Veritex Holdings, Inc. Reports First Quarter Operating Results


DALLAS, April 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veritex Holdings, Inc. (“Veritex” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: VBTX), the holding company for Veritex Community Bank, today announced the results for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The Company reported net income of $7.4 million, or $0.13 diluted earnings per share (“EPS”), compared to $9.8 million, or $0.40 diluted EPS, for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and $10.4 million, or $0.42 diluted EPS, for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Operating net income totaled $32.7 million, or $0.59 diluted operating EPS1, compared to $11.5 million, or $0.47 diluted operating EPS, for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 and $12.2 million, or $0.50 diluted operating EPS, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

“First quarter operating results have far exceeded our expectations during the most transformational quarter in Veritex’s short history,” said C. Malcolm Holland, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our first quarter operating earnings highlight significant improvements in key performance metrics while also successfully integrating our people, processes and culture as a result of our merger with Green. I am excited about 2019 and the opportunities that are ahead of us. Our staff continues to be the reason why we stand apart from the competition. With continued focus on our employees and the Veritex culture, we will be able to exceed the goals we have set for ourselves.”

First Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights:

  • On January 1, 2019, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of Green Bancorp, Inc. (“Green”) resulting in the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of approximately $4.6 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively;
  • Diluted EPS was $0.13 and diluted operating EPS was $0.59 for the first quarter of 2019;
  • Return on average assets was 0.38% and operating return on average asset was 1.69% for the first quarter of 2019;
  • Pre-tax, pre-provision operating return on average assets increased to 2.40% for the first quarter of 2019;
  • Efficiency ratio was 82.30% and operating efficiency ratio was 43.54% for the first quarter of 2019;1
  • Tangible book value (“TBV”)1 was $13.76 for the first quarter of 2019, reflecting operating earnings, merger expenses, dividends, share repurchase activity and the impact of the merger with Green.
  • Net interest margin expanded to 4.17% for the first quarter 2019 compared to 3.89% for the fourth quarter of 2018;
  • Commenced stock buyback program and purchased 316,600 shares of outstanding Veritex common stock for  an aggregate of $7.7 million during the first quarter of 2019; and
  • Declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 payable in May 2019.

Summary of Financial Data

  Q1 2019 Q4 2018 % Change
  (Dollars in thousands)
GAAP      
Net income $7,407  $9,825  (25)%
Diluted EPS 0.13  0.40  (68)%
Return on average assets2 0.38% 1.20%  
Efficiency ratio 82.30  54.27   
Book value per common share $21.88  $21.88  %
Non-GAAP1      
Operating net income $32,679  $11,457  185%
Diluted operating EPS 0.59  0.47  26%
Operating return on average assets2 1.69% 1.40%  
Operating efficiency ratio 43.54  50.65   
Return on average tangible common equity2 5.09  11.52   
Operating return on average tangible common equity2 18.81  13.37   
Tangible book value per common share $13.76  $14.74   

1 Refer to the section titled "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures.
2 Annualized ratio.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

Net Interest Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, net interest income before provision for loan losses was $72.9 million and net interest margin was 4.17% compared to $28.7 million and 3.89%, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The $44.2 million increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in interest income on loans, which was driven by increased volume in all loan categories resulting from loans acquired from Green effective January 1, 2019 of $3.2 billion, organic loan growth during the first quarter of 2019 and a $3.0 million increase in accretion during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2018 on acquired loans. Net interest margin increased 28 basis points from the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to a change in mix of interest-earning assets resulting from increases in loans, which generally yield higher interest rates than other interest-earning assets such as investment securities and interest-bearing deposits in other banks. Average interest-bearing deposits grew to $4.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from $2.0 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2018, an increase that was primarily driven by an increase in volume of deposits acquired from Green.  Average cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased to 1.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from 1.75% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as interest on deposits decreased due to accretion recognized in respect to a premium paid on acquired time deposits.

Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased by $43.8 million from $29.1 million to $72.9 million and net interest margin decreased by 26 basis points from 4.43% to 4.17% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in net interest income before provision for loan losses was primarily driven by higher loan balances and yields resulting from loans acquired from Green and organic loan growth during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, average loan balance increased by $3.6 billion compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, which resulted in a $53.7 million increase in interest income. This was partially offset by an increase in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, which resulted in a $14.9 million increase in interest on deposit accounts. Net interest margin decreased 26 basis points from the three months ended March 31, 2018 primarily due to an increase in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018. As a result, the average cost of interest-bearing deposits increased to 1.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from 1.00% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $8.5 million, an increase of $4.9 million, or 134.4%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to a $2.7 million increase in service charges and fees on deposit accounts resulting from our acquisition of Green deposit accounts and the associated income from these accounts, a $891 thousand increase in loan fees, a $473 thousand increase in insurance income on bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”), a $352 thousand increase in prepayment fees and a $250 thousand increase in derivative income earned for the three months ended March 31, 2019 primarily resulting from our acquisition of Green. This was partially offset by a loss on securities sold of $772 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 grew by $5.7 million, or 207.6%. The increase was primarily due to a $2.6 million increase in service charges and fees on acquired deposit accounts as described above, a $1.8 million increase in the gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans, a $1.0 million increase in loan fees, a $479 thousand in insurance income on BOLI and a $250 thousand increase in derivative income earned during the three months ended March 31, 2019. This was partially offset by a loss on securities sold of $772 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense was $67.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $17.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $49.5 million, or 282.0%. The increase was primarily driven by a $30.1 million increase in merger and acquisition expenses related to our acquisition of Green.  These expenses were mainly driven by an increase in stock-based compensation due to the accelerated vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and stock options of $17.7 million, severance payments of $7.6 million and legal and professional fees of $4.8 million in connection with our acquisition of Green.  The increase was also caused by a $10.6 million increase in salaries and employee benefits due to the addition of new Green employees, a $1.7 million increase in occupancy and equipment expense primarily due to the addition of nine buildings and 14 property leases in connection with the Green acquisition, and a $1.9 million and $1.0 million increase in amortization of intangibles and data processing and software expenses, respectively, related to our acquisition of Green.

Compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased by $49.7 million, or 287.1%. The increase was caused by expenses incurred in connection with our acquisition of Green as described in the preceding paragraph.

Financial Condition

Total loans were $5.8 billion at March 31, 2019, an increase of $3.2 billion, or 126.3%, compared to December 31, 2018. The increase was the result of our acquisition of Green on January 1, 2019 as well as the continued execution and success of our loan growth strategy.

Total deposits were $6.3 billion at March 31, 2019, an increase of $3.7 billion, or 140.1%, compared to December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily the result of increases of $1.9 billion, $1.0 billion, and $868 thousand in time deposits, financial institution money market accounts and non-interest bearing demand deposits, respectively, related to our acquisition of Green and organic growth of our deposits.

Asset Quality

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans held for investment, including mortgage warehouse, was 0.37%, 0.75% and 0.58% of total loans at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans for each of the three quarters ended was determined by evaluating the qualitative factors around the nature, volume and mix of the loan portfolio. The decrease in the allowance for loan loss as a percentage of loans from December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018 was attributable to our acquisition of Green as acquired loans are recorded at fair value. Our allowance for loan losses and remaining purchase discount on acquired loans as a percentage of loans held for investment, including mortgage warehouse, was 1.82%, 1.23% and 1.40% of total loans at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

The provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 totaled $5.0 million compared to $1.4 million and $678 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to an increase in our originated and renewed loans as well as a $1.1 million increase in specific reserves on certain non-performing loans and a $1.5 increase on the recorded provision on a purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loan that was paid off as of March 31, 2019.  The increase in provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019  compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to an increase in our originated and renewed loans as well as a $1.4 million increase in specific reserves on certain non-performing loans and a $1.5 million increase on the recorded provision of a PCI loan that was paid off as of March 31, 2019.

Nonperforming assets totaled $23.1 million, or 0.29%, of total assets at March 31, 2019 compared to $24.7 million, or 0.77%, of total assets at December 31, 2018 and $3.8 million, or 0.12%, of total assets at March 31, 2018. The decrease of $1.6 million compared to December 31, 2018 was driven by the repayment in full of an $8.8 million PCI loan, and was offset by a $2.9 million increase in originated non-accrual loans and a $4.3 million increase in accruing loans 90 or more days past due. The increase in nonperforming assets of $19.3 million compared to March 31, 2018 was primarily due to the placement of a $7.9 million PCI loan on non-accrual status as a result of information the Company obtained that precluded the Company from reasonably estimating the timing and amount of future cash flows relating to this loan. Excluding this PCI loan compared to March 31, 2018, the increase of $11.4 million in nonperforming assets was a result of an increase in nonperforming loans of $11.3 million and an increase in other real estate owned of $141 thousand.

Dividend Information

On April 22, 2019, Veritex’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share on its outstanding shares of common stock.  The dividend will be paid on or after May 23, 2019 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 9, 2019.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Veritex’s management uses certain non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures to evaluate its operating performance and provide information that is important to investors. However, non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, Veritex’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, Veritex reviews and reports tangible book value, tangible book value per common share, tangible common equity to tangible assets, return on average tangible common equity, operating net income, pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings, pre-tax, pre-provision operating return on average assets, diluted operating earnings per share, operating return on average assets, operating return on average tangible common equity and operating efficiency ratio. Veritex has included in this earnings release information related to these non-GAAP financial measures for the applicable periods presented. Please refer to “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” after the financial highlights at the end of this earnings release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Business Combinations Measurement Period

The measurement period for the Company to determine the fair values of acquired identifiable assets and assumed liabilities for Green will end at the earlier of (i) twelve months from the date of the acquisition or (ii) as soon as the Company receives the information it was seeking about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date or learns that more information is not obtainable. Provisional estimates have been recorded for the Green acquisition as independent valuations have not been finalized. The Company does not expect any significant differences from estimated values upon completion of the valuations.

Conference Call

The Company will host an investor conference call to review the results on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. Central Time. Participants may pre-register for the call by visiting https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/gizfkp5c and will receive a unique PIN, which can be used when dialing in for the call. This will allow attendees to enter the call immediately. Alternatively, participants may call toll-free at (877) 703-9880.

The call and corresponding presentation slides will be webcast live on the home page of the Company's website, www.veritexbank.com. An audio replay will be available one hour after the conclusion of the call at (855) 859-2056, Conference #3584266. This replay, as well as the webcast, will be available until April 30, 2019.

About Veritex Holdings, Inc.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Veritex is a bank holding company that conducts banking activities through its wholly owned subsidiary, Veritex Community Bank, with locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and in the Houston metropolitan area. Veritex Community Bank is a Texas state chartered bank regulated by the Texas Department of Banking and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. For more information, visit www.veritexbank.com.

Media Contact:
LaVonda Renfro
972-349-6200
lrenfro@veritexbank.com

Investor Relations:
Susan Caudle
972-349-6132
scaudle@veritexbank.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on various facts and derived utilizing assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to the impact Veritex expects its recently completed acquisition of Green to have on its operations, financial condition and financial results and Veritex’s expectations about its ability to successfully integrate the combined businesses of Veritex and Green and the amount of cost savings and overall operational efficiencies Veritex expects to realize as a result of the recently completed acquisition of Green.  The forward-looking statements in this earnings release also include statements about Veritex’s future financial performance, business and growth strategy, projected plans and objectives, as well as other projections based on macroeconomic and industry trends, which are inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact broader economic and industry trends, and any such variations may be material.  Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing words.  Further, certain factors that could affect future results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the businesses of Veritex and Green will not be integrated successfully, that the cost savings and any synergies from the acquisition may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, disruption from the acquisition making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers or other parties with whom Veritex has (or Green had) business relationships, diversion of management time on integration-related issues, the reaction to the acquisition by Veritex’s and Green’s customers, employees and counterparties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Veritex.  We refer you to the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Veritex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and any updates to those risk factors set forth in Veritex’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.  If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Veritex’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what Veritex anticipates.  Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made.  Veritex does not undertake any obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this earnings release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Veritex or persons acting on Veritex’s behalf may issue.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018
  (Dollars and shares in thousands)
Per Share Data (Common Stock):          
Basic EPS $0.14  $0.41  $0.37  $0.42  $0.43 
Diluted EPS 0.13  0.40  0.36  0.42  0.42 
Book value per common share 21.88  21.88  21.38  21.03  20.60 
Tangible book value per common share1 13.76  14.74  14.21  13.83  13.37 
           
Common Stock Data:          
Shares outstanding at period end 54,563  24,254  24,192  24,181  24,149 
Weighted average basic shares outstanding for the period 54,293  24,224  24,176  24,148  24,120 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the period 55,439  24,532  24,613  24,546  24,539 
           
Summary Performance Ratios:          
Return on average assets2 0.38% 1.20% 1.10% 1.34% 1.40%
Return on average equity2 2.52  7.44  6.88  8.11  8.55 
Return on average tangible common equity1, 2 5.09  11.52  10.79  12.80  13.61 
Efficiency ratio 82.30  54.27  57.58  53.51  54.28 
           
Selected Performance Metrics - Operating:          
Diluted operating EPS1 0.59  0.47  0.42  0.46  0.50 
Pre-tax, pre-provision operating return on average assets1, 2 2.40  1.95  1.98  2.03  2.13 
Operating return on average assets1, 2 1.69% 1.40% 1.28% 1.47% 1.64%
Operating return on average tangible common equity1, 2 18.81  13.37  12.49  14.07  15.86 
Operating efficiency ratio1 43.54  50.65  49.09  48.67  49.94 
           
Veritex Holdings, Inc. Capital Ratios:          
Average stockholders' equity to average total assets 15.18% 16.14% 15.92% 16.48% 16.39%
Tier 1 capital to average assets (leverage) 10.57  12.04  11.74  12.08  11.84 
Common equity tier 1 capital 11.07  11.80  12.02  12.17  12.04 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 11.50  12.18  12.43  12.60  12.48 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 12.45  12.98  13.22  13.31  13.17 
Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 10.02  11.78  11.08  11.30  11.17 
           
Veritex Bank Capital Ratios:          
Tier 1 capital to average assets (leverage) 10.65% 10.87% 10.53% 10.70% 10.39%
Common equity tier 1 capital 11.61% 11.01% 11.13% 11.16% 10.94%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 11.61% 11.01% 11.13% 11.16% 10.94%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 11.93% 11.64% 11.75% 11.70% 11.45%

1Refer to the section titled"Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" after the financial highlights for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures.
2Annualized ratio.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Highlights
(In thousands)

  Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
  (unaudited)   (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents $339,473  $84,449  $261,790  $146,740  $195,194 
Securities 950,671  262,695  256,237  252,187  243,164 
Other investments 75,920  23,174  27,769  27,438  21,158 
           
Loans held for sale 8,002  1,258  1,425  453  893 
Loans held for investment, mortgage warehouse 114,158         
Loans held for investment 5,663,721  2,555,494  2,444,499  2,418,886  2,316,065 
Total loans 5,785,881  2,556,752  2,445,924  2,419,339  2,316,958 
Allowance for loan losses (21,603) (19,255) (17,909) (14,842) (13,401)
Bank-owned life insurance 79,397  22,064  21,915  21,767  21,620 
Bank premises, furniture and equipment, net 119,354  78,409  77,346  76,348  76,045 
Other real estate owned 151        10 
Intangible assets, net 81,245  15,896  16,603  17,482  18,372 
Goodwill 368,268  161,447  161,447  161,447  161,685 
Other assets 69,474  22,919  24,724  23,968  20,761 
Branch assets held for sale 83,516      1,753  1,753 
Total assets $7,931,747  $3,208,550  $3,275,846  $3,133,627  $3,063,319 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Deposits:          
Noninterest-bearing $1,439,630  $626,283  $661,754  $611,315  $597,236 
Interest-bearing 2,617,117  1,313,161  1,346,264  1,252,774  1,354,757 
Certificates and other time deposits 2,240,968  682,984  648,236  626,329  541,801 
Total deposits 6,297,715  2,622,428  2,656,254  2,490,418  2,493,794 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 42,621  5,413  6,875  4,130  3,862 
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 6,846  5,361  5,759  5,856  3,412 
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 252,982  28,019  73,055  108,092  48,128 
Subordinated debentures and subordinated notes 72,719  16,691  16,691  16,690  16,690 
Other borrowings 2,778         
Branch liabilities held for sale 62,381         
Total liabilities 6,738,042  2,677,912  2,758,634  2,625,186  2,565,886 
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock 546  243  242  242  241 
Additional paid-in capital 1,109,386  449,427  448,117  447,234  445,964 
Retained earnings 84,559  83,968  74,143  65,208  55,015 
Unallocated Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares     (106) (106) (106)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 7,016  (2,930) (5,114) (4,067) (3,611)
Treasury stock (7,802) (70) (70) (70) (70)
Total stockholders’ equity 1,193,705  530,638  517,212  508,441  497,433 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $7,931,747  $3,208,550  $3,275,846  $3,133,627  $3,063,319 


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share data)

  For the Three Months Ended
  Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
Interest income:          
Loans, including fees $85,747  $35,028  $35,074  $32,291  $32,067 
Securities 7,232  1,908  1,722  1,647  1,328 
Deposits in financial institutions and Fed Funds sold 1,554  833  1,016  613  687 
Other investments1 691  413  108  306  28 
Total interest income 95,224  38,182  37,920  34,857  34,110 
Interest expense:          
Transaction and savings deposits 10,366  5,412  4,694  4,204  3,289 
Certificates and other time deposits 8,792  3,394  3,068  2,248  1,004 
Advances from FHLB 2,055  377  630  234  460 
Subordinated debentures and subordinated notes 1,094  304  250  245  232 
Total interest expense 22,307  9,487  8,642  6,931  4,985 
Net interest income 72,917  28,695  29,278  27,926  29,125 
Provision for loan losses 5,012  1,364  3,057  1,504  678 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 67,905  27,331  26,221  26,422  28,447 
Noninterest income:          
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts 3,517  832  809  846  933 
Loan fees 1,278  387  410  261  274 
(Loss) gain on sales of investment securities (772) (42) (34) 4  8 
Gain on sales of loans 2,370  1,789  270  416  581 
Rental income 368  310  414  452  478 
Other1 1,723  343  539  311  484 
Total noninterest income 8,484  3,619  2,408  2,290  2,758 
Noninterest expense:          
Salaries and employee benefits 18,885  8,278  7,394  7,657  7,930 
Occupancy and equipment 4,129  2,412  2,890  2,143  3,234 
Professional and regulatory fees 3,418  1,889  1,893  1,528  2,104 
Data processing and software expense 1,924  888  697  689  828 
Marketing 619  570  306  446  461 
Amortization of intangibles 2,760  835  798  856  978 
Telephone and communications 395  223  236  414  426 
Merger and acquisition expense 31,217  1,150  2,692  1,043  335 
Other 3,646  1,293  1,340  1,393  1,010 
Total noninterest expense 66,993  17,538  18,246  16,169  17,306 
Net income from operations 9,396  13,412  10,383  12,543  13,899 
Income tax expense 1,989  3,587  1,448  2,350  3,511 
Net income $7,407  $9,825  $8,935  $10,193  $10,388 
           
Basic earnings per share $0.14  $0.41  $0.37  $0.42  $0.43 
Diluted earnings per share $0.13  $0.40  $0.36  $0.42  $0.42 
Weighted average basic shares outstanding 54,293  24,224  24,176  24,148  24,120 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 55,439  24,532  24,613  24,546  24,539 

1 The Company historically reported dividend income in other noninterest income and has re-classed $678, $408, $102, $302 and $23 of dividend income into other investments as of March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively, in order to align with industry peers for comparability purposes.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Highlights
(In thousands except percentages)

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 March 31, 2018
  Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned/
Interest
Paid
 Average
Yield/
Rate
 Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned/
Interest
Paid
 Average
Yield/
Rate
 Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned/
Interest
Paid
 Average
Yield/
Rate
Assets                  
Interest-earning assets:                  
Loans1,5 $5,731,062  $84,194  5.96% $2,502,084  $35,028  5.55% $2,261,133  $32,067  5.75%
Loans held for investment, mortgage warehouse 119,781  1,553  5.26             
Securities 926,347  7,232  3.17  263,182  1,908  2.88  222,026  1,328  2.43 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks 264,138  1,554  2.39  136,879  833  2.41  163,996  687  1.70 
Other investments2 56,909  691  4.92  25,772  413  6.36  16,782  28  0.68 
Total interest-earning assets 7,098,237  95,224  5.44  2,927,917  38,182  5.17  2,663,937  34,110  5.19 
Allowance for loan losses (20,065)     (18,338)     (13,133)    
Noninterest-earning assets5 763,095      333,589      355,625     
Total assets $7,841,267      $3,243,168      $3,006,429     
                   
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                  
Interest-bearing liabilities:                  
Interest-bearing demand and savings deposits5 $2,562,304  $10,366  1.64% $1,337,901  $5,412  1.60% $1,218,144  $3,289  1.10%
Certificates and other time deposits5 2,244,194  8,792  1.59  655,776  3,394  2.05  527,051  1,004  0.77 
Advances from FHLB 310,697  2,055  2.68  52,436  377  2.85  117,507  460  1.59 
Subordinated debentures and subordinated notes 75,813  1,094  5.85  16,691  304  7.23  16,926  232  5.56 
Total interest-bearing liabilities 5,193,008  22,307  1.74  2,062,804  9,487  1.82  1,879,628  4,985  1.08 
                   
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                  
Noninterest-bearing deposits5 1,427,970      643,958      600,215     
Other liabilities5 30,023      12,816      17,262     
Total liabilities 6,651,001      2,719,578      2,497,105     
Stockholders’ equity 1,190,266      523,590      492,869     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $7,841,267      $3,243,168      $2,989,974     
                   
Net interest rate spread3     3.70%     3.35%     4.11%
Net interest income   $72,917      $28,695      $29,125   
Net interest margin4     4.17%     3.89%     4.43%

1 Includes average outstanding balances of loans held for sale of $7,709, $1,019 and $1,336 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2018, respectively, and average balances of loans held for investment, excluding mortgage warehouse.
2 The Company historically reported dividend income in other noninterest income and has re-classed $678, $408 and $23 of dividend income into other investments as of March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively, in order to align with industry peers for comparability purposes.
3 Net interest rate spread is the average yield on interest-earning assets minus the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
4 Net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
5 Includes average balances that are held for sale at March 31, 2019.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Highlights

Yield Trend

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31,
 2019
 December 31,
 2018
 September 30,
 2018
 June 30,
 2018
 March 31,
 2018
Average yield on interest-earning assets:          
Loans1 5.96% 5.55% 5.72% 5.55% 5.75%
Loans held for investment, mortgage warehouse 5.26         
Securities 3.17  2.88  2.69  2.66  2.43 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks 2.39  2.41  1.98  1.80  1.70 
Other investments 4.92  6.36  6.76  4.91  0.68 
Total interest-earning assets 5.44% 5.17% 5.19% 5.10% 5.19%
           
Average rate on interest-bearing liabilities:          
Interest-bearing demand and savings deposits 1.64% 1.60% 1.46% 1.33% 1.10%
Certificates and other time deposits 1.59  2.05  1.86  1.52  0.77 
Advances from FHLB 2.68  2.85  2.08  1.57  1.59 
Subordinated debentures and subordinated notes 5.85  7.23  5.94  5.89  5.56 
Total interest-bearing liabilities 1.74% 1.82% 1.66% 1.43% 1.08%
           
Net interest rate spread2 3.70% 3.35% 3.53% 3.67% 4.11%
Net interest margin3 4.17% 3.89% 4.00% 4.07% 4.43%

  1Includes average outstanding balances of loans held for sale of $7,709, $1,019, $1,091, $1,349 and $1,336 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively, and average balances of loans held for investment, excluding mortgage warehouse.
  2 Net interest rate spread is the average yield on interest-earning assets minus the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
  3 Net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

Supplemental Yield Trend

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31,
 2019
 December 31,
 2018
 September 30,
 2018
 June 30,
 2018
 March 31,
 2018
Average cost of interest-bearing deposits 1.62% 1.75% 1.59% 1.39% 1.00%
Average costs of total deposits, including noninterest-bearing 1.25  1.32  1.20  1.05  0.74 


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Highlights

Loans Held for Investment (“LHI”) and Deposit Portfolio Composition

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31,
 2019
 December 31,
 2018
 September 30,
 2018
 June 30,
 2018
 March 31,
 2018
  (Dollars in thousands)
Loans Held for Investment                    
Originated Loans                    
Commercial:                    
Commercial $836,792  33.3% $697,906  33.0% $646,978  33.3% $571,716  33.0% $516,598  34.1%
Mortgage warehouse 1,988  0.1                 
Real Estate:                    
Owner occupied commercial 215,088  8.6  188,847  8.9  179,422  9.2  138,940  8.0  139,136  9.2 
Commercial 752,628  30.0  636,200  30.0  592,959  30.5  556,410  32.2  459,437  30.3 
Construction and land 364,812  14.5  303,315  14.3  254,258  13.1  215,266  12.5  173,514  11.5 
Farmland 8,247  0.3  7,898  0.4  8,181  0.5  8,102  0.5  5,819  0.4 
1-4 family residential 274,880  10.9  235,092  11.0  210,702  10.9  191,303  11.1  160,504  10.6 
Multi-family residential 48,777  1.9  47,371  2.2  46,240  2.3  43,643  2.5  56,481  3.7 
Consumer 8,587  0.3  4,304  0.2  3,123  0.2  2,716  0.2  2,371  0.2 
Total originated LHI $2,511,799  100% $2,120,933  100% $1,941,863  100% $1,728,096  100% $1,513,860  100%
                     
Acquired Loans                    
Commercial:                    
Commercial $975,878  29.9% $62,866  14.4% $76,162  15.3% $120,002  17.3% $156,222  19.5%
Mortgage warehouse 112,169  3.3                 
Real Estate:                    
Owner occupied commercial 530,026  16.2  132,432  30.5  133,865  26.6  146,199  21.2  167,651  20.9 
Commercial 948,815  29.0  145,553  33.5  162,842  32.4  173,914  25.2  189,317  23.6 
Construction and land 149,897  4.6  21,548  5.0  39,885  7.9  84,996  12.3  127,509  15.9 
Farmland 1,781  0.1  2,630  0.6  2,672  0.5  2,713  0.4  3,547  0.4 
1-4 family residential 295,719  9.1  62,825  14.5  79,106  15.7  92,183  13.3  86,302  10.8 
Multi-family residential 238,936  7.3  3,914  0.9  4,077  0.8  65,978  9.6  66,001  8.2 
Consumer 13,180  0.4  2,808  0.6  4,043  0.8  4,827  0.7  5,680  0.7 
Total acquired  LHI $3,266,401  100% $434,576  100% $502,652  100% $690,812  100% $802,229  100%
                     
Total LHI1 $5,778,200    $2,555,509    $2,444,515    $2,418,908    $2,316,089   
                     
Deposits2                    
Noninterest-bearing $1,439,630  22.9% $626,283  23.8% $661,754  24.9% $611,315  24.5% $597,236  24.0%
Interest-bearing transaction 334,868  5.3  146,969  5.6  144,328  5.4  143,561  5.8  156,174  6.3 
Money market 2,169,049  34.4  1,133,045  43.2  1,168,262  44.0  1,074,048  42.5  1,165,773  46.1 
Savings 113,200  1.8  33,147  1.3  33,674  1.3  35,165  1.4  32,810  1.3 
Certificates and other time deposits 2,240,968  35.6  682,984  26.1  648,236  24.4  626,329  25.8  541,801  22.3 
Total deposits $6,297,715  100% $2,622,428  100% $2,656,254  100% $2,490,418  100% $2,493,794  100%
                     
Loan to Deposit Ratio 91.8%   97.4%   92.0%   97.1%   92.9%  

1 Total LHI does not include deferred fees of $321 thousand at March 31, 2019, $15 thousand at December 31, 2018, $16 thousand at September 30, 2018, $22 thousand at June 30, 2018 and $24 thousand at March 31, 2018.
2 LHI and deposit portfolio compensation exclude assets and liabilities held for sale as of March 31, 2019.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Highlights

Asset Quality

 For the Three Months Ended
 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming Assets (“NPAs”):         
Originated nonaccrual loans$10,779  $7,843  $4,664  $4,252  $3,438 
Acquired nonaccrual loans7,904  16,902  17,158     
Originated accruing loans 90 or more days past due2,329    4,302  613  374 
Acquired accruing loans 90 or more days past due1,974         
Total nonperforming loans held for investment (“NPLs”)22,986  24,745  26,124  4,865  3,812 
Other real estate owned151        10 
Total NPAs$23,137  $24,745  $26,124  $4,865  $3,822 
          
Charge-offs:         
Commercial(2,654) (26)   (77) (72)
Consumer(74)       (22)
Total charge-offs(2,728) (26)   (77) (94)
          
Recoveries:         
Commercial64  7  10  15  9 
Total recoveries64  7  10  15  9 
          
Net charge-offs$(2,664) $(19) $10  $(62) $(85)
          
Allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) at end of period$21,603  $19,255  $17,909  $14,842  $13,401 
          
Remaining purchase discount (“PD”) on acquired loans1$83,365  $12,098  $13,389  $16,345  $18,914 
          
Asset Quality Ratios:         
NPAs to total assets0.29% 0.77% 0.80% 0.16% 0.12%
NPLs to total LHI0.40  0.97  1.07  0.20  0.16 
ALLL to total LHI0.37  0.75  0.73  0.61  0.58 
ALLL and remaining PD on acquired loans to total LHI11.82  1.23  1.28  1.29  1.40 
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding0.05         

1 Remaining PD on acquired loans includes non-accretable and accretable purchase discount on purchased performing and PCI loans for each quarter presented in the table.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

We identify certain financial measures discussed in this earnings release as being “non GAAP financial measures.” In accordance with SEC rules, we classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States (GAAP), in our statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows. Non GAAP financial measures do not include operating and other statistical measures or ratios calculated using exclusively either one or both of (i) financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and (ii) operating measures or other measures that are not non GAAP financial measures.

The non-GAAP financial measures that we present in this earnings release should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate the non-GAAP financial measures that we present in this earnings release may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names. You should understand how such other financial institutions calculate their financial measures that appear to be similar or have similar names to the non-GAAP financial measures we have discussed in this earnings release when comparing such non GAAP financial measures.

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share. Tangible book value is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and
investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate: (a) tangible common equity as total stockholders’ equity less goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization; and (b) tangible book value per common share as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by number of common shares outstanding. For tangible book value per common share, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our book value per common share.

We believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in changes from period to period in book value per common share exclusive of changes in core deposit intangibles. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total book value while not increasing our tangible book value.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and presents our tangible book value per common share compared with our book value per common share:

  For the Three Months Ended
  Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Tangible Common Equity          
Total stockholders' equity $1,193,705  $530,638  $517,212  $508,441  $497,433 
Adjustments:          
Goodwill (368,268) (161,447) (161,447) (161,447) (161,685)
Core deposit intangibles1 (74,916) (11,675) (12,107) (12,538) (12,970)
Tangible common equity $750,521  $357,516  $343,658  $334,456  $322,778 
Common shares outstanding 54,563  24,254  24,192  24,181  24,149 
           
Book value per common share $21.88  $21.88  $21.38  $21.03  $20.60 
Tangible book value per common share $13.76  $14.74  $14.21  $13.83  $13.37 

1 The Company previously adjusted tangible common equity by excluding the impact of all other intangible assets. The Company has modified the metric to solely adjust for core deposit intangibles in order to align with industry peers for comparability purposes.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets. Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate: (a) tangible common equity as total stockholders’ equity, less goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization; (b) tangible assets as total assets less goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization; and (c) tangible common equity to tangible assets as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by tangible assets (as described in clause (b)). For common equity to tangible assets, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is total stockholders’ equity to total assets.

We believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in the relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, in each case, exclusive of changes in core deposit intangibles. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing both total stockholders’ equity and assets while not increasing our tangible common equity or tangible assets.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible assets and presents our tangible common equity to tangible assets:

  For the Three Months Ended
  Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
  (Dollars in thousands)
Tangible Common Equity          
Total stockholders' equity $1,193,705  $530,638  $517,212  $508,441  $497,433 
Adjustments:          
Goodwill (368,268) (161,447) (161,447) (161,447) (161,685)
Core deposit intangibles1 (74,916) (11,675) (12,107) (12,538) (12,970)
Tangible common equity $750,521  $357,516  $343,658  $334,456  $322,778 
Tangible Assets          
Total assets $7,931,747  $3,208,550  $3,275,846  $3,133,627  $3,063,319 
Adjustments:          
Goodwill (368,268) (161,447) (161,447) (161,447) (161,685)
Core deposit intangibles1 (74,916) (11,675) (12,107) (12,538) (12,970)
Tangible Assets $7,488,563  $3,035,428  $3,102,292  $2,959,642  $2,888,664 
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets 10.02% 11.78% 11.08% 11.30% 11.17%

1 The Company previously adjusted tangible common equity by excluding the impact of all other intangible assets. The Company has modified the metric to solely adjust for core deposit intangibles in order to align with industry peers for comparability purposes.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity. Return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate: (a) return as net income less the effect of core deposit intangibles as net income, plus amortization of core deposit intangibles, net of taxes; (b) average tangible common equity as total average stockholders’ equity less average goodwill and average core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization; and (c) return (as described in clause (a)) divided by average tangible common equity (as described in clause (b)). For return on average tangible common equity, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is return on average equity.

We believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in the return on common equity, exclusive of the impact of core deposit intangibles. Goodwill and core deposit intangibles have the effect of increasing total stockholders’ equity while not increasing our tangible common equity. This measure is particularly relevant to acquisitive institutions that may have higher balances in goodwill and core deposit intangibles than non-acquisitive institutions.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, average tangible common equity to average common equity and net income available for common stockholders excluding amortization of core deposit intangibles, net of tax to net income and presents our return on average tangible common equity:

  For the Three Months Ended
  Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
  (Dollars in thousands)
Net income available for common stockholders adjusted for amortization of core deposit intangibles          
Net income $7,407  $9,825  $8,935  $10,193  $10,388 
Adjustments:          
Plus: Amortization of core deposit intangibles1 2,477  432  431  432  387 
Less: Tax benefit at the statutory rate 520  91  91  91  81 
Net income available for common stockholders adjusted for amortization of intangibles $9,364  $10,166  $9,275  $10,534  $10,694 
           
Average Tangible Common Equity          
Total average stockholders' equity $1,190,266  $523,590  $514,876  $504,328  $492,869 
Adjustments:          
Average goodwill (366,795) (161,447) (161,447) (161,433) (159,272)
Average core deposit intangibles1 (76,727) (11,932) (12,354) (12,807) (14,978)
Average tangible common equity $746,744  $350,211  $341,075  $330,088  $318,619 
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (Annualized) 5.09% 11.52% 10.79% 12.80% 13.61%

1 The Company previously adjusted tangible common equity by excluding the impact of all other intangible assets. The Company has modified the metric to solely adjust for core deposit intangibles in order to align with industry peers for comparability purposes.


VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

Operating Earnings, Pre-tax, Pre-provision Operating Earnings and performance metrics calculated using Operating Earnings and Pre-tax, Pre-provision Operating Earnings, including Diluted Operating Earnings per Share, Operating Return on Average Assets, Operating Return on Average Tangible Common Equity and Operating Efficiency Ratio. Operating earnings and pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings are non GAAP measures used by management to evaluate the Company’s financial performance. We calculate (a) operating earnings as net income plus loss on sale of securities available-for-sale, net, less gain on sale of disposed branch assets, plus lease exit costs, net, plus branch closure expenses, plus one-time issuance of shares to all employees, plus merger and acquisition expenses, less tax impact of adjustments, plus re-measurement of deferred tax assets as a result of the reduction in the corporate income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, plus other merger and acquisition discrete tax items. We calculate (b) pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings as operating earnings as described in clause (a) plus provision for income taxes, plus provision for loan losses. We calculate (c) diluted operating earnings per share as operating earnings as described in clause (a) divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding. We calculate (d) operating return on average tangible common equity as operating earnings as described in clause (a) divided by total average tangible common equity (average stockholders' equity less average goodwill and average core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization.) We calculate (e) operating efficiency ratio as non interest expense plus adjustments to operating non interest expense divided by (i) non interest income plus adjustments to operating non interest income plus (ii) net interest income.

We believe that these measures and the operating metrics calculated utilizing these measures are important to management and many investors in the marketplace who are interested in understanding the ongoing operating performance of the Company and provide meaningful comparisons to its peers.

The following tables reconcile, as of the dates set forth below, operating earnings and pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings and related metrics:

  For the Three Months Ended
  Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
  (Dollars in thousands)
Operating Earnings          
Net income $7,407  $9,825  $8,935  $10,193  $10,388 
Plus: Loss on sale of securities available for sale, net 772  42       
Less: Gain on sale of disposed branch assets         (388)
Plus: Lease exit costs, net1         1,071 
Plus: Branch closure expenses         172 
Plus: One-time issuance of shares to all employees       421   
Plus: Merger and acquisition expenses 31,217  1,150  2,692  1,043  335 
Operating pre-tax income 39,396  11,017  11,627  11,657  11,578 
Less: Tax impact of adjustments2 6,717  (440) 538  293  242 
Plus: Tax Act re-measurement     (688) (127) 820 
Plus: Other M&A discrete tax items          
Net operating earnings $32,679  $11,457  $10,401  $11,237  $12,156 
           
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 55,439  24,532  24,613  24,546  24,539 
Diluted EPS $0.13  $0.40  $0.36  $0.42  $0.42 
Diluted operating EPS 0.59  0.47  0.42  0.46  0.50 

1 Lease exit costs, net for the three months ended March 31, 2018 includes a $1.5 million consent fee and $240 thousand in professional services paid in January 2018 to separately assign and sublease two of our branch leases that the Company ceased using in 2017 offset by the reversal of the corresponding assigned lease cease-use liability totaling $669 thousand.
2 During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company initiated a transaction cost study, which through December 31, 2018 resulted in $727 thousand of expenses paid that are non-deductible merger and acquisition expenses. As such, the $727 thousand of non-deductible expenses are reflected in the three months ended and year-ended December 31, 2018 tax impact of adjustments amounts reported. All other non-merger related adjustments to operating earnings are taxed at the statutory rate.

  For the Three Months Ended
  Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
  (Dollars in thousands)
Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Operating Earnings          
Net income $7,407  $9,825  $8,935  $10,193  $10,388 
Plus: Provision for income taxes 1,989  3,587  1,448  2,350  3,511 
Pus: Provision for loan losses 5,012  1,364  3,057  1,504  678 
Plus: Loss on sale of securities available for sale, net 772  42       
Plus: Loss (gain) on sale of disposed branch assets         (388)
Plus: Lease exit costs, net1         1,071 
Plus: Branch closure expenses         172 
Plus: One-time issuance of shares to all employees       421   
Plus: Merger and acquisition expenses 31,217  1,150  2,692  1,043  335 
Net pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings $46,397  $15,968  $16,132  $15,511  $15,767 
           
Average total assets $7,841,267  $3,243,168  $3,233,214  $3,059,456  $3,006,429 
Pre-tax, pre-provision operating return on average assets2 2.40% 1.95% 1.98% 2.03% 2.13%
           
Average total assets $7,841,267  $3,243,168  $3,233,214  $3,059,456  $3,006,429 
Return on average assets2 0.38% 1.20% 1.10% 1.34% 1.40%
Operating return on average assets2 1.69  1.40  1.28  1.47  1.64 
           
Operating earnings adjusted for amortization of intangibles          
Net operating earnings $32,679  $11,457  $10,401  $11,237  $12,156 
Adjustments:          
Plus: Amortization of core deposit intangibles3 2,477  432  431  432  387 
Less: Tax benefit at the statutory rate 520  91  91  91  81 
Operating earnings adjusted for amortization of intangibles $34,636  $11,798  $10,741  $11,578  $12,462 
           
Average Tangible Common Equity          
Total average stockholders' equity $1,190,266  $523,590  $514,876  $504,328  $492,869 
Adjustments:          
Average goodwill (366,795) (161,447) (161,447) (161,433) (159,272)
Average core deposit intangibles3 (76,727) (11,932) (12,354) (12,807) (14,978)
Average tangible common equity $746,744  $350,211  $341,075  $330,088  $318,619 
Operating Return on average tangible common equity2 18.81% 13.37% 12.49% 14.07% 15.86%
           
Efficiency ratio 82.30% 54.27% 57.58% 53.51% 54.28%
Operating efficiency ratio 43.54% 50.65% 49.09% 48.67% 49.94%

1 Lease exit costs, net for the three months ended March 31, 2018 includes a $1.5 million consent fee and $240 thousand in professional services paid in January 2018 to separately assign and sublease two of our branch leases that the Company ceased using in 2017 offset by the reversal of the corresponding assigned lease cease-use liability totaling $669 thousand.
2 Annualized ratio.
3 The Company previously adjusted tangible common equity by excluding the impact of all other intangible assets. The Company has modified the metric to solely adjust for core deposit intangibles in order to align with industry peers for comparability purposes.