First Business Bank Reports Strong First Quarter 2022 Net Income of $8.7 Million

-- Results include robust in-market deposit growth, strong asset quality metrics, and provision benefit --

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Business Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”, the “Bank”, or “First Business Bank”) (Nasdaq:FBIZ) reported net income of $8.7 million, or $1.02 diluted earnings per share, in the first quarter of 2022. This compares to net income of $8.6 million, or $1.01 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $9.7 million, or $1.12 per share, in the first quarter of 2021.

“First Business Bank begins 2022 from a position of strength, with solid operating results, continued organic loan and deposit growth, and exceptional asset quality that again led to a loan loss provision benefit in the first quarter,” President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Chambas said. “Our record loan growth in late-2021 and continued loan production in early-2022 positioned us well, creating a larger earning-asset base that supported strong net interest income in the first quarter, despite elevated payoffs during the period. We remain confident in our ability to grow loans at a low double digit annual rate in 2022, given the strength of our team and the size of our pipelines heading into the second quarter. Together with our diversified fee income streams, the Bank generated solid top line revenue growth in the first quarter. Following the private placement of $32.5 million in new capital last month, we are well positioned for continued success in 2022 and beyond.”

Quarterly Highlights

• Continued Organic Loan Production. Loans, excluding Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, grew $20.9 million, or 3.8% annualized, from the fourth quarter of 2021 and $265.5 million, or 13.5%, from the first quarter of 2021, as the Company continued to expand its traditional lending throughout its geographies. The first quarter of 2022 included elevated loan payoffs of nearly $90 million, compared to just over $30 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.

• Robust In-Market Deposit Growth. Total period-end in-market deposits grew by $83.1 million, or 17.2% annualized, from the fourth quarter of 2021 and $274.1 million, or 15.8%, from the first quarter of 2021. Period-end in-market deposits represented 84.3% of total Bank funding at March 31, 2022, compared to 82.9% at December 31, 2021 and 74.9% at March 31, 2021.

• Diversified Fee Income. Non-interest income of $7.4 million for the first quarter made up 25.6% of top line revenue, reflecting the Company’s diversified fee income streams. Revenue of $2.8 million from private wealth management was the leading contributor to non-interest income, while the Company also benefited from $1.4 million in revenue from its investments in mezzanine funds.

• Strong Asset Quality Metrics. Non-performing assets declined 12.1% to $5.7 million, or 0.21% of total assets, improving from 0.25% and 0.73% of total assets on December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively. The Company had no active COVID-19 loan modifications as of March 31, 2022. The Company recorded a provision benefit of $855,000, compared to $508,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.

• Capital Restructuring. The Company completed a private placement to institutional investors for $32.5 million in new capital consisting of a $20.0 million subordinated note and $12.5 million of preferred stock. A portion of the proceeds were used to redeem $10.3 million of higher cost trust preferred securities in the first quarter of 2022. Management plans to redeem an additional $9.1 million of subordinated notes in the second quarter of 2022. The remainder of the proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including to support the Bank’s growth strategy, and to fund the Company’s previously announced $5 million share repurchase plan.

Quarterly Financial Results

Quarterly Financial Results - Excluding PPP Loans, Interest Income, and Fees

First Quarter 2022 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2021

Net interest income increased $502,000, or 2.4%, to $21.4 million.

• Net interest income growth was driven by an increase in average loans and leases, partially offset by a reduction in fees in lieu of interest and the accelerated amortization of $236,000 in debt issuance costs related to the redemption of trust preferred securities. Average loans and leases receivable, excluding net PPP loans in both periods of comparison, increased $96.9 million, or 18.2% annualized, to $2.224 billion. Fees in lieu of interest, which can vary from quarter to quarter based on client-driven activity, totaled $1.3 million, compared to $1.7 million, and included $249,000 and $892,000 in PPP fees, respectively. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, interest income from PPP loans, and the aforementioned accelerated debt issuance costs, net interest income increased $1.2 million, or 25.7% annualized.

• The yield on average interest-earning assets increased three basis points to 3.84% from 3.81%. Excluding average net PPP loans, PPP loan interest income, and the aforementioned fees in lieu of interest, the yield earned on average interest-earning assets increased seven basis points to 3.66% from 3.59%. The rate paid for average total bank funding decreased two basis point to 0.31% from 0.33%. Total bank funding is defined as total deposits plus Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances.

• Net interest margin was 3.39% in both periods of comparison. Adjusted net interest margin was 3.24%, up one basis point compared to 3.23% in the linked quarter. The aforementioned accelerated debt issuance costs reduced first quarter 2022 net interest margin and adjusted net interest margin by four basis points. Adjusted net interest margin is a non-GAAP measure representing net interest income excluding fees in lieu of interest and other recurring but volatile components of net interest margin divided by average interest-earning assets less average net PPP loans and other recurring but volatile components of average interest-earning assets such as excess liquidity and non-accrual loans.

• The Bank continues to maintain an asset-sensitive balance sheet and ended the quarter appropriately positioned for net interest income to benefit from rising short-term interest rates.

The Company reported a net benefit to provision for loan and lease losses of $855,000, compared to a $508,000 benefit in the fourth quarter of 2021.

• The provision benefit in the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to a $416,000 reduction due to qualitative risk factor improvements, a net decrease in specific reserves of $280,000, a $206,000 reduction in the general reserve from improving historical loss rates, and net recoveries of $188,000. These decreases were partially offset by a $235,000 increase in the general reserve due to loan growth.

Non-interest income decreased $183,000, or 2.4%, to $7.4 million.

• Private wealth management fee income decreased $33,000, or 1.1% to $2.8 million. Private wealth and trust assets under management and administration measured $2.834 billion at March 31, 2022, down $86.7 million, primarily due to a decrease in market valuations, which was partially offset by new business development.

• Gains on sale of SBA loans decreased $457,000 to $585,000. Management believes SBA 7a loan production, while variable based on timing of closings, will increase on an annual basis at a measured pace.

• Commercial loan interest rate swap fee income decreased $459,000 to $225,000. Swap fee income can vary from period to period based on client demand and the interest rate environment.

• Other fee income increased $817,000 to $2.1 million, compared to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter. The increase is primarily due to strong returns on the Company’s investments in mezzanine funds.

Non-interest expense increased $1.3 million, or 7.4%, to $18.8 million, while operating expense increased $1.2 million, or 7.0%, to $18.9 million.

• Compensation expense was $13.6 million, reflecting an increase of $1.2 million, or 9.6%, from the linked quarter primarily due to above average annual merit increases, reflecting the competitive job market, as well as payroll taxes paid in the quarter on a record annual cash bonus plan payout, and an expanded workforce. Management believes the increase in compensation expense will decline from this seasonally high rate and stabilize to a modestly lower rate during the remainder of the year. Average full-time equivalent employees (“FTE”) for the first quarter of 2022 were 310, up nine from 301 in the linked quarter.

• Professional fees were $1.2 million, increasing $237,000, or 25.4%, from the linked quarter primarily due to legal fees associated with tax credit investments, moderate increases in audit fees, and other professional and consulting services.

• FDIC insurance expense was $313,000, increasing $103,000, or 49.0%, from the linked quarter primarily due to an increase in both the assessment rate and the assessable base.

• Other non-interest expense decreased $269,000 to $513,000. During the linked quarter the Company recorded a $106,000 increase in the credit valuation adjustment (“CVA”) related to its commercial loan interest rate swap program, while no adjustment was recorded in the current period. The CVA can vary from period to period based on the size of the portfolio, credit metrics, and the interest rate environment in any given quarter. The remaining variance was mainly due to a seasonal increase in charitable donations in the linked quarter, as well as a current quarter increase in reimbursements received for loan expenses.

Income tax expense decreased $707,000. or 24.6%, to $2.2 million. The effective tax rate, excluding discrete items, was 23.5%, compared to 24.0% for the full year 2021. For 2022, the Corporation expects to report an effective tax rate of 23%-24%, excluding discrete items, as management intends to continue actively pursuing tax credit opportunities.

Total period-end loans and leases receivable, excluding net PPP loans in both periods of comparison, increased $20.9 million, or 3.8% annualized, to $2.233 billion. The first quarter of 2022 included elevated loan payoffs of nearly $90 million, compared to just over $30 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. These elevated levels of payoffs primarily stem from the sales of businesses and real estate properties, which can be variable depending on market conditions.

• Commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans increased by $15.1 million, or 4.1% annualized, to $1.470 billion, compared to $1.455 billion, as increases in construction financing and owner-occupied real estate offset payoffs and paydowns in multi-family and non-owner occupied loans.

• Commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans decreased $10.1 million, primarily due to the aforementioned payoffs and PPP loan forgiveness. C&I loans, excluding net PPP loans, decreased $1.0 million.

Total period-end in-market deposits increased $83.1 million, or 17.2% annualized, to $2.011 billion, compared to $1.928 billion, and the average rate paid was 0.13% in both periods. The Bank’s deposit-centric sales strategy, led by treasury management sales, contributed to growth across all in-market deposit categories.

Period-end wholesale funding, including FHLB advances, brokered deposits, and deposits gathered through internet deposit listing services, decreased $24.7 million to $373.7 million.

• Wholesale deposits decreased $17.3 million to $12.3 million. The average rate paid on wholesale deposits increased 188 basis points to 2.91% and the weighted average original maturity of brokered certificates of deposit increased to 4.8 years from 3.8 years.

• FHLB advances decreased $7.4 million to $361.4 million. The average rate paid on FHLB advances decreased 22 basis point to 1.08% and the weighted average original maturity increased to 6.0 years from 5.9 years.

Non-performing assets decreased $788,000, or 12.1%, to $5.7 million, or 0.21% of total assets, compared to $6.5 million, or 0.25% of total assets. The reduction in non-performing assets was primarily due to loan payoffs and paydowns.

The allowance for loan and lease losses decreased $667,000, or 2.7%, as an increase in the general reserve from loan growth was more than offset by a decrease in the historical loss rates, qualitative risk factors, and specific reserves.

• The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.05%, compared to 1.09% as of December 31, 2021.

• Excluding net PPP loans, the allowance for loan and leases losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.06%, compared to 1.10% as of December 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2022 Compared to First Quarter 2021

Net interest income increased $563,000, or 2.7%, to $21.4 million.

• The increase in net interest income primarily reflects an increase in average gross loans and leases, partially offset by lower fees in lieu of interest and the accelerated amortization of $236,000 in debt issuance costs related to the redemption of trust preferred securities. Fees in lieu of interest decreased from $3.1 million to $1.3 million, primarily due to a $2.0 million reduction in PPP loan fee amortization. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, interest income from PPP loans, and the aforementioned accelerated debt issuance costs, net interest income increased $3.1 million, or 18.3%. Excluding net PPP loans, average gross loans and leases increased $283.0 million, or 14.6%.

• The yield on average interest-earning assets measured 3.84% compared to 3.93%. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, PPP loan interest income, and net PPP loans, the yield on average interest-earning assets measured 3.66%, compared to 3.69%. This decrease in yield was primarily due to the renewal of fixed-rate loans and reinvestment of cash flows from the securities portfolio at historically low interest rates. The rate paid for average total bank funding decreased nine basis points to 0.31% from 0.40%.

• Net interest margin decreased five basis points to 3.39% from 3.44%. Adjusted net interest margin increased four basis points to 3.24% from 3.20%.

The Company reported a net benefit to provision for loan and lease losses of $855,000, compared to provision benefit of $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2021. The reasons for the provision benefit are consistent with the explanations discussed above in the linked quarter comparison.

Non-interest income of $7.4 million increased by $191,000, or 2.7%, from $7.2 million in the prior year period.

• Private wealth management fee income increased $434,000, or 18.0%, to $2.8 million. Private wealth and trust assets under management and administration measured $2.834 billion at March 31, 2022, up $447.5 million, or 18.8%.

• Gains on sale of SBA loans decreased $493,000 to $585,000. Management believes SBA 7a loan production, while variable based on timing of closings, will increase on an annual basis at a measured pace.

• Loan fees of $652,000 increased by $107,000, or 19.6%, primarily due to an increase in conventional, SBA, and floorplan financing activity generating additional processing and service fee income.

• Commercial loan interest rate swap fee income was $225,000, compared to $684,000 in the prior year period. Swap fee income varies from period to period based on client demand and the interest rate environment in any given quarter.

• Other fee income increased $520,000, or 33.2%, to $2.1 million compared to $1.6 million, primarily due to higher returns from the Company’s investments in mezzanine funds.

Non-interest expense increased $1.5 million, or 8.6%, to $18.8 million. Operating expense increased $1.4 million, or 8.2%, to $18.9 million.

• Compensation expense increased $981,000, or 7.8%, to $13.6 million. Average FTEs were 310 in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 305 in the first quarter of 2021. The reasons for the increase in compensation expense are consistent with the explanations discussed above in the linked quarter analysis.

• Professional fees increased $304,000, or 35.1%, to $1.2 million, primarily due to an increase in legal expenses related to historic tax credit investments, an increase in audit expenses, and a general increase in other professional consulting services for various projects.

• Marketing expense increased $109,000, or 27.9%, to $500,000 mainly due to an increase in business development activities as the Company continues to return to pre-pandemic spending levels.

• Other non-interest expense increased $239,000, or 87.2%, to $513,000, partially due to an increase in travel expense. In addition, the first quarter of 2021 included a reduction in CVA related to the commercial loan interest rate swap program, while no adjustment was recorded in the current period.

Total period-end loans and leases receivable, excluding net PPP loans in both periods of comparison, increased $265.5 million, or 13.5%, to $2.233 billion.

• C&I loans, excluding net PPP loans, increased $185.8 million, or 35.9%, due to an increase in both conventional commercial lending, as well as specialized commercial lending, which represents 19.4% of total gross loans, up from 17.8% last year. Management believes this growth rate will moderate to lower double-digits as the Company’s specialized lending products scale over time.

• CRE loans increased $77.2 million, or 5.5%, primarily due to an increase in non-owner-occupied real estate and construction financing.

Total period-end in-market deposits increased $274.1 million, or 15.8%, to $2.011 billion and the average rate paid decreased three basis points to 0.13%. This increase in deposits was principally due to an $82.1 million and $174.9 million increase in transaction and money market accounts, respectively.

Period-end wholesale funding decreased $207.6 million to $373.7 million.

• Wholesale deposits decreased $153.2 million to $12.3 million, compared to $165.5 million, as the existing portfolio runoff was replaced by in-market deposits. The average rate paid on brokered certificates of deposit increased 215 basis points to 2.91% and the weighted average original maturity increased to 4.8 years from 3.9 years.

• FHLB advances decreased $54.4 million to $361.4 million. The average rate paid on FHLB advances decreased 28 basis points to 1.08% and the weighted average original maturity increased to 6.0 years from 5.7 years.

Non-performing assets decreased to $5.7 million, or 0.21% of total assets, compared to $19.0 million, or 0.73% of total assets. Excluding net PPP loans, non-performing assets decreased to 0.21% of total assets as of March 31, 2022 compared to 0.81% one year prior.

The allowance for loan and lease losses decreased $5.3 million to $23.7 million, compared to $29.0 million.

• The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.05% compared to 1.29%.

• Excluding net PPP loans, the allowance for loan and leases losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.06% as of March 31, 2022, compared to 1.47% one year prior.

Paycheck Protection Program

As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $18.5 million in gross PPP loans outstanding and deferred processing fees outstanding of $308,000. The processing fees are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan, or accelerated at forgiveness, as an adjustment of yield using the interest method. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized $249,000 of PPP processing fees in interest income. The SBA provides a guaranty to the lender of 100% of principal and interest, unless the lender violated an obligation under the agreement. Since loan losses are expected to be immaterial, if at all, due to the government guarantee, management excluded the PPP loans from the allowance for loan and lease losses calculation. These short-term loans were funded primarily through a combination of excess cash held at the Federal Reserve and from an increase in in-market deposits.

Share Repurchase Program Update

As previously announced, effective March 4, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase by the Company of shares of its common stock with a maximum aggregate purchase price of $5.0 million, effective March 4, 2022 through March 4, 2023. During March, the Company repurchased a total of 4,502 shares for approximately $148,000 at an average cost of $32.87 per share.

About First Business Financial Services, Inc.

First Business Financial Services, Inc., (Nasdaq: FBIZ) is the parent company of First Business Bank. First Business Bank specializes in Business Banking, including Commercial Banking and Specialized Lending, Private Wealth, and Bank Consulting services, and through its refined focus, delivers unmatched expertise, accessibility, and responsiveness. Specialized Lending solutions are delivered through First Business Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary First Business Specialty Finance, LLC. For additional information, visit www.firstbusiness.bank.

This release may include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect First Business Bank’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information, but rather are related to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Those statements are based on general assumptions and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs, and projections expressed in such statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including among other things:

• Adverse changes in the economy or business conditions, either nationally or in our markets, including, without limitation, inflation, supply chain issues, labor shortages, and the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global, national, and local economy, which may effect the Corporation’s credit quality, revenue, and business operations.
• Competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions nationally and in the Company’s markets.
• Increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies.
• Management’s ability to manage growth effectively, including the successful expansion of our client service, administrative infrastructure, and internal management systems.
• Fluctuations in interest rates and market prices.
• Changes in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries.
• Changes in tax requirements, including tax rate changes, new tax laws, and revised tax law interpretations.
• Fraud, including client and system failure or breaches of our network security, including the Company’s internet banking activities.
• Failure to comply with the applicable SBA regulations in order to maintain the eligibility of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans.

For further information about the factors that could affect the Company’s future results, please see the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SELECTED FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS

PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSS COMPOSITION

PERFORMANCE RATIOS

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS