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Dec 31, 2023
Esquire Financial Q4 2023 Earnings Report
Esquire Financial reported an increase in net income and strong commercial growth driven by relationship banking.
Key Takeaways
Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. reported an 8% increase in net income to $9.9 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. The company's revenue base expanded, fueled by a net interest margin of 6.12% and stable fee-based income. Significant loan and deposit growth contributed to the strong performance.
Net income increased 8% to $9.9 million, or $1.18 per diluted share.
Industry leading returns on average assets and equity of 2.59% and 20.78%.
Total revenue base expansion fueled by a net interest margin of 6.12%.
Loan growth totaled $94.0 million, or 34% annualized, focused in higher yielding variable rate commercial loans nationally.
Esquire Financial
Esquire Financial
Forward Guidance
The company anticipates first quarter loan growth may be tempered by significant draws on existing facilities. They expect 2024 loan growth to be funded by core relationship deposits. They also anticipate the recent investment in Payzli should directly benefit fee income in early 2025.
Positive Outlook
- Current loan pipeline will allow the company to grow loans in 2024 commensurate to prior years.
- 2024 loan growth to be funded by core relationship deposits.
- Recent investment in Payzli should directly benefit fee income in early 2025.
- Continued expansion of our total revenue base
- Strong deposit growth
Challenges Ahead
- Draws may temper first quarter loan growth
- The increase in the allowance as a percentage of loans was general reserve driven considering loan growth and qualitative factors associated with the current uncertain economic environment including, but not limited to, its potential impact on the New York metro commercial real estate market.
- ASP fee income decreased $443 thousand to $580 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2023. ASP fee income is directly impacted by the average balances of off-balance sheet sweep funds as well as current short-term market interest rates.
- Payment processing income was $5.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, a $239 thousand decrease from the same period in 2022, primarily due to the anticipated ISO customer turnover and change in our overall merchant risk profile.
- The Company’s efficiency ratio was 48.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 45.3% in 2022, primarily due to our significant increase in resources including, but not limited to, people and technology to support growth, risk management, and compliance.