Margin Outlook
Q: How will margins trend forward?
A: Management expects the margin to bottom early and then expand in the latter half of the year if Fed rate cuts occur, though delays may mute the pace of improvement.

2025 Guidance
Q: What is 2025 margin outlook?
A: While no specific guidance was provided for 2025, management anticipates better spread income as lower fixed‐rate assets reprice and deposit cost growth moderates, setting up a stable earnings base.

Balance Sheet
Q: How is the balance sheet managed amid rate uncertainty?
A: They are actively managing deposits, pursuing market share, and leveraging strong capital and optionality to maintain a robust balance sheet despite rate volatility.

Deposit Growth
Q: Will deposit growth persist all year?
A: With an 8% annualized growth rate and a strong deposit pipeline across markets, deposit growth appears set to continue throughout the year.

Fee Growth
Q: How performed fee and wealth segments?
A: Insurance and wealth management delivered record results, with wealth AUM increasing by $160 million and ample opportunities for cross-selling ahead.

Loan Mix
Q: Which loan segments will expand?
A: Growth is focused on C&I, retail, and most commercial real estate segments, while lending in office and hospitality remains paused.

Accretion Rate
Q: Is a 10% accretion run rate sustainable?
A: Accretion income has moderated since post-acquisition periods and is now running at about 10% to 10.5%, though timing can vary.

Competitive Landscape
Q: How are competitors affecting loan pricing?
A: Competitors have pulled back on aggressive pricing, which has eased competitive pressures and supported Seacoast’s lending initiatives.

Growth Strategy
Q: What could trigger more aggressive growth?
A: Greater economic clarity—especially on rates and GDP—would provide the confidence to pursue a more aggressive growth strategy.

Pipeline Source
Q: What drives pipeline expansion?
A: Robust business development and active client acquisition across the franchise are the primary drivers behind the expanding loan pipeline.

Credit Quality
Q: Are challenged loans larger than portfolio averages?
A: The size of challenged and classified loans remains consistent with the overall portfolio, reflecting normal cycle seasoning without major deviations.

Talent Acquisition
Q: Is hiring focused on quality bankers?
A: The bank continues to target high-caliber bankers for wealth and treasury management to strengthen its service offerings.

Talent Strategy
Q: Has competitor activity shifted talent sourcing?
A: There has been no major shift; the focus remains on recruiting regional bankers who fit Seacoast’s comprehensive cross-sell model.

Deposit Pipeline
Q: Any comments on commercial deposit pipeline size?
A: Specific figures weren’t provided, but management noted that deposit funding aligns with loan pipeline balances through required compensating ratios.

Loan Exit
Q: Were $30M exits in the hospitality portfolio?
A: Yes, most of the $30 million in loan exits were from the hospitality portfolio, resulting from weaker credits during renewals.