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Lakeland Financial Corp.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 27 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 1 lowered. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income up 13% year on year: Net income was $26.4 million, up $3.1 million or 13% from $23.3 million a year earlier. Diluted EPS was $1.03 against $0.91. Source
  • Net interest margin widened 34 basis points: Net interest margin was 3.50%, up from 3.16%. The company attributed the gain to lower funding costs, as deposits repriced faster than loans during the Federal Reserve easing cycle. Source
  • Net interest income up 14%: Net interest income was $56.1 million, up $6.8 million from $49.3 million a year earlier. Against the second quarter it rose $1.2 million, or 2%, from $54.9 million. Source
  • Nonaccrual loans down 68%: Nonaccrual loans were $18.7 million, down $38.9 million from $57.6 million a year earlier and $30.6 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Watch list ratio lowest in 23 years: Watch list loans were 3.00% of total loans, down from 3.67% in the second quarter and 5.27% a year earlier. Management called it the lowest level in 23 years. Source
  • Efficiency ratio rose to 50.7%: The efficiency ratio was 50.7% against 49.7% a year earlier and 45.9% in the second quarter. For the nine months it was 49.3% against 49.7%. Source
  • CET1 ratio rose to 15.06%: The CET1 ratio was 15.06% against 14.49% a year earlier. The total risk-based capital ratio was 16.22%; September figures are preliminary until the Call Report is filed. Source

“Healthy expansion in our net interest margin accompanied by great noninterest income growth and consistent loan growth delivered a strong quarter for the Lake City Bank team.”

David M. Findlay, Chairman and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Investment securities cash flows Sourceremainder of 2025approximately $34.1 millionLowered from approximately $54.5 million

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Branch count reached 55 with the Westfield, Indiana office opening in the third quarter, up from 54 offices in the prior quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net income up 13% year on year: Net income was $26.4 million, up $3.1 million or 13% from $23.3 million a year earlier. Diluted EPS was $1.03 against $0.91. Source
  • Net income eased 2% sequentially: Compared with the second quarter, net income fell $562,000, or 2%, from $27.0 million. Diluted EPS was $1.03 against $1.04. Source
  • Nine-month net income up 6%: Net income for the nine months was $73.5 million, up 6%. Diluted EPS was $2.85 against $2.69 for the same period of 2024. Source
  • Core profitability up 13% over nine months: Core operational profitability, which excludes certain non-routine 2024 events, rose $8.3 million, or 13%, to $73.5 million for the nine months. Source
  • Returns on equity and assets higher: Return on average equity was 14.60% against 13.85%, and return on average assets was 1.53% against 1.39%, both compared with the third quarter of 2024. Source

Net interest margin and income

  • Net interest margin widened 34 basis points: Net interest margin was 3.50%, up from 3.16%. The company attributed the gain to lower funding costs, as deposits repriced faster than loans during the Federal Reserve easing cycle. Source
  • Funding costs fell faster than yields: Interest expense on earning assets fell to 2.37% from 2.88%, while earning asset yields fell to 5.87% from 6.04%, both against the third quarter of 2024. Source
  • Deposit beta above loan beta: Cumulative loan beta for the easing cycle since September 2024 is 20%, against a 43% deposit beta. The second-quarter figures were 29% and 50%. Source
  • Net interest income up 14%: Net interest income was $56.1 million, up $6.8 million from $49.3 million a year earlier. Against the second quarter it rose $1.2 million, or 2%, from $54.9 million. Source
  • Second-quarter fee affected sequential margin: The second quarter included a $541,000 prepayment fee worth 3 basis points of margin. Excluding it, margin rose 11 basis points on the linked quarter. Source

“Our capital position continues to strengthen and provide a solid foundation for future balance sheet growth”

Kristin L. Pruitt, President

Loan growth and demand

  • Average loans up 3% year on year: Average total loans were $5.21 billion, up $141.5 million from a year earlier and down $23.8 million from the second quarter. Total loans were $5.25 billion at quarter end. Source
  • Commercial paydowns slightly exceeded originations: Commercial originations were about $417.0 million in the quarter, against about $421.0 million of paydowns. Source
  • Commercial real estate payoffs accelerated: Several large projects were completed and moved to long-term financing, and commercial real estate payoffs accelerated during the quarter. Source
  • Commercial real estate and consumer mortgages led growth: Year on year, commercial real estate and multifamily loans rose $105.4 million, or 4%, and consumer 1-4 family mortgages rose $47.6 million, or 10%. Agri-business loans fell $18.4 million, or 5%. Source
  • Commercial line usage held near 43%: Commercial line utilization was 43%, against 41% a year earlier and 44% in the second quarter. Commercial and industrial loans grew during the quarter. Source

Deposits and funding

  • Deposits up 3% year on year: Total deposits were $6.02 billion, up $187.0 million or 3% from a year earlier. Core deposits made up 97% of the total. Source
  • Seasonal public funds outflow cut deposits: Deposits fell $152.5 million, or 2%, from the second quarter. Core deposits dropped $177.7 million, while brokered deposits rose $25.2 million, or 17%. Source
  • Public funds grew on new customers: Public funds deposits rose $108.1 million, or 6%, helped by new public funds customers in the footprint. Commercial deposits fell 1% over the year. Source
  • Uninsured deposit share fell: Deposits not covered by FDIC insurance were 57% of total deposits, down from 59% at June 30, 2025 and 61% a year earlier. Source

“Core deposit growth during 2025 continues to fund loan growth and has resulted from growth with new and existing customers.”

Lisa M. O'Neill, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Asset quality and credit

  • Provision eased to $2.0 million: Provision for credit losses was $2.0 million, down from $3.1 million a year earlier and $3.0 million in the second quarter. The company cited loan growth and small watch-list allocation increases. Source
  • Net charge-offs fell to $384,000: Net charge-offs were $384,000, or 0.03% of average loans, against $28.9 million in the second quarter, which included a partial charge-off on a previously disclosed credit. Source
  • Nonaccrual loans down 68%: Nonaccrual loans were $18.7 million, down $38.9 million from $57.6 million a year earlier and $30.6 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Watch list ratio lowest in 23 years: Watch list loans were 3.00% of total loans, down from 3.67% in the second quarter and 5.27% a year earlier. Management called it the lowest level in 23 years. Source
  • Allowance coverage at 1.30%: The allowance for credit losses was 1.30% of total loans, down from 1.65% a year earlier and up from 1.27% in the second quarter. Nonperforming assets fell to $19.1 million. Source

Noninterest income and fees

  • Noninterest income up 9%: Noninterest income was $13.0 million, up $1.0 million or 9% from $11.9 million. Against the second quarter it rose $1.5 million, or 13%, from $11.5 million. Source
  • Life insurance income rose 47%: Bank owned life insurance income rose $499,000, or 47%, from policy purchases and better variable policy returns. Loan and service fees rose 16% on commercial loan fees. Source
  • Wealth and brokerage fees grew: Wealth advisory fees rose $137,000, or 5%, on customer and asset growth. Investment brokerage fees rose $119,000, or 27%, on volume and product mix. Source
  • Nine-month fee income down on 2024 gain: Nine-month noninterest income fell $9.6 million, or 21%, mainly because of the 2024 Visa share gain of $9.0 million. Adjusted core noninterest income rose 1%. Source

Costs and efficiency

  • Expenses up 15% year on year: Noninterest expense was $35.0 million, up $4.6 million from $30.4 million a year earlier. Against the second quarter it rose $4.5 million, or 15%. Source
  • Incentive accruals lifted salaries: Salaries and benefits rose $3.9 million, or 24%, mainly on performance-based incentive accruals. Sequentially, salaries and benefits rose 19%. Source
  • Efficiency ratio rose to 50.7%: The efficiency ratio was 50.7% against 49.7% a year earlier and 45.9% in the second quarter. For the nine months it was 49.3% against 49.7%. Source
  • Technology spending up 9%: Data processing fees and supplies rose $348,000, or 9%, on continued technology investment. Net occupancy expense rose 9% with branch network expansion. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • CET1 ratio rose to 15.06%: The CET1 ratio was 15.06% against 14.49% a year earlier. The total risk-based capital ratio was 16.22%; September figures are preliminary until the Call Report is filed. Source
  • Tangible book value per share up 7%: Tangible book value per share rose to $28.93, and tangible common equity improved $48.3 million, or 7%, from a year earlier. Source
  • Unrealized securities losses narrowed: Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities were $159.9 million, down from $185.3 million at June 30, 2025, but up from $154.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Quarterly dividend up 4%: The board approved a $0.50 quarterly dividend, a 4% increase from the $0.48 paid for the third quarter of 2024. Source

Investment portfolio and liquidity

  • Securities portfolio up 1%: Investment securities totaled $1.16 billion, up $16.9 million or 1% from a year earlier, and represented 17% of total assets. Source
  • Portfolio duration at 5.8 years: Tax-equivalent effective duration of the investment portfolio was 5.8 years, against 6.3 years a year earlier and 5.9 years in the second quarter. Source

Strategy, markets and people

  • Indianapolis expansion continues: Management said Indianapolis growth continues, citing the ninth office opened in that market. Source
  • Relationship growth in three units: Management reported significant relationship growth across the business in 2025, with emphasis on commercial banking, treasury management and wealth advisory. Source
  • Adding revenue producers in two groups: Management said it keeps adding revenue production positions in Commercial Banking and Wealth Advisory as part of broader market expansion plans. Source
  • Full-time staff at 666: Full-time equivalent employees were 666, down from 675 in the second quarter and up from 639 a year earlier. Source

Coming up, as management said on 27 October 2025

  • Dividend payable November 5, 2025: The $0.50 third-quarter dividend is payable on that date to holders of record on October 25, 2025. Source
  • Indianapolis office to add loans and deposits: Management expects the recently opened ninth Indianapolis office to keep adding loans and deposits as the branch expansion strategy runs. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited continuing uncertainty over tariffs and said it keeps monitoring credit trends across all loan segments. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The second-quarter release expected the sale and liquidation to close in Q3 2025. The third-quarter release reports payoff of the previously disclosed nonperforming credit.
  • Not stated: The second-quarter release said the company expected to collect the remaining principal from sale proceeds and a personal guarantee. The third-quarter release does not restate this.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.