stel-20250331

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

_______________________________________________


S			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2025


£			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 001-38280

_______________________________________________

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_______________________________________________


Texas			20-8339782
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 110

Houston, Texas 77046

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(713) 210-7600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading
Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value, $0.01 per share

STEL

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes S No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes S No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £ No S

As of April 22, 2025, the registrant had 51,473,176 shares common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

Table of Contents

STELLAR BANCORP, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

March 31, 2025


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)	3
	Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)	5
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited)	6
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)	7
	Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	31
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	50
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	51

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	51
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	51
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	51
Item 3.	Defaults upon Senior Securities	52
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	52
Item 5.	Other Information	52
Item 6.	Exhibits	53
Signatures		54

Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STELLAR BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)


	March 31, 2025		December 31, 2024
	(In thousands, except shares and par value)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	130,932	$	419,967
Interest-bearing deposits at other financial institutions	429,643		491,249
Total cash and cash equivalents	560,575		911,216
Available for sale securities, at fair value	1,719,371		1,673,016
Loans held for investment	7,283,133		7,439,854
Less: allowance for credit losses on loans	(83,746)		(81,058)
Loans, net	7,199,387		7,358,796
Accrued interest receivable	37,669		37,884
Premises and equipment, net	109,750		111,856
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	20,902		8,209
Bank-owned life insurance	108,108		107,498
Goodwill	497,318		497,318
Core deposit intangibles, net	87,007		92,546
Other assets	94,800		107,451
TOTAL ASSETS	$	10,434,887	$	10,905,790
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	3,205,619	$	3,576,206
Interest-bearing
Demand	1,863,752		1,845,749
Money market and savings	2,248,616		2,253,193
Certificates and other time	1,244,726		1,453,236
Total interest-bearing deposits	5,357,094		5,552,178
Total deposits	8,562,713		9,128,384
Accrued interest payable	9,856		17,052
Borrowed funds	119,923		—
Subordinated debt	70,135		70,105
Other liabilities	61,428		82,389
Total liabilities	8,824,055		9,297,930
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 13)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024	—		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 140,000,000 shares authorized; 52,140,929 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and 53,428,699 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024	521		534
Capital surplus	1,202,628		1,240,050
Retained earnings	510,072		492,640
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(102,389)		(125,364)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,610,832		1,607,860
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	10,434,887	$	10,905,790

See condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

STELLAR BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans, including fees	$	120,640	$	134,685
Securities:
Taxable	16,148		9,293
Tax-exempt	812		818
Deposits in other financial institutions	4,720		3,627
Total interest income	142,320		148,423
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Demand, money market and savings deposits	27,574		27,530
Certificates and other time deposits	13,527		15,084
Borrowed funds	517		1,774
Subordinated debt	1,444		1,917
Total interest expense	43,062		46,305
NET INTEREST INCOME	99,258		102,118
Provision for credit losses	3,632		4,098
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	95,626		98,020
NONINTEREST INCOME:
Service charges on deposit accounts	1,584		1,598
Gain on sale of assets	417		513
Bank-owned life insurance income	610		587
Debit card and interchange income	520		527
Other	2,374		3,071
Total noninterest income	5,505		6,296
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits	41,792		41,376
Net occupancy and equipment	3,926		4,390
Depreciation	1,995		1,964
Data processing and software amortization	5,682		4,894
Professional fees	1,786		2,662
Regulatory assessments and FDIC insurance	1,733		1,854
Amortization of intangibles	5,548		6,212
Communications	847		937
Advertising	782		765

Other	6,075		6,356
Total noninterest expense	70,166		71,410
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	30,965		32,906
Provision for income taxes	6,263		6,759
NET INCOME	$	24,702	$	26,147
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic	$	0.46	$	0.49
Diluted	$	0.46	$	0.49
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE	$	0.14	$	0.13

See condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

STELLAR BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
	(In thousands)
Net income	$	24,702	$	26,147
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities:
Change in unrealized holding gain (loss) on available for sale securities during the period	29,097		(15,330)

Reclassification of loss realized through the sale of securities	3		—
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	29,100		(15,330)
Deferred tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive (income) loss	(6,125)		3,228
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	22,975		(12,102)
Comprehensive income	$	47,677	$	14,045

See condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

STELLAR BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)


	Common Stock			Capital Surplus		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

















BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2023	53,291,079	$	533	$	1,232,627	$	405,945	$	(118,087)	$	1,521,018
Net income	—	—		—		26,147		—		26,147
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		—		(12,102)		(12,102)
Cash dividends declared, $0.13 per share	—	—		—		(6,962)		—		(6,962)
Common stock issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and restricted stock awards	259,741	3		(253)		—		—		(250)
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		2,847		—		—		2,847
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2024	53,550,820	$	536	$	1,235,221	$	425,130	$	(130,189)	$	1,530,698

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2024	53,428,699	$	534	$	1,240,050	$	492,640	$	(125,364)	$	1,607,860
Net income	—	—		—		24,702		—		24,702
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—		22,975		22,975
Cash dividends declared, $0.14 per share	—	—		—		(7,270)		—		(7,270)
Common stock issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and restricted stock awards	91,192	1		(800)		—		—		(799)
Repurchase of common stock	(1,378,962)	(14)		(38,588)		—		—		(38,602)
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		1,966		—		—		1,966
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2025	52,140,929	$	521	$	1,202,628	$	510,072	$	(102,389)	$	1,610,832

See condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

STELLAR BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
	(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	24,702	$	26,147
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and intangibles amortization	7,543		8,176
Net accretion of discount on loans	(5,397)		(8,551)
Net amortization of premium on securities	(1,299)		2,671
Provision for credit losses	3,632		4,098
Deferred income tax expense	1,008		2,503
Stock-based compensation expense	1,966		2,847
Net change in operating leases	823		1,553
Bank-owned life insurance income	(610)		(587)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends	(238)		(493)
Gain on sale of assets	(417)		(513)
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation	539		(35)
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets	(8,946)		5,913
Decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities	(28,985)		(12,629)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(5,679)		31,100
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of available for sale securities	(1,511,027)		(185,721)
Proceeds from maturities and principal paydowns of available for sale securities	1,392,366		35,196
Proceeds from sales and calls of available for sale securities	102,705		5,112
Net change in total loans	170,741		24,859
Purchase of bank premises and equipment	(770)		(564)
Proceeds from sale of bank premises, equipment and other real estate	5,820		1,992
Net (purchase) redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	(12,455)		9,494
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	147,380		(109,632)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits	(370,587)		(223,666)
Net (decrease) increase in interest-bearing deposits	(195,084)		144,915
Net change in borrowed funds	120,000		165,000

Dividends paid to common shareholders	(7,270)		(6,962)
Proceeds from the issuance of restricted stock and stock option exercises	(799)		(250)

Repurchase of common stock	(38,602)		—
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(492,342)		79,037
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(350,641)		505
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	911,216		399,237
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$	560,575	$	399,742
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Income taxes paid	$	—	$	—
Interest paid	50,258		45,366
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities	1,051		1,204
SUPPLEMENTAL NONCASH DISCLOSURE:

Loans transferred to other real estate	8,786		—

See condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

STELLAR BANCORP, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations—Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (“Stellar”) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Stellar Bank (the “Bank” and together with Stellar, collectively referred to herein as “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company”), provides a diversified range of commercial banking services primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses. Stellar derives substantially all of its revenues and income from the operation of the Bank.

The Company is focused on delivering a wide variety of relationship-driven commercial banking products and community-oriented services tailored to meet the needs of small-to medium-sized businesses, professionals and individuals through its 54 banking centers with 37 banking centers in the Houston metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”), 16 banking centers in the Beaumont MSA and one banking center in Dallas, Texas.

Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with guidance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company on a consolidated basis, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Transactions between Stellar and the Bank have been eliminated. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2025.

Reclassifications—Certain items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income or shareholders’ equity.

Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies—The Company’s significant accounting and reporting policies can be found in Note 1 of the Company’s annual financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Recent Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” was issued in December 2023. This update requires that public business entities on an annual basis (1) disclose specific categories in the tax rate reconciliation, (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold and (3) disaggregate income taxes paid by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this ASU and does not believe it will have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.

ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses”. This update requires that public businesses disclose details about specific expenses such as inventory purchases, employee compensation, depreciation, amortization and depletion. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU, but does not believe it will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Table of Contents

2. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill and core deposit intangible assets were as follows:


	Goodwill		Core Deposit Intangibles		Servicing Assets
	(In thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2024	$	497,318	$	92,546	$	146
Amortization	—		(5,539)		(9)
Decrease due to payoff of serviced loans	—		—		(3)
Balance as of March 31, 2025	$	497,318	$	87,007	$	134

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired recorded on the acquisition date of an entity. Goodwill is subject to impairment testing, which must be conducted at least annually or upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Various factors, such as the Company’s results of operations, the trading price of the Company’s common stock relative to the book value per share, macroeconomic conditions and conditions in the banking sector, inform whether a triggering event for an interim goodwill impairment test has occurred. Goodwill is recorded and evaluated for impairment at its reporting unit, the Company. The Company’s policy is to test goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1st, or on an interim basis if an event triggering an impairment assessment is determined to have occurred.

The estimated aggregate future amortization expense for core deposit intangible assets remaining as of March 31, 2025 is as follows (in thousands):


Remaining 2025	$	15,989
2026	18,896
2027	16,272
2028	13,244
Thereafter	22,606
Total	$	87,007

3. SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale were as follows:


	March 31, 2025
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. government and agency securities	$	191,695	$	429	$	(4,262)	$	187,862
Municipal securities	219,604		324		(27,340)		192,588
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	611,739		1,301		(36,452)		576,588
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	714,827		1,571		(58,267)		658,131
Corporate bonds and other	111,078		357		(7,233)		104,202
Total	$	1,848,943	$	3,982	$	(133,554)	$	1,719,371

Table of Contents


	December 31, 2024
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. government and agency securities	$	198,962	$	348	$	(5,707)	$	193,603
Municipal securities	219,545		367		(28,459)		191,453
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	566,719		3		(45,346)		521,376
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	730,861		830		(71,328)		660,363
Corporate bonds and other	115,601		181		(9,561)		106,221
Total	$	1,831,688	$	1,729	$	(160,401)	$	1,673,016

As of March 31, 2025, no allowance for credit losses has been recognized on available for sale securities in an unrealized loss position as management does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. This belief is based upon our analysis of the underlying risk characteristics, including credit ratings, and other qualitative factors related to our available for sale securities and in consideration of our historical credit loss experience and internal forecasts. The issuers of these securities continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Furthermore, management does not have the intent to sell any of the securities classified as available for sale in the table above and believes that it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses are due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline.

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at March 31, 2025, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations at any time with or without call or prepayment penalties.


	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	78,742	$	77,012
Due after one year through five years	7,494		7,524
Due after five years through ten years	141,302		128,718
Due after ten years	294,839		271,398
Subtotal	522,377		484,652
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations	1,326,566		1,234,719
Total	$	1,848,943	$	1,719,371

Securities with unrealized losses segregated by length of time in a continuous loss position were as follows:


	March 31, 2025
	Less than 12 Months				More than 12 Months				Total
	Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. government and agency securities	$	19,275	$	(87)	$	127,101	$	(4,175)	$	146,376	$	(4,262)
Municipal securities	7,624		(184)		170,651		(27,156)		178,275		(27,340)
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	162,344		(2,785)		265,524		(33,667)		427,868		(36,452)
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	127,039		(1,593)		331,795		(56,674)		458,834		(58,267)
Corporate bonds and other	2,900		(100)		76,827		(7,133)		79,727		(7,233)
Total	$	319,182	$	(4,749)	$	971,898	$	(128,805)	$	1,291,080	$	(133,554)

Table of Contents


	December 31, 2024
	Less than 12 Months				More than 12 Months				Total
	Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. government and agency securities	$	29,443	$	(576)	$	122,936	$	(5,131)	$	152,379	$	(5,707)
Municipal securities	8,512		(183)		168,132		(28,276)		176,644		(28,459)
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	254,169		(6,861)		265,993		(38,485)		520,162		(45,346)
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	216,422		(4,501)		317,225		(66,827)		533,647		(71,328)
Corporate bonds and other	11,903		(1,097)		81,027		(8,464)		92,930		(9,561)
Total	$	520,449	$	(13,218)	$	955,313	$	(147,183)	$	1,475,762	$	(160,401)

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company had sales and calls of securities of $102.7 million with a loss of $3 thousand. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company had sales and calls of securities of $5.1 million with no gain or loss recorded.

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company did not own securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of consolidated shareholders’ equity at such respective dates.

The carrying value of pledged securities was $564.1 million at March 31, 2025 and $410.2 million at December 31, 2024. The majority of the securities in each case were pledged to collateralize public fund deposits.

4. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The loan portfolio balances, net of unearned income and fees, consist of various types of loans primarily made to borrowers located within Texas, and segregated by class of loan were as follows:


	March 31, 2025		December 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	1,362,266	$	1,362,260
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	3,854,607		3,868,218
Commercial real estate construction and land development	721,488		845,494
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	1,125,837		1,115,484
Residential construction	141,283		157,977
Consumer and other	77,652		90,421
Total loans	7,283,133		7,439,854
Allowance for credit losses on loans	(83,746)		(81,058)
Loans, net	$	7,199,387	$	7,358,796

Table of Contents

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

An aging analysis of past due loans, segregated by class of loans, is included below. The Company defines recorded investment as the outstanding loan balances including net deferred loan fees, and excluding accrued interest receivable of $30.1 million and $30.4 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, due to immateriality.


	March 31, 2025
	Loans Past Due and Still Accruing						Nonaccrual Loans		Current Loans		Total Loans
	30-89 Days		90 or More Days		Total Past Due Loans
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	6,924	$	—	$	6,924	$	11,471	$	1,343,871	$	1,362,266
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	10,766		—		10,766		26,383		3,817,458		3,854,607
Commercial real estate construction and land development	4,991		—		4,991		2,027		714,470		721,488
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	6,921		—		6,921		14,550		1,104,366		1,125,837
Residential construction	769		—		769		—		140,514		141,283
Consumer and other	297		—		297		87		77,268		77,652
Total loans	$	30,668	$	—	$	30,668	$	54,518	$	7,197,947	$	7,283,133


	December 31, 2024
	Loans Past Due and Still Accruing						Nonaccrual Loans		Current Loans		Total Loans
	30-89 Days		90 or More Days		Total Past Due Loans
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	6,814	$	—	$	6,814	$	8,500	$	1,346,946	$	1,362,260
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	15,128		—		15,128		16,459		3,836,631		3,868,218
Commercial real estate construction and land development	1,614		—		1,614		3,061		840,819		845,494
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	10,684		—		10,684		9,056		1,095,744		1,115,484
Residential construction	478		—		478		—		157,499		157,977
Consumer and other	37		—		37		136		90,248		90,421
Total loans	$	34,755	$	—	$	34,755	$	37,212	$	7,367,887	$	7,439,854

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt. The Company utilizes a risk rating matrix to assign a risk rating to each of its loans. Risk ratings are updated on an ongoing basis and are subject to change by continuous loan monitoring processes including lending management monitoring, executive management and board committee oversight, and independent credit review. As part of the ongoing monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio and methodology for calculating the allowance for credit losses, management assigns and tracks certain risk ratings to be used as credit quality indicators including trends related to (1) the weighted-average risk grade of loans, (2) the level of classified loans, (3) the delinquency status of loans, (4) nonperforming loans and (5) the general economic conditions in our market. On an annual basis, individual bankers, under the oversight of credit administration, review updated financial information for pass grade commercial loans over a defined threshold to reassess the risk grade. When a loan reaches a set of internally designated criteria, including substandard or higher, a special assets officer will be involved in the monitoring of the loan on an on-going basis.

Table of Contents

The following is a general description of the risk ratings used by the Company:

Pass—Credits in this category contain an acceptable amount of risk.

Special Mention—Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Substandard—Loans classified as substandard have well-defined weaknesses on a continuing basis and are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower, declining collateral values, or a continuing downturn in their industry which is reducing their profits to below zero and having a significantly negative impact on their cash flow. These loans so classified are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful—Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loss—Loans classified as loss are to be charged-off or charged-down when payment is acknowledged to be uncertain or when the timing or value of payments cannot be determined. “Loss” is not intended to imply that the loan or some portion of it will never be paid, nor does it in any way imply that there has been a forgiveness of debt.

The following table presents risk ratings by category and the gross charge-offs by primary loan type and year of origination or renewal. Generally, current period renewals of credit are re-underwritten at the point of renewal and considered current period originations for purposes of the table below. The following summarizes the amortized cost basis of loans by year of origination/renewal and credit quality indicator by class of loan as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:


	March 31, 2025																		December 31, 2024
	Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year												Revolving Loans		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans		Total		Total
	2025		2024		2023		2022		2021		Prior
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial
Pass	$	58,239	$	249,943	$	180,418	$	138,566	$	101,628	$	31,936	$	517,730	$	35,397	$	1,313,857	$	1,321,977
Special Mention	—		935		1,002		2,068		1,084		954		1,979		201		8,223		6,266
Substandard	—		4,094		4,087		4,438		811		10,783		9,175		6,798		40,186		34,017
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total commercial and industrial loans	$	58,239	$	254,972	$	185,507	$	145,072	$	103,523	$	43,673	$	528,884	$	42,396	$	1,362,266	$	1,362,260

Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	45	$	45

Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)
Pass	$	116,563	$	364,320	$	396,530	$	1,264,237	$	696,415	$	686,889	$	109,960	$	20,861	$	3,655,775	$	3,671,749
Special Mention	5,879		4,313		7,677		31,385		14,434		24,246		2,168		198		90,300		99,165
Substandard	7,600		16,138		9,579		15,186		25,774		30,724		2,831		700		108,532		97,304
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total commercial real estate (including multi-family residential) loans	$	130,042	$	384,771	$	413,786	$	1,310,808	$	736,623	$	741,859	$	114,959	$	21,759	$	3,854,607	$	3,868,218

Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Table of Contents


	March 31, 2025																		December 31, 2024
	Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year												Revolving Loans		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans
	2025		2024		2023		2022		2021		Prior						Total		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial real estate construction and land development
Pass	$	38,728	$	190,622	$	138,236	$	219,149	$	57,921	$	12,984	$	36,920	$	960	$	695,520	$	828,418
Special Mention	—		—		3,626		1,800		4,571		492		—		1,167		11,656		8,911
Substandard	9,400		1,164		2,022		152		—		648		408		518		14,312		8,165
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total commercial real estate construction and land development	$	48,128	$	191,786	$	143,884	$	221,101	$	62,492	$	14,124	$	37,328	$	2,645	$	721,488	$	845,494

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	310	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	310

1-4 family residential (including home equity)
Pass	$	30,652	$	138,587	$	167,519	$	274,664	$	189,353	$	186,353	$	82,139	$	13,976	$	1,083,243	$	1,073,277
Special Mention	—		1,074		2,358		2,775		2,812		2,152		72		443		11,686		10,326
Substandard	176		2,357		2,037		3,558		5,820		7,801		3,779		5,380		30,908		31,881
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total 1-4 family residential (including home equity)	$	30,828	$	142,018	$	171,914	$	280,997	$	197,985	$	196,306	$	85,990	$	19,799	$	1,125,837	$	1,115,484

Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	224	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	224

Residential construction
Pass	$	22,575	$	67,643	$	29,034	$	16,710	$	—	$	—	$	585	$	—	$	136,547	$	151,742
Special Mention	—		161		—		—		—		—		—		—		161		321
Substandard	—		4,575		—		—		—		—		—		—		4,575		5,914
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total residential construction	$	22,575	$	72,379	$	29,034	$	16,710	$	—	$	—	$	585	$	—	$	141,283	$	157,977

Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Consumer and other
Pass	$	10,533	$	42,251	$	6,426	$	2,236	$	1,252	$	428	$	13,593	$	697	$	77,416	$	90,143
Special Mention	—		—		—		—		12		—		1		—		13		16
Substandard	—		37		22		102		17		—		—		45		223		262
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total consumer and other	$	10,533	$	42,288	$	6,448	$	2,338	$	1,281	$	428	$	13,594	$	742	$	77,652	$	90,421

Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	3

Total loans
Pass	$	277,290	$	1,053,366	$	918,163	$	1,915,562	$	1,046,569	$	918,590	$	760,927	$	71,891	$	6,962,358	$	7,137,306
Special Mention	5,879		6,483		14,663		38,028		22,913		27,844		4,220		2,009		122,039		125,005
Substandard	17,176		28,365		17,747		23,436		32,422		49,956		16,193		13,441		198,736		177,543
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total loans	$	300,345	$	1,088,214	$	950,573	$	1,977,026	$	1,101,904	$	996,390	$	781,340	$	87,341	$	7,283,133	$	7,439,854

Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	224	$	3	$	310	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	45	$	582

Table of Contents

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses on loans by portfolio type for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:


	Commercial and industrial		Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)		Commercial real estate construction and land development		1-4 family residential (including home equity)		Residential construction		Consumer and other		Total
	(In thousands)
Three Months Ended
Balance December 31, 2024	$	28,847	$	29,833	$	16,383	$	3,320	$	1,565	$	1,110	$	81,058
Provision for credit losses on loans	1,166		4,175		(2,423)		271		(169)		(169)		2,851
Charge-offs	(45)		—		(310)		(224)		—		(3)		(582)
Recoveries	416		—		—		—		—		3		419
Net charge-offs	371		—		(310)		(224)		—		—		(163)
Balance March 31, 2025	$	30,384	$	34,008	$	13,650	$	3,367	$	1,396	$	941	$	83,746







Three Months Ended
Balance December 31, 2023	$	31,979	$	38,187	$	13,627	$	4,785	$	2,623	$	483	$	91,684
Provision for credit losses on loans	5,667		(1,049)		425		265		72		(65)		5,315
Charge-offs	(309)		(527)		—		—		—		(5)		(841)
Recoveries	114		—		—		5		—		8		127
Net charge-offs	(195)		(527)		—		5		—		3		(714)
Balance March 31, 2024	$	37,451	$	36,611	$	14,052	$	5,055	$	2,695	$	421	$	96,285

Allowance for Credit Losses on Unfunded Commitments

In addition to the allowance for credit losses on loans, the Company has established an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, classified in other liabilities and adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The allowance represents estimates of expected credit losses over the contractual period in which there is exposure to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on the commitments expected to fund. The estimate of commitments expected to fund is informed by historical analysis looking at utilization rates. The expected credit loss rates applied to the commitments expected to fund is informed by the general valuation allowance utilized for outstanding balances with the same underlying assumptions and drivers. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was $13.2 million and $12.4 million, respectively. This reserve is maintained at a level management believes to be sufficient to absorb losses arising from unfunded loan commitments. The Company recorded a provision on unfunded commitments of $781 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to a reversal of provision on unfunded commitments of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Table of Contents

Collateral Dependent Loans

Collateral dependent loans are secured by real estate assets, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. For a collateral dependent loan, the Company’s evaluation process includes a valuation by appraisal or other collateral analysis adjusted for selling costs, when appropriate. This valuation is compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan and any loss is included in the allowance for credit losses on loans as a specific allocation. The allowance for credit losses on collateral dependent loans was $8.0 million and $2.0 million, as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

The following tables present the amortized cost basis of collateral dependent loans, which are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:


	March 31, 2025
	Real Estate		Business Assets		Other		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	—	$	8,666	$	—	$	8,666
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	23,412		—		—		23,412
Commercial real estate construction and land development	2,027		—		—		2,027
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	13,080		—		—		13,080
Residential construction	—		—		—		—
Consumer and other	—		—		6		6
Total	$	38,519	$	8,666	$	6	$	47,191


	December 31, 2024
	Real Estate		Business Assets		Other		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	—	$	13,654	$	—	$	13,654
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	3,552		—		—		3,552
Commercial real estate construction and land development	577		—		—		577
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	13,412		—		—		13,412
Residential construction	—		—		—		—
Consumer and other	—		—		56		56
Total	$	17,541	$	13,654	$	56	$	31,251

Table of Contents

Nonaccrual Loans

The following tables present additional information regarding nonaccrual loans. No interest income was recognized on nonaccrual loans as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:


	March 31, 2025
	Nonaccrual Loans with No Related Allowance		Nonaccrual Loans with Related Allowance		Total Nonaccrual Loans
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	4,082	$	7,389	$	11,471
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	11,491		14,892		26,383
Commercial real estate construction and land development	1,164		863		2,027
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	10,489		4,061		14,550
Residential construction	—		—		—
Consumer and other	—		87		87
Total loans	$	27,226	$	27,292	$	54,518


	December 31, 2024
	Nonaccrual Loans with No Related Allowance		Nonaccrual Loans with Related Allowance		Total Nonaccrual Loans
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	4,835	$	3,665	$	8,500
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	11,711		4,748		16,459
Commercial real estate construction and land development	633		2,428		3,061
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	6,834		2,222		9,056
Residential construction	—		—		—
Consumer and other	80		56		136
Total loans	$	24,093	$	13,119	$	37,212

Table of Contents

Loan Modifications

Loan modifications are reported if concessions have been granted to borrowers that are experiencing financial difficulty. The percentage of loans modified comprised less than 1% of their respective classes of loan portfolios at March 31, 2025.

The following tables present information regarding loans that were modified due to the borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:


		Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
		Interest Rate Reduction		Term Extension		Payment Delay		Principal Forgiveness		Combination Term Extension and Payment Delay		Combination Term Extension and Interest Rate Reduction		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial		$	—	$	1,586	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,586
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)		—		904		—		—		—		—		904
Commercial real estate construction and land development		—		49		—		—		1,428		—		1,477
1-4 family residential (including home equity)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Residential construction		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Consumer and other		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total		$	—	$	2,539	$	—	$	—	$	1,428	$	—	$	3,967


		Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
		Interest Rate Reduction		Term Extension		Payment Delay		Principal Forgiveness		Combination Term Extension and Payment Delay		Combination Term Extension and Interest Rate Reduction		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial		$	—	$	1,059	$	814	$	—	$	—	$	468	$	2,341
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)		—		—		1,800		—		—		—		1,800
Commercial real estate construction and land development		—		2,097		—		—		—		1,944		4,041
1-4 family residential (including home equity)		—		—		657		—		—		—		657
Residential construction		—		55		1,173		—		—		237		1,465
Consumer and other		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total		$	—	$	3,211	$	4,444	$	—	$	—	$	2,649	$	10,304

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes, by loan portfolio, the financial effect of the Company’s loan modifications for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2025			Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Weighted-Average Term Extension	Weighted-Average Interest Rate Reduction		Weighted-Average Term Extension	Weighted-Average Interest Rate Reduction
	(months)			(months)
Commercial and industrial	15	—	%	4	—	%
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	12	—	%	—	—	%
Commercial real estate construction and land development	3	—	%	5	—	%
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	—	—	%	—	—	%
Residential construction	—	—	%	6	—	%
Consumer and other	—	—	%	—	—	%

The following table summarizes modified loans that had a payment default, determined as 90 or more days past due, that were modified due to the borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the twelve month periods indicated:


	Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2025						Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Term Extension		Payment Delay		Combination		Term Extension		Payment Delay		Combination
	(In thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	142	$	—	$	—
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	904		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial real estate construction and land development	290		—		—		1,727		—		—
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	1,077		—		—		—		—		69
Residential construction	—		—		—		—		1,173		—
Consumer and other	—		—		—		92		—		—
Total	$	2,271	$	—	$	—	$	1,961	$	1,173	$	69

Table of Contents

5. LEASES

At March 31, 2025, the Company had 30 operating leases consisting of branch locations, office facilities and equipment. The right-of-use asset is classified within premises and equipment and the lease liability is included in other liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company also owns certain office facilities which it leases to outside parties under operating lessor leases; however, such leases are not significant. There were no sale and leaseback transactions, leveraged leases or lease transactions with related parties during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

Supplemental lease information at the dates indicated was as follows:


	March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance Sheet:
Operating lease right-of-use asset classified as premises and equipment	$	16,456		$	17,279
Operating lease liability classified as other liabilities	$	17,443		$	18,273
Weighted average lease term, in years	7.14			7.24
Weighted average discount rate	4.30		%	4.28		%

Lease costs for the dates indicated were as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
	(In thousands)
Income Statement:
Operating lease cost	$	1,763	$	1,943
Short-term lease cost	6		6
Total operating lease costs	$	1,769	$	1,949

The following table summarizes the contractual maturity of the Company’s lease liabilities as of the dates indicated below:


	March 31, 2025		December 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Lease payments due:
Within one year	$	3,110	$	4,140
After one but within two years	3,758		3,739
After two but within three years	3,578		3,578
After three but within four years	3,414		3,414
After four but within five years	1,656		1,656
After five years	5,188		5,189
Total lease payments	20,704		21,716
Less: discount on cash flows	(3,261)		(3,443)
Total lease liability	$	17,443	$	18,273

6. FAIR VALUE

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and to determine fair value disclosures. Fair value represents the estimated exchange price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability, otherwise known as an “exit price,” in the principal or most advantageous market available to the entity in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

Fair Value Hierarchy

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The

Table of Contents

Company groups financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

•Level 1—Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

•Level 2—Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

•Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs that reflect management’s judgment and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability that are supported by little or no market activity.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments that are reported on the balance sheet were as follows:


	March 31, 2025
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	560,575	$	560,575	$	—	$	—	$	560,575
Available for sale securities	1,719,371		—		1,719,371		—		1,719,371
Loans held for investment, net of allowance	7,199,387		—		—		7,131,180		7,131,180
Accrued interest receivable	37,669		473		7,136		30,060		37,669
Financial liabilities
Deposits	$	8,562,713	$	—	$	8,558,102	$	—	$	8,558,102
Accrued interest payable	9,856		—		9,856		—		9,856
Borrowed funds	119,923		—		—		—		—
Subordinated debt	70,135		—		68,958		—		68,958


	December 31, 2024
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	911,216	$	911,216	$	—	$	—	$	911,216
Available for sale securities	1,673,016		—		1,673,016		—		1,673,016
Loans held for investment, net of allowance	7,358,796		—		—		7,223,895		7,223,895
Accrued interest receivable	37,884		330		7,197		30,357		37,884
Financial liabilities
Deposits	$	9,128,384	$	—	$	9,128,234	$	—	$	9,128,234
Accrued interest payable	17,052		—		17,052		—		17,052
Borrowed funds	—		—		—		—		—
Subordinated debt	70,105		—		68,963		—		68,963

Table of Contents

The following tables present fair values for assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:


	March 31, 2025
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Financial assets
Available for sale securities:
U.S. government and agency securities	$	—	$	187,862	$	—	$	187,862
Municipal securities	—		192,588		—		192,588
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	—		576,588		—		576,588
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	—		658,131		—		658,131
Corporate bonds and other	—		104,202		—		104,202
Interest rate swaps	—		5,034		—		5,034
Credit risk participation agreements	—		—		10		10
Total fair value of financial assets	$	—	$	1,724,405	$	10	$	1,724,415
Financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	5,034	$	—	$	5,034
Total fair value of financial liabilities	$	—	$	5,034	$	—	$	5,034


	December 31, 2024
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Financial assets
Available for sale securities:
U.S. government and agency securities	$	—	$	193,603	$	—	$	193,603
Municipal securities	—		191,453		—		191,453
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	—		521,376		—		521,376
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	—		660,363		—		660,363
Corporate bonds and other	—		106,221		—		106,221
Interest rate swaps	—		6,277		—		6,277
Credit risk participation agreements	—		—		8		8
Total fair value of financial assets	$	—	$	1,679,293	$	8	$	1,679,301
Financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	6,277	$	—	$	6,277
Total fair value of financial liabilities	$	—	$	6,277	$	—	$	6,277

There were no transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2025 or 2024.

Table of Contents

Certain assets, including purchase credit deteriorated and individually evaluated loans with allowances for credit losses and branch assets held for sale, are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances such as impairment. There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Assets measured on a nonrecurring basis for the periods noted are summarized in the table below:


	March 31, 2025
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	—	$	—	$	12,764
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	—		—		9,138
Commercial real estate construction and land development	—		—		722
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	—		—		6,024

Consumer and other	—		—		—

Total	$	—	$	—	$	28,648


	December 31, 2024
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	—	$	—	$	9,391
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	—		—		3,722
Commercial real estate construction and land development	—		—		1,866
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	—		—		4,278
Consumer and other	—		—		—
Total	$	—	$	—	$	19,257

7. DEPOSITS

Time deposits that met or exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit of $250 thousand at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were $627.2 million and $605.6 million, respectively.

Scheduled maturities of time deposits as of March 31, 2025 were as follows (in thousands):


2025	$	1,063,864
2026	143,978
2027	16,392
2028	7,772
Thereafter	12,720
Total	$	1,244,726

The Company had $365.1 million and $481.8 million of brokered deposits as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. There were no concentrations of deposits with any one depositor at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

Table of Contents

8. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Company has outstanding interest rate swap contracts with certain customers and equal and offsetting interest rate swaps with other financial institutions entered into at the same time. These interest rate swap contracts are not designated as hedging instruments for mitigating interest rate risk. The objective of the transactions is to allow customers to effectively convert a variable rate loan to a fixed rate.

In connection with each swap transaction, the Company agreed to pay interest to the customer on a notional amount at a variable interest rate and receive interest from the customer on a similar notional amount at a fixed interest rate. At the same time, the Company agreed to pay a third-party financial institution the same fixed interest rate on the same notional amount and receive the same variable interest rate on the same notional amount. Because the Company acts as an intermediary for its customer, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts are designed to offset each other and do not significantly impact the Company’s operating results except in certain situations where there is a significant deterioration in the customer’s credit worthiness or that of the counterparties. At March 31, 2025, management determined there was no such deterioration.

At both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had nine interest rate swap agreements outstanding with borrowers and financial institutions. Changes in the net fair value are recognized in other noninterest income. Fair value amounts are included in other assets and other liabilities.

At both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had three credit risk participation agreements with another financial institution that are associated with interest rate swaps related to loans for which the Company is the lead agent bank and the other financial institution provides credit protection to the Company should the borrower fail to perform under the terms of the interest rate swap agreements. The fair value of the agreements is determined based on the market value of the underlying interest rate swaps adjusted for credit spreads and recovery rates.

Derivative instruments not designated as hedges outstanding as of the periods indicated below were as follows (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2025
	Classification	Notional Amounts		Fair Value		Fixed Rate	Floating Rate	Weighted Average Maturity (Years)
Interest rate swaps:
Financial institutions	Other assets	$	64,512	$	4,821	3.50% - 5.40%	SOFR 1M + 2.50% - 3.00%	5.44
Financial institutions	Other assets	4,754		213		4.99%	U.S. Prime	2.71
Customers	Other liabilities	4,754		(213)		4.99%	U.S. Prime	2.71
Customers	Other liabilities	64,512		(4,821)		3.50% - 5.40%	SOFR 1M + 2.50% - 3.00%	5.44
Credit risk participation agreements:
Financial institutions	Other assets	19,719		10		3.50% - 5.40%	SOFR 1M + 2.50%	6.10


	December 31, 2024
	Classification	Notional Amounts		Fair Value		Fixed Rate	Floating Rate	Weighted Average Maturity (Years)
Interest rate swaps:
Financial institutions	Other assets	$	65,307	$	6,000	3.50% - 5.40%	SOFR 1M + 2.50% - 3.00%	5.68
Financial institutions	Other assets	4,787		277		4.99%	U.S. Prime	2.95
Customers	Other liabilities	4,787		(277)		4.99%	U.S. Prime	2.95
Customers	Other liabilities	65,307		(6,000)		3.50% - 5.40%	SOFR 1M + 2.50% - 3.00%	5.68
Credit risk participation agreements:
Financial institutions	Other assets	19,929		8		3.50% - 5.40%	SOFR 1M + 2.50%	6.32

Table of Contents

9. BORROWINGS AND BORROWING CAPACITY

The Company has an available line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (“FHLB”), which allows the Company to borrow on a collateralized basis. FHLB advances are used to manage liquidity as needed. The advances are secured by a blanket lien on certain loans. Maturing advances are replaced by drawing on available cash, making additional borrowings or through increased customer deposits. At March 31, 2025, the Company had a total borrowing capacity of $3.04 billion, of which $1.72 billion was available under this agreement and $1.31 billion was outstanding pursuant to FHLB advances and letters of credit. Of the $1.31 billion, there were $120.0 million of FHLB short-term advances outstanding at March 31, 2025 at a weighted-average rate of 4.75% and $1.19 billion of FHLB letters of credit.

At March 31, 2025, the Company had FHLB letters of credit pledged as collateral for public and other deposits of state and local government agencies which expire in the following periods (in thousands):


2025	$	509,690
2026	127,300
2027	402,500
2028	51,000
Thereafter	102,000
Total	$	1,192,490

On December 13, 2024, the Company renewed its loan agreement with another financial institution (the “Loan Agreement”) that provides for a $75.0 million revolving line of credit. At March 31, 2025, there were no outstanding borrowings on this line of credit and no draws were taken on this line of credit during the three months ended March 31, 2025. Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings at a per annum rate equal to 3-month SOFR plus 2.75%, calculated in accordance with the terms of the revolving promissory note and payable quarterly through the first 24 months. The entire outstanding balance and unpaid interest is payable in full on December 13, 2033, the maturity date. The Company may prepay the principal amount of the line of credit without premium or penalty. The obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement are secured by a pledge of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Bank.

Covenants made under the Loan Agreement include, among other things, while there are obligations outstanding under Loan Agreement, the Company shall maintain a cash flow to debt service (as defined in the Loan Agreement) of not less than 1.25, the Bank’s Texas Ratio (as defined in the Loan Agreement) not to exceed 20.0%, the Bank shall maintain a Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (as defined under the Loan Agreement) of at least 8.0% and includes restrictions on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur certain additional debt. As of March 31, 2025, the Company believes it was in compliance with all such debt covenants and had not been made aware of any noncompliance by the lender.

10. SUBORDINATED DEBT

Junior Subordinated Debentures

In connection with the acquisition of F&M Bancshares, Inc. in 2015, the Company assumed Farmers & Merchants Capital Trust II and Farmers & Merchants Capital Trust III. Each of the trusts is a capital or statutory business trust organized for the sole purpose of issuing trust securities and investing the proceeds in the Company's junior subordinated debentures. The preferred trust securities of each trust represent preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the respective trusts and are subject to mandatory redemption upon payment of the junior subordinated debentures held by the trust. The common securities of each trust are wholly owned by Stellar. Each trust’s ability to pay amounts due on the trust preferred securities is solely dependent upon Stellar making payment on the related junior subordinated debentures. The debentures, which are the only assets of each trust, are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s present and future senior indebtedness. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed each trust’s obligations under the trust securities issued by each trust to the extent not paid or made by such trust, provided such trust has funds available for such obligations. The trust preferred securities bear a floating rate of interest equal to 3-Month SOFR plus a spread adjustment. The junior subordinated debentures are included in Tier 1 capital under current regulatory guidelines and interpretations. Under the provisions of each issue of the debentures, the Company has the right to defer payment of interest on the debentures at any time, or from time to time, for periods not exceeding five years. If interest payments on either issue of the debentures are deferred, the distributions on the applicable trust preferred securities and common securities will also be deferred.

Table of Contents

A summary of pertinent information related to the Company’s junior subordinated debentures outstanding at March 31, 2025 is set forth in the table below:

Description

Issuance Date

Trust

Preferred

Securities

Outstanding

Junior

Subordinated

Debt Owed

to Trusts

Maturity Date(1)

(Dollars in thousands)

Farmers & Merchants Capital Trust II

November 13, 2003

7,500

7,732

November 8, 2033

Farmers & Merchants Capital Trust III

June 30, 2005

3,500

3,609

July 7, 2035

11,341

(1) All junior subordinated debentures were callable at March 31, 2025.

Subordinated Notes

In December 2017, the Bank issued $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (the “Bank Notes”) due December 15, 2027 and bore a floating rate of interest equal to 3-Month SOFR plus 3.03%. In December 2024, the Bank redeemed the Bank Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Bank Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.

In September 2019, the Company issued $60.0 million aggregate principal amount of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (the “Company Notes”) due October 1, 2029. The Company Notes bear interest at a floating rate equal to 3-Month SOFR plus 3.13% and a spread adjustment for each quarterly interest period, payable quarterly in arrears on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year. Any redemption will be at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Company Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and will be subject to, and require, prior regulatory approval. The Company Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holders.

11. INCOME TAXES

The amount of the Company’s income tax expense is influenced by the amount of pre-tax income, tax-exempt income and other nondeductible items.


	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2025			March 31, 2024
Income tax expense	$	6,263		$	6,759
Effective income tax rate	20.2		%	20.5		%

Interest and penalties related to tax positions are recognized in the period in which they begin accruing or when the entity claims the position that does not meet the minimum statutory thresholds. The Company does not have any uncertain tax positions and does not have any interest or penalties recorded in the income statement for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Under the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) the Company is authorized to issue a maximum aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of common stock. All restricted stock and performance share awards outstanding at March 31, 2025 were issued under the 2022 Plan. At March 31, 2025, there were 609,365 shares reserved and available for issuance under the 2022 Plan.

The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation plans using the fair value-based method of accounting. The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $2.0 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Table of Contents

Stock Options

Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2025 were issued under equity compensation plans that are no longer active. No additional shares may be issued under these compensation plans. Stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2025 was as follows:


	Number of Options	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(In thousands)			(In years)	(In thousands)
Options outstanding, January 1, 2025	119	$	20.98	2.05	$	876
Options granted	—	—
Options exercised	(11)	16.71
Options forfeited	(1)	27.54
Options outstanding, March 31, 2025	107	$	21.33
Options vested and exercisable, March 31, 2025	107	$	21.33	1.99	$	680

Restricted Stock Awards

The fair value of the Company’s restricted stock awards is estimated based on the market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant, which is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day before the grant date. The shares of restricted stock granted generally vest over a period of two or three years from the date of grant and the Company accounts for shares of restricted stock by recording the fair value of the grant on the award date as compensation expense over the vesting period. Restricted stock awards are non-transferable and subject to forfeiture until the restricted stock awards vest and any dividends with respect to the restricted stock awards are subject to the same restrictions, including the risk of forfeiture.

Nonvested shares of restricted stock activity during the three months ended March 31, 2025 was as follows:


	Number of Shares	Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Nonvested share awards outstanding, January 1, 2025	429	$	24.81
Share awards granted	227	29.09
Share awards vested	(128)	24.35
Unvested share awards forfeited or cancelled	(15)	26.42
Nonvested share awards outstanding, March 31, 2025	513	$	26.77

As of March 31, 2025, there was $12.0 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.26 years.

Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”)

The Company’s PSUs and PSAs are earned subject to certain performance goals being met after a specified performance period and are settled in shares of Company common stock. There were 88,941 PSUs awarded during the three months ended March 31, 2025, which were granted with a three-year performance period and will vest in March 2028. The grant date fair value of the PSUs and PSAs is based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions and is calculated at target based on a combination of the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date and a Monte Carlo simulated fair value in accordance with accounting standards codification (“ASC”) 718. At March 31, 2025, there was $4.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the PSUs and PSAs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.59 years.

Table of Contents

13. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various transactions, which, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company enters into these transactions to meet the financing needs of its customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit, which involve to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on balance sheet instruments.

The contractual amounts of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk are as follows:


	March 31, 2025				December 31, 2024
	Fixed Rate		Variable Rate		Fixed Rate		Variable Rate
	(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit	$	274,756	$	1,536,614	$	440,403	$	1,261,520
Standby letters of credit	109,023		26,446		16,818		26,821
Total	$	383,779	$	1,563,060	$	457,221	$	1,288,341

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had FHLB letters of credit in the amount of $1.19 billion and $2.10 billion, respectively, pledged as collateral for public and other deposits of state and local government agencies. For more information on FHLB borrowings, see Note 9 – Borrowings and Borrowing Capacity.

Commitments to Extend Credit

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being fully drawn upon, the total commitment amounts disclosed do not necessarily represent future cash funding requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The Company minimizes its exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. Management assesses the credit risk associated with certain commitments to extend credit in determining the level of the allowance for credit losses. The amount and type of collateral, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.

Commitments to make loans are generally made for an approval period of 120 days or less. As of March 31, 2025, the fixed rate loan commitments had interest rates ranging from 2.50% to 13.50% with a weighted average maturity of 1.89 years and a weighted-average rate of 7.16%.

Standby Letters of Credit

Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. In the event of nonperformance by the customer, the Company has the rights to the underlying collateral. The credit risk to the Company in issuing letters of credit is substantially similar to that involved in extending loan facilities to its customers. The Company’s policy for obtaining collateral, and the nature of such collateral, is substantially similar to that involved in making commitments to extend credit.

Litigation

The Company is subject to potential and asserted claims, inquiries, investigations and lawsuits which arise in the ordinary course of business. The process of resolving matters through litigation or other means is inherently uncertain, and it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of such matters will adversely affect the financial position or results of operations of the Company. The Company's regular practice is to expense legal fees as services are rendered in connection with legal matters, and to accrue for liabilities when payment is estimable and probable.

14. REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines, and for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets,

Table of Contents

liabilities and certain off balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Management believes as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were then subject.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If less than well capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required.

The Bank’s capital ratios as of March 31, 2025 exceed the minimum levels necessary to be considered “well-capitalized” under the prompt corrective action regulatory framework.

The following is a summary of the Company’s and the Bank’s actual and required capital ratios as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:


	Actual				Minimum Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes				Minimum Required Plus Capital Conservation Buffer				To Be Categorized As Well-Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	(Dollars in thousands)
STELLAR BANCORP, INC. (Consolidated)
March 31, 2025
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	$	1,283,203	15.94	%	$	643,858	8.00	%	$	845,063	10.50	%	N/A		N/A
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	1,128,896		14.03	%	362,170		4.50	%	563,376		7.00	%	N/A		N/A
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	1,138,794		14.15	%	482,893		6.00	%	684,099		8.50	%	N/A		N/A
Tier 1 Leverage (to average tangible assets)	1,138,794		11.20	%	406,629		4.00	%	406,629		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
December 31, 2024
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	$	1,294,263	16.00	%	$	647,103	8.00	%	$	849,323	10.50	%	N/A		N/A
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	1,143,360		14.14	%	363,996		4.50	%	566,215		7.00	%	N/A		N/A
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	1,153,258		14.26	%	485,328		6.00	%	687,547		8.50	%	N/A		N/A
Tier 1 Leverage (to average tangible assets)	1,153,258		11.31	%	407,750		4.00	%	407,750		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
STELLAR BANK
March 31, 2025
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	$	1,235,339	15.38	%	$	642,625	8.00	%	$	843,446	10.50	%	$	803,282	10.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	1,138,930		14.18	%	361,477		4.50	%	562,297		7.00	%	522,133		6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	1,138,930		14.18	%	481,969		6.00	%	682,790		8.50	%	642,625		8.00	%
Tier 1 Leverage (to average tangible assets)	1,138,930		11.22	%	405,954		4.00	%	405,954		4.00	%	507,443		5.00	%
December 31, 2024
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	$	1,233,994	15.28	%	$	646,030	8.00	%	$	847,915	10.50	%	$	807,538	10.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	1,140,989		14.13	%	363,392		4.50	%	565,277		7.00	%	524,900		6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	1,140,989		14.13	%	484,523		6.00	%	686,407		8.50	%	646,030		8.00	%
Tier 1 Leverage (to average tangible assets)	1,140,989		11.21	%	407,219		4.00	%	407,219		4.00	%	509,024		5.00	%

Dividend Restrictions

The Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments is dividends received from the Bank. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. In addition, the Company’s credit agreement with another financial institution also limits its ability to pay dividends. Under applicable banking regulations, the amount

Table of Contents

of dividends that may be paid by the Bank in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to the capital requirements described above.

15. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares determined for the basic earnings per common share computation plus the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock using the treasury stock method. Outstanding stock options issued by the Company represent the only dilutive effect reflected in diluted weighted average shares. Restricted shares and performance share awards are considered outstanding at the date of grant, accounted for as participating securities and included in basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025				2024
	Amount		Per Share Amount		Amount		Per Share Amount
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to shareholders	$	24,702			$	26,147
Basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding	53,146		$	0.46	53,343		$	0.49
Diluted:
Add incremental shares for:
Dilutive effect of stock option exercises and performance share units	51				63
Total	53,197		$	0.46	53,406		$	0.49

There were 93,905 and 101,166 shares not considered in computing diluted earnings per share as of March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as they were antidilutive.

16. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s reportable segment is determined by the Chief Financial Officer, who is the designated chief operating decision maker, based upon information provided about the Company’s services offered, primarily banking operations. The segment is also distinguished by the level of information provided to the chief operating decision maker, who uses such information to evaluate the financial performance of the Company’s business by evaluating consolidated net income, significant expenses and budget to actual results in assessing the Company’s segment and in the determination of allocating resources. The chief operating decision maker uses consolidated net income to benchmark the Company against its competitors. The benchmarking analysis coupled with monitoring of budget to actual results are used in assessment performance and in establishing compensation. The presentation of financial performance to the chief operating decision maker is consistent with amounts and financial statement lines shown on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income. Loans, investments and deposits in other financial institutions provide income in the banking operation. Interest expense, provisions for credit losses and salaries and benefits are the significant expenses in the banking operation. All of the Company’s financial results are similar and considered by management to be aggregated into one reportable operating segment.

17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In May of 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to provide that the Company may repurchase up to $60 million of the Company’s common stock through May 31, 2025 (the “2024-2025 Repurchase Program”). The Company evaluated its March 31, 2025, consolidated financial statements for subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued. Pursuant to the 2024-2025 Repurchase Program between April 1, 2025, and April 23, 2025, the Company repurchased 679,331 shares at a weighted average price of $25.83 per share. The 2024-2025 Repurchase Program terminated on April 23, 2025.

Table of Contents

may be adopted by the Company’s management in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities. The 2025-2026 Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Except where the context otherwise requires or where otherwise indicated in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the term “Stellar” refers to Stellar Bancorp, Inc., the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” and “our business” refer to Stellar Bancorp, Inc. and our wholly owned banking subsidiary, Stellar Bank, a Texas banking association.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward‑looking statements. These forward‑looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to, among other things, future events and the Company’s financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward‑looking nature. These forward‑looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, the Company cautions that any such forward‑looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward‑looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward‑looking statements.

There are or will be important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward‑looking statements, including, but not limited to, the risks described in “Part I— Item 1A.—Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the following:

•disruptions to the economy and the U.S. banking system caused by recent bank failures;

•risks associated with uninsured deposits and responsive measures by federal or state governments or banking regulators, including increases in our deposit insurance assessments and other actions of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, FDIC and Texas Department of Banking, legislative and regulatory actions and reforms and executive orders;

•the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board and the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs;

•inflation, interest rate, capital and securities markets and monetary fluctuations;

•changes in the interest rate environment, the value of the Company’s assets and obligations and the availability of capital and liquidity;

•general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and other factors that may affect future results of the Company including changes in asset quality and credit risk;

•local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on the Company and our customers and the Company’s assessment of that impact;

•the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth;

•impairment of the Company’s goodwill or other intangible assets;

•the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio and the concentration of loans in commercial real estate and commercial real estate construction;

•the geographic concentration of the Company’s market;

•the accuracy and sufficiency of the assumptions and estimates the Company makes in establishing reserves for potential loan losses and other estimates;

Table of Contents

•the amount of nonperforming and classified assets that the Company holds and the time and effort necessary to resolve nonperforming assets;

•deterioration of asset quality;

•customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices;

•the ability to maintain important deposit customer relationships;

•changes in the value of collateral securing the Company’s loans;

•natural disasters and adverse weather in the Company’s market area;

•the potential impact of climate change;

•the impact of pandemics, epidemics or any other health-related crisis;

•acts of terrorism, an outbreak of hostilities, such as the conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East, or other international or domestic calamities;

•the ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;

•the cost and effects of cyber incidents or other failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company’s systems or those of the Company’s customers or third-party providers;

•the failure of certain third- or fourth-party vendors to perform;

•the impact, extent and timing of technological changes;

•the institution and outcome of litigation and other legal proceedings against the Company or to which it may become subject;

•the costs, effects and results of regulatory examinations, investigations, or reviews or the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals or meet conditions associated with the same;

•changes in the laws, rules, regulations, interpretations or policies relating to financial institution, accounting, tax, trade, monetary and fiscal matters;

•the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters; and

•other risks, uncertainties, and factors that are discussed from time to time in the Company’s reports and documents filed with the SEC.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion and analysis includes forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable but may prove to be inaccurate. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth above may cause actual results to differ materially from projected results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis.

The Company disclaims any obligation and does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

Overview

We generate most of our income from interest income on loans, interest income from investments in securities and service charges on customer accounts. We incur interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds and noninterest expenses such as salaries and employee benefits and occupancy expenses. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets such as loans and securities and interest expense on liabilities such as deposits and borrowings that are used to fund those assets. Net interest income is our largest source of revenue. To evaluate net interest income, we measure and monitor (1) yields on our loans and other interest-earning assets, (2) the interest expenses of our deposits and other funding sources, (3) our net interest spread and (4) our net interest margin. Net interest spread is the difference between rates earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is calculated as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Because noninterest-bearing sources of funds, such as noninterest-bearing deposits and shareholders’ equity, also fund interest-earning assets, net interest margin includes the benefit of these noninterest-bearing sources.

Table of Contents

Our net interest income is affected by changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as a “volume change.” Periodic changes in the volume and types of loans in our loan portfolio are affected by, among other factors, economic and competitive conditions in Texas and specifically in our market, as well as developments affecting the real estate, technology, financial services, insurance, transportation, manufacturing and energy sectors within our market and throughout the state of Texas.

Our net interest income is also affected by changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing deposits and borrowed funds, referred to as a “rate change.” Fluctuations in market interest rates are driven by many factors, including governmental monetary policies, inflation, deflation, macroeconomic developments, changes in unemployment, the money supply, political and international conditions and conditions in domestic and foreign financial markets.

Critical Accounting Policies

Certain of our accounting estimates are important to the portrayal of our financial condition, since they require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. Estimates are susceptible to material changes as a result of changes in facts and circumstances. Facts and circumstances that could affect these judgments include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy and changes in the financial condition of borrowers. Management believes that determining the allowance for credit losses is its most critical accounting estimate. Our accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1– Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative considerations. Management considers the policies related to the allowance for credit losses as the most critical to the financial statement presentation. The Company bases its estimates of credit losses on three primary components: (1) estimates of expected losses that exist in various segments of performing loans over the remaining life of the loan portfolio using a reasonable and supportable economic forecast, (2) specifically identified losses in individually analyzed credits which are collateral-dependent, which generally include nonaccrual loans and purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans and (3) qualitative factors related to economic conditions, portfolio concentrations, regulatory policy updates, and other relevant factors that address estimates of expected losses. Estimating the timing and amounts of future losses is subject to management’s judgment as these projected cash flows rely upon the estimates discussed above and factors that are reflective of current or future expected conditions using analytical and forecasting models and tools. Volatility in certain credit metrics and differences between expected and actual outcomes are to be expected. For example, customers may not repay their loans according to the original terms, and the collateral securing the payment of those loans may be insufficient to pay any remaining loan balance.

Loans with similar risk characteristics are aggregated into homogenous pools and are collectively evaluated by applying reserve factors, such as historical lifetime loss, concentration risk, volume, growth and composition of the loan portfolio, current and forecasted economic conditions to amortized cost balances over the remaining contractual life of the collectively evaluated portfolio. Historical lifetime loss is determined by utilizing an open-pool (“cumulative loss rate”) methodology, adjusted for credit risk characteristics and current and forecasted economic conditions. Losses are predicted over a reasonable and supportable period of one year for all loan pools, followed by an immediate reversion to long-term historical averages. The reasonable and supportable period and reversion period are re-evaluated as needed by the Company and are dependent on the current economic environment among other factors.

Loans that no longer share risk characteristics with the collectively evaluated loan pools are evaluated on an individual basis and are excluded from the collectively evaluated pools. In order to assess which loans are to be individually evaluated, the Company follows a loan review program to evaluate the credit risk in the total loan portfolio and assigns risk grades to each loan. Individual credit loss estimates are typically performed for nonaccrual loans and all other loans identified by management. All loans deemed as being individually evaluated are reviewed on a quarterly basis in order to determine whether a specific reserve is required. The Company considers certain loans to be collateral dependent if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and management expects repayment for the loan to be substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. For collateral dependent loans, loss estimates are based on the fair value of collateral, less estimated cost to sell (if applicable). Collateral values supporting individually evaluated loans are assessed quarterly and appraisals are typically obtained at least annually. The Company allocates a specific loan loss reserve on an individual loan basis primarily based on the value of the collateral securing the individually evaluated loan. Through this loan review process, the Company assesses the overall quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on loans while considering risk elements attributable to particular loan types in assessing the quality of individual loans. In

Table of Contents

addition, for each category of loans, the Company considers secondary sources of income and the financial strength and credit history of the borrower and any guarantors.

A change in the allowance for credit losses on loans can be attributable to several factors, most notably historical lifetime loss, specific reserves for individually evaluated loans, changes in qualitative factors and growth within the loan portfolio. The estimated loan losses for all loan pools are adjusted for changes in qualitative factors not inherently considered in the quantitative analyses to bring the allowance to the level management believes is appropriate based on factors that have not otherwise been fully accounted for, including adjustments for foresight risk, input imprecision and model imprecision. The qualitative categories and the measurements used to quantify the risks within each of these categories are subjectively selected by management, but measured by objective measurements period over period. The data for each measurement may be obtained from internal or external sources. The current period measurements are evaluated and assigned a factor commensurate with the current level of risk relative to past measurements over time. The resulting qualitative adjustments are applied to the relevant collectively evaluated loan portfolios. These adjustments are based upon quarterly trend assessments in portfolio concentrations, changes in lending policies and procedures, policy exceptions, independent loan review results, internal risk ratings and peer group credit quality trends. Additional qualitative considerations are made for any identified risk which did not exist within our portfolio historically and therefore may not be adequately addressed through evaluation of such risk factors based on historical portfolio trends. Qualitative adjustments also include current and forecasted economic conditions primarily measured by local and national economic metrics, such as GDP, unemployment rates, interest rates and oil and gas prices based on historical and forecasted economic research scenarios provided by industry-leading financial intelligence and analytical solutions, which the Company has subscribed to. The qualitative allowance allocation is increased or decreased for each loan pool based on the assessment of these various qualitative factors. Management recognizes the sensitivity of various assumptions made in the quantitative modeling of expected losses and may adjust reserves depending upon the level of uncertainty that currently exists in one or more assumptions.

As of March 31, 2025, based on sensitivity analyses across all segments of the performing loan portfolio, a 5% increase in historical loss rates would have increased funded reserves by $1.6 million. On the other hand, a 5% increase in each qualitative risk factor across all segments (where assigned) would have increased funded reserves by $2.8 million. Increasing estimated loss rates by 5% (i.e., quantitative and qualitative) would have a $3.5 million impact.

The allowance for credit losses could be affected by significant downturns in circumstances relating to loan quality and economic conditions and as such may not be sufficient to cover expected losses in the loan portfolio which could necessitate additional provisions or a reduction in the allowance for credit losses if our assumption prove to be incorrect. Unanticipated changes and events could have a significant impact on the financial performance of borrowers and their ability to perform as agreed. We may experience significant credit losses if borrowers experience financial difficulties, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. During the measurement period, the Company may record subsequent adjustments to goodwill for provisional amounts recorded at the acquisition date.

Goodwill is subject to impairment testing, which must be conducted at least annually or upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Goodwill is recorded and evaluated for impairment at its reporting unit, the Company. The Company’s policy is to test goodwill for impairment at least annually as of October 1st, or on an interim basis if an event triggering an impairment assessment is determined to have occurred. Various factors, such as the Company’s results of operations, the trading price of the Company’s common stock relative to the book value per share, macroeconomic conditions and conditions in the banking sector, inform whether a triggering event for an interim goodwill impairment test has occurred. The impairment test compares the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its net book value. If the unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized in our results of operations in the periods in which they become known in an amount equal to this excess.

See Note 2 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the Company’s goodwill and intangibles.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

We have evaluated new accounting pronouncements that have recently been issued. Refer to Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements that have been adopted by the Company or that will require enhanced disclosures in the Company’s financial statements in future periods.

Table of Contents

Results of Operations

Net income was $24.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $26.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a $2.9 million decrease in net interest income and a $791 thousand decrease in noninterest income, partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in noninterest expense and a $496 thousand decrease in the provision for income taxes.

Annualized returns on average assets, returns on average equity and efficiency ratios were 0.94%, 6.21% and 61.93%, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, compared to 0.98%, 6.88% and 60.42% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, respectively. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing total noninterest expense, excluding amortization of core deposit intangibles, by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding net gains and losses on the sale of assets. Additionally, taxes and provisions for credit losses are not part of the efficiency ratio calculation.

Net Interest Income

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024. Net interest income before the provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $99.3 million compared with $102.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 2.8%, primarily due to the decrease in average loans along with lower purchase accounting accretion and lower rates on loans which more than offset the decrease in interest expense due to lower rates on interest-bearing liabilities.

Interest income was $142.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of $6.1 million, or 4.1%, compared with $148.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in average loans, loan yields due in part to lower purchase accounting accretion and changes in earning asset mix, partially offset by an increase in average securities and deposits in other financial institutions. The yield on the securities portfolio increased to 3.78% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from 2.82% for the same period in 2024. Average interest-earning assets decreased $53.3 million, or 0.6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due the decrease in average loans partially offset by increases in securities and deposits in other financial institutions. Average loans to average interest earning assets decreased to 76.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 82.3% for the same period in the prior year. Additionally, interest income from purchase accounting adjustments was $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Interest expense was $43.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of $3.2 million, or 7.0%, compared with $46.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in higher rate certificates and time deposits and a decrease in average borrowed funds. The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 3.14% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 3.36% for the same period in 2024. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $22.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily due to an increase in average interest-bearing deposits partially offset by a decrease in average borrowed funds and subordinated debt.

Tax equivalent net interest margin, defined as net interest income adjusted for tax-free income divided by average interest-earning assets for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 4.20%, a decrease of 6 basis points compared to 4.26% for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in the net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was primarily due to lower rates on interest-earning assets partially offset by decreased funding costs. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities of 3.14% and the average yield on interest-earning assets of 6.02% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased by 22 basis points and 17 basis points, respectively, over the same period in 2024. Tax equivalent adjustments to net interest margin are the result of increasing income from tax-free securities and loans by an amount equal to the taxes that would have been paid if the income were fully taxable based on a 21% federal tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, thus making tax-exempt yields comparable to taxable asset yields.

Table of Contents

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the total dollar amount of average balances, interest income from average interest-earning assets and the annualized resultant yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed in both dollars and rates. Average loans include loans on nonaccrual status carrying a zero yield.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025						2024
	Average Balance		Interest Earned/ Interest Paid		Average Yield/ Rate		Average Balance		Interest Earned/ Interest Paid		Average Yield/ Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Interest-earning Assets:
Loans	$	7,344,298	$	120,640	6.66	%	$	7,938,824	$	134,685	6.82	%
Securities	1,817,286		16,960		3.78	%	1,441,814		10,111		2.82	%
Deposits in other financial institutions	430,621		4,720		4.45	%	264,906		3,627		5.51	%
Total interest-earning assets	9,592,205		$	142,320	6.02	%	9,645,544		$	148,423	6.19	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans	(81,166)						(91,612)
Noninterest-earning assets	1,100,652						1,132,857
Total assets	$	10,611,691					$	10,686,789

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,911,625	$	12,392	2.63	%	$	1,697,211	$	12,278	2.91	%
Money market and savings deposits	2,234,571		15,182		2.76	%	2,150,805		15,252		2.85	%
Certificates and other time deposits	1,296,972		13,527		4.23	%	1,444,048		15,084		4.20	%
Borrowed funds	45,795		517		4.58	%	134,400		1,774		5.31	%
Subordinated debt	70,121		1,444		8.35	%	109,808		1,917		7.02	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	5,559,084		$	43,062	3.14	%	5,536,272		$	46,305	3.36	%

Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	3,346,066						3,525,758
Other liabilities	92,299						96,461
Total liabilities	8,997,449						9,158,491
Shareholders’ equity	1,614,242						1,528,298
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	10,611,691					$	10,686,789

Net interest rate spread					2.88	%					2.83	%

Net interest income and margin(1)			$	99,258	4.20	%			$	102,118	4.26	%

Net interest income and margin (tax equivalent)(2)			$	99,353	4.20	%			$	102,207	4.26	%

Cost of funds					1.96	%					2.06	%
Cost of deposits					1.90	%					1.94	%

(1)The net interest margin is equal to annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(2)Tax-equivalent adjustments have been computed using a federal income tax rate of 21% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

Table of Contents

The following table presents information regarding the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated for each major component of interest-earnings assets and interest-bearing liabilities and distinguishes between the changes attributable to changes in volume and changes in interest rates. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume that cannot be segregated have been allocated to rate.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025 vs. 2024
	Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in
	Volume		Rate		Total
	(In thousands)
Interest-earning Assets:
Loans	$	(10,003)	$	(4,042)	$	(14,045)
Securities	2,611		4,238		6,849
Deposits in other financial institutions	2,250		(1,157)		1,093
Total decrease increase in interest income	(5,142)		(961)		(6,103)
Interest-bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	1,538		(1,424)		114
Money market and savings deposits	589		(659)		(70)
Certificates and other time deposits	(1,524)		(33)		(1,557)
Borrowed funds	(1,160)		(97)		(1,257)
Subordinated debt	(687)		214		(473)
Total decrease in interest expense	(1,244)		(1,999)		(3,243)
(Decrease) increase in net interest income	$	(3,898)	$	1,038	$	(2,860)

Provision for Credit Losses

Our allowance for credit losses is established through charges to income in the form of the provision in order to bring our allowance for credit losses for various types of financial instruments including loans, unfunded commitments and securities to a level deemed appropriate by management. We recorded a provision for credit losses of $3.6 million and $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily due to changes in the specific reserves within the allowance for credit losses model primarily due to the increase in nonperforming loans partially offset by decreases in loan balances, among other things.

Noninterest Income

Our primary sources of noninterest income are service charges on deposit accounts, bank-owned life insurance income and debit card and interchange income. Noninterest income does not include loan origination fees which are recognized over the life of the related loan as an adjustment to yield using the interest method.

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024. Noninterest income totaled $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with $6.3 million for the same period in 2024, a decrease of $791 thousand, or 12.6%, primarily due to a decrease in FHLB dividends and Small Business Investment Company income recognized.

Table of Contents

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest income:


	Three Months Ended March 31,				Increase (Decrease)
	2025		2024
	(In thousands)
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	1,584	$	1,598	$	(14)
Gain on sale of assets	417		513		(96)
Bank-owned life insurance income	610		587		23
Debit card and interchange income	520		527		(7)
Other(1)	2,374		3,071		(697)
Total noninterest income	$	5,505	$	6,296	$	(791)

(1) Other includes Small Business Investment Company income and wire transfer fees, among other items.

Noninterest Expense

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024. Noninterest expense was $70.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $71.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 1.7% primarily due to a decrease of $876 thousand in professional fees and $664 thousand in amortization of intangibles, partially offset by an increase of $788 thousand in data processing and software amortization and a $416 thousand increase in salaries and employee benefits.

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest expense:


	Three Months Ended March 31,				Increase (Decrease)
	2025		2024
	(In thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits(1)	$	41,792	$	41,376	$	416
Net occupancy and equipment	3,926		4,390		(464)
Depreciation	1,995		1,964		31
Data processing and software amortization	5,682		4,894		788
Professional fees	1,786		2,662		(876)
Regulatory assessments and FDIC insurance	1,733		1,854		(121)
Amortization of intangibles	5,548		6,212		(664)
Communications	847		937		(90)
Advertising	782		765		17
Other	6,075		6,356		(281)
Total noninterest expense	$	70,166	$	71,410	$	(1,244)

(1)Total salaries and employee benefits includes $2.0 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense.

Professional fees. Professional fees decreased $876 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024 primarily due to consulting fees for various projects in 2024.

Amortization of intangibles. Amortization of intangibles decreased $664 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Data processing and software amortization. Data processing and software amortization increased $788 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to increased software expense.

Table of Contents

Salaries and employee benefits. Salaries and benefits increased $416 thousand in the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024 primarily due to the increase in full-time equivalent employees and annual salary increases.

Efficiency Ratio

The efficiency ratio is a supplemental financial measure utilized in management’s internal evaluation of our performance. We calculate our efficiency ratio by dividing total noninterest expense, excluding the amortization of core deposits intangibles, by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, excluding net gains and losses on the sale of assets. Additionally, taxes and provision for credit losses are not part of this calculation. An increase in the efficiency ratio indicates that more resources are being utilized to generate the same volume of income, while a decrease would indicate a more efficient allocation of resources. Our efficiency ratio was 61.93% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 60.42% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

We monitor the efficiency ratio in comparison with changes in our total assets and loans, and we believe that maintaining or reducing the efficiency ratio during periods of growth demonstrates the scalability of our operating platform. We expect to continue to benefit from our scalable platform in future periods as we continue to monitor overhead expenses necessary to support our growth.

Income Taxes

The amount of federal and state income tax expense is influenced by the amount of pre-tax income, tax-exempt income and other nondeductible expenses. Income tax expense decreased $496 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with the same period in 2024 primarily due to the changes in pre-tax net income. Our effective tax rate was 20.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 20.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Financial Condition

Loan Portfolio

At March 31, 2025, total loans were $7.28 billion, a decrease of $156.7 million, or 2.1%, compared with December 31, 2024. Total loans as a percentage of deposits were 85.1% and 81.5% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Total loans as a percentage of assets were 69.8% and 68.2% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

The following table summarizes our loan portfolio by type of loan as of the dates indicated:


	March 31, 2025				December 31, 2024
	Amount		Percent		Amount		Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	1,362,266	18.7	%	$	1,362,260	18.3	%
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	3,854,607		52.9	%	3,868,218		52.0	%
Commercial real estate construction and land development	721,488		9.9	%	845,494		11.4	%
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	1,125,837		15.5	%	1,115,484		15.0	%
Residential construction	141,283		1.9	%	157,977		2.1	%
Consumer and other	77,652		1.1	%	90,421		1.2	%
Total loans	7,283,133		100.0	%	7,439,854		100.0	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans	(83,746)				(81,058)
Loans, net	$	7,199,387			$	7,358,796

Our lending activities originate from the efforts of our bankers with an emphasis on lending to individuals, professionals, small- to medium-sized businesses and commercial companies generally located in our market. Our strategy for credit risk management generally includes well-defined, centralized credit policies, uniform underwriting criteria and ongoing risk monitoring and review processes for credit exposures. The strategy generally emphasizes regular credit examinations and management reviews of loans. We have certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. We maintain an independent loan review department which includes third-party loan review services to review the credit risk on a periodic basis. The internal loan review department focuses on credits not reviewed by the third-party loan reviewer to ensure more complete coverage of credit risk. Results of these reviews are presented to management and the risk committee of the Board of

Table of Contents

Directors. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by bankers and credit personnel and contained in our policies and procedures. The principal categories of our loan portfolio are discussed below:

Commercial and Industrial. We make commercial and industrial loans in our market area that are underwritten on the basis of the borrower’s ability to service the debt from income. The increased risk in these loans derives from the expectation that commercial and industrial loans generally are serviced principally from the operations of the business, which may not be successful and from the type of collateral securing these loans. Commercial and industrial loans are typically collateralized by general business assets including, among other things, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment and are generally backed by a personal guaranty of the borrower or principal. This collateral may decline in value more rapidly than we anticipate, exposing us to increased credit risk. As a result, commercial and industrial loans require more extensive underwriting and servicing than other types of loans. Our commercial and industrial loan portfolio was $1.36 billion as of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

Commercial Real Estate (Including Multi-Family Residential). We make loans to finance the purchase or ownership of commercial real estate. As of March 31, 2025, our commercial real estate loans comprised 52.9% of our loan portfolio. Repayment is generally dependent on the successful operations of the property and may be impacted by general economic conditions, including fluctuations in the value of real estate, vacancy rates and unemployment trends. The collateral securing these loans is typically more difficult to liquidate due to the fluctuation of real estate values. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 47.3% and 47.4%, respectively, of our commercial real estate loans were owner-occupied. Our commercial real estate loan portfolio decreased $13.6 million, or 0.4%, to $3.85 billion as of March 31, 2025 from $3.87 billion as of December 31, 2024.

The following table summarizes our commercial real estate loan portfolio by type of property securing the loans at March 31, 2025.


Property Type	Amount		Average Loan Size		Percent of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Retail	$	626,461	$	1,266	16.3	%
Warehouse	572,832		766		14.9	%
Multi-family	444,107		2,056		11.5	%
Convenience Store	428,732		1,331		11.1	%
Office	397,610		807		10.3	%
Industrial	159,946		1,481		4.1	%
Restaurant / Bar	148,899		1,048		3.9	%
Auto Sales / Repair	131,855		680		3.4	%
Church	130,947		949		3.4	%
Hotel / Motel	127,477		3,541		3.3	%
Healthcare	110,736		1,130		2.9	%
Other	575,005		767		14.9	%
Total	$	3,854,607	1,116		100.0	%

As of March 31, 2025, our commercial real estate loan portfolio included $282.0 million of multi-family community development loans with associated tax credits, which fund Texas based projects to promote affordable housing, compared to $233.3 million as of December 31, 2024.

Commercial Real Estate Construction and Land Development. We make commercial real estate construction and land development loans to fund commercial construction, land acquisition and real estate development construction. Construction loans involve additional risks as they often involve the disbursement of funds with the repayment dependent on the ultimate success of the project’s completion. Sources of repayment for these loans may be pre-committed permanent financing or sale of the developed property. The loans in this portfolio are monitored closely by management. Due to uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation on real property, it can be difficult to accurately evaluate the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan to value ratio. As a result of these uncertainties, construction lending often includes the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project rather than the ability of a borrower or guarantor to repay the loan. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 11.2% and 13.1%, respectively, of our commercial real estate construction and land development loans were owner-occupied. Our commercial real estate construction and land development loans decreased $124.0 million, or 14.7%, to $721.5 million as of March 31, 2025 compared to $845.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2025, our commercial real estate construction and land development loan portfolio included $115.2 million of construction and development loans to support multi-family community development loans with associated tax credits, which fund Texas based projects to promote affordable housing, compared to $137.1 million as of December 31, 2024.

1-4 Family Residential (Including Home Equity). Our residential real estate loans include the origination of 1-4 family residential mortgage loans (including home equity and home improvement loans and home equity lines of credit) collateralized by owner-occupied residential properties located in our market areas. Our residential real estate portfolio (including home equity) increased $10.4 million, or 0.9%, to $1.13 billion as of March 31, 2025 from $1.12 billion as of December 31, 2024.

Residential Construction. We make residential construction loans to home builders and individuals to fund the construction of single-family residences with the understanding that such loans will be repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the homes by builders or with the proceeds of a mortgage loan. These loans are secured by the real property being built and are made based on our assessment of the value of the property on an as-completed basis. Our residential construction loans portfolio decreased $16.7 million, or 10.6%, to $141.3 million as of March 31, 2025 from $158.0 million as of December 31, 2024.

Consumer and Other. Our consumer and other loan portfolio is made up of loans made to individuals for personal purposes and deferred fees and costs on all loan types. Generally, consumer loans entail greater risk than residential real estate loans because they may be unsecured or if secured the value of the collateral, such as an automobile or boat, may be more difficult to assess and more likely to decrease in value than real estate. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan balance. The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower beyond obtaining a deficiency judgment. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans. Our consumer and other loan portfolio decreased $12.8 million, or 14.1%, to $77.7 million as of March 31, 2025 from $90.4 million as of December 31, 2024.

Concentrations of Credit

The vast majority of our lending activity occurs in the Houston and Beaumont MSAs. Our loans are primarily secured by real estate, including commercial and residential construction, owner-occupied and nonowner-occupied and multi-family commercial real estate, raw land and other real estate based loans located in the Houston and Beaumont MSAs. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, commercial real estate and commercial construction loans represented 62.8% and 63.4%, respectively, of our total loans.

Asset Quality

We have procedures in place to assist us in maintaining the overall quality of our loan portfolio. We have established underwriting guidelines to be followed by our officers and monitor our delinquency levels for any negative or adverse trends.

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets totaled $59.7 million, or 0.57% of total assets, at March 31, 2025 compared to $38.9 million, or 0.36%, of total assets at December 31, 2024. Nonaccrual loans consisted of 138 separate credits at March 31, 2025 compared to 101 separate credits at December 31, 2024. The following table presents information regarding nonperforming assets as of the dates indicated:

Table of Contents


	March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024
	(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	11,471		$	8,500
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	26,383			16,459
Commercial real estate construction and land development	2,027			3,061
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	14,550			9,056
Residential construction	—			—
Consumer and other	87			136
Total nonaccrual loans	54,518			37,212
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due	—			—
Total nonperforming loans	54,518			37,212
Foreclosed assets	5,154			1,708
Total nonperforming assets	$	59,672		$	38,920
Troubled loan modifications(1)	$	9,229		$	13,457
Nonperforming assets to total assets	0.57		%	0.36		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	0.75		%	0.50		%

(1)Troubled loan modifications in the table above represent the balance at the end of the respective period for those loans that are not already presented as a nonperforming loan.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation allowance that is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for (or reversal of) credit losses calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326- Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASC 326”) that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of certain assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. The amount of each allowance account represents management’s best estimate of current expected credit losses on these financial instruments considering available information, from internal and external sources, relevant to assessing exposure to credit loss over the contractual term of the instrument. Relevant available information includes historical credit loss experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. While historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses, adjustments to historical loss information may be made for differences in current portfolio-specific risk characteristics, environmental conditions or other relevant factors. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of our allowance accounts is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond our control, including the performance of our portfolios, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward classification of assets. For additional information regarding critical accounting estimates and policies, refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates” in this section, Note 1 – Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies and Note 4 – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

The allowance for credit losses on loans represents management’s estimates of current expected credit losses in the loan portfolio. Pools of loans with similar risk characteristics are collectively evaluated, while loans that no longer share risk characteristics with loan pools are evaluated individually.

At March 31, 2025, our allowance for credit losses on loans was $83.7 million, or 1.15% of total loans, compared with $81.1 million, or 1.09% of total loans, as of December 31, 2024. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans during the first quarter of 2025 primarily resulted from changes in the specific reserves within the allowance for credit losses model primarily due to the increase in nonperforming loans partially offset by a decrease in loan balances, among other things.

Table of Contents

The following table presents an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and other related data as of and for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025			2024
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average loans outstanding	$	7,344,298		$	7,938,824
Gross loans outstanding at end of period	7,283,133			7,908,111
Allowance for credit losses on loans at beginning of period	81,058			91,684
Provision for credit losses on loans	2,851			5,315
Charge-offs:
Commercial and industrial loans	(45)			(309)
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	—			(527)
Commercial real estate construction and land development	(310)			—
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	(224)			—

Consumer and other	(3)			(5)
Total charge-offs for all loan types	(582)			(841)
Recoveries:
Commercial and industrial loans	416			114
Real estate:


1-4 family residential (including home equity)	—			5

Consumer and other	3			8
Total recoveries for all loan types	419			127
Net charge-offs	(163)			(714)
Allowance for credit losses on loans at end of period	$	83,746		$	96,285
Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans	1.15		%	1.22		%
Net charge-offs to average loans(1)	0.01		%	0.04		%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans	153.61		%	168.54		%

(1)Annualized.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Unfunded Commitments

The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments estimates current expected credit losses over the contractual period in which there is exposure to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments is a liability account reported as a component of other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on the commitments expected to fund. The estimate of commitments expected to fund is affected by historical analysis looking at utilization rates. The expected credit loss rates applied to the commitments expected to fund are affected by the general valuation allowance utilized for outstanding balances with the same underlying assumptions and drivers. At March 31, 2025, our allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments was $13.2 million compared to $12.4 million at December 31, 2024.

See Note 4 – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statement for additional information regarding how we estimate and evaluate the credit risk in our loan portfolio.

Table of Contents

Available for Sale Securities

We use our securities portfolio to provide a source of liquidity, to provide an appropriate return on funds invested, to manage interest rate risk and to meet pledging and regulatory capital requirements. As of March 31, 2025, the carrying amount of investment securities totaled $1.72 billion, an increase of $46.4 million, or 2.8%, compared with $1.67 billion as of December 31, 2024. Securities represented 16.5% and 15.3% of total assets as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

All of the securities in our securities portfolio are classified as available for sale. Securities classified as available for sale are measured at fair value in the financial statements with unrealized gains and losses reported, net of tax, as accumulated comprehensive income or loss until realized. Interest earned on securities is included in interest income. The following tables summarize the amortized cost and fair value of the securities in our securities portfolio as of the dates shown:


	March 31, 2025
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. government and agency securities	$	191,695	$	429	$	(4,262)	$	187,862
Municipal securities	219,604		324		(27,340)		192,588
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	611,739		1,301		(36,452)		576,588
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	714,827		1,571		(58,267)		658,131
Corporate bonds and other	111,078		357		(7,233)		104,202
Total	$	1,848,943	$	3,982	$	(133,554)	$	1,719,371


	December 31, 2024
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. government and agency securities	$	198,962	$	348	$	(5,707)	$	193,603
Municipal securities	219,545		367		(28,459)		191,453
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	566,719		3		(45,346)		521,376
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	730,861		830		(71,328)		660,363
Corporate bonds and other	115,601		181		(9,561)		106,221
Total	$	1,831,688	$	1,729	$	(160,401)	$	1,673,016

Investment securities classified as available for sale or held to maturity are evaluated for expected credit losses under ASC Topic 326. See Note 3 – Securities in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. Management does not have the intent to sell any of these securities and believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2025, management believes that the unrealized losses detailed in the previous table are due to noncredit-related factors, including changes in interest rates and other market conditions, and therefore, no losses have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

Table of Contents

The following tables summarize the contractual maturity of securities and their weighted average yields as of the dates indicated. The contractual maturity of a mortgage-backed security is the date at which the last underlying mortgage matures. Available for sale securities are shown at amortized cost. For purposes of the tables below, the yields on municipal securities were calculated on a tax equivalent basis.


	March 31, 2025
	Within One Year				After One Year but Within Five Years				After Five Years but Within Ten Years				After Ten Years				Total
	Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Total		Yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. government and agency securities	$	74,624	1.05	%	$	3,700	5.51	%	$	2,935	3.51	%	$	110,436	4.40	%	$	191,695	3.11	%
Municipal securities	—		0.00	%	3,794		4.58	%	76,367		2.41	%	139,443		2.36	%	219,604		2.42	%
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	3,249		1.68	%	4,226		3.73	%	7,801		4.48	%	596,463		3.92	%	611,739		3.91	%
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	—		0.00	%	30,497		3.48	%	46,028		4.86	%	638,302		3.27	%	714,827		3.38	%
Corporate bonds and other	4,118		4.40	%	—		0.00	%	62,000		5.42	%	44,960		2.99	%	111,078		4.40	%
Total	$	81,991	1.24	%	$	42,217	3.78	%	$	195,131	4.04	%	$	1,529,604	3.52	%	$	1,848,943	3.48	%


	December 31, 2024
	Within One Year				After One Year but Within Five Years				After Five Years but Within Ten Years				After Ten Years				Total
	Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Total		Yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. government and agency securities	$	—	0.00	%	$	78,658	1.31	%	$	3,141	3.77	%	$	117,163	4.66	%	$	198,962	3.32	%
Municipal securities	—		0.00	%	3,314		4.76	%	74,337		2.44	%	141,894		2.34	%	219,545		2.41	%
Agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities	3,285		2.47	%	4,362		3.71	%	7,936		4.53	%	551,136		3.83	%	566,719		3.83	%
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	—		0.00	%	30,539		3.44	%	48,589		4.81	%	651,733		3.23	%	730,861		3.34	%
Corporate bonds and other	4,110		4.98	%	3,000		7.99	%	62,000		5.42	%	46,491		2.96	%	115,601		4.48	%
Total	$	7,395	3.87	%	$	119,873	2.20	%	$	196,003	4.07	%	$	1,508,417	3.47	%	$	1,831,688	3.45	%

The contractual maturity of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations is not a reliable indicator of their expected life because borrowers may have the right to prepay their obligations. Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are typically issued with stated principal amounts and are backed by pools of mortgage loans with varying maturities. The term of the underlying mortgages and loans may vary significantly due to the ability of a borrower to prepay and, in particular, monthly pay downs on mortgage-backed securities tend to cause the average life of the securities to be much different than the stated contractual maturity. During a period of increasing interest rates, fixed rate mortgage-backed securities do not tend to experience heavy prepayments of principal and, consequently, the average life of this security will be lengthened. If interest rates begin to fall, prepayments may increase, thereby shortening the estimated life of the security.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we did not own securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government and its agencies or sponsored entities) for which the aggregate adjusted cost exceeded 10% of our consolidated shareholders’ equity.

The average yield of our securities portfolio was 3.78% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with 2.82% for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase in average yield during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 was primarily due to security purchases during the quarter increasing the mix of higher-yielding securities within the portfolio.

Table of Contents

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles

Goodwill was $497.3 million as of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Goodwill resulting from business combinations represents the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment and on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.

Core deposit intangibles, net, as of March 31, 2025 was $87.0 million and $92.5 million as of December 31, 2024. Core deposit intangibles are amortized using the straight-line or an accelerated method over the estimated useful life of seven to ten years.

Deposits

Our lending and investing activities are primarily funded by deposits. We offer a variety of deposit accounts having a wide range of interest rates and terms including demand, savings, money market and certificates and other time accounts. We rely primarily on convenient locations, personalized service and our customer relationships to attract and retain these deposits. We seek customers that will engage in both a lending and deposit relationship with us.

Total deposits at March 31, 2025 were $8.56 billion, a decrease of $565.7 million, or 6.2%, compared with $9.13 billion at December 31, 2024 primarily driven by seasonality, industry-wide pressures and the maintenance of pricing discipline in an intensely competitive market for deposits. Noninterest-bearing deposits at March 31, 2025 were $3.21 billion, a decrease of $370.6 million, or 10.4%, compared with $3.58 billion at December 31, 2024. Interest-bearing deposits at March 31, 2025 were $5.36 billion, a decrease of $195.1 million, or 3.5%, compared with $5.55 billion at December 31, 2024. Our ratio of noninterest-bearing deposits to total deposits was 37.4% and 39.2% for at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Deposits include fully collateralized public funds of $1.05 billion and $1.44 billion at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

The following table sets forth the amount of time deposits that met or exceeded the FDIC insurance limit of $250 thousand by time remaining until maturity at March 31, 2025 (in thousands):


Three months or less	$	198,698
Over three months through six months	186,759
Over six months through 12 months	141,743
Over 12 months	99,988
Total	$	627,188

Borrowings

The Company has an available line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (“FHLB”), which allows the Company to borrow on a collateralized basis. FHLB advances are used to manage liquidity as needed. The advances are secured by a blanket lien on certain loans. Maturing advances are replaced by drawing on available cash, making additional borrowings or through increased customer deposits. At March 31, 2025, the Company had a total borrowing capacity of $3.04 billion, of which $1.72 billion was available under this agreement and $1.31 billion was outstanding pursuant to FHLB advances and letters of credit. There were $120.0 million of FHLB short-term advances outstanding at March 31, 2025 at a weighted-average rate of 4.75%. Of the $1.31 billion, there were $120.0 million of FHLB short-term advances outstanding at March 31, 2025 at a weighted-average rate of 4.75% and $1.19 billion of FHLB letters of credit.


2025	$	509,690
2026	127,300
2027	402,500
2028	51,000
Thereafter	102,000
Total	$	1,192,490

Table of Contents

Subordinated Debt

Junior Subordinated Debentures

A summary of pertinent information related to the Company’s junior subordinated debentures outstanding at March 31, 2025 is set forth in the table below:


Description	Issuance Date	Trust Preferred Securities Outstanding		Junior Subordinated Debt Owed to Trusts		Maturity Date(1)
(Dollars in thousands)
Farmers & Merchants Capital Trust II	November 13, 2003	$	7,500	$	7,732	November 8, 2033
Farmers & Merchants Capital Trust III	June 30, 2005	3,500		3,609		July 7, 2035
				$	11,341

(1) All junior subordinated debentures were callable at March 31, 2025.

Subordinated Notes

Credit Agreement

On December 13, 2024, the Company renewed a loan agreement with another financial institution (the “Loan Agreement”) that provides for a $75.0 million revolving line of credit. At March 31, 2025, there were no outstanding borrowings on this line of credit and no draws were taken on this line of credit during the nine months ended March 31, 2025. Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings at a per annum rate equal to 3-month SOFR plus 2.75%, calculated in accordance with the terms of the revolving promissory note and payable quarterly through the first 24 months. The entire outstanding balance and unpaid interest is payable in full on December 13, 2033, the maturity date. The Company may prepay the principal of the line of credit without premium or penalty.

Table of Contents

The obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement are secured by a pledge of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Bank.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Liquidity is the measure of our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers, while at the same time meeting our operating, capital and strategic cash flow needs and to maintain reserve requirements to operate on an ongoing basis and manage unexpected events, all at a reasonable cost. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024, our liquidity needs have primarily been met by deposits, borrowed funds and securities. The Bank has access to purchased funds from correspondent banks, the Federal Reserve discount window and advances from the FHLB, on a collateralized basis, are available under a security and pledge agreement to take advantage of investment opportunities.

Liquidity risk management is an important element in our asset/liability management process. Our liquidity position is continuously monitored and adjustments are made to the balance between sources and uses of funds as deemed appropriate. We regularly model liquidity stress scenarios to assess potential liquidity outflows or funding problems resulting from economic disruptions, volatility in the financial markets, unexpected credit events or other significant occurrences deemed problematic by management. Liquidity stress scenarios are incorporated into our contingency funding plan, which provides the basis for the identification of our liquidity needs.

Our largest source of funds is deposits and our largest use of funds is loans. Average total deposits decreased $28.6 million, or 0.3%, and average loans decreased $594.5 million, or 7.5%, during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. We predominantly invest excess deposits in Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas balances, securities, interest-bearing deposits at other banks or other short-term liquid investments until the funds are needed to fund loan growth. Our securities portfolio had a weighted average life of 7.3 years and 7.2 years at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

Total immediate contingent funding sources, including unrestricted cash, available-for-sale securities that are not pledged and total available borrowing capacity was $4.80 billion, or 56.0%, of total deposits at March 31, 2025. Estimated uninsured deposits net of collateralized deposits were 45.5% of total deposits at March 31, 2025. Including policy-driven capacity for brokered deposits, the Bank would have been able to add approximately $1.79 billion to its contingent sources of liquidity, bringing total contingent funding sources to approximately $6.58 billion, or 76.9%, of deposits at March 31, 2025.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had no exposure to future cash requirements associated with known uncertainties or capital expenditures of a material nature.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had outstanding commitments to extend credit of $1.81 billion and $1.70 billion, respectively, and commitments associated with outstanding letters of credit of $135.5 million and $43.6 million, respectively. Since commitments associated with commitments to extend credit and outstanding letters of credit may expire unused, the total outstanding may not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had FHLB letters of credit in the amount of $1.19 billion and $2.10 billion, respectively, pledged as collateral for public and other deposits of state and local government agencies. See Note 9 – Borrowings and Borrowing Capacity to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had no exposure to future cash requirements associated with known uncertainties or capital expenditures of a material nature.

In the ordinary course of business, we have entered into contractual obligations and have made other commitments to make future payments. Refer to the accompanying notes to accompanying consolidated financial statements for the expected timing of such payments as of December 31, 2024. These include payments related to (1) operating leases (Note 5 – Leases), (2) time deposits with stated maturity dates (Note 7 – Deposits), (3) borrowings (Note 9 – Borrowings and Borrowing Capacity) and (4) commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit (Note 13 – Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Commitments and Contingencies).

Table of Contents

Capital Resources

Capital management consists of providing equity to support our current and future operations. We are subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve and the Bank is subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the FDIC. Both the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have adopted risk-based capital requirements for assessing bank holding company and bank capital adequacy. These standards define capital and establish minimum capital requirements in relation to assets and off-balance sheet exposure, adjusted for credit risk. The risk-based capital standards currently in effect are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among bank holding companies and banks, to account for off-balance sheet exposure and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Assets and off-balance sheet items are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate relative risk weights. The resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet items.

Under current guidelines, the minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets (which are primarily the credit risk equivalents of balance sheet assets and certain off-balance sheet items such as standby letters of credit) is 8.0%. At least half of total capital must be composed of Tier 1 capital, which includes common shareholders’ equity (including retained earnings), less goodwill, other disallowed intangible assets and disallowed deferred tax assets, among other items. The Federal Reserve also has adopted a minimum leverage ratio, requiring Tier 1 capital of at least 4.0% of average quarterly total consolidated assets, net of goodwill and certain other intangible assets, for all but the most highly rated bank holding companies. The federal banking agencies have also established risk-based and leverage capital guidelines that FDIC-insured depository institutions are required to meet. These regulations are generally similar to those established by the Federal Reserve for bank holding companies.

Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the federal bank regulatory agencies must take “prompt corrective action” against undercapitalized U.S. depository institutions. U.S. depository institutions are assigned one of five capital categories: “well- capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized,” and are subjected to different regulation corresponding to the capital category within which the institution falls. A depository institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if the banking institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5% and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater, and the institution is not subject to an order, written agreement, capital directive or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific level for any capital measure. Under certain circumstances, a well-capitalized, adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution may be treated as if the institution were in the next lower capital category.

Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject the institution to a variety of enforcement remedies by federal bank regulatory agencies, including: termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, restrictions on certain business activities and appointment of the FDIC as conservator or receiver. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Bank was well-capitalized under regulatory capital guidelines. Total shareholders’ equity was $1.61 billion at both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Increases in shareholders' equity during the three months ended March 31, 2025 due to net income of $24.7 million and a decrease of $23.0 million of other comprehensive loss, partially offset by dividends paid of $7.3 million, or $0.14 per common share and $38.6 million paid to repurchase common stock at a weighted average per share of $27.99.

The following is a summary of the Company’s and the Bank’s actual and required capital ratios as of March 31, 2025:


	Actual Ratio		Minimum Required For Capital Adequacy Purposes		Minimum Required Plus Capital Conservation Buffer		To Be Categorized As Well-Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (Consolidated)
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	15.94	%	8.00	%	10.50	%	N/A
Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	14.03	%	4.50	%	7.00	%	N/A
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	14.15	%	6.00	%	8.50	%	N/A
Tier 1 Leverage (to average tangible assets)	11.20	%	4.00	%	4.00	%	N/A
Stellar Bank
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	15.38	%	8.00	%	10.50	%	10.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	14.18	%	4.50	%	7.00	%	6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)	14.18	%	6.00	%	8.50	%	8.00	%
Tier 1 Leverage (to average tangible assets)	11.22	%	4.00	%	4.00	%	5.00	%

Table of Contents

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Asset/Liability Management and Interest Rate Risk

Our asset liability and interest rate risk policy provides management with the guidelines for effective balance sheet management. We have established a measurement system for monitoring our net interest rate sensitivity position. We manage our sensitivity position within our established guidelines.

As a financial institution, a component of the market risk that we face is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most of our assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short term to maturity. Interest rate risk is the potential for economic losses due to future interest rate changes. These economic losses can be reflected as a loss of future net interest income and/or a loss of current fair market values. The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income.

Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange rate or commodity price risk. We do not own any trading assets. We manage our exposure to interest rates by structuring our balance sheet in the ordinary course of a community banking business. The Company enters into interest rate swaps as an accommodation to customers.

Our exposure to interest rate risk is managed by the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”). The ALCO formulates strategies based on appropriate levels of interest rate risk. In determining the appropriate level of interest rate risk, the ALCO considers the impact on earnings and capital of the current outlook on interest rates, potential changes in interest rates, regional economies, liquidity, business strategies and other factors. The ALCO meets regularly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, the book and market values of assets and liabilities, unrealized gains and losses, purchase and sale activities, commitments to originate loans and the maturities of investments and borrowings. Additionally, the ALCO reviews liquidity, cash flow flexibility, maturities of deposits and consumer and commercial deposit activity.

We use an interest rate risk simulation model and shock analysis to test the interest rate sensitivity of net interest income and the balance sheet, respectively. Where applicable, instruments on the balance sheet are modeled at the instrument level, incorporating all relevant attributes such as next reset date, reset frequency and call dates, as well as prepayment assumptions for loans and securities and decay rates for nonmaturity deposits. Assumptions based on past experience are incorporated into the model for nonmaturity deposit account decay rates. The assumptions used are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure future net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies.

We utilize static balance sheet rate shocks to estimate the potential impact on net interest income of changes in interest rates under various rate scenarios. This analysis estimates a percentage of change in the metric from the stable rate base scenario versus alternative scenarios of rising and falling market interest rates by instantaneously shocking a static balance sheet.

The following table summarizes the simulated change in net interest income over a 12-month horizon and the economic value of equity as of the dates indicated:


Change in Interest Rates (Basis Points)	Percent Change in Net Interest Income		Percent Change in Economic Value of Equity
	March 31, 2025	December 31, 2024	March 31, 2025	December 31, 2024
+300	3.5%	3.1%	(5.4)%	(4.9)%
+200	2.8%	2.4%	(1.9)%	(1.8)%
+100	1.7%	1.4%	0.0%	(0.2)%
Base	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
-100	(2.6)%	(2.5)%	(3.0)%	(2.8)%
-200	(5.4)%	(5.2)%	(8.5)%	(7.9)%
-300	(8.7)%	(8.6)%	(16.2)%	(15.1)%

These results are primarily due to the size of our cash position, the size and duration of our loan and securities portfolio, the duration of our borrowings and the expected behavior of demand, money market and savings deposits during such rate fluctuations.

Table of Contents

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, changes in our overall interest rate profile were driven by the decrease in cash, loans, noninterest-bearing deposits and certificates of deposits and an increase in borrowings.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was required to apply judgment in evaluating its controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 for the Certification statements issued by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, we are not party to any legal proceedings the resolution of which we believe would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity, results of operation, cash flows or capital levels. However, one or more unfavorable outcomes in any claim or litigation against us could have a material adverse effect for the period in which such claim or litigation is resolved. In addition, regardless of their merits or their ultimate outcomes, such matters are costly, divert management’s attention and may materially adversely affect our reputation, even if resolved in our favor. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously against any future claims or litigation.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed by the Company. Investors should carefully consider the risks described in “Part I—Item 1A.—Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the Company’s other SEC filings.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to provide that the Company may repurchase up to $60 million of the Company’s common stock through May 31, 2025 (the “2024-2025 Repurchase Program”).

Repurchases under the 2024-2025 Repurchase Program may be made from time to time at the Company’s discretion in open market transactions, through block trades, in privately negotiated transactions, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted by the Company’s management in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act or otherwise. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.

The number of shares that may be repurchased under the plan was 668,687 based on the closing share price of the Company's common stock, as of March 31, 2025

The Company repurchased 679,331 shares at a weighted average price of $25.83 per share following the end of the first quarter of 2025 through April 23, 2025 under the 2024-2025 Repurchase Program. As of April 23, 2025, the 2024-2025 Repurchase Program terminated.

Table of Contents

On April 23, 2025, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $65 million of the Company’s common stock through May 31, 2026 (the “2025-2026 Repurchase Program”). Repurchases under the 2025-2026 Repurchase Program may be made from time to time at the Company’s discretion in open market transactions, through block trades, in privately negotiated transactions, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted by the Company’s management in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities. The 2025-2026 Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.

The following table summarizes the shares repurchased by the Company:


Period	Number of Shares Purchased(1)	Average Price Paid Per Share		Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan	Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plan(2)
January 1, 2025 to January 31, 2025	1,763	$	28.35	—	2,012,441
February 1, 2025 to February 28, 2025	—	$	28.89	364,679	1,602,002
March 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025	33,602	$	27.67	1,014,283	668,687
Total	35,365	$	27.99	1,378,962

(1) Shares employees elected to have withheld to satisfy their tax liabilities related to options exercised or restricted stock vested or to pay the exercise price of the options as allowed under the Company’s stock compensation plans. When this settlement method is elected by the employee, the Company repurchases the shares withheld upon vesting of the award stock.

(2) Computed based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as of the end of each period shown.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None of the Company’s directors or officers adopted, modified or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the Company’s quarter ended March 31, 2025, as such terms are defined under Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

Table of Contents

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number						Description

3.1						Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2022)

3.2						Amended and Restated Bylaws of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2025)

10.1*						Stellar Bancorp, Inc. Form of Performance Share Award Agreement

10.2*						Stellar Bancorp, Inc. Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement

31.1*						Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

31.2*						Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

32.1**						Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2**						Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS*						Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH*						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

* Filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

** Furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


			Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (Registrant)

Date: April 25, 2025			/s/ Robert R. Franklin, Jr.
			Robert R. Franklin, Jr.
			Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 25, 2025			/s/ Paul P. Egge
			Paul P. Egge
			Chief Financial Officer