QO
QUAINT OAK BANCORP INC (QNTO)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 net income was $1.58M ($0.60 EPS), up 38.3% year over year, driven by an 82.6% increase in non-interest income including a one-time $1.5M gain from an office sale-leaseback and lower interest expense from reduced FHLB borrowings .
- Net interest margin improved to 2.54% (vs. 2.39% YoY; 2.28% in Q2 and 2.58% in Q3), while the efficiency ratio strengthened to 70.40% (vs. 82.28% YoY; 97.37% in Q2 and 90.22% in Q3), reflecting better operating leverage in Q4 .
- Credit costs rose as provision for credit losses increased 204% YoY in Q4, with non-performing loans at 1.07% of loans and allowance coverage of 113.61% of NPLs; management cited minor small-business sector weakness and continued monitoring .
- Deposits fell 12.4% YoY (interest-bearing checking down 55.0% due to reduced correspondent banking activity), while FHLB borrowings increased to $47.9M; total risk-based capital ratio at year-end was 14.34% and a $0.13 dividend was declared (payable Feb 10, 2025) .
- No Wall Street consensus estimates were available via S&P Global during this analysis (service limit), so beat/miss assessment to estimates is unavailable.
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Non-interest income strength: “Our non-interest income continued to improve... We completed the sale-leaseback... that resulted in a one-time $1.5 million gain,” supporting EPS and ROE in Q4 .
- Funding cost relief and margin improvement: Interest expense declined $756K YoY on sharply lower average FHLB borrowings; net interest margin expanded to 2.54% in Q4 and spread to 1.88% .
- Capital and shareholder returns: Year-end risk-based capital ratio was 14.34%; stockholders’ equity from continuing operations increased by $4.1M in 2024; Board declared $0.13 quarterly dividend .
What Went Wrong
- Loan book contraction and interest income pressure: Average loans receivable fell $94.3M YoY in Q4, reducing interest income by $1.4M despite a 27 bp yield increase; total interest and dividend income declined $1.0M YoY .
- Rising credit costs and NPLs: Provision for credit losses increased 204% YoY in Q4; NPLs rose to 1.07% of loans with $1.8M charge-offs in 2024, reflecting pockets of small-business weakness .
- Deposit outflows and mix shift: Total deposits fell $78.4M YoY, led by a $57.4M decline in interest-bearing checking (reduced correspondent banking activity), increasing reliance on FHLB short-term borrowings .
Financial Results
Notes: “—” indicates not disclosed in the referenced document for that period.
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Note: No earnings call transcript was available in our document set for Q4 2024; themes reflect management commentary from press releases.
Management Commentary
- “I am pleased to report that our quarterly net income for the period ended December 31, 2024, of $1.6 million was an increase of 38.3%... our annual net income... $2.8 million was an increase of 38.4%...” — Robert T. Strong, President & CEO .
- “Our non-interest income continued to improve... We completed the sale-leaseback... that resulted in a one-time $1.5 million gain.” — Robert T. Strong .
- “As previously reported, we experienced a continuing minor weakness in the small business sector... we have... increased our allowance for credit losses... to 1.20%... carry... 113.61% allowance... of non-performing loans.” — Robert T. Strong .
- “As of year-end... total risk-based capital ratio was 14.34%... Board... declared a dividend... $0.13 per share.” — Robert T. Strong .
Q&A Highlights
- No Q&A available; the company did not furnish an earnings call transcript in our document set for Q4 2024.
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) estimates for Q4 2024 and FY 2024 were unavailable during this analysis due to service limits; as a result, we cannot assess beats/misses versus consensus at this time.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Q4 acceleration aided by one-time sale-leaseback; sustainability hinges on recurring non-interest income (mortgage/Oakmont Commercial) and maintaining lower funding costs .
- Margin trajectory improved sequentially (Q2→Q3→Q4) and YoY, supported by deposit cost management and reduced FHLB long-term borrowings; watch ST borrowing reliance and deposit outflows .
- Credit quality normalized higher at ~1% NPLs with increased provisioning and charge-offs; allowance coverage (113.61% of NPLs) is adequate, but small-business exposures merit monitoring .
- Balance sheet repositioning (transfers to loans held for sale of $59.5M commercial/SBA loans) indicates active portfolio management amid credit/funding dynamics .
- Capital remains solid (14.34% risk-based), supporting continued dividends; equity increased $4.1M YoY despite deposit contraction .
- Near term: stock likely sensitive to signs of sustained non-interest income strength without one-offs, funding cost trends, and credit updates. Medium term: thesis rests on improving efficiency, stabilized deposit base, and disciplined credit underwriting .