Business
West Bancorporation, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Bancorporation, Inc. (Nasdaq: WTBA; the “Company”), parent company of West Bank, today reported
About this update from West Bancorporation
[{"type":"text","content":"WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Bancorporation, Inc. (Nasdaq: WTBA; the “Company”), parent company of West Bank, today reported first quarter 2024 net income of $5.8 million, or $0.35 per diluted common share, compared to fourth quarter 2023 net income of $4.5 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share, and first quarter 2023 net income of $7.8 million, or $0.47 per diluted common share. On April 24, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.25 per common share. The dividend is payable on May 22, 2024, to stockholders of record on May 8, 2024. David Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, “We have completed our move to our new headquarters building in West Des Moines. After being in the same leased space for over 50 years, our new building is an opportunity to consolidate our corporate operations under one roof, provide space for future growth and enhance business development opportunities. This construction project was years in the making and is a commitment to honor our 131 year history and support the future of our community.” David Nelson added, “Like the rest of our industry, our Company continues to experience margin challenges in 2024. High short-term rates, an ongoing inverted yield curve and aggressive deposit competition continues to have a significant impact on our cost of funds and net interest margin. We have a clear understanding of our path forward to more normalized margins and earnings.” First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights Quarter EndedMarch 31, 2024Net income (in thousands)$5,809 Return on average equity10.63%Return on average assets0.61%Efficiency ratio (a non-GAAP measure)62.04%Nonperforming assets to total assets0.01% First Quarter 2024 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2023 Overview Loans increased $52.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, or 7.2 percent annualized. The increase is primarily due to the funding of previously committed construction loans.No credit loss expense was recorded in the first quarter of 2024, compared to a credit loss expense of $500 thousand recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023. The $500 thousand credit loss expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 was due to growth in loans and unfunded commitments.The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 0.95 percent at March ...