Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:BY) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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But generally speaking, as you see growth in the portfolio, just know that what we’re trying to do is fund that growth with core deposits. The second question regarding the mix, look, I think it’s going to be rate dependent. I think Tom can jump in here in a second. But I think we’re seeing some stabilization in terms of kind of the mix change. It’s not to say that we’re not and we will continue to see mix change going forward, particularly as rates continue to be high. But certainly, the pace of the mix change seems to have slowed down a bit, and we feel it’s stabilizing. Lastly, the third question in terms of the dynamics, look, it’s a competitive environment. I think the banks that were sitting in a position where they had some excess liquidity, I think they’re getting to a point where they’re seeing that liquidity leave the bank, and they’re being forced or they have an impetus to raise rates, to retain and, more importantly to grow in order to continue to fund their business.

That being said, I think also we are seeing kind of the competitive environment probably stabilizing as opposed to what we saw right after, call it, the events of March where it seemed like a lot of institutions in mass were felt like they had a need to have to re-price pretty aggressively in a short period of time. Tom, you want to add to that?

Thomas Bell: Yes. I think that’s well said, Alberto. I think first and foremost, we’re going to go with the transaction accounts and our relationships that we’re growing on a DDA perspective. But you can see that the money market and savings account is about 36%, and you could expect that given where rates are and the shape of the flat curve, so to speak, and inverted curve further out, that money market and CDs will be kind of the areas in which we have additional deposit growth. But again, those rates are right on top of each other, just given the shape of what the Fed has done recently. And but we’ll continue to focus on core deposits and core transaction accounts from our commercial clients first and foremost. And the competitive side, obviously, the Fed raised rates the other day.

And as Alberto said, it seems to have stabilized. That’s what we’re seeing now. I guess we’ll have to wait and see next week. But I think the liquidity events are way behind us now. And I think that the market is adjusting and they’re adjusting prudently on pricing.

Nathan Race: And I appreciate that you guys don’t give specific guidance on the margin going forward. I guess just directionally thinking about kind of the pace of potential compression in the back half of the year, is it fair to assume it kind of increases relative to the second quarter level ex-accretion? Obviously, you got Inland coming out on their margins below your guidance, but I imagine there’s also an opportunity to maybe de-lever the balance sheet to some degree.

Thomas Bell: Yes. That’s a good question. I think we gave NII guidance of flat. And I think that you would expect probably the same type of margin analysis on a standalone basis, Nate. But with Inland, you would expect the margin to expand.

Nathan Race: And that’s excluding accretion, Tom?

Thomas Bell: That would include accretion.

Alberto Paracchini: That includes accretion.

Thomas Bell: Yes.

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