Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Home Bancorp's third quarter 2026 earnings call. At this time, all lines are in the listen-only mode. Following the presentation, we will conduct a question-and-answer session. If at any time during this call you require immediate assistance, please press star zero for the operator. At this time, I would like to turn the call over to HomeBancorp's Chairman and CEO, John Bordelon, President Darren Guidry, and Chief Financial Officer, David Kirkley. Mr. Kirkley, please go ahead.

Thank you. Good morning and welcome to HomeBank's third quarter 2026 earnings call. Our earnings release and investor presentation are available on our website. I'd ask that everyone please refer to the disclaimer regarding forward-looking statements in the investor presentation and our SEC filings. Now, I'll hand it over to John to make a few comments about the third quarter.

John? Hi, David. Good morning, and thank you for joining our earnings call today. We appreciate your interest in HomeBank as we discuss our results, expectations for the future, and our approach to creating long-term shareholder value. Before we discuss the quarter, I want to share some personal news. I've informed our board of directors yesterday of my decision to retire as chief executive officer in January of 2027. And the board has named Darren Guidry, our president, as my successor. I will remain part of Home Bank's leadership as chairman of the board. And I look forward to working closely with Darren and the rest of our leadership team in that role. This is a planned and deliberate transition. When we named Darren president in July, we said we were putting in place and this is the next step in that plan. Darren has more than 40 years of banking experience, more than three decades here at Home Ag. He knows our customers, our markets, our credit culture as well as everyone in the company. Our executive team has worked closely together for many years and our shareholders, customers and employees do not expect any significant change in how it operates. Leading Home Ag has been a privilege of my career. Over my 45 years at the bank, including 33 years as CEO, I've watched HomeBank grow from a Lafayette-based savings institution into one of the leading community banks in the Gulf South. Since our IPO in 2008, we've completed six acquisitions, expanded into greater New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mississippi, and Houston, and grown total assets at a compound annual rate of more than 11%. Thank you very much. Both importantly, we have a team of bankers who are committed to taking care of our customers and our communities. I'm confident that HomeBank's best days are ahead of it and that the company is in very good hands. With that, I'll turn it over to President and soon-to-be CEO, Darren Guidry, to discuss our third quarter results. Darren? Thank you, John. Before turning to our results, I want to say a few words about John. No one has had a greater impact on Home Bank. From John's leadership, the bank has successfully navigated hurricanes, the S&L crisis, the financial crisis, a pandemic, and multiple interest rate cycles. Through all of it, he kept his focus on disciplined underwriting, the strength of our core deposit franchise, and building long-term value for our shareholders. and on a personal level, John has been a mentor and a friend to me for more than 30 years. I'm honored by the confidence that John and the board have placed in me and in our team. I'm very happy that John will continue to help lead HomeBank as chairman of the board. His experience and perspective will continue to be a tremendous asset to this company. I look forward to working with John, the board, and our team as we build on the foundation he established and Lee Home Bank into its next chapter. Now, turning to our third quarter results. Yesterday afternoon, we reported a third quarter net income of $10.1 million or $1.28 per share compared to $1.48 per share in the second quarter. Return on assets was 1.12% for the quarter. Our results were impacted by higher credit-related costs, including elevated foreclosed asset expense and the reversal of interest on loans moved to non-accrual status. The quarter did demonstrate the resilience of our core earnings. Net interest income reached a record high for HomeBank, and our cost of deposits remained one of the lowest in our peer group. Loans decreased $4 million in the third quarter. Production was steady, but payoffs were elevated and construction fundings slowed during the quarter. To date, loans have grown at an annualized rate of approximately 1.5%, but our Houston market continues to lead the way at 6% annualized. Looking ahead, our pipeline is healthy. Both our approved commitments and the volume of loans and underwriting are running above normal levels. We expect a good portion of those commitments to close by the end of the year. The pipeline is well diversified across our markets and loan types and consists primarily of smaller business banking credits with a heavy focus on C&I and owner-occupied commercial real estate, along with a few larger commercial relationships. However, as we work through our problem loans, we expect paydowns and payoffs from those workouts to offset a portion of the new production. which will likely temper net loan growth in the near term. We will continue to focus on growing relationships that produce appropriate risk-adjusted returns. Deposits were down slightly in the third quarter. Year-to-date, deposits have grown at an annualized rate of approximately 4%, and our loan and deposit ratio of 91% remains in our target range. Credit was the primary challenge this quarter, and we moved promptly to recognize and address emerging credit issues. Fixed loan relationships totaling $19.5 million were placed on non-accrual status during the quarter, which drove an increase in non-performing assets. These reflect individual borrower situations rather than stress in any one industry or market, and based on our current assessment, we believe these credits are appropriately reserved and we are working closely with each borrower to resolve. We also recorded elevated foreclosed asset expense in the third quarter, primarily due to write-downs on properties in other real estate owned, resulting from updated appraisals and list price reductions. We are making progress on resolving these properties, with several currently under contract. Going forward, we expect foreclosed asset expense to be lower than what we saw in the third quarter, although likely above historical levels. We are also seeing some encouraging signs across the rest of our watch list. Several substandard credits are positioned for upgrades or paydowns, and we expect to see some of those resolutions in the fourth quarter, with others extending into early 2027. While we may see a few additional downgrades through year end, we do not currently expect any of significant size. Past due loans are limited to credits we've already identified and are actively monitoring. We have workout strategies in place for all substandard and non-accrual loans. Net charge-offs, which were seven basis points annualized year-to-date, they've been somewhat elevated over the next couple of quarters as we've resolved these credits. But our approach remains the same. Identify problems early, work them to resolution, and limit our loss exposure. At the same time, while higher interest rates benefit our net interest income, they could place pressure on certain borrowers over time. We are monitoring these exposures closely as rates move. Importantly, the fundamentals of HomeBank remain very strong, with robust capital, a solid reserve position, ample liquidity, and a balance sheet that is well positioned for a rising rate environment. With that, I'll turn it over to David, our Chief Financial Officer.

David. Thanks, Darren. Please feel free to refer to the investor presentation we have provided as I discuss the company's third quarter financial performance. Net interest income was a record $35.9 million in the third quarter, an increase of $110,000 from the second quarter, and $1.8 million, or 5%, from a year ago. NIM was 4.19% in the third quarter and on five basis points from the second quarter. Loan yields declined six basis points to 6.4% as interest reversals of $862,000 on loans moved to non-accrual status reduced loan yields by 12 basis points. Excluding the interest reversals, NIM would have been 4.28% of four basis points from the second quarter. The yield in our investment portfolio increased 19 basis points to 2.87% as we continue to reinvest cash flows at higher rates. On the funding side, our cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased four basis points to 2.42%. Slide 14 details the repricing and maturity profile of our loan investments portfolio. Approximately 27% of our loan portfolio is floating rate and reprices within three months and 46% of the portfolio is variable rate. Our investment portfolio with a weighted average rate of 2.8% has 69 million of cash flows expected over the next 12 months and 46% of the portfolio over the next three years that we can reinvest at current market yields. We believe our balance sheet remains well positioned for a rising rate environment. As shown on slides 18 and 19, Total deposits were $3.1 billion at quarter end, down $15.4 million, or less than 1% from the second quarter. Quarter deposits decreased $28.3 million, primarily in now accounts, which was offset by an increase of $14.3 million in money market accounts and $13 million in CDs. Non-interest-bearing deposits continue to represent 27% of total deposits. Our total cost of deposits was 1.69% for the quarter, and the average cost of interest-bearing deposits increased five basis points to 2.33%, reflecting the higher interest rate environment and competitive pricing in our markets. We expect continued competition for deposits, but will remain well-disciplined in our pricing. Slides 15 and 16 provide additional detail on credit quality. Nonperforming loans increased during the quarter from $26.4 million to $42.2 million, or from 95 basis points to 1.52% of total loans, primarily due to the six relationships Darren mentioned. Foreclosed assets declined $1.2 million to $11.6 million, reflecting property sales and write-downs. Total nonperforming assets were $53.7 million, or 1.49% of total assets. substandard loans increased $14 million to $82.9 million, while special mention loans declined $4.7 million to $22.2 million. We provisioned $1 million in the third quarter compared to $762,000 in the second quarter, primarily reflecting higher specific reserves. Net charge-offs were $586,000 for the quarter. The allowance for loan losses stands at $34.4 million, are 1.24% of total loans, and we are comfortable with our reserve levels given the composition and risk profile of the portfolio. Slide 22 provides detail on non-interest income and expenses. Non-interest income totaled $4.2 million in the third quarter, up $282,000 from the second quarter, driven by higher service fees and other income. We expect quarterly non-interest income to remain stable in the range of $4.2 million. Noninterest expense totaled $26.3 million in the third quarter, an increase of $1.8 million in the second quarter. As you can see on slide 22, excluding foreclosed asset expense, noninterest expense was essentially flat compared to the second quarter. The third quarter increase was primarily driven by a $1.7 million increase in foreclosed asset expense, which totaled $2 million for the quarter. The write-downs are spread across several properties, and our foreclosed asset portfolio remains granular with no single property carried at more than $2.2 million. Excluding foreclosed asset costs, we expect non-interest expense to be in the range of $24.2 to $24.6 million over the next couple of quarters. Beginning in the second quarter of 2027, we expect non-interest expense to reflect a typical annual increase of approximately 4% to 5%, primarily driven due to annual merit increases and other investments. 23 and 24 summarize our capital position and the progress of our capital management strategy. Tangible book value per share was 46.97 cents per share, essentially unchanged from the second quarter, as earnings were offset by a 9.1 million increase and unrecognized losses in our investment portfolio due to higher interest rates. Tangible book value per share is up more than 8% from a year ago. Capital ratios remain strong with a tangible common equity ratio of 10.5%, a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 12.3%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of 16.1%. Since 2019, we have grown tangible book value per share at a compounded annual rate of more than 8%, re-purchased approximately 17% of our shares outstanding, and consistently increased our dividend. And with that, operator, please open the line for Q&A.

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, you will need to press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. And if you would like to withdraw your question, please press star, then the number two. Again, that will be star, then the number one on your telephone keypad to ask questions. Your first question comes from Steven Scotton from Piper Sandler. Please go ahead.

Yeah, thanks, guys. Appreciate the time. And congrats, John, on a storied career. It's shocking to see you go. Kind of felt like you'd be around forever.

I can't leave these guys alone. I don't have to be around.

Well, yeah, he'll still be chairman, I know, but it'll be different. But exciting times, I'm sure, for the bank, too. So, I guess My first question would just be these six loans that you guys know, the Primal Loans, and forgive me if I missed this, but have you given any context on kind of geography of these loans? Maybe what loan types these are and kind of any specific reserves that are related to them that gives you confidence around potential loss rates?

The geography is not consistent in any one of our markets. It's throughout. It's one in almost every one of our markets. So there's no concentration of issues. And the loan types, the CRE multi-use facility, owner-occupied CRE, C&I credit, construction development. So there's no concentration that we can see. We've been looking for a tie, and at this point we can't see anything.

Okay and any specific reserves related to those loans currently or again what gives confidence kind of in the I think the commentary with that no sizable incremental losses are expected?

Yeah a couple of them already have specific reserves tied to them. Beyond that we don't expect any significant losses.

Okay and then one reminder I know you guys used to play a little bit in the kind of short-term rental Is there still any meaningful exposure there? And if so, how's that look holding up?

We still have a significant amount of credit in short-term rentals. It is concentrated in the New Orleans market. No credit issues that are apparent as of now. So we're fairly pleased and optimistic that we'll have to continue. So no concern with that exposure.

Great. Great. Okay. And then maybe just thinking about the margin, what would be a good starting point to think about for fourth quarter? I think, you know, my math, I was getting maybe a 9 or 10 basis point impact from the interest reversal. Just kind of wondering how you think about that heading into fourth quarter and then, you know, maybe the confidence in the balance sheet being well positioned per upside on higher rates.

Yeah, it impacted, I believe, nine basis points to interest reversal and outside of surprises like that in the future, we continue to see good repricing opportunities from our loan portfolio and our investment portfolio. You can see the yield rising on the investment securities portfolio quarter over quarter as reinvestment yields are north of 5% with a little off yield of 2.5% to 3%. You have a loan portfolio that every rate hike you get six basis points of additional loan yield from our loans that reprice automatically, which offsets our money market increases. And as we continue to see CDs reprice upwards, I think that'll be offset or more than offset by investment and loan cash flow repricing. So I think starting point for this quarter, 427, 428 is your starting point going forward.

Okay, perfect. Yep, that makes sense. Okay, great. Thanks for the color there, and Darren, congrats. Look forward to working with you moving forward.

Thank you.

Your next question comes from Feddy Strickland from Hathi Group. Please go ahead.

Hey, good morning. Congratulations to both John, well-deserved retirement, and to Darren as well. Good morning. Good morning. I wanted to ask on the deposit line here, I mean, can you talk about a little bit what you've seen so far just in terms of rate and level of competition? I mean, things like funding costs held in pretty well this quarter, but I know the rate hike came in pretty late. So, just curious what you've seen so far.

From a competitive pricing standpoint, it's starting to get more divergence and Duration of CDs that are being offered, you're seeing some competitors get more aggressive. You're seeing some of the brokerage firms get even more aggressive than that, pricing more off of, I guess, treasury curves. I would say, by and large, the banking CD pricing for CD rates is generally in the 4 to 440 range, and so that's what we're seeing. I think we've had success at maintaining our CD portfolios so far after the rate hike. The top stated rate, I believe, is around 4.1%. And that works for the majority of our customers and can adjust accordingly pretty quickly going forward as well, need be.

Are you seeing any more competition in one market versus the other? I mean, I assume Texas is probably more competitive than Louisiana, but you never know.

Yeah, Texas is always a little bit more competitive. There's just a larger number of banks with varying balance sheet strategies over there. So there are some banks that are more aggressive. But you are seeing some of the big global institutions that are offering some nice pricing with marketing that goes along with it.

Got it. And just switching gears for a second to the margin, just want to make sure I understood correctly, you know, obviously you'll have the interest rule piece backed out, but as we get through 27 here, if we get another, you know, let's say we get another hike in December, another one early in the first quarter, I mean, you guys should be in pretty good position for the margin to continue to march higher under those conditions, assuming deposit competition doesn't run off into something crazy. Is that fair?

Yeah, I think one aspect of it is the deposit pricing and two is how loan pricing plays out over this period. We've seen, I would say, more aggressive loan pricing that is questionable as opposed to CD pricing, which is kind of in line with alternative funding. So it's the ability to be able to reprice the loan portfolio at a proper margin and see how competitors price their loans going forward. There's lots of reinvestment opportunities and new business is getting harder and harder to come by with rates increasing. But overall, our balance sheet is well positioned to take on some rising rate environment and continue Flight Upward March, and them, or at least stability after a quarter or two more hikes.

Got it.

Thanks for all the color.

I'll step back.

Thank you.

Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star, then the number one in your telephone keypad. Your next question comes from Joe Yanchinis from Raymond James. Please go ahead.

Good morning. Good morning. Thank you. And John, for starters, I want to echo a lot of the comments right earlier. Congrats on the retirement. We'll certainly miss hearing you on these various calls and seeing you throughout the year.

Yeah, the problem with it is I got to keep these guys in line and I don't get paid anymore. So I'm much better than my boo, you know.

All right. So I wanted to kind of start on credit here. You know, on the last call, You outlined a roadmap for, you know, about 30 million of problem asset resolutions by year end, and then you prepare remarks that sound like you expect some, you know, some credits to resolve, you know, before, in the fourth quarter. Are you optimistic that, you know, we're at peak NTAs right now?

Yeah, we'd love to say definitively yes, Joe. We're optimistic. We're looking at the past due report, and it appears we've identified all of our issues. We continue to get updated financial information to be able to recognize issues. But we're optimistic that we've gotten close to the peak if we're not there already.

I would just add to that, Joe, that obviously the Fed's moves are going to, I think, impact

and many throughout the country. A lot of people have elevated NVA at this particular point, and if that tightens again in fourth quarter and first quarter, that's going to just exacerbate those issues. So I don't think to the degree that we saw this order for sure, but we're kind of on high alert just making sure that we pay attention to a lot of our customers.

I appreciate that. It was helpful. And you're going to kind of touch on that and follow up here. So in your prepared remarks, you talked about, you know, paydowns, you know, remaining elevated. You know, it's likely that it will remain ahead within the coming quarters. Can you quantify the paydowns you experienced in the September quarter and give an update on, you know, the loan pipeline relative to where it's at the end of June? I guess I'm also just trying to see how our borrower is looking at projects now in this current environment.

Well, we have received about $5 million in paydowns already, Joe, since we mentioned it last quarter. We also anticipate very realistically another $5 million by the end of the year and early in the first quarter another $5 million. In addition, we have lots of plans out there and hopeful that we continue to get paydowns or potentially upgrades for some of our clients going forward. The pipeline is robust. About $440 million of loans in the pipeline with about $132 million of that that's committed. Most of the $400 million will close by the end of the year, mid-first quarter. So, a healthy pipeline, possibly offset by some success in problem resolution.

Okay, that was great. And then last one for me here. I know you've looked and passed on a lot of deals over the years, but Darren, I'm curious, what's your view on Bank M&A?

We are well positioned to take advantage of any acquisition that would be available. We're hopeful that it happens. We look to continue to grow our franchise. both within our markets and making the dots between the markets we're not in. So we're hopeful to continue to do what we do throughout the South Louisiana, our Texas market, as well as Mississippi and North. So where it makes sense geographically, culturally, and acquisition of talent, we are well-positioned to take advantage.

All right, well, I appreciate you taking my questions, and John and Darren, again, congrats on the milestones. Thank you, Michael.

Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. There are no further questions at this time. I'll turn the call back over to John Bordelon.

Thank you. Once again, thank you all for joining us today. I also want to thank our shareholders, the analysts who cover us, and many of the investors I've had the opportunity to get to know over the years for your support of Home Bancorp. We look forward to speaking to many of you in the next coming hours or days. Thank you very much for participating today.

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference call. Thank you for participating. You may now disconnect.