Great Southern Q4 2022 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
Great Southern Bancorp reported strong fourth-quarter earnings, with earnings per share at $1.84 and net income at $22.6 million. The company benefited from rising market interest rates and strong commercial loan growth.
Earnings per diluted common share were $1.84 ($22.6 million net income) for the quarter, compared to $1.14 per diluted common share ($15.3 million net income) for the same period in 2021.
Annualized return on average common equity was 17.34%, and annualized return on average assets was 1.58%.
Net interest margin was 3.99% for the quarter, up from 3.37% in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Non-performing assets decreased to $3.7 million, representing 0.07% of total assets.
Great Southern
Great Southern
Forward Guidance
In 2023, the company expects net interest income to remain strong but could decline due to repricing maturing time deposits and net interest settlements on forward-starting interest rate swaps. Changes in network settlement routing may create minor headwinds related to debit card transaction income. Salary and benefit costs are expected to increase due to the tight labor market and changes in minimum wage laws.
Positive Outlook
- Net interest income is expected to remain strong, assuming no significant interest rate cuts.
- Federal Reserve signals additional increases in interest rates in 2023, which should positively impact net interest income.
- Loan production and activity in markets remained positive.
- Pipeline of loan commitments and the unfunded portion of loans grew significantly from the end of 2021.
- Credit quality metrics remained excellent.
Challenges Ahead
- Net interest income could decline due to repricing maturing time deposits and net interest settlements on forward-starting interest rate swaps.
- Changes in network settlement routing have begun to create some minor headwinds related to income earned on debit card transactions.
- Salaries and benefits costs are expected to increase due to the continued tight labor market, changes in various states’ minimum wage laws, and annual merit increases.
- Loan origination activity slowed compared to earlier periods in 2022.
- Positive impacts to net interest income increases are expected to be significantly offset by increases in funding costs as fixed rate time deposits mature and reprice higher.