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Stellar Bancorp, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

businesswire.com

HOUSTON--( BUSINESS WIRE)--Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Stellar”) (NYSE: STEL) today reported net income of $26.1 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.51, for the fourth quarter of 2025 and net income of $102.9 million, or diluted earnings per share of $1.99, for the full year 2025.

Financial Highlights

Year 2025 Results

Net interest income for 2025 decreased $6.4 million, or 1.6%, to $401.6 million from $408.0 million for 2024. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased to 4.20% for 2025 from 4.24% for 2024. The decrease in net interest income from the prior year was primarily due to the decrease in average interest-earning assets partially offset by the decrease in cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income for 2025 benefited from $19.3 million of income from PAA down from $33.0 million for 2024. Excluding PAA, net interest income (tax equivalent) for 2025 would have been $382.7 million (1) and the tax equivalent net interest margin would have been 3.99% (1) an increase from $375.3 million and 3.89% for the year 2024.

Noninterest income for 2025 was $21.8 million, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 5.4%, compared to $23.0 million for 2024. Noninterest income decreased in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to losses on sales and write-downs on foreclosed assets recorded during 2025.

Noninterest expense for 2025 decreased $3.5 million, or 1.2%, to $285.5 million compared to $289.0 million for 2024. The decrease in noninterest expense during 2025 compared to 2024 was primarily due to a $3.2 million decrease in professional fees, a $2.6 million decrease in amortization of intangibles and a $1.4 million decrease in regulatory assessments partially offset by a $3.5 million increase salaries and employee benefits.

The efficiency ratio was 62.28% (1) for 2025 compared to 61.53% (1) for 2024. Annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 0.97%, 6.34% and 11.48% (1) for 2025, respectively, compared to 1.08%, 7.34% and 13.89% (1) for 2024, respectively.

(1)

Refer to the calculation of this non-GAAP financial measure on page 10 of this earnings release. The calculation of returns on average tangible equity and the efficiency ratio have been adjusted from prior period disclosures.

Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

Net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2025 increased $2.7 million, or 2.7%, to $103.4 million from $100.6 million for the third quarter of 2025. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis increased to 4.21% for the fourth quarter of 2025 from 4.20% for the third quarter of 2025. The increase in net interest income from the prior quarter was primarily due to the decrease in cost of average interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2025 benefited from $3.8 million of income from PAA compared to $4.8 million in the third quarter of 2025. Excluding PAA, net interest income (tax equivalent) for the fourth quarter of 2025 would have been $99.7 million (1) and the tax equivalent net interest margin would have been 4.06% (1) compared to net interest income of $95.9 million and tax equivalent net interest margin of 4.00% for the third quarter of 2025.

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $5.5 million, an increase of $522 thousand, or 10.5%, compared to $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2025. Noninterest income increased in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter of 2025 primarily due to a death benefit on bank-owned life insurance received during the fourth quarter of 2025.

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2025 decreased $984 thousand, or 1.3%, to $72.2 million compared to $73.1 million for the third quarter of 2025. The decrease in noninterest expense during the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter of 2025 was primarily due to a decrease in amortization of intangibles of $624 thousand and a decrease in regulatory assessments of $483 thousand.

The efficiency ratio was 61.64% (1) for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 63.69% (1) for the third quarter of 2025. Annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 0.97%, 6.23% and 10.90% (1) for the fourth quarter of 2025, respectively, compared to 0.97%, 6.30% and 11.45% (1) for the third quarter of 2025, respectively.

Financial Condition

Total assets at December 31, 2025 were $10.81 billion, an increase of $178.5 million compared to $10.63 billion at September 30, 2025. The increase in total assets was largely due to an increase of $356.2 million in securities and a $132.7 million increase in loans, partially offset by a $303.9 million decrease in interest-bearing deposits at other financial institutions.

Total loans at December 31, 2025 increased $132.7 million to $7.30 billion compared to $7.17 billion at September 30, 2025. At December 31, 2025, the remaining balance of the PAA on loans was $54.3 million.

Total deposits at December 31, 2025 increased $204.0 million to $9.02 billion compared to $8.82 billion at September 30, 2025 primarily due to increases in noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits partially offset by a decrease in certificates and other time deposits.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $60.0 million, or 0.56% of total assets, at December 31, 2025, compared to $54.2 million, or 0.51% of total assets, at September 30, 2025 and $38.9 million, or 0.36% of total assets, at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.15% at December 31, 2025 compared to 1.10% at September 30, 2025 and 1.09% at December 31, 2024.

The year ended December 31, 2025 included a provision for credit losses of $10.2 million compared to a reversal of provision for credit losses of $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2025 were $3.8 million, or 0.05% of average loans, compared to net charge-offs of $6.7 million, or 0.09% of average loans, for the year ended December 31, 2024.

The provision for credit losses was $5.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $305 thousand for the third quarter of 2025 primarily due to loan growth. Net charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2025 were $71 thousand compared to net charge-offs of $3.3 million, or 0.18% (annualized) of average loans, for the third quarter of 2025.

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Stellar’s management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its performance. Please refer to the GAAP Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 10 of this earnings release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Conference Call Cancelled

As a result of today’s announcement that the Company has entered into a merger agreement with Prosperity Bancshares, Inc., the Company has cancelled the previously announced conference call regarding the Company’s fourth quarter results, which was scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time).

About Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Stellar’s principal banking subsidiary, Stellar Bank, provides a diversified range of commercial banking services primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses and individual customers across Houston, Dallas, Beaumont and surrounding communities in Texas.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, future financial performance and operating results, the Company’s plans, business and growth strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements related to the expected timing, completion and benefits of the proposed transaction with Prosperity Bancshares, Inc., projections of macroeconomic and industry trends, which are inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact economic trends, and any such variations may be material. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “scheduled,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “would,” or “continue” or negatives of such terms or other comparable terminology.

All forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Stellar to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: changes in the interest rate environment, the value of Stellar’s assets and obligations and the availability of capital and liquidity; general competitive, economic, political and market conditions; and other factors that may affect future results of Stellar including changes in asset quality and credit risk; the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; changes in interest rates and capital markets; inflation; customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices; the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; capital management activities; disruptions to the economy and the U.S. banking system; risks associated with uninsured deposits and responsive measures by federal or state governments or banking regulators; legislative changes, executive orders, regulatory actions and reforms of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Texas Department of Banking.

Additional factors which could affect the Company’s future results can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, in each case filed with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We disclaim any obligation and do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this communication, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)

2025

2024

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

December 31

(Dollars in thousands)

ASSETS:

Cash and due from banks

$

94,331

$

99,407

$

136,060

$

130,932

$

419,967

Interest-bearing deposits at other financial institutions

325,122

629,042

442,044

429,643

491,249

Total cash and cash equivalents

419,453

728,449

578,104

560,575

911,216

Available for sale securities, at fair value

2,198,459

1,842,268

1,729,684

1,719,371

1,673,016

Loans held for investment

7,300,591

7,167,857

7,287,347

7,283,133

7,439,854

Less: allowance for credit losses on loans

(83,629

)

(78,924

)

(83,165

)

(83,746

)

(81,058

)

Loans, net

7,216,962

7,088,933

7,204,182

7,199,387

7,358,796

Accrued interest receivable

35,869

34,865

35,537

37,669

37,884

Premises and equipment, net

106,118

107,803

108,615

109,750

111,856

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock

45,532

45,437

47,099

20,902

8,209

Bank-owned life insurance

109,477

109,358

108,726

108,108

107,498

Goodwill

497,318

497,318

497,318

497,318

497,318

Core deposit intangibles, net

71,018

75,929

81,468

87,007

92,546

Other assets

106,388

97,753

102,277

94,800

107,451

Total assets

$

10,806,594

$

10,628,113

$

10,493,010

$

10,434,887

$

10,905,790

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

LIABILITIES:

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing

$

3,407,865

$

3,210,948

$

3,183,693

$

3,205,619

$

3,576,206

Interest-bearing

Demand

2,114,997

1,960,857

1,941,156

1,863,752

1,845,749

Money market and savings

2,469,845

2,489,169

2,393,767

2,248,616

2,253,193

Certificates and other time

1,028,759

1,156,489

1,154,998

1,244,726

1,453,236

Total interest-bearing deposits

5,613,601

5,606,515

5,489,921

5,357,094

5,552,178

Total deposits

9,021,466

8,817,463

8,673,614

8,562,713

9,128,384

Accrued interest payable

5,508

9,429

7,607

9,856

17,052

Borrowed funds

69,925

119,923

Subordinated debt

40,226

70,196

70,165

70,135

70,105

Other liabilities

70,740

77,887

67,865

61,428

82,389

Total liabilities

9,137,940

8,974,975

8,889,176

8,824,055

9,297,930

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Common stock

509

512

514

521

534

Capital surplus

1,174,894

1,182,781

1,185,048

1,202,628

1,240,050

Retained earnings

566,216

547,717

529,216

510,072

492,640

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(72,965

)

(77,872

)

(110,944

)

(102,389

)

(125,364

)

Total shareholders’ equity

1,668,654

1,653,138

1,603,834

1,610,832

1,607,860

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

10,806,594

$

10,628,113

$

10,493,010

$

10,434,887

$

10,905,790

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

2025

2024

2025

2024

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

December 31

December 31

December 31

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

INTEREST INCOME:

Loans, including fees

$

119,866

$

122,557

$

121,814

$

120,640

$

128,738

$

484,877

$

531,680

Securities:

Taxable

17,619

16,278

15,293

16,148

14,789

65,338

49,903

Tax-exempt

808

808

810

812

814

3,238

3,262

Deposits in other financial institutions

5,745

5,770

4,782

4,720

5,681

21,017

17,555

Total interest income

144,038

145,413

142,699

142,320

150,022

574,470

602,400

INTEREST EXPENSE:

Demand, money market and savings deposits

29,484

32,376

31,097

27,574

27,877

120,531

113,246

Certificates and other time deposits

10,370

10,920

11,459

13,527

16,830

46,276

68,745

Borrowed funds

6

56

407

517

235

986

4,549

Subordinated debt

795

1,417

1,401

1,444

2,123

5,057

7,868

Total interest expense

40,655

44,769

44,364

43,062

47,065

172,850

194,408

NET INTEREST INCOME

103,383

100,644

98,335

99,258

102,957

401,620

407,992

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses

5,131

305

1,090

3,632

942

10,158

(2,880

)

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

98,252

100,339

97,245

95,626

102,015

391,462

410,872

NONINTEREST INCOME:

Service charges on deposit accounts

1,592

1,545

1,561

1,584

1,590

6,282

6,430

(Loss) gain on sale/write-down of assets

(171

)

(491

)

(57

)

417

(112

)

(302

)

769

Bank-owned life insurance

1,026

632

618

610

622

2,886

2,414

Debit card and interchange income

583

572

566

520

570

2,241

2,191

Other

2,478

2,728

3,103

2,374

2,362

10,683

11,242

Total noninterest income

5,508

4,986

5,791

5,505

5,032

21,790

23,046

NONINTEREST EXPENSE:

Salaries and employee benefits

42,913

43,175

40,927

41,792

43,797

168,807

165,357

Net occupancy and equipment

4,776

4,518

4,399

3,926

4,401

17,619

17,864

Depreciation

2,056

2,015

1,992

1,995

1,984

8,058

7,807

Data processing and software amortization

5,796

5,882

5,620

5,682

5,551

22,980

21,652

Professional fees

1,587

1,601

1,287

1,786

3,428

6,261

9,424

Regulatory assessments and FDIC insurance

1,205

1,688

1,561

1,733

1,636

6,187

7,568

Amortization of intangibles

4,930

5,554

5,548

5,548

5,581

21,580

24,220

Communications

872

855

861

847

807

3,435

3,418

Advertising

1,333

1,425

1,167

782

1,593

4,707

4,127

Other

6,690

6,429

6,642

6,075

6,488

25,836

27,521

Total noninterest expense

72,158

73,142

70,004

70,166

75,266

285,470

288,958

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

31,602

32,183

33,032

30,965

31,781

127,782

144,960

Provision for income taxes

5,454

6,513

6,680

6,263

6,569

24,910

29,957

NET INCOME

$

26,148

$

25,670

$

26,352

$

24,702

$

25,212

$

102,872

$

115,003

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic

$

0.51

$

0.50

$

0.51

$

0.46

$

0.47

$

1.99

$

2.15

Diluted

$

0.51

$

0.50

$

0.51

$

0.46

$

0.47

$

1.99

$

2.15

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

2025

2024

2025

2024

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

December 31

December 31

December 31

(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Net income

$

26,148

$

25,670

$

26,352

$

24,702

$

25,212

$

102,872

$

115,003

Earnings per share, basic

$

0.51

$

0.50

$

0.51

$

0.46

$

0.47

$

1.99

$

2.15

Earnings per share, diluted

$

0.51

$

0.50

$

0.51

$

0.46

$

0.47

$

1.99

$

2.15

Dividends per share

$

0.15

$

0.14

$

0.14

$

0.14

$

0.14

$

0.57

$

0.53

Return on average assets (A)

0.97

%

0.97

%

1.01

%

0.94

%

0.94

%

0.97

%

1.08

%

Return on average equity (A)

6.23

%

6.30

%

6.62

%

6.21

%

6.21

%

6.34

%

7.34

%

Return on average tangible equity (A)(B)(D)

10.90

%

11.45

%

12.16

%

11.48

%

11.53

%

11.48

%

13.89

%

Net interest margin (tax equivalent) (A)(C)

4.21

%

4.20

%

4.18

%

4.20

%

4.25

%

4.20

%

4.24

%

Net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding PAA (A)(B)(C)

4.06

%

4.00

%

3.95

%

3.97

%

3.94

%

3.99

%

3.89

%

Efficiency ratio (B)(E)

61.64

%

63.69

%

61.87

%

61.93

%

64.46

%

62.28

%

61.53

%

Capital Ratios

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (Consolidated)

Equity to assets

15.44

%

15.55

%

15.28

%

15.44

%

14.74

%

15.44

%

14.74

%

Tangible equity to tangible assets (B)(E)

10.75

%

10.74

%

10.34

%

10.42

%

9.87

%

10.75

%

9.87

%

Estimated Total capital ratio (to risk-weighted assets)

15.73

%

16.33

%

15.98

%

15.97

%

16.00

%

15.73

%

16.00

%

Estimated Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

14.18

%

14.43

%

14.06

%

14.05

%

14.14

%

14.18

%

14.14

%

Estimated Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

14.31

%

14.55

%

14.18

%

14.17

%

14.26

%

14.31

%

14.26

%

Estimated Tier 1 leverage (to average tangible assets)

11.52

%

11.60

%

11.44

%

11.20

%

11.31

%

11.52

%

11.31

%

Stellar Bank

Estimated Total capital ratio (to risk-weighted assets)

15.03

%

15.45

%

15.39

%

15.40

%

15.28

%

15.03

%

15.28

%

Estimated Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

13.83

%

14.27

%

14.18

%

14.20

%

14.13

%

13.83

%

14.13

%

Estimated Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

13.83

%

14.27

%

14.18

%

14.20

%

14.13

%

13.83

%

14.13

%

Estimated Tier 1 leverage (to average tangible assets)

11.14

%

11.37

%

11.44

%

11.22

%

11.21

%

11.14

%

11.21

%

Other Data

Weighted average shares:

Basic

51,083

51,283

51,529

53,146

53,422

51,753

53,469

Diluted

51,167

51,356

51,569

53,197

53,471

51,805

53,510

Period end shares outstanding

50,902

51,228

51,398

52,141

53,429

50,902

53,429

Book value per share

$

32.78

$

32.27

$

31.20

$

30.89

$

30.09

$

32.78

$

30.09

Tangible book value per share (B)

$

21.62

$

21.08

$

19.94

$

19.69

$

19.05

$

21.62

$

19.05

Employees - full-time equivalents

1,075

1,065

1,062

1,054

1,037

1,075

1,037

(A)

Interim periods annualized.

(B)

Refer to the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures on page 10 of this Earnings Release.

Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(D)

The calculation of return on average tangible equity has been adjusted from prior period disclosures and all periods presented above have been recalculated and disclosed under the same calculation.

The calculation of the efficiency ratio represents total noninterest expense less amortization of core deposits, divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, excluding net gains and losses on the sale/write-down of assets. This calculation has been adjusted from prior period disclosures and all periods presented above have been recalculated and disclosed under the same calculation.

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2025

September 30, 2025

December 31, 2024

Average Balance

Interest Earned/

Interest Paid

Average Yield/Rate

Average Balance

Interest Earned/

Interest Paid

Average Yield/Rate

Average Balance

Interest Earned/

Interest Paid

Average Yield/Rate

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets

Interest-earning assets:

Loans

$

7,198,899

$

119,866

6.61

%

$

7,228,778

$

122,557

6.73

%

$

7,477,332

$

128,738

6.85

%

Securities

1,976,112

18,427

3.70

%

1,790,897

17,086

3.79

%

1,702,111

15,603

3.65

%

Deposits in other financial institutions

578,480

5,745

3.94

%

505,342

5,770

4.53

%

473,719

5,681

4.77

%

Total interest-earning assets

9,753,491

$

144,038

5.86

%

9,525,017

$

145,413

6.06

%

9,653,162

$

150,022

6.18

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(78,995

)

(82,983

)

(84,423

)

Noninterest-earning assets

1,070,537

1,076,831

1,080,436

Total assets

$

10,745,033

$

10,518,865

$

10,649,175

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

2,008,416

$

13,281

2.62

%

$

1,935,203

$

14,356

2.94

%

$

1,623,867

$

11,341

2.78

%

Money market and savings deposits

2,546,538

16,203

2.52

%

2,475,306

18,020

2.89

%

2,312,711

16,536

2.84

%

Certificates and other time deposits

1,127,248

10,370

3.65

%

1,162,461

10,920

3.73

%

1,538,785

16,830

4.35

%

Borrowed funds

327

6

7.28

%

3,156

56

7.04

%

15,979

235

5.85

%

Subordinated debt

40,211

795

7.84

%

70,181

1,417

8.01

%

101,394

2,123

8.33

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

5,722,740

$

40,655

2.82

%

5,646,307

$

44,769

3.15

%

5,592,736

$

47,065

3.35

%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

3,269,053

3,172,054

3,342,636

Other liabilities

88,715

82,993

99,041

Total liabilities

9,080,492

8,901,354

9,034,413

Shareholders’ equity

1,664,541

1,617,511

1,614,762

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

10,745,033

$

10,518,865

$

10,649,175

Net interest rate spread

3.04

%

2.91

%

2.83

%

Net interest income and margin

$

103,383

4.21

%

$

100,644

4.19

%

$

102,957

4.24

%

Net interest income and margin (tax equivalent)

$

103,487

4.21

%

$

100,739

4.20

%

$

103,039

4.25

%

Cost of funds

1.79

%

2.01

%

2.10

%

Cost of deposits

1.77

%

1.96

%

2.02

%

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)

Year Ended December 31,

2025

2024

Average Balance

Interest Earned/

Interest Paid

Average Yield/Rate

Average Balance

Interest Earned/

Interest Paid

Average Yield/Rate

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets

Interest-earning assets:

Loans

$

7,263,152

$

484,877

6.68

%

$

7,712,122

$

531,680

6.89

%

Securities

1,828,752

68,576

3.75

%

1,593,073

53,165

3.34

%

Deposits in other financial institutions

488,213

21,017

4.30

%

334,654

17,555

5.25

%

Total interest-earning assets

9,580,117

$

574,470

6.00

%

9,639,849

$

602,400

6.25

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(81,708

)

(91,770

)

Noninterest-earning assets

1,086,711

1,098,396

Total assets

$

10,585,120

$

10,646,475

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

1,952,032

$

54,429

2.79

%

$

1,618,212

$

48,290

2.98

%

Money market and savings deposits

2,407,951

66,102

2.75

%

2,236,678

64,956

2.90

%

Certificates and other time deposits

1,196,586

46,276

3.87

%

1,574,598

68,745

4.37

%

Borrowed funds

20,791

986

4.74

%

77,662

4,549

5.86

%

Subordinated debt

62,605

5,057

8.08

%

107,768

7,868

7.30

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

5,639,965

$

172,850

3.06

%

5,614,918

$

194,408

3.46

%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

3,236,602

3,369,931

Other liabilities

85,472

94,165

Total liabilities

8,962,039

9,079,014

Shareholders' equity

1,623,081

1,567,461

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

10,585,120

$

10,646,475

Net interest rate spread

2.94

%

2.79

%

Net interest income and margin

$

401,620

4.19

%

$

407,992

4.23

%

Net interest income and margin (tax equivalent)

$

402,005

4.20

%

$

408,305

4.24

%

Cost of funds

1.95

%

2.16

%

Cost of deposits

1.90

%

2.07

%

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

2025

2024

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

December 31

(Dollars in thousands)

Loan Portfolio:

Commercial and industrial

$

1,476,559

$

1,332,795

$

1,346,744

$

1,362,266

$

1,362,260

Real estate:

Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)

3,766,294

3,733,293

3,840,981

3,854,607

3,868,218

Commercial real estate construction and land development

720,779

753,381

762,911

721,488

845,494

1-4 family residential (including home equity)

1,136,227

1,142,614

1,126,523

1,125,837

1,115,484

Residential construction

124,653

121,197

137,855

141,283

157,977

Consumer and other

76,079

84,577

72,333

77,652

90,421

Total loans held for investment

$

7,300,591

$

7,167,857

$

7,287,347

$

7,283,133

$

7,439,854

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing

$

3,407,865

$

3,210,948

$

3,183,693

$

3,205,619

$

3,576,206

Interest-bearing

Demand

2,114,997

1,960,857

1,941,156

1,863,752

1,845,749

Money market and savings

2,469,845

2,489,169

2,393,767

2,248,616

2,253,193

Certificates and other time

1,028,759

1,156,489

1,154,998

1,244,726

1,453,236

Total interest-bearing deposits

5,613,601

5,606,515

5,489,921

5,357,094

5,552,178

Total deposits

$

9,021,466

$

8,817,463

$

8,673,614

$

8,562,713

$

9,128,384

Asset Quality:

Nonaccrual loans

$

52,548

$

46,250

$

50,505

$

54,518

$

37,212

Accruing loans 90 or more days past due

Total nonperforming loans

52,548

46,250

50,505

54,518

37,212

Foreclosed assets

7,492

7,939

7,652

5,154

1,734

Total nonperforming assets

$

60,040

$

54,189

$

58,157

$

59,672

$

38,946

Net charge-offs

$

71

$

3,323

$

206

$

163

$

2,016

Nonaccrual loans:

Commercial and industrial

$

7,616

$

5,594

$

13,395

$

11,471

$

8,500

Real estate:

Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)

29,271

25,156

23,359

26,383

16,459

Commercial real estate construction and land development

1,838

2,899

3,412

2,027

3,061

1-4 family residential (including home equity)

13,333

12,083

9,965

14,550

9,056

Residential construction

448

457

176

Consumer and other

42

61

198

87

136

Total nonaccrual loans

$

52,548

$

46,250

$

50,505

$

54,518

$

37,212

Asset Quality Ratios:

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.56

%

0.51

%

0.55

%

0.57

%

0.36

%

Nonperforming loans to total loans

0.72

%

0.65

%

0.69

%

0.75

%

0.50

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans

159.15

%

170.65

%

164.67

%

153.61

%

217.83

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans

1.15

%

1.10

%

1.14

%

1.15

%

1.09

%

Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)

0.00

%

0.18

%

0.01

%

0.01

%

0.11

%

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

GAAP Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

Stellar’s management uses certain non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures to evaluate its performance. Stellar believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and that management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Stellar’s performance and when planning, forecasting, analyzing and comparing past, present and future periods. Specifically, Stellar reviews pre-tax, pre-provision income, pre-tax pre-provision ROAA, tangible book value per share, return on average tangible equity, tangible equity to tangible assets and net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding PAA for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Stellar has included in this earnings release information relating to these non-GAAP financial measures for the applicable periods presented. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which Stellar calculates the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

2025

2024

2025

2024

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

December 31

December 31

December 31

(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Net income

$

26,148

$

25,670

$

26,352

$

24,702

$

25,212

$

102,872

$

115,003

Add: Provision for (reversal of) credit losses

5,131

305

1,090

3,632

942

10,158

(2,880

)

Add: Provision for income taxes

5,454

6,513

6,680

6,263

6,569

24,910

29,957

Pre-tax, pre-provision income

$

36,733

$

32,488

$

34,122

$

34,597

$

32,723

$

137,940

$

142,080

Total average assets

$

10,745,033

$

10,518,865

$

10,464,157

$

10,611,691

$

10,649,175

$

10,585,120

$

10,646,475

Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets (A)

1.36

%

1.23

%

1.31

%

1.32

%

1.22

%

1.30

%

1.33

%

Total shareholders’ equity

$

1,668,654

$

1,653,138

$

1,603,834

$

1,610,832

$

1,607,860

$

1,668,654

$

1,607,860

Less: Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net

568,336

573,247

578,786

584,325

589,864

568,336

589,864

Tangible shareholders’ equity

$

1,100,318

$

1,079,891

$

1,025,048

$

1,026,507

$

1,017,996

$

1,100,318

$

1,017,996

Shares outstanding at end of period

50,902

51,228

51,398

52,141

53,429

50,902

53,429

Tangible book value per share

$

21.62

$

21.08

$

19.94

$

19.69

$

19.05

$

21.62

$

19.05

Average shareholders’ equity

$

1,664,541

$

1,617,511

$

1,595,540

$

1,614,242

$

1,614,762

$

1,623,081

$

1,567,461

Less: Average goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net

570,721

575,836

581,438

586,895

592,471

578,670

601,768

Average tangible shareholders’ equity

$

1,093,820

$

1,041,675

$

1,014,102

$

1,027,347

$

1,022,291

$

1,044,411

$

965,693

Net income

$

26,148

$

25,670

$

26,352

$

24,702

$

25,212

$

102,872

$

115,003

Add: Core deposit intangibles amortization, net of tax

3,895

4,388

4,383

4,383

4,409

17,048

19,134

Adjusted net income

$

30,043

$

30,058

$

30,735

$

29,085

$

29,621

$

119,920

$

134,137

Return on average tangible equity (A)(B)

10.90

%

11.45

%

12.16

%

11.48

%

11.53

%

11.48

%

13.89

%

Total assets

$

10,806,594

$

10,628,113

$

10,493,010

$

10,434,887

$

10,905,790

$

10,806,594

$

10,905,790

Less: Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net

568,336

573,247

578,786

584,325

589,864

568,336

589,864

Tangible assets

$

10,238,258

$

10,054,866

$

9,914,224

$

9,850,562

$

10,315,926

$

10,238,258

$

10,315,926

Tangible equity to tangible assets

10.75

%

10.74

%

10.34

%

10.42

%

9.87

%

10.75

%

9.87

%

Net interest income (tax equivalent)

$

103,487

$

100,739

$

98,427

$

99,353

$

103,039

$

402,005

$

408,305

Less: Purchase accounting accretion

3,781

4,800

5,344

5,397

7,555

19,322

32,999

Adjusted net interest income (tax equivalent)

$

99,706

$

95,939

$

93,083

$

93,956

$

95,484

$

382,683

$

375,306

Average earning assets

$

9,753,491

$

9,525,017

$

9,448,589

$

9,592,205

$

9,653,162

$

9,580,117

$

9,639,849

Net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding PAA (A)

4.06

%

4.00

%

3.95

%

3.97

%

3.94

%

3.99

%

3.89

%

Noninterest expense

$

72,158

$

73,142

$

70,004

$

70,166

$

75,266

$

285,470

$

288,958

Less: Core deposit intangibles amortization

4,930

5,554

5,548

5,548

5,581

21,580

24,220

Adjusted noninterest expense

$

67,228

$

67,588

$

64,456

$

64,618

$

69,685

$

263,890

$

264,738

Net interest income

103,383

100,644

98,335

99,258

102,957

401,620

407,992

Noninterest income

5,508

4,986

5,791

5,505

5,032

21,790

23,046

Less: (Loss) gain on sale of assets

(171

)

(491

)

(57

)

417

(112

)

(302

)

769

Adjusted noninterest income

5,679

5,477

5,848

5,088

5,144

22,092

22,277

Net interest income plus adjusted noninterest income

$

109,062

$

106,121

$

104,183

$

104,346

$

108,101

$

423,712

$

430,269

Efficiency ratio (C)

61.64

%

63.69

%

61.87

%

61.93

%

64.46

%

62.28

%

61.53

%

(A)

Interim periods annualized.

(B)

The calculation of return on average tangible equity has been adjusted from prior period disclosures and all periods presented above have been recalculated and disclosed under the same calculation.

The calculation of the efficiency ratio has been adjusted from prior period disclosures and all periods presented above have been recalculated and disclosed under the same calculation.