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White River Bancshares Co. Reports Net Income of $2.63 million, or $1.07 Per Diluted Share, for the First Quarter of 2025

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — White River Bancshares Company (OTCQX: WRIV), (the “Company”) the holding company for Signature Bank of Arkansas (the “Bank”), today reported net income increased to $2.63 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $509,000, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2024. The Company reported net income of $1.83 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the prior quarter. All financial results are unaudited and all per share data has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected September 4, 2024.

“Thanks to a solid start to the year, we produced the strongest first quarter earnings in our Bank’s history,” said Gary Head, Chairman and CEO. “Loan portfolio growth contributed to an increase in net interest income compared to the first quarter of 2024. This is exactly the kind of excitement I’ve been ‘banking on’ as we head into the second quarter and celebrate the Bank’s 20 year anniversary. I am confident in our team’s capability and enthusiasm to build upon this momentum for the rest of the year.”

“Expanding our deposit base to fund new loan growth remains our top priority, and also our biggest challenge as a community bank,” said Scott Sandlin, Chief Strategy Officer. “The Company has made deposit gathering the primary focus and our team has done an excellent job of expanding existing client relationships as well as attracting new customers to the Bank. As a result, total deposits increased 9.9% during the first quarter of 2025 and 18.9% year-over-year. At quarter end, demand and non-interest bearing accounts represented 19.3% of total deposits, and savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts represented 38.0% of total deposits. We will continue to look for additional opportunities for growing deposits in the year ahead to keep up with loan demand.”

First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights:

  • Net income for the first quarter of 2025 increased to $2.63 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, compared to $509,000, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Net interest income increased 32.0% to $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Net interest margin (“NIM”) increased 42 basis points to 3.39% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.97% in the first quarter of 2024.
  • The Company recorded a $670,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2025, compared to a $550,000 provision in the fourth quarter of 2024, and a $648,000 provision in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Net loans increased 16.3% to $1.128 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $969.7 million at March 31, 2024.
  • Nonperforming loans totaled $420,000, or 0.04% of total loans at March 31, 2025, compared to 0.18% a year ago.
  • Total deposits increased $190.7 million, or 18.9%, year-over-year, to $1.201 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $1.010 billion at March 31, 2024.
  • Core deposits (demand and non-interest-bearing, and savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts, and CDs under $250,000) represent 70.25% of total deposits at March 31, 2025.
  • Total risk-based capital ratio estimates of 12.30%, Tier 1 ratio of 11.05%, and Leverage ratio of 9.35% for the Bank at March 31, 2025.
  • Tangible book value per common share was $40.33 at March 31, 2025, compared to $39.05 a year ago.

Income Statement

In the first quarter of 2025, the Company generated a return on average assets of 0.79% and a return on average equity of 10.64%, compared to 0.58% and 7.34%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0.18% and 2.52%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2024.

“Our strong loan growth and higher yields on interest earning assets contributed to the four basis point NIM expansion during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter and the 42 basis point increase compared to the year ago quarter,” said Brant Ward, President. NIM was 3.39% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 3.35% in the fourth quarter of 2024, and 2.97% in the first quarter of 2024.

Net interest income increased 32.0% to $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to year-over-year loan growth. Total interest income increased 23.6% to $19.8 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $16.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, primarily attributable to increased loans. Total interest expense increased to $9.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, from $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to an increase in deposit costs.

Noninterest income increased 22.7% to $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to a $172,000 increase in wealth management fee income, the largest component of noninterest income, and a $72,000 increase in secondary market fee income during the first quarter of 2025.

Noninterest expense was $8.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2024, as expenses have normalized following the investment in expanding the Company’s market presence over the past few years.

Balance Sheet

Total assets increased 17.2% to $1.379 billion at March 31, 2025, from $1.177 billion at March 31, 2024, and increased 7.0% compared to $1.290 billion at December 31, 2024. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $48.4 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $33.4 million a year ago. Investment securities totaled $135.0 million at March 31, 2025, an increase from $113.0 million at March 31, 2024.

Loans, net of allowance for credit losses, increased 16.3% to $1.128 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $969.7 million at March 31, 2024, and increased 6.0% compared to $1.064 billion at December 31, 2024.

Total deposits increased 18.9% to $1.201 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $1.010 billion at March 31, 2024, and increased 9.9% compared to $1.093 billion at December 31, 2024. Demand and non-interest-bearing deposits decreased less than 1% compared to March 31, 2024 while savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts increased 34.7% compared to March 31, 2024.

FHLB advances were $21.6 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $36.9 million at March 31, 2024, and $43.7 million at December 31, 2024. Total stockholders’ equity increased to $100.5 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $79.4 million at March 31, 2024, and $96.6 million at December 31, 2024. Tangible book value per common share was $40.33 at March 31, 2025, compared to $39.05 at March 31, 2024, and $38.74 at December 31, 2024.

Credit Quality

Due to strong quarterly loan growth, the Company recorded a $670,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2025. This is compared to a $550,000 provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024, and a $648,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2024.

There were $420,000 in nonperforming loans at March 31, 2025. This compared to $55,000 in nonperforming loans at December 31, 2024, and $1.7 million in nonperforming loans at March 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans represented 0.04% of total loans on March 31, 2025, 0.01% of total loans on December 31, 2024, and 0.18% of total loans a year ago.

“We continue to take a prudent approach to building our allowance for credit losses by monitoring our portfolio mix and evaluating loan growth and local and national economic conditions to maintain what we believe to be an appropriate allowance,” said Jeff Maland, Chief Risk Officer. The allowance for credit losses was $13.3 million, or 1.17% of total loans, at March 31, 2025, compared to $12.8 million, or 1.19% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, and $12.1 million, or 1.23% of total loans, at March 31, 2024.

Net loan charge-offs were $137,000 in the first quarter of 2025. This compared to net loan recoveries of $106,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024, and net loan recoveries of $21,000 in the first quarter of 2024.

Capital

The Bank’s capital ratios continued to exceed regulatory “well-capitalized” requirements, with a Total risk-based capital ratio estimate of 12.30%, a Tier 1 ratio of 11.05%, and a Leverage ratio of 9.35% for the Bank at March 31, 2025.

About White River Bancshares Company

White River Bancshares Company is the single bank holding company for Signature Bank of Arkansas, headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bank has locations in Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Rogers, Brinkley, Harrison and Jonesboro, Arkansas. Founded in 2005, Signature Bank of Arkansas provides a full line of financial services to small businesses, families and farms. White River Bancshares Company (OTCQX: WRIV), trades on the OTCQX® Best Market.  

White River Bancshares Company and Signature Bank of Arkansas will celebrate its 20-year anniversary in May 2025.

About the Region

White River Bancshares Company is headquartered in thriving Northwest Arkansas in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA. The region is home to the corporate headquarters for Walmart Stores Inc, Sam’s Club, Tyson Foods, Simmons Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport. Hundreds of other market-leading companies including Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola and Rubbermaid maintain offices in the region in order to maintain their relationships with the locally based Fortune 500 companies. Northwest Arkansas is also home to the state’s flagship public educational institution, The University of Arkansas, and its Sam M. Walton College of Business. The region has seen significant growth in its medical and arts infrastructures with the continued expansion of Washington Regional Medical System, Northwest Medical System, Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Walton Arts Center have led the expansion of the arts. Northwest Arkansas has been repeatedly recognized in recent years as one of the best places to live in the country and remains one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions. In May 2024, Walmart issued a relocation mandate requiring most of its remote employees, as well as most of its office workers in Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto to move to, in most cases, Bentonville by November 1, 2024. While the company did not disclose a number, Bloomberg reported that the number of Walmart employees who would be moving to Bentonville would be in the thousands. Walmart is making a major investment in its hometown facilities, building a new, 350-acre headquarters campus, including walking and biking trails, a hotel, fitness facilities and a large childcare center.

The Company has expanded eastward, with new markets in Jonesboro and Harrison. Jonesboro, located in Craighead County, is a city located on Crowley’s Ridge in the northeastern corner of Arkansas. It is the home of Arkansas State University and the cultural and economic center of Northeast Arkansas. Jonesboro also houses the region’s hospital network. U.S. Steel Corp. announced that it would locate a new $3 billion steel factory in Northeast Arkansas in Osceola, a move expected to create 900 jobs with an average pay over $100,000 annually, making it the largest capital investment project in Arkansas history. Harrison sits below Branson, Missouri, which is a family tourist destination and outdoor recreation, and is well known as an entertainment destination.

The Company currently operates out of ten locations; three in Washington County; three in Benton County; two in Monroe County; one in Boone County; and one in Craighead County.

The housing market in Washington and Benton counties remains robust. According to the Northwest Arkansas Board of Realtors, the average home in Washington County sold for $390,000 in February 2025, with an average of 103 days on the market. For Benton County, the average house sold for $446,000, with an average of 108 days on the market.

Source:
http://www.nwarealtors.org/market-statistics/

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements about future events. These forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions of management of the Company and the Bank and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions or the negative of those terms. Our ability to predict results of future events and the actual effect of future plans or strategies are inherently uncertain, and actual results may differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could affect the outcome of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates; the economic health of the local real estate market; general economic conditions; credit deterioration in our loan portfolio that would cause us to increase our allowance for loan losses; legislative or regulatory changes; technological developments; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality or composition of our loan and securities portfolios; demand for loan products in our market areas; deposit flows and costs of capital; competition; retention and recruitment of qualified personnel; demand for financial services in our market areas; and changes in accounting principles, policies, and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Contact: Scott Sandlin, Chief Strategy Officer
  479-684-3754
WHITE RIVER BANCSHARES COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
        
  For the Three Months Ended 
  March 31, December 31, March 31, 
   2025  2024  2024 
        
INTEREST INCOME       
Loans, including fees $18,315,006 $17,118,955 $14,994,922 
Investment securities  1,258,571  1,300,977  929,040 
Federal funds sold and other  232,978  262,856  96,154 
Total interest income  19,806,555  18,682,788  16,020,116 
        
INTEREST EXPENSE       
Deposits  8,312,455  7,963,925  6,984,793 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances  393,057  300,137  520,319 
Notes payable  475,425  396,899  398,017 
Federal funds purchased and other  13,022  4,101  78,260 
Total interest expense  9,193,959  8,665,062  7,981,389 
NET INTEREST INCOME  10,612,596  10,017,726  8,038,727 
Provision for credit losses  670,000  550,000  648,000 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES 9,942,596  9,467,726  7,390,727 
        
NON-INTEREST INCOME       
Service charges and fees on deposits  171,186  182,870  150,349 
Wealth management fee income  1,017,829  1,035,160  845,506 
Secondary market fee income  128,824  196,277  57,064 
Bank owned-life insurance income  80,603  82,171  79,881 
Gain on sales and write-downs of foreclosed assets    11,085  1,050 
Other  544,141  535,284  449,255 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME  1,942,583  2,042,847  1,583,105 
        
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE       
Salaries and benefits  4,931,692  5,226,075  4,999,533 
Occupancy and equipment  1,145,101  1,130,174  928,124 
Data processing  858,115  806,411  790,569 
Marketing and business development  397,137  518,628  463,697 
Professional services  650,708  660,860  669,867 
Amortization of other intangible assets  53,036  53,032  53,036 
Other  393,498  445,998  403,836 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE  8,429,287  8,841,178  8,308,662 
        
Income before income taxes  3,455,892  2,669,395  665,170 
Income tax provision  826,085  834,444  155,942 
NET INCOME $2,629,807 $1,834,951 $509,228 
        
EARNINGS PER SHARE       
Basic (1) $1.07 $0.75 $0.26 
Diluted (1) $1.07 $0.75 $0.26 
        
  (1) Prior periods adjusted to give effect to stock split effected
in the form of a dividend on September 4, 2024.
 
           
WHITE RIVER BANCSHARES COMPANY 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
        
  March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 March 31, 2024 
        
ASSETS   
Cash and cash equivalents $48,360,156  $22,149,012  $33,147,221  
Investment securities  134,968,153   133,228,210   113,033,028  
Loans held for sale  874,009   1,117,750   696,271  
Loans  1,141,369,199   1,076,674,377   981,829,042  
Allowance for credit losses  (13,347,855)  (12,814,824)  (12,113,099) 
Net loans  1,128,021,344   1,063,859,553   969,715,943  
Premises and equipment, net  35,647,835   36,335,828   29,442,303  
Foreclosed assets held for sale  310,406   310,406   640,574  
Accrued interest receivable  6,629,881   6,035,084   4,966,665  
Bank owned life insurance  9,859,911   9,779,307   9,534,373  
Deferred income taxes  4,220,559   4,390,227   4,888,369  
Other investments  6,782,614   8,421,651   7,548,338  
Intangible assets, net  1,750,204   1,803,240   1,962,350  
Other assets  1,825,830   2,080,346   1,323,255  
TOTAL ASSETS $1,379,250,902  $1,289,510,614  $1,176,898,690  
        
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Deposits:       
Demand and non-interest-bearing $231,331,391  $214,838,920  $233,082,292  
Savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts  456,733,576   429,293,348   339,042,365  
Time deposits  512,882,444   448,909,115   438,110,170  
Total deposits  1,200,947,411   1,093,041,383   1,010,234,827  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances  21,593,143   43,667,559   36,887,028  
Notes payable  26,141,832   26,124,556   26,337,909  
Operating lease liability  20,029,714   20,851,721   16,128,536  
Reserve for losses on unfunded commitments  1,478,000   1,478,000   1,433,000  
Accrued interest payable  2,731,699   2,838,298   2,635,771  
Other liabilities  5,798,159   4,919,715   3,868,383  
TOTAL LIABILITIES  1,278,719,958   1,192,921,232   1,097,525,454  
        
Stockholders’ equity:       
Common stock (1)  24,882   24,854   20,162  
Surplus (1)  102,784,831   102,679,096   90,538,459  
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)  4,714,375   2,084,568   (3,115,687) 
Treasury stock, at cost  (1,265,731)  (1,265,715)  (1,119,100) 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (5,727,413)  (6,933,421)  (6,950,598) 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  100,530,944   96,589,382   79,373,236  
        
 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $1,379,250,902  $1,289,510,614  $1,176,898,690  
        
   (1)Prior periods adjusted to give effect to stock split effected
in the form of a dividend on September 4, 2024. 
              
WHITE RIVER BANCSHARES COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
        
  (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, December 31, March 31, 
   2025   2024   2024  
        
FOR THE PERIOD       
Net income $2,629,807  $1,834,951  $509,228  
Net income before taxes  3,455,892   2,669,395   665,170  
Dividends declared per share (1)          
        
        
PERIOD END BALANCE       
Total assets $1,379,250,902  $1,289,510,614  $1,176,898,690  
Total investments  134,968,153   133,228,210   113,033,028  
Total loans, net  1,128,021,344   1,063,859,553   969,715,943  
Allowance for credit losses  (13,347,855)  (12,814,824)  (12,113,099) 
Total deposits  1,200,947,411   1,093,041,383   1,010,234,827  
Stockholders’ equity  100,530,944   96,589,382   79,373,236  
        
        
RATIO ANALYSIS       
Return on average assets (annualized)  0.79%  0.58%  0.18% 
Return on average equity (annualized)  10.64%  7.34%  2.52% 
Net loans/Deposits  93.93%  97.33%  95.99% 
Total Stockholders’ Equity/Total assets  7.29%  7.49%  6.74% 
Net loan losses/Total loans  0.01%  -0.01%  -0.00% 
Uninsured & unpledged deposits  31.00%  31.78%  30.22% 
        
        
PER SHARE DATA       
Shares oustanding (1)  2,449,317   2,446,563   1,982,630  
Weighted average shares outstanding (1)  2,446,747   2,446,241   1,983,378  
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (1) 2,451,161   2,446,471   1,983,378  
Basic earnings (1) $1.07  $0.75  $0.26  
Diluted earnings (1)  1.07   0.75   0.26  
Book value (1)  41.04   39.48   40.03  
Tangible book value (1)  40.33   38.74   39.05  
        
        
ASSET QUALITY       
Net (recoveries) charge-offs $136,970  $(106,340) $(21,195) 
Classified assets  853,745   494,828   2,657,273  
Nonperforming loans  419,985   55,132   1,718,805  
Nonperforming assets  730,391   365,538   2,359,378  
Total nonperforming loans/Total loans  0.04%  0.01%  0.18% 
Total nonperforming loans/Total assets  0.03%  0.00%  0.15% 
Total nonperforming assets/Total assets  0.05%  0.03%  0.20% 
Allowance for credit losses/Total loans  1.17%  1.19%  1.23% 
        
        
  (1)Prior periods adjusted to give effect to stock split effected
in the form of a dividend on September 4, 2024. 
              
WHITE RIVER BANCSHARES COMPANY 
INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE 
(Unaudited) 
                    
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, December 31, March 31, 
   2025   2024   2024  
  Average   Average Average   Average Average   Average 
  Balance Interest Yield/Rate Balance Interest Yield/Rate Balance Interest Yield/Rate 
                    
Interest-earning assets:                   
Federal funds sold and other $23,287,989 $232,978 4.06% $20,998,114 $262,856 4.98% $8,343,674 $96,154 4.63% 
Investment securities available-for-sale (1)  133,405,472  1,208,821 3.67%  132,386,055  1,150,282 3.46%  114,440,538  900,886 3.17% 
Loans receivable  1,106,648,533  18,315,006 6.71%  1,018,919,798  17,118,955 6.68%  960,808,253  14,994,922 6.28% 
Total interest-earning assets  1,263,341,994 $19,756,805 6.34%  1,172,303,967 $18,532,093 6.29%  1,083,592,465 $15,991,962 5.94% 
Noninterest-earning assets  81,821,189      81,203,717      70,720,928     
Total assets $1,345,163,183     $1,253,507,684     $1,154,313,393     
Interest-bearing liabilities:                   
Interest-bearing deposits $937,669,969 $8,312,455 3.60% $847,808,178 $7,963,925 3.74% $762,899,599 $6,984,793 3.68% 
FHLB advances and federal funds purchased 36,654,930  406,079 4.49%  28,097,088  304,238 4.31%  50,749,219  598,579 4.74% 
Notes payable  26,131,761  475,425 7.38%  26,118,547  396,899 6.05%  25,489,325  398,017 6.28% 
Total interest-bearing liabilities  1,000,456,660 $9,193,959 3.73%  902,023,813 $8,665,062 3.82%  839,138,143 $7,981,389 3.83% 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities  244,466,979      252,089,008      233,847,965     
Total liabilities  1,244,923,639      1,154,112,821      1,072,986,108     
Stockholders’ equity  100,239,544      99,394,863      81,327,285     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $1,345,163,183     $1,253,507,684     $1,154,313,393     
Net interest-earning assets $262,885,334     $270,280,154     $244,454,322     
Net interest spread   $10,562,846 2.62%   $9,867,031 2.47%   $8,010,573 2.11% 
Net interest margin     3.39%     3.35%     2.97% 
                    
   (1)Excludes investments in bank stock (Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank, and First National Bankers Bankshares). 
                    

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