Southside Bancshares Q1 Loan Growth 2.7%, EPS Up 11.4%, Redeems $93M Debt
SBSI•Southside Bancshares reported linked-quarter loan growth of 2.7%, driven by $431 million in new production and lower payoffs, while Q1 EPS rose 11.4% to $0.78. The bank reduced non-performing assets to 0.11% of total assets, redeemed $93 million of subordinated debt and opened a Tyler branch.
1. Q1 Financial Performance
Southside Bancshares achieved 2.7% linked-quarter loan growth, underpinned by $431 million in new production and the lowest quarterly payoffs in a year. Earnings per share climbed 11.4% to $0.78, reflecting stronger net interest income and controlled credit costs.
2. Asset Quality Improvements
Non-performing assets fell to 0.11% of total assets following a $27.5 million payoff of a restructured multifamily loan and other portfolio cleanups. However, four multifamily loans and one office loan were downgraded to substandard amid slower lease-up and rent pressures.
3. Funding and Cost Management
The bank redeemed $93 million of 7.41% subordinated debt, which is expected to lower funding costs by around 10 basis points. Wholesale funding rose to $1.4 billion to support balance sheet growth, and management forecasts net interest margin expansion if rates remain stable.
4. Strategic Expansion Initiatives
Expansion continued with a new full-service branch in Tyler and plans in The Woodlands, complemented by hiring a 30-year wealth management veteran in Dallas–Fort Worth. The loan portfolio mix is shifting toward 62% floating-rate assets to better manage interest rate sensitivity.
