United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCBI) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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Jefferson Harralson: We might have to get off the line with that, but I do have that, but it’s coming off like 4.5% and coming on in around 7%. But I have to look at how much is actually coming off and so — but that is a driver of it. In addition, we’re trying to push a little more towards putting on variable now. So, the mix of variable and fix is coming on the high 7s now. Navitas is coming on just in the low 10s now. So, I was thinking more in combination, but we can certainly look at the fix by itself. I know it’s coming off at 4.50 and going on close to 7.

Stephen Scouten: Okay, that’s great. And maybe just last thing for me, you guys hold a little bit more capital than peers on the average. It sounds like continued hiring is probably in the plans, but can you give me some thoughts on just capital priorities as you look out maybe over the next year or two kind of longer term?

Jefferson Harralson: Yes. So, organic growth will be number one. It always has been. Dividends will be number two and a distant third is buybacks. M&A would be kind of a can [ph] with the organic growth there. So, we like having more capital. We think that serves us in times like now. We are buying back — put a modest amount of preferred. We like the opportunity with our preferred being less than $25 and we bought back less than $300,000 this quarter, but we’re continuing to buy back a little preferred just because it’s trading below that $25 level and you get a small gain on the TCE. The other part on the growth, on the — you mentioned hiring. Should we go there with Rich and talk about hiring and how we’re thinking about that?

Rich Bradshaw: Sure. This is Rich and it’s important to note that we did our — another lift out here in East Tennessee that was a leader in six commercial people. And since the last earnings call, we have brought on Kelly Key as our State President in Tennessee. We’re very excited about that. He had 25 years at a super-regional in Nashville. And between the lift out in East Tennessee and other hiring, we have gotten 14 yeses on the commercial side and 11 have started. So, we’re very excited in addition to our two lift outs in the first quarter. So, we’re very selective on this. Don’t have anything actively going at the moment going forward. I think we want to get this real right, but we’re very excited and extremely excited about the opportunity in Tennessee.

Stephen Scouten: Great. Thanks so much for all the color. Really appreciate it.

Lynn Harton: Thank you, Stephen.

Operator: Our next call — our next question comes from Brandon King of Truist. Go ahead.

Brandon King: Hey, good morning.

Lynn Harton: Good morning.

Brandon King: So, I wanted to talk about Navitas and I appreciate the guidance. It seems like losses were lower this quarter and expected that — just expecting that to trend higher next quarter and then moderate in fourth quarter, but could give us some context as to the cadence of the losses for this year? And what kind of — what gives you confidence that losses will moderate towards the end of the year?

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