Capital
Capital ratios continue to be strong and in excess of federal bank regulatory agency “well capitalized” thresholds. The tier 1 leverage ratio totaled 10.69%, and the common equity tier 1 capital ratio totaled 13.20% at December 31, 2024. Shareholders’ equity increased $13.1 million to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2024. The fourth quarter’s net income drove $17.0 million of growth in retained earnings after covering the quarter’s dividend, partially offset by a $7.6 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to changes in the interest rate environment.
Common book value per share increased $0.28 to $34.29 at December 31, 2024. Tangible common book value per share increased $0.37 to $25.28 driven by the quarter’s earnings, partially offset by the quarterly dividend and a $0.19 increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Dividend Announcement
On January 22, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a cash dividend to shareholders. The quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share of common stock will be payable on March 14, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2025.
Year-Over-Year Review
(All comparisons refer to the full year 2023, except as noted)
Net income totaled $118.8 million, or $3.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $142.0 million, or $3.72 per diluted share in the prior year. The decrease compared to the prior year was largely driven by lower net interest income, due to an increase in cost of funds outpacing the increase in interest income, and $6.6 million of non-recurring loss on AFS security sales. Fully taxable equivalent pre-provision net revenue totaled $159.1 million, compared to $190.0 million. The return on average tangible assets totaled 1.30%, compared to 1.57%, and the return on average tangible common equity was 13.65%, compared to 18.23%.
Adjusting for $6.6 million of non-recurring loss on AFS security sales included in the fourth quarter, net income totaled $123.9 million or $3.22 per diluted share. Adjusted fully taxable equivalent pre-provision net revenue totaled $165.7 million. The adjusted return on average tangible assets was 1.36%, and the adjusted return on average tangible common equity was 14.20%.
Fully taxable equivalent net interest income totaled $352.5 million, compared to $368.1 million. Average earning assets increased $130.9 million, including average loan growth of $262.4 million, which was partially offset by a decrease in average investment securities of $67.5 million. The fully taxable equivalent net interest margin narrowed 23 basis points to 3.85%, as the increase in earning asset yields was more than offset by an increase in the cost of funds. Average interest bearing liabilities increased $441.2 million due to higher average deposit balances, and the cost of funds totaled 2.27%, compared to 1.58% in the prior year.
Loans outstanding totaled $7.8 billion, increasing $52.4 million or 0.7%. New loan fundings during 2024 totaled $1.5 billion, led by commercial loan fundings of $1.0 billion.
The Company recorded $6.8 million of provision expense for credit losses during 2024, compared to $8.3 million in the prior year. The current year’s provision expense was primarily driven by loan growth and higher reserve requirements. Annualized net charge-offs totaled 0.13% of average total loans during 2024, compared to 0.02% of average total loans during 2023. Non-performing loans totaled 0.46% of total loans at December 31, 2024, compared to 0.37%, and non-performing assets totaled 0.47% of total loans and OREO at December 31, 2024, compared to 0.42%. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans totaled 1.22% at December 31, 2024, compared to 1.27% at December 31, 2023.
Average total deposits increased $374.4 million or 4.7% to $8.3 billion, and average transaction deposits increased $325.4 million or 4.7%. The mix of transaction deposits to total deposits was 88%, consistent with December 31, 2023.
Non-interest income totaled $61.2 million, compared to $63.9 million during 2023. Excluding $6.6 million of non-recurring loss on AFS security sales in 2024, non-interest income increased $3.9 million primarily driven by increases in our diversified sources of fee revenue