PB
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (PBHC)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 delivered a return to positive earnings with net income of $0.626M and diluted EPS of $0.10, up from <$0.01 in Q2 and a loss in Q3 2024, driven by NIM expansion (+23 bps q/q) and disciplined liability pricing, partially offset by higher provision expense tied to two large CRE relationships .
- Net interest income rose 7.3% q/q to $11.6M as average deposit costs declined and prepayment penalties added ~7 bps to NIM; noninterest income normalized to $1.5M vs a Q2 LOCOM loss, while efficiency ratio rose to 68.77% (non-GAAP) on higher operating costs .
- Asset quality volatility re-emerged: NPLs increased to $23.3M (2.59% of loans) and provision rose to $3.5M; ACL strengthened to $18.7M (2.08% of loans), positioning reserves ahead of portfolio review completion by year-end .
- Liquidity and funding remained solid: deposits grew to $1.23B with core deposits at 78.37%; FHLB capacity increased to $138.3M, and a $0.10 dividend was maintained .
- Catalyst setup: resolution of legacy credit exposures and completion of the portfolio review, sustained NIM resilience with core funding growth, and clarity on FDIC assessment run-rate could drive sentiment in the near term .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Net interest margin expanded to 3.34% (+23 bps q/q) on lower deposit costs and prepayment fees; net interest income increased to $11.6M (+7.3% q/q) .
- Noninterest income recovered to $1.5M from a Q2 loss tied to the LOCOM HFS adjustment; debit card fees and service charges improved sequentially .
- Management emphasized a disciplined funding strategy and core deposit growth; “Third quarter results also underscore the benefits of our disciplined approach to balance sheet management…stable, relationship-driven source of funding” – CEO James Dowd .
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What Went Wrong
- Asset quality weakened as two local CRE relationships moved to nonperforming status; NPLs rose to $23.3M (2.59% of loans) and ACL/NPL coverage fell to 80.04% .
- Provision for credit losses spiked to $3.5M (vs $1.2M in Q2), pressuring bottom-line despite PTPP stability .
- Efficiency ratio deteriorated to 68.77% on higher salaries/benefits and occupancy, including timing effects and reduced loan origination deferrals .
Financial Results
KPIs and Balance Sheet
Asset Quality Detail
Guidance Changes
Note: Non-GAAP metrics are defined and reconciled in the release (efficiency ratio, PTPP, revenue) .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
No public earnings call transcript was available; themes reflect press releases across the last three quarters.
Management Commentary
- “Recent asset quality related to certain legacy loans has resulted in unacceptable levels of credit volatility…we believe [the portfolio review] will…reduce the volatility of credit costs in 2026 and beyond, clearing a path for consistent and sustainable improvement in earnings” – James A. Dowd, President & CEO .
- “Third quarter results also underscore the benefits of our disciplined approach to balance sheet management…stable, relationship-driven source of funding” – James A. Dowd .
- “Proactive credit risk mitigation…sale of nonperforming and classified commercial loans…as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance…asset quality and resilience” – James A. Dowd (Q2 release) .
- “Focus on disciplined loan and deposit pricing…expand net interest margin…optimiz[ing] non-interest expenses” – James A. Dowd (Q1 release) .
Q&A Highlights
- No public earnings call transcript or Q&A was available for Q3 2025; management’s disclosures are reflected in the 8-K and press releases .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus estimates for Q3 2025 EPS and revenue were unavailable for PBHC; coverage appears limited for this microcap bank. Where comparisons to consensus are not shown, interpret results versus prior periods and management commentary instead.
- Revenue actuals reported by SPGI for Q3 2025 were $9.61M*, but Company’s non-GAAP “total revenue” was $12.99M (see reconciliation); definitions differ for banks, so consensus comparisons are not meaningful without standardized “net revenue” series .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- NIM resilience and core deposit momentum underpin earnings power; disciplined pricing reduced funding costs, lifting NIM to 3.34% and net interest income to $11.6M .
- Credit cost volatility is the swing factor: provision climbed to $3.5M and NPLs rose to 2.59%; management’s portfolio review and tightened underwriting are key to normalizing credit in 2026+ .
- Noninterest income normalized after the Q2 LOCOM loss, removing a major drag; watch for stability in interchange/service fees and BOLI trends .
- Efficiency ticked higher on salaries/occupancy; further operating discipline and loan production recovery could improve the ratio (non-GAAP) over time .
- Liquidity/FHLB capacity expanded ($138.3M) with a stable $0.10 dividend; the funding stack supports risk management and opportunistic repositioning .
- Near-term trading: headline credit metrics (NPLs/provision updates) and NIM trajectory are likely to drive reaction; completion of the loan review is a potential de-risking catalyst .
- Medium-term thesis: community banking model with strengthening core deposits and capital ratios; execution on credit containment and operating efficiency could re-rate earnings quality .