EX-99.1 2 earningsrelease_20231231xe.htm EX-99.1 Document

Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
Isabella Bank Corporation
401 North Main Street
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858-1649
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lori Peterson, Director of Marketing
Phone: 989-779-6333 Fax: 989-775-5501
Isabella Bank Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and 2023 Earnings
Continued growth in loans, Isabella Wealth; outpaced by continued interest rate pressure
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, February 16, 2024 — Isabella Bank Corporation (the “Corporation”) (OTCQX: ISBA) reported fourth quarter and year-end 2023 earnings, demonstrating resilience during a year buffeted by rising interest rates on deposit accounts. Net income for the fourth quarter was $3.8 million and $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Earnings per common share were $0.51 in the fourth quarter and $2.42 for the year.
Among the 2023 highlights:
Gross loans increased more than $85 million, or 7%.
Isabella Wealth assets grew 25% to $641 million, leading to an increase in wealth management fees of $552,000, or 18%, over 2022.
Interest income increased $13.8 million, or 21%, over 2022, offset by an increase in interest expense of $16.4 million.
Shareholders earned a cash dividend of $1.12 per share in 2023, with an annualized dividend yield of 5.21%.
“Our 2023 financial results demonstrate Isabella Bank’s ability to come out of a tough year still delivering strong results for shareholders,” said Jerome E. Schwind, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our liquidity and capital ratios remain strong and we delivered results against our strategic plan based on our strength in the marketplace.
"We continued to grow our footprint — including adding our eighth mid-Michigan county — and customers continued to turn to Isabella Bank, driving our growth in loans and our wealth management business,” he added.



Operating Results
Net income: Net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $3.8 million, a decrease of $2.5 million compared to the same period in 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income was $18.2 million, compared to $22.2 million in 2022. The declines were driven by a rise in interest expense resulting largely from increased interest rates on deposit accounts.
Net interest income, fourth quarter 2023: Net interest income for the fourth quarter 2023 declined $2.7 million, or 16%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Interest income increased $3.1 million, or 17.5%, driven by core loan growth, while continued interest rate pressure was the primary cause of a $5.8 million increase in interest expense over the same period in 2022.
Net interest income, year-end 2023: Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $2.5 million, or 4.2%, compared to 2022. Rising interest rates and growth in core loans led to a $13.8 million, or 21%, increase in gross interest income during 2023, compared to 2022. At the same time, rising interest rates on deposits and an increase in borrowings led to a $16.4 million increase in interest expense for 2023, compared to 2022.
Noninterest income and expenses, fourth quarter 2023: Noninterest income increased $244,000 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily driven by wealth management fees and ATM and debit card income. Noninterest expenses for the quarter were essentially unchanged in comparison to the fourth quarter of 2022.
Noninterest income and expenses, year-end 2023: Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $161,000 compared to 2022. The increase was driven by wealth management fees and ATM and debit card fee income, offset by a decrease in mortgage servicing rights and gain on sale of loans, as residential mortgages sold to the secondary market declined. Noninterest expense increased $2.5 million compared to 2022, primarily the result of increased compensation, equipment expense, other losses, and FDIC insurance premiums.
Net yield on interest earning assets: The Corporation’s fully taxable equivalent net yield on interest earning assets was 2.85% and 3.05% for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023, respectively, compared to 3.43% and 3.18% for the same periods in 2022. To maintain a competitive edge in the rising interest rate environment, rates on several deposit products began to increase in the fourth quarter of 2022 and continued throughout 2023. Over the last year, the level of borrowings increased to fund loan growth. These factors have negatively impacted the net yield on interest earning assets slowing its rate of growth.
Balance Sheet
Assets: Total assets were $2.06 billion and assets under management were $2.95 billion as of December 31, 2023. Managed assets included loans sold and serviced of $249 million as well as $641 million in investment and trust assets managed by our wealth business.



Loans: Loans outstanding as of December 31, 2023 totaled $1.35 billion, growing $85.3 million since December 31, 2022. Credit quality remained strong, as evidenced by total past due and nonaccrual loans which were 0.37% of gross loans as of December 31, 2023.
Deposits: Deposits were $1.72 billion as of December 31, 2023, declining $20.6 million, or 1.2%, since December 31, 2022. A decline in demand deposits was driven by contraction in money supply as the Federal Reserve Bank pulled money out of the banking system.
Capital: The Bank continues to be considered a “well-capitalized” institution, as its capital ratios exceeded the minimum designated requirements. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 8.71%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 12.48% and Total Capital Ratio was 13.42%, compared to minimum requirements to be considered well capitalized of 5.0%, 8.0% and 10.0%, respectively.
Dividend: The Corporation paid a $0.28 per common share cash dividend for the fourth quarter of 2023. Total cash dividends paid for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $1.12, a 2.75% increase over dividends paid in 2022. Based on the Corporation’s closing stock price of $21.50 as of December 29, 2023, the annualized cash dividend yield was 5.21%.
About the Corporation
Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX: ISBA) is the parent holding company of Isabella Bank, a state-chartered community bank headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Isabella Bank was established in 1903 and has been committed to serving its customers' and communities' local banking needs for over 120 years. The Bank offers personal and commercial lending and deposit products, as well as investment, trust, and estate planning services. The Bank has locations throughout eight Mid-Michigan counties: Bay, Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, and Saginaw.
For more information about Isabella Bank Corporation, visit the Investor Relations link at www.isabellabank.com. Isabella Bank Corporation common stock is quoted on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets Group, Inc.’s electronic quotation system (www.otcmarkets.com) under the symbol “ISBA.” The Corporation’s investor relations firm is Stonegate Capital Partners, Inc. (www.stonegateinc.com).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements. To the extent that the foregoing information refers to matters that may occur in the future, please be aware that such forward-looking statements may differ materially from the actual results. Additional information concerning some of the factors that could cause materially different results is included in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” set forth in Isabella Bank Corporation’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference facilities and from its website at www.sec.gov.



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31
2023
December 31
2022
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and demand deposits due from banks$25,628 $27,420 
Fed Funds sold and interest bearing balances due from banks8,044 11,504 
Total cash and cash equivalents33,672 38,924 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value528,148 580,481 
Mortgage loans available-for-sale— 379 
Loans1,349,463 1,264,173 
Less allowance for credit losses13,108 9,850 
Net loans1,336,355 1,254,323 
Premises and equipment27,639 25,553 
Corporate owned life insurance policies33,892 32,988 
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values15,848 15,746 
Goodwill and other intangible assets48,284 48,287 
Accrued interest receivable and other assets35,130 33,586 
TOTAL ASSETS$2,058,968 $2,030,267 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits
Noninterest bearing$428,505 $494,346 
Interest bearing demand deposits320,737 372,155 
Certificates of deposit under $250 and other savings857,768 810,642 
Certificates of deposit over $250116,685 67,132 
Total deposits1,723,695 1,744,275 
Borrowed funds
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements46,801 57,771 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances40,000 — 
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs29,335 29,245 
Total borrowed funds116,136 87,016 
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities16,735 12,766 
Total liabilities1,856,566 1,844,057 
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock — no par value 15,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 7,485,889 shares (including 150,581 shares held in the Rabbi Trust) in 2023 and 7,559,421 shares (including 154,879 shares held in the Rabbi Trust) in 2022127,323 128,651 
Shares to be issued for deferred compensation obligations3,693 5,005 
Retained earnings97,282 89,748 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(25,896)(37,194)
Total shareholders’ equity202,402 186,210 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY$2,058,968 $2,030,267 



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended 
 December 31
Year Ended 
December 31
 2023202220232022
Interest income
Loans, including fees$17,580 $14,163 $65,670 $53,283 
Available-for-sale securities
Taxable2,303 2,512 9,514 8,363 
Nontaxable623 718 2,642 2,808 
Federal funds sold and other550 522 1,805 1,344 
Total interest income21,056 17,915 79,631 65,798 
Interest expense
Deposits6,399 1,323 18,352 4,021 
Borrowings
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements357 53 961 79 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances422 — 1,309 152 
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs266 267 1,065 1,065 
Total interest expense7,444 1,643 21,687 5,317 
Net interest income13,612 16,272 57,944 60,481 
Provision for credit losses684 (57)629 483 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses12,928 16,329 57,315 59,998 
Noninterest income
Service charges and fees2,212 2,115 8,297 8,730 
Wealth management fees932 788 3,557 3,005 
Earnings on corporate owned life insurance policies239 229 920 884 
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans85 63 317 631 
Other48 77 736 416 
Total noninterest income3,516 3,272 13,827 13,666 
Noninterest expenses
Compensation and benefits6,116 6,407 25,905 24,887 
Furniture and equipment1,697 1,624 6,519 6,006 
Occupancy857 878 3,778 3,691 
Other3,245 3,013 13,108 12,236 
Total noninterest expenses11,915 11,922 49,310 46,820 
Income before federal income tax expense4,529 7,679 21,832 26,844 
Federal income tax expense726 1,357 3,665 4,606 
NET INCOME$3,803 $6,322 $18,167 $22,238 
Earnings per common share
Basic$0.51 $0.84 $2.42 $2.95 
Diluted$0.51 $0.83 $2.40 $2.91 
Cash dividends per common share$0.28 $0.28 $1.12 $1.09 



AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST RATE, AND NET INTEREST INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
The following schedules present the daily average amount outstanding for each major category of interest earning assets, non-earning assets, interest bearing liabilities, and noninterest bearing liabilities. These schedules also present an analysis of interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated. All interest income is reported on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%. Loans in nonaccrual status, for the purpose of the following computations, are included in the average loan balances. Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) restricted equity holdings are included in other interest earning assets.
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Average
Balance
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
Average
Yield /
Rate
Average
Balance
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
Average
Yield /
Rate
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS
Loans (1)
$1,340,271 $17,580 5.25 %$1,244,972 $14,163 4.55 %
Taxable investment securities473,660 2,274 1.92 %520,139 2,499 1.92 %
Nontaxable investment securities90,408 899 3.98 %107,508 999 3.72 %
Fed funds sold13 — 5.76 %14 — 4.00 %
Other39,585 549 5.55 %56,142 522 3.72 %
Total earning assets1,943,937 21,302 4.38 %1,928,775 18,183 3.77 %
NONEARNING ASSETS
Allowance for credit losses(12,780)(9,792)
Cash and demand deposits due from banks23,244 24,312 
Premises and equipment27,444 25,382 
Accrued income and other assets71,592 63,553 
Total assets$2,053,437 $2,032,230 
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
Interest bearing demand deposits$317,996 $504 0.63 %$358,809 $104 0.12 %
Savings deposits634,539 2,819 1.78 %635,771 535 0.34 %
Time deposits338,852 3,076 3.63 %254,604 684 1.07 %
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements50,049 357 2.85 %55,478 53 0.38 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances29,674 422 5.69 %— — — %
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs
29,320 266 3.63 %29,233 267 3.65 %
Total interest bearing liabilities1,400,430 7,444 2.13 %1,333,895 1,643 0.49 %
NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
Demand deposits446,747 504,791 
Other17,302 13,103 
Shareholders’ equity188,958 180,441 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,053,437 $2,032,230 
Net interest income (FTE)$13,858 $16,540 
Net yield on interest earning assets (FTE)2.85 %3.43 %
(1) Includes loans and mortgage loans available-for-sale



Year Ended
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Average
Balance
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
Average
Yield /
Rate
Average
Balance
Tax
Equivalent
Interest
Average
Yield /
Rate
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS
Loans (1)
$1,308,891 $65,670 5.02 %$1,249,634 $53,283 4.26 %
Taxable investment securities485,718 9,399 1.94 %477,159 8,294 1.74 %
Nontaxable investment securities96,845 3,780 3.90 %107,158 3,933 3.67 %
Fed funds sold12 5.04 %10 — 2.42 %
Other41,965 1,804 4.30 %99,301 1,344 1.35 %
Total earning assets1,933,431 80,654 4.17 %1,933,262 66,854 3.46 %
NONEARNING ASSETS
Allowance for credit losses(12,784)(9,477)
Cash and demand deposits due from banks24,592 24,708 
Premises and equipment26,589 24,648 
Accrued income and other assets74,319 81,823 
Total assets$2,046,147 $2,054,964 
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
Interest bearing demand deposits$346,875 $1,086 0.31 %$374,623 $274 0.07 %
Savings deposits626,027 8,290 1.32 %630,574 1,135 0.18 %
Time deposits308,699 8,976 2.91 %270,296 2,612 0.97 %
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements43,061 961 2.23 %49,974 79 0.16 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances23,699 1,309 5.52 %7,863 152 1.93 %
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs
29,287 1,065 3.64 %29,200 1,065 3.65 %
Total interest bearing liabilities1,377,648 21,687 1.57 %1,362,530 5,317 0.39 %
NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
Demand deposits461,689 482,781 
Other16,043 14,695 
Shareholders’ equity190,767 194,958 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,046,147 $2,054,964 
Net interest income (FTE)$58,967 $61,537 
Net yield on interest earning assets (FTE)3.05 %3.18 %
(1) Includes loans and mortgage loans available-for-sale



SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
Year Ended
December 31
2023
December 31
2022
December 31
2021
PER SHARE
Basic earnings$2.42 $2.95 $2.48 
Diluted earnings$2.40 $2.91 $2.45 
Dividends$1.12 $1.09 $1.08 
Tangible book value$20.59 $18.25 $21.61 
Quoted market value
High$26.00 $26.25 $29.00 
Low$19.13 $21.00 $19.45 
Close (1)
$21.50 $23.50 $25.50 
Common shares outstanding (1)
7,485,889 7,559,421 7,532,641 
Average number of common shares outstanding7,511,591 7,549,878 7,853,398 
Average number of diluted common shares outstanding7,575,492 7,647,612 7,965,961 
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average total assets0.89 %1.08 %0.96 %
Return on average shareholders' equity9.52 %11.41 %8.83 %
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity12.75 %15.17 %11.31 %
Net interest margin yield (FTE)3.05 %3.18 %2.87 %
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (1)
Loans sold with servicing retained$248,756 $264,206 $278,844 
Assets managed by Isabella Wealth$641,027 $513,918 $516,243 
Total assets under management$2,948,751 $2,808,391 $2,827,245 
ASSET QUALITY (1)
Nonaccrual loans$982 $457 $1,245 
Foreclosed assets$406 $439 $211 
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)$115 $(264)$123 
Nonperforming loans to gross loans0.08 %0.04 %0.10 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets0.07 %0.05 %0.08 %
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans0.97 %0.78 %0.70 %
CAPITAL RATIOS (1)
Shareholders' equity to assets9.83 %9.17 %10.39 %
Tier 1 leverage8.76 %8.61 %7.97 %
Common equity tier 1 capital12.54 %12.91 %12.07 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital12.54 %12.91 %12.07 %
Total risk-based capital15.52 %15.79 %14.94 %
(1) At end of period



SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
December 31
2022
Commercial and industrial$209,738 $195,814 $194,914 $189,185 $178,428 
Commercial real estate564,244 566,639 564,254 566,410 566,012 
Advances to mortgage brokers18,541 24,807 39,099 — — 
Agricultural99,994 99,233 96,689 94,760 104,985 
Residential real estate356,418 348,196 343,474 336,186 336,694 
Consumer100,528 99,985 95,972 84,110 78,054 
Gross loans$1,349,463 $1,334,674 $1,334,402 $1,270,651 $1,264,173 
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
December 31
2022
Noninterest bearing demand deposits$428,505 $445,043 $458,845 $478,829 $494,346 
Interest bearing demand deposits320,737 363,558 335,922 383,602 372,155 
Savings deposits628,079 628,795 606,644 662,495 625,734 
Certificates of deposit346,125 331,829 313,288 288,103 251,541 
Internet certificates of deposit249 249 249 499 499 
Total deposits$1,723,695 $1,769,474 $1,714,948 $1,813,528 $1,744,275 
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
December 31
2022
U.S. Treasury$214,801 $209,182 $209,353 $212,086 $208,701 
States and political subdivisions92,876 89,773 95,242 108,719 117,512 
Auction rate money market preferred2,931 2,570 2,637 2,716 2,342 
Mortgage-backed securities32,815 32,923 35,532 37,797 39,070 
Collateralized mortgage obligations177,775 175,630 180,996 200,252 205,728 
Corporate6,950 6,819 6,737 7,080 7,128 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value$528,148 $516,897 $530,497 $568,650 $580,481 
December 31
2023
September 30
2023
June 30
2023
March 31
2023
December 31
2022
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase without stated maturity dates$46,801 $52,330 $37,102 $31,995 $57,771 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances40,000 65,000 55,000 — — 
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs29,335 29,312 29,290 29,267 29,245 
Total borrowed funds$116,136 $146,642 $121,392 $61,262 $87,016 



SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended 
 December 31
Year Ended 
December 31
2023202220232022
Service charges and fees
ATM and debit card fees$1,397 $1,267 $5,051 $4,774 
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts616 653 2,413 2,566 
Freddie Mac servicing fee155 163 630 669 
Net mortgage servicing rights income (loss)(40)(42)(137)435 
Other fees for customer services84 74 340 286 
Total service charges and fees2,212 2,115 8,297 8,730 
Wealth management fees932 788 3,557 3,005 
Earnings on corporate owned life insurance policies239 229 920 884 
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans85 63 317 631 
Other48 77 736 416 
Total noninterest income$3,516 $3,272 $13,827 $13,666 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31
Year Ended 
December 31
2023202220232022
Compensation and benefits$6,116 $6,407 $25,905 $24,887 
Furniture and equipment1,697 1,624 6,519 6,006 
Occupancy857 878 3,778 3,691 
Other
Audit, consulting, and legal fees576 609 2,340 2,358 
ATM and debit card fees487 424 1,767 1,909 
Marketing costs276 244 1,159 1,056 
Memberships and subscriptions313 222 1,042 876 
Loan underwriting fees290 364 927 1,004 
FDIC insurance premiums233 143 922 537 
Donations and community relations223 258 915 923 
Other losses101 137 871 546 
Director fees183 192 764 790 
All other563 420 2,401 2,237 
Total other noninterest expenses3,245 3,013 13,108 12,236 
Total noninterest expenses$11,915 $11,922 $49,310 $46,820