Cadence Bank (NYSE:CADE) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Chris Bagley: Yes. Back to the classified loans, normal cycle, normal loan grading, our average — the legacy BXS from a view, we’ve got an average — larger average loan size now, so you’re going to see some larger loans moving out. Nothing in there that was systematic or a trend that we would note. Normal loan grading, normal working with customers and I think from there it’s a model. It’s what’s the model that are going to project for us the economic forecasts and what our own loan grading systems do. Hank, any other color?

Hank Holmes: I think, you said it well, so.

Brett Rabatin: Okay. And then anything, maybe not for your bank but just anything that you would point out as something that you kind of view is potentially problematic for the industry, whether it’s office or some other segment of lending that you would say, hi, this is something that we’re keeping a close eye on?

James Rollins: We’re just not seeing that, Brett. So, when we look at what’s happening today, we’re like everybody else. We’re watching carefully. We’re paying attention. We think we’re making good credit decisions. The credit team is asking lots of questions. But across the footprint that we’re serving, the economies continue to move along. We’re still seeing some stress on labor in some places. Some places are still not able to find labor. People are moving up their labor cost. But we’re still moving.

Brett Rabatin: The economy shows resilience. Thanks for all color, Dan.

James Rollins: Thanks. Appreciate your time.

Operator: The next question is from Matt Olney with Stephens. Please go ahead.

James Rollins: Hi, Matt.

Operator: Oh, pardon me. This is a follow-up from Catherine Mealor with KBW.

Catherine Mealor: I didn’t mean to jump in front of that. My follow-up is just back to the efficiency ratio question that Brandon asked. Valerie, can you just clarify what number efficiency ratio you were referring to? Is that the — I think you originally put out slides when the deal came together, I think it was a 54% efficiency ratio. Is that a number that you think is achievable by ’24? Or do you think it’s higher than that, just given some expense headwinds, you talked about?

James Rollins: I think that’s the number we’re talking about. We’re still targeting getting there.

Catherine Mealor: Right, okay. But just maybe not until sometime in ’24?

James Rollins: Yes, I think, that things that have happened in the last little bit, has delayed that trip — that trip to get there a little bit, but we’re going to get there.

Valerie Toalson: Absolutely.

Catherine Mealor: Okay, thanks. Just want to clarify that. Thanks.

Operator: Okay. The next question is actually from Matt Olney with Stephens. Please go ahead.

Matt Olney: Hi guys, how are you? Good morning.

James Rollins: Good morning, Matt. Catherine owes you for that.

Matt Olney: No worries at all. I think most of my questions have been answered. Just wanted to circle back on the insurance segment. I know insurance has been an important part of the strategy going back several years even in the BancorpSouth days. I guess there is some speculation in the marketplace about some of your larger bank peers that may not be married to their insurance segment longer term. I’m curious about the strategy of Cadence in the insurance segment. Just, I’m curious how important this insurance segment is to the longer-term strategy of the Bank?