed in addition to the various sensitivity testing completed at the initial extension of credit. Individual credits with a maturity scheduled within the next five quarters that are presenting stress under current renewal terms are identified, so that ample time is available to develop solutions to manage credit risk.

Loan Portfolio Maturities

The following table summarizes the scheduled maturities of the loan portfolio as of September 30, 2024. Demand loans (loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity) and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less.

(dollars in thousands)

The following table summarizes loans maturing after one year, segregated into variable and fixed interest rates.

(dollars in thousands)

79

Nonperforming Assets

The following table sets forth information concerning nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets as of each of the dates indicated.

(dollars in thousands)

Total nonperforming assets were $8.6 million at September 30, 2024, remaining relatively stable from December 31, 2023. Additionally, of the $8.2 million of nonperforming loans held as of September 30, 2024, $2.0 million are either wholly or partially guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

Risk Classification of Loans

Our risk classifications of loans were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

(1) In June 2024, the Company updated its risk rating categories to add the special mention category to provide another level of granularity in distinguishing risk levels of loans. As of June 30, 2024, $19.5 million of the special mention loans would have been considered pass-watch and $10.6 million would have been considered substandard under the previous risk rating categories.

Loans rated pass-watch or worse increased $49.9 million, or 30.7%, from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024, primarily attributable to the downgrade of one construction and land development credit, three non-owner occupied commercial real estate credits, and two farmland-secured credits to the pass-watch risk classification.

Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)

The following table summarizes net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans by loan category.

(dollars in thousands)

The net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans ratio has remained low for several years. While we believe our continuous credit monitoring and collection efforts have resulted in lower levels of credit losses, we also recognize that substantial federal economic stimulus following the COVID-19 pandemic and the relatively stable economic conditions after the pandemic have also contributed to reduced credit losses.

Additionally, heightened net charge-offs within the commercial and industrial segment are primarily related to equipment finance loans which were purchased as part of a pool of loans during 2023.

Securities

The Company’s investment policy emphasizes safety of the principal, liquidity needs, expected returns, cash flow targets, and consistency with our interest rate risk management strategy. The composition and maturities of the debt securities portfolio as of September 30, 2024, are summarized in the following table. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the impact of prepayments or early redemptions that may occur. Security yields have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis.

(dollars in thousands)

Due in 1 year or less

82

SOURCES OF FUNDS

Deposits

Management continues to focus on growing deposits through the Company’s relationship-driven banking philosophy and community-focused marketing programs. Additionally, the Bank continues to add and improve digital banking services to solidify deposit relationships.

The following table sets forth the distribution of average deposits, by account type:

(dollars in thousands)

* Annualized measure.

The increase in average deposit balances in 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily attributable to wealth management customer reciprocal deposits brought on balance sheet in December 2023, which increased average money market deposits by $128.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and by $134.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Additionally, the Town and Country merger added $720.4 million of deposits on February 1, 2023.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $30.0 million of wholesale brokered deposits outstanding which matured and were repaid in October 2024. Brokered deposits are generally considered to be deposits that have been received from a third party who is engaged in the business of placing deposits on behalf of others. A traditional deposit broker will direct deposits to the banking institution offering the highest interest rate available. Federal banking laws and regulations place restrictions on depository institutions regarding brokered deposits because of the general concern that these deposits are not relationship based and are at a greater risk of being withdrawn and placed on deposit at another institution offering a higher interest rate, thus posing liquidity risk for institutions that gather brokered deposits in significant amounts.

The following table sets forth time deposits by remaining maturity as of September 30, 2024:

(dollars in thousands)

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Bank’s uninsured deposits were estimated to be $967.5 million and $867.7 million, respectively.

LIQUIDITY

Bank Liquidity

The overall objective of bank liquidity management is to ensure the availability of sufficient cash funds to meet all financial commitments and to take advantage of investment opportunities. The Bank manages liquidity in order to meet deposit withdrawals on demand or at contractual maturity, to repay borrowings as they mature, and to fund new loans and investments as opportunities arise.

The Bank continuously monitors its liquidity positions to ensure that assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet all of our short-term and long-term cash requirements. The Bank manages its liquidity position to meet our daily cash flow needs, while maintaining an appropriate balance between assets and liabilities to meet the return on investment objectives. The Bank also monitors liquidity requirements in light of interest rate trends, changes in the economy, the scheduled maturity and interest rate sensitivity of the investment and loan portfolios and deposits, and regulatory capital requirements.

As part of the Bank’s liquidity management strategy, the Bank is also focused on minimizing costs of liquidity and attempts to decrease these costs by promoting noninterest-bearing and low-cost deposits. While the Bank does not control the types of deposit instruments our clients choose, those choices can be influenced with the rates and the deposit specials offered.

Our on-balance sheet sources of liquidity included cash and cash equivalents as well as unpledged securities which may be sold or pledged as collateral to meet liquidity needs. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our on-balance sheet sources of liquidity included the following:

(dollars in thousands)

84

Additional sources of liquidity include borrowings from the FHLB, the Federal Reserve discount window, and federal fund lines of credit. Interest is charged on outstanding borrowings at the prevailing market rate. As of September 30, 2024, our current borrowings and additional available borrowing capacity were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

Further, the Bank could utilize brokered deposits as an additional source of liquidity, as needed.

As of September 30, 2024, management believed the current liquidity and available sources of liquidity are adequate to meet all of the reasonably foreseeable short-term and intermediate-term demands of the Bank. As of September 30, 2024, the Bank had no material commitments for capital expenditures.

Holding Company Liquidity

The Holding Company, or HBT Financial, Inc. on an unconsolidated basis, is a corporation separate and apart from the Bank and, therefore, it must provide for its own liquidity. As of September 30, 2024, the Holding Company had cash and cash equivalents of $17.9 million.

The Holding Company’s main source of funding is dividends declared and paid to it by the Bank. Dividends paid by the Bank to the Holding Company would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements. Management believes that such limitations will not impact the Holding Company’s ability to meet its ongoing short-term or intermediate-term cash obligations. During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Bank paid $8.0 million and $12.0 million in dividends to the Holding Company, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Bank paid $26.0 million and $52.0 million in dividends to the Holding Company, respectively.

The liquidity needs of the Holding Company on an unconsolidated basis consist primarily of operating expenses, interest payments on the subordinated notes and junior subordinated debentures, and shareholder distributions in the form of dividends and stock repurchases. During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, holding company operating expenses consisted of interest expense of $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and other operating expenses of $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, holding company operating expenses consisted of interest expense of $4.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively, and other operating expenses of $3.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

Additionally, the Holding Company paid $6.0 million and $5.4 million of dividends to stockholders during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and paid $18.1 million and $16.4 million of dividends to stockholders during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Holding Company also paid $38.0 million in cash consideration in the acquisition of Town and Country during the first quarter of 2023.

As of September 30, 2024, management was not aware of any known trends, events or uncertainties that had or were reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Holding Company’s liquidity.

As of September 30, 2024, management believed the current liquidity and available sources of liquidity are adequate to meet all of the reasonably foreseeable short-term and intermediate-term demands of the Holding Company. As of September 30, 2024, the Holding Company had no material commitments for capital expenditures.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

The overall objectives of capital management are to ensure the availability of sufficient capital to support loan, deposit and other asset and liability growth opportunities and to maintain capital to absorb unforeseen losses or write-downs that are inherent in the business risks associated with the banking industry. The Company seeks to balance the need for higher capital levels to address such unforeseen risks and the goal to achieve an adequate return on the capital invested by our stockholders.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

The Company and Bank are each subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements of the Company and the Bank.

In addition to meeting minimum capital requirements, the Company and the Bank must also maintain a “capital conservation buffer” to avoid becoming subject to restrictions on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to management. The capital conservation buffer requirement is 2.5% of risk-weighted assets.

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject. As of those dates, the Bank was “well capitalized” under the regulatory prompt corrective action provisions.

The following table sets forth actual capital ratios of the Company and the Bank as of the dates indicated, as well as the minimum ratios for capital adequacy purposes with the capital conservation buffer, and the minimum ratios to be well capitalized under regulatory prompt corrective action provisions.

(1) The Tier 1 capital to average assets ratio (known as the “leverage ratio”) is not impacted by the capital conservation buffer.

(2) The prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.

N/A Not applicable.

As of September 30, 2024, management was not aware of any known trends, events or uncertainties that had or were reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company’s capital resources.

Cash Dividends

During 2023, the Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.17 per share. On January 23, 2024, the Company announced an increase of $0.02 and paid a $0.19 per share dividend during the first, second, and third quarters of 2024.

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2024. The Company’s Board of Directors have authorized the repurchase of up to $15.0 million of its common stock under its stock repurchase program in effect until January 1, 2025. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $10.6 million remaining under the current stock repurchase authorization.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As a financial services provider, the Bank routinely is a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, unused lines of credit, commitments to sell loans, and interest rate swaps. While these contractual obligations represent our future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process afforded to loans originated by the Bank. For additional information, see “Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies” to the consolidated financial statements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Critical accounting estimates are those that are critical to the portrayal and understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management to make assumptions that are difficult, subjective, or complex. These estimates involve judgments, assumptions, and uncertainties that are susceptible to change. In the event that different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending on the severity of such changes, the possibility of a materially different financial condition or materially different results of operations is a reasonable likelihood. Further, changes in accounting standards could impact the Company’s critical accounting estimates. The following accounting estimate could be deemed critical:

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses reflects an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses. Measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for credit losses which is charged to expense. Additions to the allowance for credit losses are expected to maintain the adequacy of the total allowance for credit losses. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance for credit losses when the Company determines the loan balance to be uncollectible. Cash received on previously charged off amounts is recorded as a recovery to the allowance for credit losses.

Management uses the discounted cash flow method to estimate expected credit losses for all loan categories, except for consumer loans where the weighted average remaining maturity method is utilized. The Company uses regression analysis of historical internal and peer data to determine which macroeconomic variables are most closely correlated with credit losses, such as the unemployment rate and changes in GDP. Management leverages economic projections from a reputable third party to inform its economic forecasts with a reversion to historical averages for periods beyond a reasonable and supportable forecast period.

Nonaccrual loans and loans which do not share risk characteristics with other loans in the pool are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses.

The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments is estimated in the same manner as the associated loans, adjusted for anticipated funding rate.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain financial information determined by methods other than those in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present these non-GAAP financial measures, and accordingly believes that providing these measures may be useful for peer comparison purposes. These disclosures should not be viewed as substitutes for the results determined to be in accordance with GAAP; nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that may be presented by other companies. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures below.

(1) Tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

89

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure —

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Return on Average Assets

(dollars in thousands)

(1) Includes recognition of an allowance for credit losses on non-PCD loans of $5.2 million and an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $0.7 million in connection with the Town and Country merger during the first quarter of 2023 in accordance with ASC 326 which was adopted on January 1, 2023.

(2) Assumes a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure —

Adjusted Earnings Per Share

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) The Company previously granted restricted stock units that contained non-forfeitable rights to dividend equivalents which were considered participating securities. Prior to 2024, these restricted stock units were included in the calculation of basic earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure —

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin (Tax-Equivalent Basis)

(dollars in thousands)

* Annualized measure.

(1) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure —

Efficiency Ratio (Tax-Equivalent Basis)

(dollars in thousands)

(1) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure —

Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets and Tangible Book Value Per Share

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure —

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity, Adjusted Return on Average Stockholders’ Equity, and Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

(dollars in thousands)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure —

Core Deposits

(dollars in thousands)

94

Managing risk is an essential part of successfully managing a financial institution. Our most prominent risk exposures are interest rate risk and credit risk.

Interest Rate Risk

Our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk inherent in the normal course of lending and deposit-taking activities. Interest rate risk is the potential reduction of net interest income as a result of changes in interest rates. Management believes that our ability to successfully respond to changes in interest rates will have a significant impact on our financial results. To that end, management actively monitors and manages our interest rate exposure.

The Company’s Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”), which is authorized by the Company’s board of directors, monitors our interest rate sensitivity and makes decisions relating to that process. The ALCO’s goal is to structure our asset/liability composition to maximize net interest income while managing interest rate risk so as to minimize the adverse impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income and capital in either a rising or declining interest rate environment. Profitability is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. A sudden and substantial change in interest rates may adversely impact our earnings because the interest rates borne by assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent or on the same basis.

We monitor the impact of changes in interest rates on our net interest income and economic value of equity (“EVE”) using rate shock analysis. Net interest income simulations measure the short-term earnings exposure from changes in market rates of interest in a rigorous and explicit fashion. Our current financial position is combined with assumptions regarding future business to calculate net interest income under varying hypothetical rate scenarios. EVE measures our long-term earnings exposure from changes in market rates of interest. EVE is defined as the present value of assets minus the present value of liabilities at a point in time. A decrease in EVE due to a specified rate change indicates a decline in the long-term earnings capacity of the balance sheet assuming that the rate change remains in effect over the life of the current balance sheet.

The base and shock scenarios in the rate shock analysis assume a static balance sheet, static interest rates, no changes to product mix shift, and cash flow reinvestment at current market interest rates. We also make assumptions for our deposit betas and asset prepayments, based on historical experience.

Deposit Betas

Deposit pricing changes are primarily driven by changes in the Federal Funds rate, with the relationship between deposit rates and Federal Funds rate defined as deposit beta. We define cumulative deposit beta as the change in our quarterly cost of deposits divided by the change in the upper level of the stated Federal Funds rate range from the fourth quarter of 2021 through the second quarter of 2024, the most recent rising rate cycle. During this period, our cumulative deposit beta was 23.6%.

Asset Prepayments

We include prepayment assumptions for both our loan and securities portfolios, based on historical experience. Generally, mortgage portfolio prepayments increase in lower rate environments, while commercial and consumer portfolios have historically remained more consistent throughout rate cycles.

The following table sets forth the estimated impact on our EVE and net interest income of immediate and parallel changes in interest rates at the specified levels.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in EVE and net interest income requires that we make certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. The EVE and net interest income table presented above assumes that the composition of our interest-rate-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and, accordingly, the data does not reflect any actions that we may undertake in response to changes in interest rates, such as changes in rates paid on certain deposit accounts based on local competitive factors, which could change the actual impact on EVE and net interest income. The table also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or the repricing characteristics of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the EVE and net interest income table provides an indication of our sensitivity to interest rate changes at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income and will differ from actual results.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that borrowers or counterparties will be unable or unwilling to repay their obligations in accordance with the underlying contractual terms. We manage and control credit risk in the loan portfolio by adhering to well-defined underwriting criteria and account administration standards established by management. Our loan policy documents underwriting standards, approval levels, exposure limits and other limits or standards deemed necessary and prudent. Portfolio diversification at the borrower, industry, and product levels is actively managed to mitigate concentration risk. In addition, credit risk management also includes an independent loan review process that assesses compliance with loan policy, compliance with loan documentation standards, accuracy of the risk rating and overall credit quality of the loan portfolio.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other members of the Company’s senior management. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2024, the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is: (i) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2024.