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GLACIER BANCORP, INC. (GBCI)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 EPS rose to $0.54, up 20% QoQ and 10% YoY; net income increased to $61.8M (+21% QoQ, +14% YoY). Net interest margin expanded 14 bps QoQ to 2.97% and 41 bps YoY, driven by lower deposit costs and mix shift toward loans .
- Operating leverage improved: net interest income increased to $191.4M (+6% QoQ, +15% YoY) while non-interest expense declined 3% QoQ to $141.0M; efficiency ratio fell to 60.50% from 64.92% in Q3 .
- Credit remained solid; non-performing assets were 0.10% of assets, early-stage delinquencies fell to 0.19% of loans, though net charge-offs rose to $5.2M due to a few isolated loans (including deposit overdrafts) .
- 2025 outlook improved: management guided net interest margin to 3.20%–3.25% for FY25, aided by securities runoff, lower-cost funding, loan repricing (~$2B repricing at +100–125 bps), and the Bank of Idaho deal; expenses guided to $151–$154M per quarter ex-BOI (BOI adds $9–$10M per quarter) .
- Catalysts: sustained NIM expansion, deposit cost moderation (spot deposit rate 1.26% at year-end; December spot margin 2.99%), deleveraging via FHLB maturities ($1.36B in 2025), and accretive M&A (Bank of Idaho) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Net interest margin expansion (2.97% TE, +14 bps QoQ; +41 bps YoY) on lower deposit costs and higher interest-bearing cash balances; CFO attributed improvement to remix of securities cash flow and lower funding cost .
- Operating discipline: non-interest expense declined $3.7M QoQ to $141.0M; efficiency ratio improved to 60.50% from 64.92% in Q3 .
- Management confidence and strategic execution: “The Glacier team once again delivered another strong quarter and year… Our positive earnings trends should continue into 2025,” said CEO Randy Chesler; margin trajectory guided higher to 3.20%–3.25% for FY25 .
What Went Wrong
- Net charge-offs rose to $5.2M (vs. $2.8M in Q3), primarily from a few isolated loans and $2.1M in deposit overdraft net charge-offs; provision expense increased to $8.5M (including $2.5M for unfunded commitments) .
- Total deposits fell $168M QoQ (to $20.547B), with seasonally lower non-interest bearing balances late in the quarter; certificate accounts declined $145M QoQ amid repricing .
- 2024 net income declined 15% YoY, pressured by higher funding costs and $8.6M increase in acquisition-related expenses tied to Wheatland and RMB (and associated provision for credit losses) .
Financial Results
KPIs
Loan Portfolio Breakdown (Regulatory Classification)
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO Randy Chesler: “The Glacier team once again delivered another strong quarter and year… Our positive earnings trends should continue into 2025” .
- CFO Ron Copher: “The remix of lower yield cash flow from the securities portfolio combined with the lower funding cost contributed to the improved net interest margin” .
- Treasurer Byron Pollan: “Our December spot margin was 2.99%. For full year 2025, I think our margin will land somewhere in the range of 3.20% to 3.25%” .
- Strategic M&A: The proposed Bank of Idaho acquisition is “very attractive… minimal tangible book value dilution, immediate accretion… paid to trade ratio of only 76%” .
Q&A Highlights
- Margin and deposit costs: December spot margin ~2.99%; spot deposit rate 1.26% at 12/31; full-year 2025 NIM guided to 3.20%–3.25% .
- Loan repricing and yields: ~$2B of loans repricing in 2025 at +100–125 bps lift; new origination yields ~7.34% in Q4 .
- Expenses: Q4 reported $141M; normalized ~$143M; 2025 run-rate $151–$154M per quarter ex-BOI; BOI adds $9–$10M per quarter post-close; remaining cost savings ~$5M (Wheatland ~$2.1M; RMB ~$2.8M) .
- Securities cash flow: ~$275M in Q1; ~$50M treasury maturity in Q2; ~$270M in Q4; increased maturities into 2026–2027 .
- Credit tone: benign overall; charge-offs up due to “end-of-year cleanup” and isolated weaker operators; no systemic industry/geography issues flagged .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus EPS and revenue estimates for Q4 2024 were unavailable at time of writing due to request limit; comparison to Street could not be retrieved. As a result, we cannot classify beats/misses vs consensus for this quarter [SPGI request error].
- Implications: Given management’s higher NIM guidance (3.20%–3.25% for 2025), Street models may need to raise NIM and net interest income trajectories, incorporate BOI-related expenses ($9–$10M/quarter) and potential securities runoff-driven deleveraging; expense run-rate also higher than 2024 core levels .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Margin expansion is the core driver: Q4 NIM reached 2.97%; December spot ~2.99%; 2025 guided to 3.20%–3.25%, supported by loan repricing and securities runoff—key positive for earnings power and valuation narrative .
- Deposit cost moderation continues: core deposit cost fell to 1.29%; spot deposit rate 1.26%—watch CD repricing (60% rolls in Q1) for further cost relief .
- Balance sheet deleveraging: $1.36B of FHLB term advances mature in 2025 with intent to pay down; securities maturities elevate liquidity—lower funding costs and improved mix should continue .
- Solid credit but monitor charge-offs: NPA steady at 0.10%; early delinquencies down; net charge-offs increased on isolated items (incl. overdrafts)—risk remains contained per management .
- Operating efficiency trajectory improving: non-interest expense fell QoQ and efficiency ratio improved to 60.50%; 2025 run-rate higher on growth and controls, but BOI adds scale and accretion .
- M&A adds strategic presence and NIM tailwind: proposed Bank of Idaho offers immediate accretion and boosts presence in high-growth markets; anticipate integration and expense ramp starting mid-2025 .
- Near-term trading setup: Positive narrative momentum on NIM and deposit costs with clear 2025 roadmap; watch upcoming quarter for continued margin progression, deposit mix shifts, and execution on deleveraging/securities runoff .
Appendix: Additional Q4 2024 Materials
- Q4 earnings press release scheduling: company reported results on Jan 23, 2025; call held Jan 24, 2025 .
- Dividend: $0.33/share declared Nov 20, 2024; 159th consecutive regular dividend .