Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Net income of $17.2 million, or $0.59 per diluted share; return on average assets (ROAA) of 1.60%; return on average stockholders’ equity (ROAE) of 18.50%; and return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE)⁽¹⁾ of 20.17%
• Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $17.9 million; or $0.62 per diluted share; adjusted ROAA⁽¹⁾ of 1.67%; adjusted ROAE⁽¹⁾ of 19.31%; and adjusted ROATCE⁽¹⁾ of 21.05%
• Asset quality remained strong with nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.12%
• Net interest margin expanded 45 basis points to 4.10%

(1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (the “Company” or “HBT Financial” or “HBT”), the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, today reported net income of $17.2 million, or $0.59 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2022. This compares to net income of $15.6 million, or $0.54 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2022, and net income of $13.6 million, or $0.47 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2021.

Fred L. Drake, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HBT Financial, said, “We had an excellent fourth quarter to complete 2022, thanks to growth in average earning assets, expanded net interest margin and solid non-interest income, resulting in increased book value and tangible book value per share. We expect to deliver good results again for our shareholders in 2023. We are excited to close the pending merger with Town and Country Financial Corporation (‘Town and Country’) during the first quarter, which will add scale and efficiency, generate profitable growth and enhance the long-term value of our company. Town and Country has a long history in their markets and is a high performing bank – we look forward to teaming up to build future success.”

“While the economy faces a lot of uncertainty, we are confident in our ability to manage through challenging times. Our bank has a strong foundation, with a proven executive team, an established core deposit base and a conservative, well-diversified loan portfolio.”

Adjusted Net Income

In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company believes adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which adjust for acquisition expenses, branch closure expenses, gains (losses) on sale of closed branch premises, net earnings (losses) from closed or sold operations, charges related to termination of certain employee benefit plans, realized gains (losses) on sales of securities, and mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustments, provide investors with additional insight into its operational performance. The Company reported adjusted net income of $17.9 million, or $0.62 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2022. This compares to adjusted net income of $15.9 million, or $0.55 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2022, and adjusted net income of $14.2 million, or $0.49 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2021 (see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables).

Cash Dividend

On January 24, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share on the Company’s common stock (the “Dividend”). The Dividend is payable on February 14, 2023 to shareholders of record as of February 7, 2023. This represents an increase of $0.01 from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share.

Mr. Drake noted, “We are very pleased that our strong financial performance and capital ratios have enabled us to further increase our quarterly cash dividend while maintaining sufficient capital to support the continued growth of the Company.”

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $42.2 million, an increase of 12.8% from $37.4 million for the third quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to higher yields on interest-earning assets, with the yield on loans increasing 70 basis points to 5.61%, while the cost of funds only increased 11 basis points to 0.28%. Contributing to the increased loan interest income were higher nonaccrual interest recoveries which totaled $1.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2022 and $0.1 million during the third quarter of 2022.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, net interest income increased 28.4% from $32.9 million. The increase was primarily attributable to higher yields on interest-earning assets, a more favorable asset mix, and nonaccrual interest recoveries. Partially offsetting these improvements was a decrease in PPP loan fees recognized as loan interest income which totaled $1.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2021. Additionally, nonaccrual interest recoveries totaled $0.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 4.10%, compared to 3.65% for the third quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to higher yields on interest-earning assets. The contribution of nonaccrual interest recoveries to net interest margin was 13 basis points during the fourth quarter of 2022 and 1 basis point during the third quarter of 2022. Additionally, acquired loan discount accretion contributed 2 basis points to net interest margin during the fourth quarter of 2022 and 2 basis points during the third quarter of 2022.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, net interest margin increased from 3.17%. This increase was primarily attributable to higher yields on interest-earning assets and a more favorable mix of interest-earning assets. Nonaccrual interest recoveries contributed 5 basis points to net interest margin, and acquired loan discount accretion contributed 6 basis points to net interest margin, during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $7.9 million, a decrease of 4.2% from $8.2 million for the third quarter of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to the fourth quarter 2022 results including a negative $0.3 million mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) fair value adjustment, while the third quarter of 2022 included a positive $0.4 million MSR fair value adjustment. Partially offsetting this decline was a $0.4 million increase in wealth management fees, primarily due to increased farmland brokerage service fees.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, noninterest income decreased 15.7% from $9.4 million. The decline was primarily due to a $0.7 million decrease in gains on sale of mortgage loans. Additionally, the fourth quarter of 2021 results included a positive $0.3 million MSR fair value adjustment.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $27.5 million, a 14.6% increase from $24.0 million for the third quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to a $2.6 million accrual related to pending legal matters, a $0.5 million increase in salaries expense, and a $0.4 million increase in benefits expense driven by higher medical benefit costs.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, noninterest expense increased 12.8% from $24.4 million, also primarily attributable to the accrual for pending legal matters and increased salaries and benefits expenses.

Loan Portfolio

Total loans outstanding, before allowance for loan losses, were $2.62 billion at December 31, 2022, compared with $2.58 billion at September 30, 2022 and $2.50 billion at December 31, 2021. The $40.3 million increase in total loans from September 30, 2022 was primarily attributable to growth in the multi-family and commercial and industrial categories. The $26.1 million increase in commercial and industrial loans was driven primarily by higher balances on lines of credit across a variety of industries.

Deposits

Total deposits were $3.59 billion at December 31, 2022, compared with $3.64 billion at September 30, 2022 and $3.74 billion at December 31, 2021. The $56.4 million decrease from September 30, 2022 was primarily attributable to lower balances maintained in public funds and business accounts, while balances maintained in retail accounts remained nearly unchanged.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming loans totaled $2.2 million, or 0.08% of total loans, at December 31, 2022, compared with $3.2 million, or 0.12% of total loans, at September 30, 2022, and $2.8 million, or 0.11% of total loans, at December 31, 2021.

The Company recorded a negative provision for loan losses of $0.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to a provision for loan losses of $0.4 million for the third quarter of 2022. The negative provision was primarily due to $0.9 million of net recoveries, partially offset by a $0.3 million increase in required reserves, resulting primarily from the increase in loans during the fourth quarter of 2022.

The Company had net recoveries of $0.9 million, or (0.14)% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to net charge-offs of $0.1 million, or 0.01% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the third quarter of 2022, and net charge-offs of $0.1 million, or 0.01% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2021.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses was 0.97% of total loans and 1,175% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2022, compared with 0.97% of total loans and 782% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2022.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, commonly referenced as the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) standard. Management is finalizing macroeconomic conditions and forecast assumptions to be used in our CECL model; however, we expect the initial allowance for credit losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments together to be approximately 25% to 50% above the existing allowance for loan loss levels. When finalized, this one-time increase will be recorded, net of tax, as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings. Ongoing impacts of the CECL methodology will be dependent upon changes in economic conditions and forecasts, the credit quality of our loan portfolio, originated and acquired loan portfolio composition, portfolio duration, and other factors.

Stock Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program that took effect upon the expiration of the Company’s prior stock repurchase program on January 1, 2023. The new Program will be in effect until January 1, 2024 and authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $15 million of its common stock.

Pending Acquisition of Town and Country

On August 23, 2022, HBT and Town and Country, the holding company for Town and Country Bank, jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which HBT will acquire Town and Country and Town and Country Bank. The acquisition will further enhance HBT’s footprint in Central Illinois as well as expand HBT’s footprint into metro-east St. Louis. Acquisition-related expenses were $0.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2022 and $0.5 million during the third quarter of 2022. The acquisition is expected to close on February 1, 2023.

About HBT Financial, Inc.

HBT Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, and has banking roots that can be traced back to 1920. HBT provides a comprehensive suite of business, commercial, wealth management, and retail banking products and services to individuals, businesses and municipal entities throughout Central and Northeastern Illinois and Eastern Iowa through 58 full-service branches. As of December 31, 2022, HBT had total assets of $4.3 billion, total loans of $2.6 billion, and total deposits of $3.6 billion.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include net interest income (tax-equivalent basis), net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis), efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per share, return on average tangible common equity, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted return on average assets, adjusted return on average stockholders’ equity, and adjusted return on average tangible common equity. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, together with the related GAAP financial measures, in its analysis of our performance and in making business decisions. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present these non-GAAP financial measures, and accordingly believes that providing these measures may be useful for peer comparison purposes. These disclosures should not be viewed as substitutes for the results determined to be in accordance with GAAP; nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that may be presented by other companies. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables.

Forward-Looking Statements

Readers should note that in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, "forward-looking statements" within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will,” “propose,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” or “should,” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economies (including effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, widespread disease or pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States), acts of war or other threats thereof, or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets, and the response of the local, state and national governments to any such adverse external events; (iii) changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies, the FASB or the PCAOB; (iv) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business; (v) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets (including the impact of LIBOR phase-out); (vi) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (viii) unexpected results of acquisitions, which may include failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and the possibility that transaction costs may be greater than anticipated; (ix) the loss of key executives or employees; (x) changes in consumer spending; (xi) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; (xii) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards; (xiii) the risk that a condition to closing of the pending Town and Country transaction may not be satisfied, that either party may terminate the merger agreement or that the closing of the pending transaction might be delayed or not occur at all; (xiv) potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; (xv) the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; (xvi) the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of Town and Country into those of HBT; (xvii) the effects of the merger on HBT’s future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; and (xviii) the ability of the Company to manage the risks associated with the foregoing. Readers should note that the forward-looking statements included in this press release are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Important Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, HBT Financial and Town and Country filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 of HBT Financial that includes a proxy statement of Town and Country and a prospectus of HBT Financial that has been distributed to the stockholders of Town and Country. This document is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or the Registration Statement or for any other document that HBT Financial or Town and Country may file with the SEC and/or send to Town and Country’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. TOWN AND COUNTRY’S STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY HBT FINANCIAL OR TOWN AND COUNTRY OR DISTRIBUTED TO TOWN AND COUNTRY STOCKHOLDERS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HBT FINANCIAL, TOWN AND COUNTRY AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors can obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and proxy statement/prospectus, as each may be amended from time to time, and other relevant documents filed by HBT Financial and Town and Country with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by HBT Financial are available free of charge from HBT Financial’s website at https://ir.hbtfinancial.com or by contacting HBT Financial’s Investor Relations Department at HBTIR@hbtbank.com.

No Offer or Solicitation

This document does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy any securities with respect to the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

CONTACT:
Peter Chapman
HBTIR@hbtbank.com
(888) 897-2276

HBT Financial, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

*   Annualized measure.
(1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(2)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

HBT Financial, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
Consolidated Statements of Income

HBT Financial, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
Consolidated Balance Sheets

HBT Financial, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

HBT Financial, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

*   Annualized measure.
(1)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(2)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
(3)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(4)   Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5)   Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

HBT Financial, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

(1)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(2)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
(3)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(4)   Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5)   Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

HBT Financial, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

(1)   Excludes loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality that are past due 90 or more days, still accruing totaling $145 thousand, $22 thousand, and $32 thousand as of December 31, 2022, September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

*   Annualized measure.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Return on Average Assets

*   Annualized measure.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
Adjusted Earnings Per Share

(1)   The Company has granted certain restricted stock units that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividend equivalents. Such restricted stock units are considered participating securities. As such, we have included these restricted stock units in the calculation of basic earnings per share and calculate basic earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin (Tax Equivalent Basis)

*   Annualized measure.
(1)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
Efficiency Ratio (Tax Equivalent Basis)