WARSAW, Ind., April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select/LKFN), parent company of Lake City Bank, today reported net income of $23.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which represents a decrease of $877,000, or 4%, compared with net income of $24.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Diluted earnings per share were $0.91 for the first quarter of 2024 and decreased 3% compared to $0.94 for the first quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, net income decreased $6.2 million, or 21%, from fourth quarter 2023 net income of $29.6 million. Diluted earnings per share decreased from $1.16, or 22%. Net income for the first quarter of 2024 benefited from the recognition of $1.0 million in additional insurance recoveries associated with the wire fraud loss that occurred during the second quarter of 2023. This created an after-tax benefit of $0.03 diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter of 2024. This recovery was in addition to insurance and loss recoveries of $6.3 million, or $0.18 diluted earnings per common share, that were recorded during the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusting for these recoveries, the company's core operational profitability, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the impact of the wire fraud loss, insurance and loss recoveries and other related effects, was $22.7 million for the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 7%, compared to the first quarter of 2023. Core operational diluted earnings per common share, a non-GAAP financial measure, were $0.88 for the first quarter of 2024, representing a 6% decrease, from the first quarter of 2023. Core operational profitability decreased $2.6 million, or 10%, from $25.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Core operational diluted earnings per common share decreased 10% from $0.98 on a linked quarter basis. "We have entered 2024 with good momentum on the critical goal of continuing our long history of healthy organic balance sheet growth. With annual loan growth of 5% in the quarter, we are off to a fine start. While the prevailing interest rate environment continues to put pressure on our net interest margin, the Lake City Bank team did a terrific job of identifying revenue growth opportunities and diligently managing expenses. Despite the pressure on our net interest margin, we continue to focus on our future growth through investments in people, technology, and new branch office opportunities," observed David M. Findlay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Quarterly Financial Performance First Quarter 2024 versus First Quarter 2023 highlights: Return on average equity of 14.59%, compared to 16.81% Return on average assets of 1.44%, compared to 1.54% Tangible book value per share grew by $1.69, or 7%, to $25.05 Average loans grew by $245.6 million, or 5% Average investments declined by $91.7 million, or 7% Core deposit growth of $75.2 million, or 1% Average interest-bearing deposits grew by $531.3 million, or 14%, to $4.4 billion Noninterest income grew by $2.3 million, or 22% Noninterest expense grew by $1.3 million, or 4% Provision expense of $1.5 million, compared to $4.4 million Net charge offs of $312,000 versus $5.7 million, a decline of $5.4 million, or 95% Nonperforming loans declined by $3.0 million, or 17%, from $17.7 million to $14.8 million Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans declined to 3.67% from 3.68% Total risk-based capital ratio of 15.46%, compared to 15.21% Cash dividends per share increased by $0.02, or 4%, to $0.48 per share Tangible capital ratio of 9.80%, compared to 9.34% Tangible common equity growth of $45.0 million, or 8% First Quarter 2024 versus Fourth Quarter 2023 highlights: Return on average equity of 14.59%, compared to 20.52% Return on average assets of 1.44%, compared to 1.80% Average loans grew by $91.3 million, or 2% Average equity increased by $72.4 million, or 13% Net interest income declined by $1.2 million, or 2% Net charge offs of $312,000 versus $433,000 Nonperforming loans declined by $945,000, or 6%, from $15.7 million to $14.8 million Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans declined to 3.67%, from 3.72% Average equity to average assets of 9.84%, compared to 8.79% Total risk-based capital ratio remains unchanged at 15.46% Average equity to average assets increased to 9.84%, compared to 8.79% Cash dividends per share increased by $0.02, or 4%, to $0.48 per share Tangible capital ratio of 9.80%, compared to 9.91% Capital Strength The company's total capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets was 15.46% at March 31, 2024, compared to 15.21% at March 31, 2023 and 15.47% at December 31, 2023. These capital levels are well in excess of the 10.00% regulatory threshold required to be characterized as "well capitalized" and reflect the company's exceptionally strong capital base. The company's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, was 9.80% at March 31, 2024, compared to 9.34% at March 31, 2023 and 9.91% at December 31, 2023. Unrealized losses from available-for-sale investment securities were $189.9 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $188.5 million at March 31, 2023 and $174.6 million at December 31, 2023. When excluding the impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on tangible common equity and tangible assets, the company's ratio of adjusted tangible common equity to adjusted tangible assets, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 12.03% at March 31, 2024, compared to 11.63% at March 31, 2023 and 11.99% at December 31, 2023. Kristin L. Pruitt, President stated, "Our robust capital position supports our capacity to broaden our organic balance sheet growth strategy. We manage our balance sheet for the long-term and our conservative approach has created a very strong balance sheet." As announced on April 9, 2024, the board of directors approved a cash dividend for the first quarter of $0.48 per share, payable on May 6, 2024, to shareholders of record as of April 25, 2024. The first quarter dividend per share represents a 4% increase from the $0.46 dividend per share paid for the first quarter of 2023 and fourth quarter of 2023. Loan Portfolio Average total loans of $4.97 billion in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $245.6 million, or 5%, from $4.73 billion for the first quarter of 2023, and an increase of $91.3 million, or 2%, from $4.88 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023. Total loans increased by $242.6 million, or 5%, from $4.75 billion as of March 31, 2023, to $5.00 billion as of March 31, 2024. The increase in loans was driven by increases to commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans of $211.7 million, or 9%, and consumer loans of $50.2 million, or 10%. On a linked quarter basis, total loans increased by $81.0 million, or 2%, from $4.92 billion as of December 31, 2023. The linked quarter increase was a result of growth in commercial and industrial loans of $56.5 million, or 4%, and growth in commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans of $39.9 million, or 2%. Findlay added, "Commercial and industrial loans led our loan expansion in the first quarter as we experienced growth in both working capital lines of credit and non-working capital loans versus the fourth quarter of 2023. Average loan growth on a linked quarter basis was a healthy 8% when annualized, and it was well-diversified. In addition, we continued our aggressive business development efforts with our calling program, creating the foundation for future relationship growth and market share expansion." Commercial loan originations for the first quarter included approximately $447.0 million in loan originations, offset by approximately $372.0 million in commercial loan pay downs. Line of credit usage decreased to 39% at March 31, 2024, compared to 40% at March 31, 2023, and remained unchanged from 39% at December 31, 2023. Total available lines of credit expanded by $52.0 million, or 2%, as compared to a year ago, and line usage decreased by $48.0 million, or 3%, for the same period. The company has limited exposure to commercial office space borrowers, all of which are located in the bank's Indiana markets. Loans totaling $73.6 million for this sector represented 1.5% of total loans at March 31, 2024, unchanged from December 31, 2023. Additionally, commercial real estate loans secured by multi-family residential properties and secured by non-farm non-residential properties were approximately 205% of total risk-based capital at March 31, 2024. Diversified Deposit Base The bank's diversified deposit base has remained stable on a year over year basis and on a linked quarter basis. DEPOSIT DETAIL(unaudited, in thousands)   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023   March 31, 2023 Retail $ 1,770,007   31.5 %   $ 1,794,958   31.4 %   $ 1,894,707   34.3 % Commercial   2,117,536   37.7       2,227,147   38.9       2,105,512   38.2   Public fund   1,544,775   27.5       1,563,015   27.3       1,356,851   24.6   Core deposits   5,432,318   96.7       5,585,120   97.6       5,357,070   97.1   Brokered deposits   185,767   3.3       135,405   2.4       160,658   2.9   Total $ 5,618,085   100.0 %   $ 5,720,525   100.0 %   $ 5,517,728   100.0 %                                     Total deposits increased $100.4 million, or 2%, from $5.52 billion as of March 31, 2023 to $5.62 billion as of March 31, 2024. The increase in total deposits was driven by an increase in core deposits (which excludes brokered deposits) of $75.2 million, or 1%. Total core deposits at March 31, 2024 were $5.43 billion and represented 97% of total deposits, as compared to $5.36 billion and 97% at March 31, 2023. Brokered deposits were $185.8 million, or 3% of total deposits, at March 31, 2024, compared to $160.7 million, or 3% of total deposits, at March 31, 2023. The change in composition of core deposits since March 31, 2023 reflects growth in commercial deposits and public funds deposits. Commercial deposits grew by $12.0 million to $2.12 billion, or 38% of total deposits. Public funds deposits grew by $187.9 million to $1.54 billion, or 28% of total deposits. Retail deposits contracted by $124.7 million, representing 32% of total deposits at $1.77 billion. Net retail outflows since March 31, 2023 reflect the continued utilization of deposits from peak savings levels during 2021. Checking accounts by deposit sector, which include demand deposits and interest-bearing checking accounts, continue to maintain average balances that are higher than pre-pandemic levels. Since December 31, 2019, commercial checking account balances have grown by $886.1 million, or 80%, retail checking account balances have grown by $280.6 million, or 43%, and public fund checking account balances have grown by $479.5 million, or 57%. Checking account trends compared to March 31, 2023 demonstrate average aggregate checking account balance growth of $110.1 million, or 9%, for aggregate public fund checking account balances and $14.3 million, or 1%, for aggregate commercial checking account balances, offset by a contraction of $72.9 million, or 7%, for aggregate retail checking account balances. The number of accounts also has grown for all three segments, with growth of 4% for commercial accounts, 2% for retail accounts and 16% for public fund accounts. "Our deposit franchise has remained stable and well-diversified within our deposit segments. It's good to see that average core deposits have grown on a year over year basis by $131.0 million or 2% in a very interesting deposit environment. We continue to benefit from the core deposit relationships we have with average deposits per account in each deposit segment continuing to remain elevated as compared to December 2019. Importantly, the number of retail and commercial checking accounts continues to grow while average balances per account trend back to normalized pre-pandemic levels," commented Findlay. On a linked quarter basis, total deposits decreased $102.4 million, or 2%, from $5.72 billion at December 31, 2023 to $5.62 billion at March 31, 2024. Core deposits decreased by $152.8 million, or 3%, while brokered deposits increased by $50.4 million, or 37%. Linked quarter contraction in core deposits resulted from decreases in commercial deposits of $109.6 million, or 5%, and decreases in retail deposits of $25.0 million, or 1%, and decreases in public fund deposits, of $18.2 million, or 1%. Demand deposits as a percent of total deposits declined to 22% at March 31, 2024 as compared to 28% at March 31, 2023 and from 24% at December 31, 2023. Average total deposits were $5.63 billion for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $142.8 million, or 3%, from $5.49 billion for the first quarter of 2023. Average interest-bearing deposits drove the increase to average total deposits, increasing $531.3 million, or 14%. Contributing to this increase were increases to average interest-bearing checking accounts of $289.8 million, or 11%, and average time deposits of $338.3 million, or 50%. Offsetting these increases was a decrease to average savings deposits of $96.9 million, or 25%. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $388.4 million, or 23%. On a linked quarter basis, average total deposits decreased by $172.2 million, or 3%, from $5.80 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023 to $5.63 billion for the first quarter of 2024. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits drove the decrease in linked quarter average deposits, decreasing by $100.3 million, or 7%. Additionally, total average interest-bearing deposit accounts decreased by $71.8 million, or 2%. Total time deposits drove the decrease in the linked quarter reduction of interest-bearing deposit accounts, decreasing by $34.0 million, or 3%. Interest-bearing checking accounts decreased by $26.6 million, or less than 1%, and savings accounts decreased by $11.2 million, or 4%. Deposits not covered by FDIC deposit insurance were 54% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 57% at December 31, 2023, and 54% at March 31, 2023. Deposits not covered by FDIC deposit insurance or the Indiana Public Deposit Insurance Fund (which insures public fund deposits in Indiana), were 27% of total deposits as of March 31, 2024, compared to 31% at December 31, 2023, and 29% as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, 98% of deposit accounts had deposit balances less than $250,000. Liquidity Overview The bank has robust liquidity resources. These resources include secured borrowings available from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window. In addition, the bank has unsecured borrowing capacity through long established relationships within the brokered deposits markets, Federal Funds lines from correspondent bank partners, and Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) one-way buy funds available from the Intrafi network. As of March 31, 2024, the company had access to an aggregate of $3.1 billion in liquidity from these sources, compared to $3.0 billion at March 31, 2023 and $3.4 billion at December 31, 2023. Utilization from these sources totaled $385.8 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $360.7 million at March 31, 2023 and $185.4 million at December 31, 2023. Core deposits have historically represented, and currently represent, the primary funding resource of the bank at 93% of total deposits and purchased funds. Investment Portfolio Overview Total investment securities were $1.14 billion at March 31, 2024, reflecting a decrease of $92.1 million, or 7%, as compared to $1.24 billion at March 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, investment securities decreased $36.8 million, or 3%, due primarily to a combination of a decline in the fair value of available-for-sale securities of $15.3 million, paydowns, calls and maturities of $13.0 million and portfolio sales of $7.1 million. Investment securities represented 17% of total assets on March 31, 2024, compared to 19% on March 31, 2023 and 18% on December 31, 2023. Effective duration for the investment portfolio was 6.6 years at March 31, 2024, compared to 4.0 years at December 31, 2019 and 6.5 years at December 31, 2023. Effective duration of the portfolio extended following the deployment of excess liquidity to the investment portfolio and the rise in interest rates from the recent tightening cycle by the Federal Reserve. The ratio of investment securities as a percentage of total assets remains elevated over historical levels of approximately 12% to 14% during the period from 2014 through 2020. The company expects the investment securities portfolio as a percentage of assets to continue to decrease over time as the proceeds from pay downs, sales and maturities of these investment securities are used to fund loan portfolio growth and for general liquidity purposes. Furthermore, the company anticipates receiving principal and interest cash flows of approximately $77.0 million throughout the remainder of 2024. Net Interest Margin Net interest margin was 3.15% for the first quarter of 2024, representing a 39 basis point contraction from 3.54% for the first quarter of 2023. Earning assets yields increased by 58 basis points to 5.97% for the first quarter of 2024, up from 5.39% for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in earning asset yields was offset by an increase in the company's funding costs as interest expense as a percentage of average earning assets increased to 2.82% for the first quarter of 2024 from 1.85% for the first quarter of 2023, or an increase of 97 basis points. While earning asset yields have benefited from a 50 basis point increase in the target Federal Funds Rate between March 31, 2023 and 2024, the company has experienced an offsetting increase to funding costs as competition for deposits has increased throughout the industry. Notably, a deposit mix shift from noninterest bearing deposits to interest bearing deposits has further eroded net interest margin with noninterest bearing deposits as a percentage of total deposits declining to 22% at March 31, 2024, compared to 28% at March 31, 2023 and 24% at December 31, 2023. Linked quarter net interest margin contracted by 8 basis points to 3.15% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 3.23% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Average earning asset yields increased by 1 basis point from 5.96% during the fourth quarter of 2023 to 5.97% during the first quarter of 2024 and were offset by a 9 basis point increase in interest expense as a percentage of average earning assets. The increase in linked quarter interest expense was driven by continued upward pressure in deposit costs resulting from market competition and increased borrowing costs due to continued loan growth. The cumulative loan beta, which measures the sensitivity of a bank's average loan yield to changes in short-term interest rates, is 55% for the current rate-tightening cycle, compared to 61% during the prior tightening cycle from 2016 through 2019. The cumulative deposit beta, which measures the sensitivity of a bank's deposit cost to changes in short-term interest rates, is 52% for the current rate-tightening cycle, compared to 45% during the prior tightening cycle. "The bank's robust liquidity position and long history of growing core deposits allows us to continue our focus on high-quality loan growth. Core deposit relationships are the bedrock of our balance sheet and will continue to be as we pursue future balance sheet growth," noted Findlay. "While the higher for longer Federal Reserve Bank stance will enable us to reprice maturing fixed rate loans at today's higher interest rates, we are looking forward to the potential for interest rate easing by the Federal Reserve as we expect it to positively impact loan demand on the commercial and retail lending fronts." Net interest income was $47.4 million for the first quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of $4.1 million, or 8%, as compared to the first quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, net interest income decreased $1.2 million, or 2%, from $48.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Asset Quality The company recorded a provision for credit losses expense of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of $2.8 million as compared to $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, the provision expense increased by $1.2 million, or 407%, from $300,000 for the fourth quarter of 2023. The linked quarter increase was driven by loan growth during the first quarter of 2024. The ratio of allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.46% at March 31, 2024, down from 1.50% at March 31, 2023, and remained unchanged from 1.46% at December 31, 2023. Net charge offs in the first quarter of 2024 were $312,000, compared to $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $433,000 during the linked fourth quarter of 2023. Annualized net charge offs to average loans were 0.03% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 0.49% for the first quarter of 2023 and 0.04% for the linked fourth quarter of 2023. Nonperforming assets decreased $2.7 million, or 15%, to $15.2 million as of March 31, 2024, versus $17.9 million as of March 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, nonperforming assets decreased $875,000, or 5%, compared to $16.1 million as of December 31, 2023. These decreases were driven primarily by the paydown of one nonaccrual relationship. The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets at March 31, 2024 decreased to 0.23% from 0.28% at March 31, 2023 and from 0.25% at December 31, 2023. Total individually analyzed and watch list loans increased by $8.5 million, or 5%, to $183.3 million as of March 31, 2024, versus $174.9 million as of March 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, total individually analyzed and watch list loans increased by $229,000, or less than 1%, from $183.1 million at December 31, 2023. Watch list loans as a percentage of total loans decreased by 1 basis point to 3.67% at March 31, 2024, compared to 3.68% at March 31, 2023, and decreased by 5 basis points from 3.72% at December 31, 2023 due primarily to loan growth. Findlay added, "We are encouraged by the stable asset quality trends of the past four quarters. Unemployment in our Indiana footprint at 3.6% is lower than the national average of 3.8% and demand for labor in our footprint continues to be strong. We continue to follow our disciplined loan underwriting process. While our asset quality measures are near historic lows, we will continue to monitor the economic conditions on our 15 county Indiana footprint."    Noninterest Income The company's noninterest income increased $2.3 million, or 22%, to $12.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $10.3 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in noninterest income was driven primarily by an increase in other income of $1.6 million, or 253%, due to the recognition of an insurance recovery of $1.0 million during the first quarter of 2024. Contributing further to the increase in other income was the recognition of a death benefit from the company's bank owned life insurance program, increased FHLB dividend income and increased limited partnership investment income. Additionally, bank owned life insurance income increased by $345,000, or 50%, wealth advisory fees increased by $255,000, or 12%, and mortgage banking income increased by $151,000. The increase to bank owned life insurance income was driven by an improvement in market valuation for the company's variable bank owned life insurance policies, which are tied to the performance of the equity markets. Wealth advisory fees benefited from new volume growth in addition to favorable market performance. The increase to mortgage banking income was attributable to growth in the company's mortgage pipeline, which favorably impacted secondary market loan sale gains and mortgage rate lock income. Adjusted core noninterest income, a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the impact of the $1.0 million insurance recovery, was $11.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $1.3 million, or 13%, compared to the first quarter of 2023. Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by $4.6 million, or 27%, on a linked quarter basis from $17.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. The linked quarter decrease was driven largely by a decrease in other income of $5.0 million, or 70%, as the majority of the loss and insurance recoveries related to the wire fraud loss, $6.3 million, were settled and recorded during the fourth quarter of 2023. Offsetting this decrease to other income were increases in FHLB dividend income and limited partnership income and the recognition of benefit income from the company's bank owned life insurance. Bank owned life insurance income increased by $296,000, or 40%, wealth advisory fees increased by $144,000, or 6%, and mortgage banking income increased by $122,000. Adjusted core noninterest income for the first quarter of 2024 increased by $704,000, or 6%, compared to the linked fourth quarter adjusted core noninterest income of 2023. Noninterest Expense Noninterest expense increased $1.3 million, or 4%, to $30.7 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $29.4 million during the first quarter of 2023. The increase in noninterest expense during the quarter was driven by an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $770,000, or 5%. The increase to salaries and employee benefits expense was driven by increases to expenses for employee salaries, incentive pay, health insurance as well as deferred compensation expense linked to the increase in market valuation of the company's variable bank owned life insurance. Data processing fees and supplies expense increased $387,000, or 11%, from increased software as well as digital and core data processing expenses. Professional fees increased $342,000, or 16%, from continued investment in customer-facing and operational technology solutions. Other expense decreased $314,000, or 12%, due to a reduction in expenses related to credit card recourse reserve expense, telephone expense and semi-annual director share grant expense. On a linked quarter basis, noninterest expense increased by $1.3 million, or 4%, from $29.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.1 million, or 7%, from increases to salaries and benefits, incentive, health insurance and variable deferred compensation expense. These increases were offset by decreased long-term incentive expense. Corporate and business development expense increased, $504,000, or 57%, driven by the timing of advertising expense related to the company's annual marketing plan and community sponsorships. Net occupancy expense increased $254,000, or 17%, driven by higher weather-related maintenance expenses. Other expense decreased $767,000, or 25%. The company incurred one-time transaction costs of $352,000 as the result of a loan assumption transaction that took place during the fourth quarter of 2023 as well as $373,000 in accruals pertaining to ongoing legal matters. The company's efficiency ratio was 51.2% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 47.6% for the first quarter of 2023 and 44.7% for the linked fourth quarter of 2023. The company's adjusted core efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure, was 52.0% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 47.6% for the first quarter of 2023 and 48.7% for the linked fourth quarter of 2023. Information regarding Lakeland Financial Corporation may be accessed on the home page of its subsidiary, Lake City Bank, at lakecitybank.com. The company's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under "LKFN." Lake City Bank, a $6.6 billion bank headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, was founded in 1872 and serves Central and Northern Indiana communities with 53 branch offices and a robust digital banking platform. Lake City Bank's community banking model prioritizes building in-market long-term customer relationships while delivering technology-forward solutions for retail and commercial clients. This document contains, and future oral and written statements of the company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the company's management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "continue," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should" or other similar expressions. The company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain and, accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by the company. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. Numerous factors could cause the company's actual results to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements, including the effects of economic, business and market conditions and changes, particularly in our Indiana market area, including prevailing interest rates and the rate of inflation; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; the risks of changes in interest rates on the levels, composition and costs of deposits, loan demand and the values and liquidity of loan collateral, securities and other interest sensitive assets and liabilities; and changes in borrowers' credit risks and payment behaviors, as well as those identified in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. ContactLisa M. O'NeillExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (574) LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATIONFIRST QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   Three Months Ended (Unaudited – Dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31,   December 31,   March 31, END OF PERIOD BALANCES   2024       2023       2023   Assets $ 6,566,861     $ 6,524,029     $ 6,411,529   Investments   1,144,816       1,181,646       1,236,932   Loans   4,997,559       4,916,534       4,754,928   Allowance for Credit Losses   73,180       71,972       71,215   Deposits   5,618,085       5,720,525       5,517,728   Brokered Deposits   185,767       135,405       160,658   Core Deposits (1)   5,432,318       5,585,120       5,357,070   Total Equity   647,009       649,793       602,006   Goodwill Net of Deferred Tax Assets   3,803       3,803       3,803   Tangible Common Equity (2)   643,206       645,990       598,203   Adjusted Tangible Common Equity (2)   809,395       800,450       764,815   AVERAGE BALANCES           Total Assets $ 6,554,468     $ 6,514,430     $ 6,412,080   Earning Assets   6,216,929       6,145,937       6,067,576   Investments   1,158,503       1,107,862       1,250,189   Loans   4,971,020       4,879,695       4,725,427   Total Deposits   5,630,431       5,802,592       5,487,592   Interest Bearing Deposits   4,356,328       4,428,140       3,825,062   Interest Bearing Liabilities   4,532,137       4,441,425       4,066,932   Total Equity   645,007       572,653       585,604   INCOME STATEMENT DATA           Net Interest Income $ 47,416     $ 48,599     $ 51,519   Net Interest Income-Fully Tax Equivalent   48,683       49,914       52,887   Provision for Credit Losses   1,520       300       4,350   Noninterest Income   12,612       17,208       10,314   Noninterest Expense   30,705       29,445       29,434   Net Income   23,401       29,626       24,278   Pretax Pre-Provision Earnings (2)   29,323       36,362       32,399   PER SHARE DATA           Basic Net Income Per Common Share $ 0.91     $ 1.16     $ 0.95   Diluted Net Income Per Common Share   0.91       1.16       0.94   Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share   0.48       0.46       0.46   Dividend Payout   52.75 %     39.66 %     48.94 % Book Value Per Common Share (equity per share issued) $ 25.20     $ 25.37     $ 23.51   Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (2)   25.05       25.22       23.36   Market Value – High $ 73.22     $ 67.88     $ 77.07   Market Value – Low   60.56       45.59       59.55   Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding   25,657,063       25,614,420       25,583,026   Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding   25,747,643       25,732,870       25,742,885   KEY RATIOS           Return on Average Assets   1.44 %     1.80 %     1.54 % Return on Average Total Equity   14.59       20.52       16.81                             Three Months Ended (Unaudited – Dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31,   December 31,   March 31, KEY RATIOS (continued)   2024       2023       2023   Average Equity to Average Assets   9.84       8.79       9.13   Net Interest Margin   3.15       3.23       3.54   Efficiency  (Noninterest Expense/Net Interest Incomeplus Noninterest Income)   51.15       44.74       47.60   Loans to Deposits   88.95       85.95       86.18   Investment Securities to Total Assets   17.43       18.11       19.29   Tier 1 Leverage (3)   12.01       11.82       11.57   Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (3)   14.21       14.21       13.96   Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) (3)   14.21       14.21       13.96   Total Capital (3)   15.46       15.47       15.21   Tangible Capital (2)   9.80       9.91       9.34   Adjusted Tangible Capital (2)   12.03       11.99       11.63   ASSET QUALITY           Loans Past Due 30 - 89 Days $ 3,177     $ 3,360     $ 2,403   Loans Past Due 90 Days or More   7       27       25   Nonaccrual Loans   14,762       15,687       17,715   Nonperforming Loans   14,769       15,714       17,740   Other Real Estate Owned   384       384       100   Other Nonperforming Assets   78       8       82   Total Nonperforming Assets   15,231       16,106       17,922