Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company" or "Stellar") (NYSE:STEL) today reported net income of $27.8 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.52, for the fourth quarter of 2024 and net income of $117.6 million, or diluted earnings per share of $2.20, for the full year 2024.

"We are proud of our team and their work establishing the foundation of Stellar Bank," said Robert R. Franklin, Jr., Stellar's Chief Executive Officer. "Our strong foundation is a testament to their significant efforts over the past two years and they have prepared us for the year ahead. We intend to turn towards growth at a more normalized organic pattern while we keep an eye towards opportunities with downstream partners that would increase our operating leverage," Mr. Franklin continued.

"We remain focused on core fundamentals as we enter 2025 and are encouraged by the economic activity in our markets. We are excited about the future ahead of us," Mr. Franklin concluded.

2024 Financial Highlights

Solid Profitability: Net income for the full year 2024 was $117.6 million, or diluted earnings per share of $2.20, which translated into a return on average assets of 1.10%, a return on average equity of 7.50% and a return on average tangible equity of 12.18%⁽¹⁾. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $27.8 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.52, which translated into an annualized return on average assets of 1.04%, an annualized return on average equity of 6.85% and an annualized return on average tangible equity of 10.82%⁽¹⁾.
Strong Net Interest Margin: Tax equivalent net interest margin was 4.24% for the year 2024 compared to 4.51% for 2023. The tax equivalent net interest margin, excluding purchase accounting accretion ("PAA"), was 3.89%⁽¹⁾ for 2024 compared to 4.03%⁽¹⁾ for 2023. Tax equivalent net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 4.25% compared to 4.19% for the third quarter of 2024. The tax equivalent net interest margin, excluding PAA, was 3.94%⁽¹⁾ for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 3.91%⁽¹⁾ for the third quarter of 2024.
Meaningful Capital and Book Value Build: Total risk-based capital ratio increased to 16.06% at December 31, 2024 from 14.02% at December 31, 2023, book value per share increased to $30.14 from $28.54 at December 31, 2023 and tangible book value per share increased to $19.10⁽¹⁾ from $17.02⁽¹⁾ at December 31, 2023.
Credit Metrics: Nonperforming loans decreased $2.0 million to $37.2 million at December 31, 2024 from $39.2 million at December 31, 2023.

_____________________
⁽¹⁾Refer to page 10 of this earnings release for the calculation of this non-GAAP financial measure

Year 2024 Results

Net interest income for 2024 decreased $28.8 million, or 6.6%, to $408.0 million from $436.8 million for 2023. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased 27 basis points to 4.24% for the full year 2024 from 4.51% for the full year 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin from the prior year was primarily due to the impact of increased average interest-bearing liabilities and increased rates on interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by increased rates on interest-earning assets. Net interest income for the year 2024 benefited from $33.0 million of income from purchase accounting accretion compared to $46.8 million for the year 2023. Excluding purchase accounting accretion, net interest income (tax equivalent) for the year 2024 would have been $375.3 million⁽¹⁾ and the tax equivalent net interest margin would have been 3.89%⁽¹⁾.

Noninterest income for the year 2024 was $23.0 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 6.2%, compared to $24.6 million for the year 2023. Noninterest income decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to a decrease in debit card and ATM income, partially offset by the increase in gains on sales of assets and Small Business Investment Company income recognized in 2024 compared to 2023.

Noninterest expense for the year 2024 decreased $4.8 million, or 1.7%, to $285.7 million compared to $290.5 million for the year 2023. The decrease in noninterest expense in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to $15.6 million of acquisition and merger-related expenses recognized in 2023, a $3.5 million decrease in regulatory assessments and a $2.7 million decrease in amortization of intangibles, partially offset by a $5.0 million increase in salaries and employee benefits.

The efficiency ratio was 66.39% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 63.02% for the year ended December 31, 2023. Returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.10%, 7.50% and 12.18%⁽¹⁾for 2024, respectively, compared to 1.21%, 8.96% and 15.75%⁽¹⁾ for 2023, respectively.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

Net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased $1.5 million, or 1.4%, to $103.0 million from $101.5 million for the third quarter of 2024. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis increased 6 basis points to 4.25% for the fourth quarter of 2024 from 4.19% for the third quarter of 2024. The increase in the net interest margin from the prior quarter was primarily due to the impact of decreased rates on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 benefited from $7.6 million of income from purchase accounting accretion compared to $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2024. Excluding purchase accounting accretion, net interest income (tax equivalent) for the fourth quarter of 2024 would have been $95.5 million⁽¹⁾ and the tax equivalent net interest margin would have been 3.94%⁽¹⁾.

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $5.0 million, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 20.2%, compared to $6.3 million for the third quarter of 2024. Noninterest income decreased in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to a loss on sales of assets in the fourth quarter of 2024 and Small Business Investment Company income recognized in the third quarter of 2024.

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased $915 thousand, or 1.3%, to $72.0 million compared to $71.1 million for the third quarter of 2024. The increase in noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 was primarily due to an increase of $1.7 million in professional fees and a $715 thousand increase in advertising expense, partially offset by a $611 thousand decrease in salaries and employee benefits and a $631 thousand decrease in amortization of intangibles.

The efficiency ratio was 66.59% for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 66.18% for the third quarter of 2024. Annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.04%, 6.85% and 10.82%⁽¹⁾for the fourth quarter of 2024, respectively, compared to 1.27%, 8.49% and 13.63%⁽¹⁾ for the third quarter of 2024, respectively.

Financial Condition

Total assets at December 31, 2024 were $10.91 billion, an increase of $275.3 million, compared to $10.63 billion at September 30, 2024.

Total loans at December 31, 2024 decreased $111.3 million to $7.44 billion compared to $7.55 billion at September 30, 2024. At December 31, 2024, the remaining balance of the purchase accounting accretion on loans was $73.7 million.

Total deposits at December 31, 2024 increased $385.8 million to $9.13 billion compared to $8.74 billion at September 30, 2024, due to increases in interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by decreases in certificates and other time deposits and money-market and savings accounts. Shifts in the deposit mix were primarily driven by the current interest rate environment and an intensely competitive market for deposits.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $38.9 million, or 0.36% of total assets, at December 31, 2024, compared to $35.1 million, or 0.33% of total assets, at September 30, 2024 and $39.2 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.09% at December 31, 2024, 1.12% at September 30, 2024 and 1.16% at December 31, 2023.

The fourth quarter of 2024 included a provision for credit losses of $942 thousand compared to a reversal of provision for credit losses of $6.0 million recorded during the third quarter of 2024. Net charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $2.0 million, or 0.11% (annualized) of average loans, compared to net charge-offs of $3.9 million, or 0.21% (annualized) of average loans, for the third quarter of 2024.

The year ended December 31, 2024 included a reversal of provision for credit losses of $2.9 million compared to a provision for credit losses of $8.9 million recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $6.7 million, or 0.09% of average loans, compared to net charge-offs of $11.1 million, or 0.14% of average loans, for the year ended December 31, 2023.

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

Stellar's management team will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024. Participants may register for the conference call at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I635866 conference ID 63586 to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN to access the call. If you need assistance in obtaining a dial-in number, please contact IR@stellar.bank. A simultaneous webcast is available at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I635866 and requires pre-registration. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the webcast will be accessible via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at ir.stellar.bank.

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 the 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, statements about the benefits of the Company's merger with Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. (the "Merger"), including 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 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: the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the Merger may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized; disruption to our business as a result of the Merger; the risk that the integration of operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than we expected or that we are otherwise unable to successfully integrate our legacy businesses; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Merger; reputational risk and the reaction of our customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the Merger; 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 caused by recent bank failures, risks associated with uninsured deposits and responsive measures by federal or state governments or banking regulators, including increases in the cost of our deposit insurance assessments and other actions of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Texas Department of Banking and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms.

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 https://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)

	2024												2023
	December 31			September 30			June 30			March 31			December 31
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	419,967		$	103,735		$	110,341		$	74,663		$	121,004
Interest-bearing deposits at other financial institutions		491,249			412,482			379,909			325,079			278,233
Total cash and cash equivalents		911,216			516,217			490,250			399,742			399,237

Available for sale securities, at fair value		1,673,016			1,691,752			1,630,971			1,523,100			1,395,680

Loans held for investment		7,439,854			7,551,124			7,713,897			7,908,111			7,925,133
Less: allowance for credit losses on loans		(81,058	)		(84,501	)		(94,772	)		(96,285	)		(91,684	)
Loans, net		7,358,796			7,466,623			7,619,125			7,811,826			7,833,449

Accrued interest receivable		37,884			39,473			43,348			45,466			44,244
Premises and equipment, net		111,856			113,742			113,984			115,698			118,683
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		8,209			20,123			15,089			16,050			25,051
Bank-owned life insurance		107,498			106,876			106,262			105,671			105,084
Goodwill		497,318			497,318			497,318			497,318			497,318
Core deposit intangibles, net		92,546			98,116			104,315			110,513			116,712
Other assets		106,771			79,537			103,001			103,838			111,681
Total assets	$	10,905,110		$	10,629,777		$	10,723,663		$	10,729,222		$	10,647,139


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	3,576,206		$	3,303,048		$	3,308,441		$	3,323,149		$	3,546,815
Interest-bearing
Demand		1,845,749			1,571,504			1,564,405			1,576,261			1,659,999
Money market and savings		2,253,193			2,280,651			2,213,031			2,203,767			2,136,777
Certificates and other time		1,453,236			1,587,398			1,639,426			1,691,539			1,529,876
Total interest-bearing deposits		5,552,178			5,439,553			5,416,862			5,471,567			5,326,652
Total deposits		9,128,384			8,742,601			8,725,303			8,794,716			8,873,467

Accrued interest payable		17,052			16,915			12,327			12,227			11,288
Borrowed funds		—			60,000			240,000			215,000			50,000
Subordinated debt		70,105			110,064			109,964			109,864			109,765
Other liabilities		79,104			74,074			70,274			66,717			81,601
Total liabilities		9,294,645			9,003,654			9,157,868			9,198,524			9,126,121

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock		534			535			536			536			533
Capital surplus		1,240,050			1,238,619			1,238,477			1,235,221			1,232,627
Retained earnings		495,245			474,905			447,948			425,130			405,945
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(125,364	)		(87,936	)		(121,166	)		(130,189	)		(118,087	)
Total shareholders' equity		1,610,465			1,626,123			1,565,795			1,530,698			1,521,018
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	10,905,110		$	10,629,777		$	10,723,663		$	10,729,222		$	10,647,139

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended													Years Ended
	2024											2023		2024			2023
	December 31			September 30			June 30			March 31		December 31		December 31			December 31

INTEREST INCOME:
Loans, including fees	$	128,738		$	132,372		$	135,885		$	134,685	$	139,114	$	531,680		$	537,722
Securities:
Taxable		14,789			13,898			11,923			9,293		9,622		49,903			38,494
Tax-exempt		814			814			816			818		418		3,262			2,553
Deposits in other financial institutions		5,681			4,692			3,555			3,627		3,021		17,555			12,048
Total interest income		150,022			151,776			152,179			148,423		152,175		602,400			590,817

INTEREST EXPENSE:
Demand, money market and savings deposits		27,877			29,440			28,399			27,530		25,033		113,246			87,335
Certificates and other time deposits		16,830			18,073			18,758			15,084		15,075		68,745			41,286
Borrowed funds		235			840			1,700			1,774		4,154		4,549			17,807
Subordinated debt		2,123			1,916			1,912			1,917		1,983		7,868			7,630
Total interest expense		47,065			50,269			50,769			46,305		46,245		194,408			154,058
NET INTEREST INCOME		102,957			101,507			101,410			102,118		105,930		407,992			436,759
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses		942			(5,985	)		(1,935	)		4,098		1,047		(2,880	)		8,943
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		102,015			107,492			103,345			98,020		104,883		410,872			427,816

NONINTEREST INCOME:
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,590			1,594			1,648			1,598		1,520		6,430			6,064
(Loss) gain on sale of assets		(112	)		432			(64	)		513		198		769			390
Bank-owned life insurance		622			614			591			587		573		2,414			2,178
Debit card and ATM income		570			551			543			527		542		2,191			4,996
Other		2,362			3,111			2,698			3,071		4,053		11,242			10,934
Total noninterest income		5,032			6,302			5,416			6,296		6,886		23,046			24,562

NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits		40,512			41,123			39,061			41,376		40,464		162,072			157,034
Net occupancy and equipment		4,401			4,570			4,503			4,390		4,572		17,864			16,932
Depreciation		1,984			1,911			1,948			1,964		1,955		7,807			7,584
Data processing and software amortization		5,551			5,706			5,501			4,894		5,000		21,652			19,526
Professional fees		3,428			1,714			1,620			2,662		3,867		9,424			7,955
Regulatory assessments and FDIC insurance		1,636			1,779			2,299			1,854		5,169		7,568			11,032
Amortization of intangibles		5,581			6,212			6,215			6,212		6,247		24,220			26,883
Communications		807			827			847			937		743		3,418			2,796
Advertising		1,593			878			891			765		1,004		4,127			3,627
Acquisition and merger-related expenses		—			—			—			—		3,072		—			15,555
Other		6,488			6,346			8,331			6,356		5,848		27,521			21,570
Total noninterest expense		71,981			71,066			71,216			71,410		77,941		285,673			290,494
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		35,066			42,728			37,545			32,906		33,828		148,245			161,884
Provision for income taxes		7,249			8,837			7,792			6,759		6,562		30,637			31,387
NET INCOME	$	27,817		$	33,891		$	29,753		$	26,147	$	27,266	$	117,608		$	130,497

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic	$	0.52		$	0.63		$	0.56		$	0.49	$	0.51	$	2.20		$	2.45
Diluted	$	0.52		$	0.63		$	0.56		$	0.49	$	0.51	$	2.20		$	2.45

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended															Years Ended
	2024												2023			2024			2023
	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	$	27,817		$	33,891		$	29,753		$	26,147		$	27,266		$	117,608		$	130,497

Earnings per share, basic	$	0.52		$	0.63		$	0.56		$	0.49		$	0.51		$	2.20		$	2.45
Earnings per share, diluted	$	0.52		$	0.63		$	0.56		$	0.49		$	0.51		$	2.20		$	2.45
Dividends per share	$	0.14		$	0.13		$	0.13		$	0.13		$	0.13		$	0.53		$	0.52

Return on average assets^(A)		1.04	%		1.27	%		1.13	%		0.98	%		1.02	%		1.10	%		1.21	%
Return on average equity^(A)		6.85	%		8.49	%		7.78	%		6.88	%		7.33	%		7.50	%		8.96	%
Return on average tangible equity^(A)(B)		10.82	%		13.63	%		12.82	%		11.47	%		12.61	%		12.18	%		15.75	%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)^(A)(C)		4.25	%		4.19	%		4.24	%		4.26	%		4.40	%		4.24	%		4.51	%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding PAA^(A)(B)(C)		3.94	%		3.91	%		3.82	%		3.91	%		3.91	%		3.89	%		4.03	%
Efficiency ratio^(D)		66.59	%		66.18	%		66.63	%		66.18	%		69.21	%		66.39	%		63.02	%

Capital Ratios
Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (Consolidated)
Equity to assets		14.77	%		15.30	%		14.60	%		14.27	%		14.29	%		14.77	%		14.29	%
Tangible equity to tangible assets^(B)		9.89	%		10.27	%		9.53	%		9.12	%		9.04	%		9.89	%		9.04	%
Estimated Total capital ratio (to risk-weighted assets)		16.06	%		15.91	%		15.34	%		14.62	%		14.02	%		16.06	%		14.02	%
Estimated Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)		14.19	%		13.62	%		12.98	%		12.29	%		11.77	%		14.19	%		11.77	%
Estimated Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)		14.31	%		13.74	%		13.10	%		12.41	%		11.89	%		14.31	%		11.89	%
Estimated Tier 1 leverage (to average tangible assets)		11.30	%		11.25	%		10.93	%		10.55	%		10.18	%		11.30	%		10.18	%
Stellar Bank
Estimated Total capital ratio (to risk-weighted assets)		15.34	%		15.07	%		14.65	%		14.13	%		13.65	%		15.34	%		13.65	%
Estimated Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)		14.19	%		13.63	%		13.12	%		12.61	%		12.20	%		14.19	%		12.20	%
Estimated Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)		14.19	%		13.63	%		13.12	%		12.61	%		12.20	%		14.19	%		12.20	%
Estimated Tier 1 leverage (to average tangible assets)		11.19	%		11.16	%		10.94	%		10.72	%		10.44	%		11.19	%		10.44	%

Other Data
Weighted average shares:
Basic		53,422			53,541			53,572			53,343			53,282			53,469			53,229
Diluted		53,471			53,580			53,608			53,406			53,350			53,510			53,313
Period end shares outstanding		53,429			53,446			53,564			53,551			53,291			53,429			53,291
Book value per share	$	30.14		$	30.43		$	29.23		$	28.58		$	28.54		$	30.14		$	28.54
Tangible book value per share^(B)	$	19.10		$	19.28		$	18.00		$	17.23		$	17.02		$	19.10		$	17.02
Employees - full-time equivalents		1,037			1,040			1,045			1,007			998			1,037			998

(A)	Interim periods annualized.
(B)	Refer to the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures on page 10 of this Earnings Release.
(C)	Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(D)	Represents total noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding net gains and losses on the sale of assets. Additionally, taxes and provision for credit losses are not part of this calculation.

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024							September 30, 2024							December 31, 2023
	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	$	7,477,332		$	128,738	6.85	%	$	7,627,522		$	132,372	6.90	%	$	7,973,780		$	139,114	6.92	%
Securities		1,702,111			15,603	3.65	%		1,676,614			14,712	3.49	%		1,386,079			10,040	2.87	%
Deposits in other financial institutions		473,719			5,681	4.77	%		339,493			4,692	5.50	%		217,068			3,021	5.52	%
Total interest-earning assets		9,653,162		$	150,022	6.18	%		9,643,629		$	151,776	6.26	%		9,576,927		$	152,175	6.30	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans		(84,423	)						(94,785	)						(92,992	)
Noninterest-earning assets		1,080,429							1,077,422							1,142,438
Total assets	$	10,649,168						$	10,626,266						$	10,626,373

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,623,867		$	11,341	2.78	%	$	1,606,736		$	12,458	3.08	%	$	1,420,892		$	10,548	2.95	%
Money market and savings deposits		2,312,711			16,536	2.84	%		2,254,767			16,982	3.00	%		2,163,348			14,485	2.66	%
Certificates and other time deposits		1,538,785			16,830	4.35	%		1,620,908			18,073	4.44	%		1,461,227			15,075	4.09	%
Borrowed funds		15,978			235	5.85	%		49,077			840	6.81	%		275,694			4,154	5.98	%
Subordinated debt		101,394			2,123	8.33	%		110,007			1,916	6.93	%		109,713			1,983	7.17	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		5,592,735		$	47,065	3.35	%		5,641,495		$	50,269	3.54	%		5,430,874		$	46,245	3.38	%

Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		3,342,636							3,303,726							3,624,417
Other liabilities		99,006							93,127							95,705
Total liabilities		9,034,377							9,038,348							9,150,996
Shareholders' equity		1,614,791							1,587,918							1,475,377
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	10,649,168						$	10,626,266						$	10,626,373

Net interest rate spread						2.83	%						2.72	%						2.92	%

Net interest income and margin				$	102,957	4.24	%				$	101,507	4.19	%				$	105,930	4.39	%

Net interest income and net interest margin (tax equivalent)				$	103,039	4.25	%				$	101,578	4.19	%				$	106,121	4.40	%

Cost of funds						2.10	%						2.24	%						2.03	%
Cost of deposits						2.02	%						2.15	%						1.84	%

	Years Ended December 31,
	2024										2023
	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	$	7,712,122	$	531,680	6.89	%	$	7,961,911	$	537,722	6.75	%
Securities		1,593,073		53,165	3.34	%		1,490,588		41,047	2.75	%
Deposits in other financial institutions		334,654		17,555	5.25	%

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results