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BV Financial, Inc. (BVFL)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 GAAP EPS was $0.18, down sequentially from $0.35 in Q3 2024 and down year-over-year from $0.28, as higher noninterest expense (equity plan costs) and a $0.604M provision for credit losses weighed on results .
- Net interest margin held at 4.34% (vs 4.49% in Q3 and 4.30% in Q4 2023), while efficiency ratio deteriorated to 64.27% from 54.73% in Q3 2024 amid higher compensation and equity award expenses .
- Asset quality improved materially versus prior year with non-performing loans down to $4.0M and ACL coverage of NPLs rising to 212.5%; the bank also added $15M of FHLB borrowings and used $50M brokered CDs to support loan growth and replace retail CD runoff .
- No formal guidance or call transcript was available; consensus estimates from S&P Global were unavailable at this time, limiting beat/miss assessment .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Asset quality strengthened: non-performing loans decreased to $4.0M and ACL coverage of NPLs rose to 212.5%, supported by the payoff of the largest non-accrual loan earlier in the year .
- Loan and deposit growth: net loans increased $33.0M year-over-year to $729.2M; deposits grew $17.4M to $651.5M, aided by brokered CDs .
- Net interest margin resilient: “Net interest margin… was 4.34%” in Q4 2024 vs 4.30% in Q4 2023 and 4.49% in Q3 2024 .
What Went Wrong
- Earnings compression: Q4 net income fell to $1.95M and diluted EPS to $0.18, down from $3.80M and $0.35 in Q3, driven by higher noninterest expense and a positive-to-negative swing in provision for credit losses .
- Cost pressure: “Compensation and benefits expenses increased by 27.3%… These expenses totaled $1.2 million in the quarter,” reflecting equity awards under the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan; efficiency ratio deteriorated to 64.27% .
- Deposit mix shift: noninterest-bearing deposits declined $12.3M YoY (−8.7%); use of $50M brokered CDs may raise funding-cost sensitivity as rates evolve .
Financial Results
Quarterly P&L (USD Millions, except per-share and %; periods ordered oldest → newest)
YoY P&L Comparison (USD Millions, Q4 2023 vs Q4 2024)
Balance Sheet and Asset Quality KPIs
Non-GAAP
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Brokered deposits of $50 million were utilized to replace run-off of retail certificates of deposit and non-interest-bearing accounts.” (Press release) .
- “During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $604,000…” (Press release) .
- “Compensation and benefits expenses increased by 27.3%… These expenses totaled $1.2 million in the quarter” tied to the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (Press release) .
- Net loans rose to $729.2M (+4.74% YoY), with growth in investor CRE, 1–4 family owner-occupied, construction, and commercial loans (Press release) .
Q&A Highlights
- No earnings call transcript or Q&A was available in the company materials for Q4 2024; no clarifications beyond the press release were provided .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus EPS and revenue estimates via S&P Global were unavailable at this time, so we cannot assess beat/miss for Q4 2024. Where possible, future comparisons should anchor on S&P Global consensus; presently unavailable.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- EPS compressed to $0.18 as expenses rose and provision swung from a Q3 credit to a Q4 charge; watch cost discipline and provision normalization in 2025 .
- Funding mix shifted: NIB deposits declined and $50M brokered CDs plus $15M FHLB borrowings were used, raising sensitivity to funding costs as rates evolve .
- Asset quality improved materially YoY with stronger ACL coverage; sustaining low NPLs should support lower credit cost volatility .
- NIM remains solid at 4.34%; the key is whether deposit pricing and balance-sheet mix allow margin stability amid potential rate changes .
- Efficiency ratio deterioration to 64% reflects equity compensation expense and higher operating costs; near-term earnings trajectory hinges on cost control and operating leverage .
- Loan growth reaccelerated in Q4 (+$33M YoY net loans), supported by funding moves; monitor credit underwriting and returns on incremental originations .
- With no formal guidance and limited external estimates, near-term stock catalysts are likely tied to demonstrated opex normalization, deposit mix improvement, and validation of asset-quality gains in subsequent quarters .