FAIRFAX, Va., April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Financial Holdings (OTCQX:FDVA), (the "Company" or "Freedom"), the holding company for The Freedom Bank of Virginia (the "Bank") today announced net income of $1,164,226 or $0.16 per diluted share for the first quarter compared to a net loss of $2,006,393, or -$0.27 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and net income of $1,236,635 or $0.17 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Board approved and has implemented a refreshed stock repurchase program following the extinguishment of the prior buyback program in February 2024.  We now have a new SEC Rule 10b-18 program authorized to purchase up to 250,000 shares.  Joseph J. Thomas, President, and CEO, commented, "We were pleased to report pretax income for the first quarter of $1,522,651, higher by 28.4% compared to $1,185,604 for the three months ended March 31, 2023.  This was fueled by an increase in non-interest Income of 24.70% and strong expense management with non-interest expense down 2.89% compared to the same period in 2023.  Equally important are the favorable trends in credit quality with a reduction of classified assets and the pending Trustee sale of property of our one large non-performing loan at a price above carrying value.  In addition to improving asset quality, we are also remixing loans and deposits to protect the net interest margin and taking proactive steps to reduce expenses in an environment where rates are expected to stay higher for longer." First Quarter 2024 Highlights include: The Company posted net income of $1,164,226 or $0.16 per diluted share for the first quarter compared to a loss of $2,006,393 or -$0.27 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and net income of $1,236,635 or $0.17 per diluted share for the three months ending March 31, 2023. Pretax Income for the first quarter was $1,522,651, higher by 28.4% compared to pretax income of $1,185,604 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Tangible Book Value per share1 increased during the quarter to $10.83 on March 31, 2024, compared to $10.78 on December 31, 2023. Return on Average Assets ("ROAA") was 0.43% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to ROAA of -0.73% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, and 0.51% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Return on Average Equity ("ROAE") was 6.05% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to ROAE of -10.51% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and 6.52% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Total Assets were $1.09 billion on March 31, 2024, an increase of $7.79 million or 0.72% from total assets on December 31, 2023. Loans held-for-investment (excluding PPP loans) decreased by $9.11 million or 1.18% during the quarter. Total deposits decreased by $26.95 million or by 2.93% during the quarter, largely related to seasonal deposit activity from municipalities. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $2.26 million from the linked quarter to $141.70 million and represented 15.85% of total deposits on March 31, 2024. The net interest margin2 decreased in the first quarter to 2.54%, lower by 8 basis points compared to the linked quarter and lower by 58 basis points compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin across linked quarters was primarily due to an increase in funding costs, as yields on earning assets were unchanged. The cost of funds was 3.60% for the first quarter, higher by 10 basis points compared to the linked quarter and higher by 123 basis points compared to the same period in 2023, as deposit costs increased, partially offset by income from balance sheet hedges. Non-interest income increased by 14.53% compared to the linked quarter and increased by 24.70% compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in non-interest income in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the linked and calendar quarters was primarily due to higher gain-on-sale revenue from mortgage and SBA loans. Non-interest expense in the first quarter increased by 8.04% compared to the linked quarter and decreased by 2.89% compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the linked quarter, was primarily due to higher expenses related to compensation and occupancy. The increase in occupancy costs was related to an adjustment to rental expense which is expected to be non-recurring. The decrease in expenses compared to the calendar quarter was primarily related to lower compensation costs, driven by lower incentive payouts. Costs related to FDICIA internal controls, including audit fees will be a non-recurring expense in 2024. The Efficiency Ratio3 was 80.64% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to 73.93% for the linked quarter and 78.76% for the same period in 2023. Uninsured deposits were 24.31% of total deposits and total available secured liquidity4 was 156.40% of uninsured deposits on March 31, 2024. Net charge offs decreased in the fourth quarter and were 0.14% of average loans compared to 0.19% in the prior quarter. The ratio of non-accrual loans to loans held-for-investment was 1.74% on March 31, 2024, compared to 0.96% on March 31, 2023. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 1.21% on March 31, 2024, compared to 0.67% on March 31, 2023. The Company reduced the reserves for unfunded commitments and held-to-maturity securities, which resulted in a $27,486 adjustment to the allowance for loan losses. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans held-for-investment was 1.24% compared to 1.37% in the linked quarter. The Company continues to be well capitalized and capital ratios continue to be strong with a Leverage ratio of 10.26%, Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 12.92%, Tier 1 Risk Based Capital ratio of 12.92% and a Total Capital ratio of 14.01%. Net Interest IncomeThe Company recorded net interest income of $6.55 million for the first quarter of 2024, lower by 3.28% compared to the linked quarter, and lower by 9.05% compared to the same period in 2023. The net interest margin in the first quarter of 2024 was 2.54%, lower by 8 basis points compared to the linked quarter and lower by 58 basis points compared to the same period in 2023. The following factors contributed to the changes in net interest margin during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the linked and calendar quarters. Yields on average earning assets were 5.99% in the first quarter of 2024, unchanged from the linked quarter and 5.38% in the calendar quarter. Higher yields on investment securities and loans drove the increase in yields on earning assets. Loan yields increased by 10 basis points to 6.39% from 6.29% in the linked quarter, while yields on investment securities decreased by 22 basis points to 4.88% from 5.10% in the linked quarter. Loan yields increased by 64 basis points, while yields on investment securities increased by 54 basis points compared to the calendar quarter. Repricing of loans and securities in the higher rate environment was the primary reason for higher yields on these asset categories. Cost of funds increased by 10 basis points to 3.60% from 3.50% in the linked quarter, and by 123 basis points compared to the calendar quarter, primarily due to rising rates on interest checking and money market accounts and a decrease in non-interest-bearing deposits. The increase in deposit expense was partially offset by lower costs for borrowings as well as interest income from balance sheet hedges, in the form of interest rate swaps, whereby the bank pays a fixed rate and receives the Federal Funds effective rate for the duration of the swaps. The notional amount of the interest rate swaps was $80 million with a weighted average remaining term of 2.76 years, as of March 31, 2024. Non-interest IncomeNon-interest income was $1.17 million for the first quarter, an increase of 14.53% when compared to the linked quarter and an increase of 24.70% when compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in non-interest income in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the linked and calendar quarters was primarily due to higher gain-on-sale revenue from mortgage and SBA loans. Total Revenue5Total revenue, defined as the sum of net interest income, before provision for loan losses, and non-interest income, was lower by 0.94% compared to the linked quarter and lower by 5.14% compared to the calendar quarter in 2023. The decrease in total revenue compared to the linked quarter was primarily due to one less calendar day, and a decrease in the net interest margin. The decrease compared to the calendar quarter was due to lower net interest income, resulting from net interest margin compression. Non-interest ExpenseNon-interest expense in the first quarter increased by 8.04% compared to the linked quarter and decreased by 2.89% compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the linked quarter, was primarily due to higher expenses related to compensation and occupancy. The increase in occupancy costs was related to an adjustment to rental expense which is expected to be non-recurring.  The decrease in expenses compared to the calendar quarter was primarily related to lower compensation costs, driven by lower incentive payouts. Costs related to FDICIA internal controls, including audit fees will be a non-recurring expense in 2024.    The Efficiency Ratio was 80.64% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to 73.93% for the linked quarter and 78.76% for the same period in 2023.   Asset QualityNon-accrual loans were flat in the fourth quarter at $13,236,852 or 1.74% of loans held-for-investment compared to $13,209,892 or 1.72% of loans held-for-investment at the end of the linked quarter. As of March 31, 2024, there were no loans that were 90 days or more past due and accruing.  There was no Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2024. Total non-performing assets (defined as the sum of loans on non-accrual, loans greater than 90 days past due and accruing, and OREO assets) were $13,236,852 or 1.21% of total assets as of March 31, 2024, compared to $13,209,892 or 1.22% of total assets, at the end of the linked quarter. Following an assessment of the collectability of the loans held-for-investment at the end of the first quarter, the Company reduced reserves for unfunded commitments and held-to-maturity securities, which resulted in an adjustment of $27,486 to the allowance for loan losses. The Company booked a provision of $4,751,441 in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Company's ratio of Allowance for Loan Losses to loans held-for-investment was 1.24% as of March 31, 2024, compared to the ratio of Allowance for Loan Losses to loans held-for-investment of 1.01% as of March 31, 2023. Total Assets Total assets on March 31, 2024, were $1.09 billion compared to total assets of $1.08 billion on December 31, 2023.  Changes in major asset categories since December 31, 2023, were as follows: Interest bearing deposits at banks increased by $9.54 million. Available for sale investment balances increased by $5.24 million. Other loans held-for investment decreased by $9.11 million Total LiabilitiesTotal liabilities on March 31, 2024, were $1.02 billion compared to total liabilities of $1.01 billion on December 31. 2023. Total deposits were  $894.11 million on March 31, 2024, compared to total deposits of $921.06 million on December 31, 2023. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $2.26 million during the first quarter and comprised 15.85% of total deposits at the end of the first quarter. Other interest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $52.97 million, primarily due to seasonal activity related to municipalities, savings deposits decreased by $1.12 million and time deposits increased by $29.40 million during the quarter. Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings increased by $15 million during the quarter and borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond increased by $20 million. Stockholders' Equity and CapitalStockholders' equity as of March 31, 2024, was $77.46 million compared to $77.23 million on December 31, 2023. AOCI decreased during the first quarter by $611,706, primarily related to an increase in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities. The tangible book value of the Company's common stock on March 31, 2024, was $10.83 per share compared to $10.78 per share on December 31, 2023. Excluding AOCI losses/gains, the tangible book value of the Company's common stock on March 31, 2024, was $13.39 per share compared to $13.25 per share on December 31, 2023. Stock Buyback ProgramIn February of 2024, the Company repurchased 19,968 shares that fully extinguished our previously authorized 250,000 share repurchase program.  The Board has now approved and implemented a refreshed stock repurchase program following SEC Rule 10b-18 program authorized to purchase up to 250,000 shares.  Our Board of Directors believes that share buyback program represents continued disciplined capital management strategy for the company.  Capital Ratios As of March 31, 2024, the Bank's capital ratios were well above regulatory minimum capital ratios for well-capitalized bank holding companies. The Bank's capital ratios as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, were as follows: March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Total Capital Ratio 14.01 % 13.82 % Tier 1 Capital Ratio 12.92 % 12.65 % Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio 12.92 % 12.65 % Leverage Ratio 10.26 % 10.26 % About Freedom Financial Holdings, Inc. Freedom Financial Holdings, Inc. is the holding company of The Freedom Bank of Virginia, a community bank with locations in Fairfax, Reston, Chantilly, Vienna, and Manassas, Virginia. For information about deposits, loans and other services, visit the website at www.freedom.bank. Forward Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements, including our expectations with respect to future events that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates, and expectations include: fluctuation in market rates of interest and loan and deposit pricing; general economic and financial market conditions, in the United States generally and particularly in the markets in which the Company operates and in which its loans are concentrated, including the effects of declines in real estate values, increases in unemployment levels, inflation, recessions and slowdowns in economic growth, including as a result of COVID-19 and the impact of geopolitical conflicts, such as the war between Russia and Ukraine;  adverse developments in the financial services industry such as the recent bank failures; maintenance and development of well-established and valued client relationships and referral source relationships; the adequacy or inadequacy of our allowance for loan and lease losses; acquisition or loss of key production personnel; and the potential adverse effects of unusual and infrequently occurring events, such as weather-related disasters, wars, terrorist acts or public health events, and of governmental and societal responses thereto; these potential adverse effects may include, without limitation, adverse effects on the ability of the Company's borrowers to satisfy their obligations to the Company, on the value of collateral securing loans, on the demand for the Company's loans or its other products and services, on incidents of cyberattack and fraud, on the Company's liquidity or capital positions, on risks posed by reliance on third-party service providers, on other aspects of the Company's business operations and on financial markets and economic growth. The Company cautions readers that the list of factors above is not exclusive. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and the Company may not undertake steps to update the forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of any circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements are made. In addition, our past results of operations are not necessarily indicative of future performance.   FREEDOM FINANCIAL HOLDINGS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Audited) March 31, December 31, 2024 2023 ASSETS Cash and Due from Banks $                                     3,367,684 $                                     2,442,050 Interest Bearing Deposits with Banks 31,347,571 21,806,078 Securities Available-for-Sale 216,503,816 211,263,518 Securities Held-to-Maturity 20,789,233 20,114,269 Restricted Stock Investments 5,551,550 4,769,900 Loans Held for Sale 4,369,801 6,663,929 PPP Loans Held for Investment  234,840 259,794 Other Loans Held for Investment  760,376,517 769,484,088 Allowance for Loan Losses (9,465,851) (10,519,335) Net Loans 751,145,506 759,224,547 Bank Premises and Equipment, net 849,378 878,957 Accrued Interest Receivable 4,420,462 3,721,730 Deferred Tax Asset 7,998,822 7,954,018 Bank-Owned Life Insurance 26,929,302 26,731,339 Right of Use Asset, net 2,119,110 1,987,075 Other Assets 17,331,241 17,110,642 Total Assets $         1,092,723,477 $         1,084,668,051 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits Demand Deposits Non-interest Bearing $                     141,696,408 $                     143,956,306 Interest Bearing 466,369,810 519,339,202 Savings Deposits 2,997,171 4,120,770 Time Deposits 283,045,173 253,641,860 Total Deposits 894,108,562 921,058,138 Federal Home Loan Bank Advances 50,000,000 35,000,000 Other Borrowings 35,234,840 15,270,576 Subordinated Debt (Net of Issuance Costs) 19,772,200 19,752,719 Accrued Interest Payable 3,302,056 2,842,646 Lease Liability 2,201,003 1,925,672 Other Liabilities 10,644,432 11,590,247 Total Liabilities $         1,015,263,093 $         1,007,439,998 Stockholders' Equity Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized: 0 Shares Issued and Outstanding, March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value, 25,000,000 Shares: 23,000,000 Shares Voting and 2,000,000 Shares Non-voting. Voting Common Stock:        6,622,542 and 6,582,677 Shares Issued and Outstanding     at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 respectively     (Includes 140,484 and 88,993 Unvested Shares on March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023  respectively) 64,821 64,937 Non-Voting Common Stock: 673,000 Shares Issued and Outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 respectively) 6,730 6,730  Additional Paid-in Capital  58,000,382 58,320,419 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net (18,326,721) (17,715,015) Retained Earnings 37,715,174 36,550,983 Total Stockholders' Equity 77,460,385 77,228,054 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $         1,092,723,477 $         1,084,668,051   FREEDOM FINANCIAL HOLDINGS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Unaudited) For the three For the three months ended months ended March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023 Interest Income Interest and Fees on Loans $                       12,283,239 $                         9,982,737 Interest on Investment Securities 2,871,479 2,165,723 Interest on Deposits with Other Banks 328,257 300,906 Total Interest Income 15,482,975 12,449,366 Interest Expense Interest on Deposits 8,023,891 4,871,007 Interest on Borrowings 911,926 379,866 Total Interest Expense 8,935,817 5,250,873 Net Interest Income 6,547,158 7,198,492 Provision for Loan Losses 27,486 (543,000) Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses 6,574,644 6,655,492 Non-Interest Income Mortgage Loan Gain-on-Sale and Fee Revenue 536,724 378,558  SBA Gain-on-Sale Revenue 287,032 - Service Charges and Other Income 117,361 154,588 Gain on Sale of Securities - -  Servicing Income 35,253 65,415 Swap Fee Income - - Increase in Cash Surrender Value of Bank- owned Life Insurance 197,963 343,139 Total Non-interest Income 1,174,333 941,700 Total Revenue 7,721,491 8,140,194 Non-Interest Expenses Officer and Employee Compensation and Benefits 3,735,139 4,149,212 Occupancy Expense 391,876 327,919 Equipment and Depreciation Expense 195,345 181,495 Insurance Expense 224,007 155,068 Professional Fees 526,574 350,080 Data and Item Processing 261,282 320,000 Advertising   114,999 118,479 Franchise Taxes and State Assessment Fees 309,869 282,739 Mortgage Fees and Settlements 95,001 59,286 Other Operating Expense 372,234 467,312 Total Non-interest Expenses 6,226,326 6,411,589 Income Before Income Taxes 1,522,651 1,185,604 Income Tax Expense/(Benefit) 358,425 $                                  (51,031) Net Income $                               1,164,226 $                               1,236,635 Earnings per Common Share - Basic $                                        0.16 $                                        0.17 Earnings per Common Share - Diluted $                                        0.16 $                                        0.17 Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic 7,285,108 7,280,803 Weighted-Average Common Shares  Outstanding - Diluted 7,325,415 7,317,805   FREEDOM FINANCIAL HOLDINGS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS   (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) For the three For the three For the three For the three For the three months ended months ended months ended months ended months ended March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 September 30, 2023 June 30, 2023 March 31, 2023 Interest Income Interest and Fees on Loans $                 12,283,239 $                 12,076,745 $                 11,513,273 $                 10,857,368 $                   9,982,737 Interest on Investment Securities 2,871,479 2,933,870 2,730,411 2,522,682 2,165,723 Interest on Deposits with Other Banks   328,257 502,411 471,031 464,321 300,906 Total Interest Income 15,482,975 15,513,026 14,714,715 13,844,371 12,449,366 Interest Expense Interest on Deposits 8,023,891 8,108,762 7,829,199 6,796,570 4,871,008 Interest on Borrowings 911,926 634,972 359,191 350,096 379,866 Total Interest Expense 8,935,816 8,743,734 8,188,390 7,146,666 5,250,874 Net Interest Income 6,547,159 6,769,292 6,526,324 6,697,705 7,198,492 Provision for Loan Losses 27,486 (4,751,441) (205,000) (238,000) (543,000) Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses 6,574,645 2,017,851 6,321,324 6,459,705 6,655,492 Non-Interest Income Mortgage Loan Gain-on-Sale and Fee Revenue 536,724 467,874 470,800 769,649 378,558  SBA Gain-on-Sale Revenue 287,032 - - - - Service Charges and Other Income 117,361 326,205 99,563 94,428 154,588 Gains on Sale of Securities - - - - - Servicing Income 35,253 39,525 57,106 64,688 65,415 Swap Fee Income - - - - - Increase in Cash Surrender Value of Bank- owned Life Insurance 197,963 191,788 188,781 183,235 343,140 Total Non-interest Income 1,174,334 1,025,392 816,250 1,112,000 941,701 Total Revenue5 $                       7,721,494 $                       7,794,684 $                       7,342,574 $                       7,809,705 $                       8,140,192 Non-Interest Expenses Officer and Employee Compensation and Benefits 3,735,139 3,293,628 3,410,564 3,469,477 4,149,212 Occupancy Expense 391,876 191,674 188,413 38,488 327,919 Equipment and Depreciation Expense 195,345 212,999 213,363 148,901