Carter Bankshares, Inc. reported a net income of $5.8 million for Q1 2024, a significant improvement from the net loss in the previous quarter but lower than the net income in Q1 2023. The results were impacted by placing a significant loan relationship on nonaccrual status. The company is pursuing remedies to resolve these loans.
Net income was $5.8 million, or $0.25 diluted EPS, compared to a net loss of $(1.9) million, or $(0.08) EPS, in the previous quarter and net income of $15.9 million, or $0.67 diluted EPS, for the first quarter of 2023.
Net interest income increased $1.0 million, or 3.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 but decreased $12.4 million, or 30.3% compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Total deposits increased $108.6 million compared to December 31, 2023 and increased $293.5 million compared to March 31, 2023.
Nonperforming loans to total portfolio loans were 8.76% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, significantly impacted by placing its largest lending relationship on nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2023.
Carter Bankshares expects moderate loan growth this year and anticipates that the net interest margin will return to a more normalized level once the large nonperforming loan relationship is resolved. The company believes its balance sheet is positioned to benefit when the Fed begins to cut short-term interest rates.