Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Reports Solid First Quarter 2024 Results Including EPS of 0.32, Net Interest Margin Expansion, Loan Growth and Well-Managed Operating Expenses

Michigan City, Indiana, April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) – Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”), the parent company of Horizon Bank (the “Bank”), announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $14.0 million, or $0.32 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $25.2 million, or $0.58, in the linked fourth quarter of 2023. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company recognized a net loss on the sale of securities of $31.6 million and the tax effect of the surrender of bank owned life insurance of $8.6 million.

“We are very pleased with our positive first quarter results which included a second consecutive quarter of margin and net interest income expansion. Throughout the quarter, we began to strategically leverage our excess liquidity into higher yielding commercial, equipment finance, residential and consumer loan portfolios. These activities were complimented by the resiliency of our deposit portfolio both in terms of balances and cost,” President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Prame said. “Horizon's first quarter earnings not only reflect continued improvement in our margin, but highlights our disciplined approach to expenses and positive credit metrics through our active portfolio management and conservative lending approach. Even with the current economic outlook of higher rates for longer, we feel confident in our ability to continue to improve our net interest margin and the financial performance of the organization moving forward. We are encouraged by the positive momentum across our diversified operating model and we are experiencing consistent growth in our relationship banking platforms in our local markets. The team had a solid start to the year, and we feel optimistic about our trajectory as we move into the second quarter.”

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Net interest margin increased to 2.50% compared to 2.43% in the linked quarter. Net interest income was $43.3 million compared to $42.3 million in the linked quarter. The net interest margin for the month ended March 31, 2024 was 2.53%.
  

• Commercial loans grew 11.2% annualized in the quarter, including $22.8 million in new equipment finance production and a $52.0 million increase in other commercial loans.
  

• Total loans were $4.62 billion at period end, increasing by 18.2% annualized during the quarter. Balances included the strategic deployment of excess liquidity into higher yielding and excellent credit quality residential mortgages of $94.7 million and consumer loans with credit protection of $59.1 million. 
  

• Cash totaled $271.1 million at period end, providing significant flexibility to drive future net interest margin growth through deployment into higher yielding assets throughout 2024.
  

• Excellent asset quality with net charge-offs representing only 0.01% of average loans, as well as delinquent and non-performing loans representing 0.33% and 0.41%, respectively, at period end. The Company's first quarter credit loss expense of $805,000 was primarily attributable to loan growth and replacement of net charge-offs.
  

• Stable deposit base with continued pricing discipline. Deposits totaled $5.58 billion at quarter end, compared to $5.66 billion on December 31, 2023. Modest outflows were primarily attributed to public fund certificates of deposits.
  

• Solid fee income results, even with backdrop of lower BOLI income and mortgage seasonality. Expenses were well-managed in the quarter and at the lower end of guidance.