ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc.

11/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/10/2025 07:32

Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending September 30, 2025 (Form 10-Q)

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion is designed to provide a review of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. ("ChoiceOne") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements and related notes.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This discussion and other sections of this quarterly report contain forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy, and ChoiceOne. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "is likely," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "may," "could," "look forward," "continue," "future," "will" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Management's determination of the provision and allowance for credit losses, the carrying value of goodwill, loan servicing rights, other real estate owned, and the fair value of investment securities (including whether any impairment on any investment security is temporary or other-than-temporary and the amount of any impairment) and management's assumptions concerning pension and other post-retirement benefit plans involve judgments that are inherently forward-looking. All of the information concerning interest rate sensitivity is forward-looking. All statements with references to future time periods are forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("risk factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood, and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Furthermore, ChoiceOne undertakes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Risk factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of ChoiceOne's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. These are representative of the risk factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a preceding forward-looking statement.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES


In addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, this report includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. ChoiceOne
believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional information that is useful to investors in helping to understand
underlying financial performance and condition and trends of ChoiceOne.

Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations. Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious with
respect to the use of such measures. To compensate for these limitations, non-GAAP financial measures are used as comparative tools, together with GAAP financial measures, to assist in the evaluation of operating performance or financial condition. These measures are also calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and are computed in a manner intended to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons. ChoiceOne's method of calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for those financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP or applicable regulatory requirements.


Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the most directly comparable GAAP or regulatory financial measure, as well as the
reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP or regulatory financial measure, can be found in the tables to this Form 10-Q
under the heading non-GAAP reconciliation.

RECENT EVENTS

On March 1, 2025, ChoiceOne completed the merger (the "Merger") of Fentura Financial, Inc. ("Fentura"), the former parent company of The State Bank, with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the Merger. On March 14, 2025, ChoiceOne Bank completed the consolidation of The State Bank with and into ChoiceOne Bank with ChoiceOne Bank surviving the consolidation. Following the Merger, ChoiceOne has approximately $4.3 billion in consolidated total assets and 56 offices in Western, Central and Southeastern Michigan.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ChoiceOne reported net income of $14,681,000 and $14,309,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to net income of $7,348,000 and $19,568,000 for the same periods in the prior year, respectively. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) excluding merger expenses, net of taxes, and merger related provision for credit losses, net of taxes, was $14,681,000 and $37,657,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively. Diluted earnings per share were $0.97 and $1.05 for the three

and nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.85 and $2.46 in the same periods in the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) excluding merger expenses, net of taxes, and merger related provision for credit losses, net of taxes, were $0.97 and $2.76 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively.

A reconciliation for non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share to GAAP net income and earnings (loss) per share follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2025

2024

2025

2024

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

Net (loss) income

$

14,681

$

7,348

$

14,309

$

19,568

Merger related expenses net of tax

-

633

13,885

633

Merger related provision for credit losses, net of tax (1)

-

-

9,463

-

Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

$

14,681

$

7,981

$

37,657

$

20,201

Weighted average number of shares

15,014,933

8,567,548

13,579,249

7,898,938

Diluted average shares outstanding

15,061,155

8,615,500

13,625,787

7,944,143

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

0.98

$

0.86

1.05

2.48

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

0.97

$

0.85

1.05

2.46

Adjusted basic earnings per share (Non-GAAP)

$

0.98

$

0.94

$

2.77

$

2.56

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)

$

0.97

$

0.93

$

2.76

$

2.54

(1) Merger related provision for credit losses represents the estimated credit loss on loans purchased without credit deterioration in the Merger on March 1, 2025.

As of September 30, 2025, total assets were $4.3 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion compared to September 30, 2024. The growth in total assets is primarily attributed to the Merger. The growth in total assets was offset by a $36.0 million reduction in loans to other financial institutions and a $47.0 million reduction in cash and cash equivalents on September 30, 2025 compared to September 30, 2024. Loans to other financial institutions consist of a warehouse line of credit used to facilitate mortgage loan originations, with interest rates and balances that fluctuate in line with the national mortgage market. The reduction in cash balances is primarily due to purchases of agency mortgage backed securities during the third quarter of 2025. ChoiceOne has actively managed its balance sheet to support organic loan growth with a loan to deposit ratio of 81.8% at September 30, 2025.

Core loans, which exclude held for sale loans and loans to other financial institutions, declined by $10.3 million or 1.4% on an annualized basis during the third quarter of 2025 and grew organically by $65.3 million or 4.5% during the twelve months ended September 30, 2025. Core loans grew by $1.4 billion due to the Merger on March 1, 2025. Loan interest income increased $23.9 million in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2025 includes $3.6 million of interest income due to accretion from purchased loans. Of this amount, $1.8 million was calculated using the effective interest rate method of amortization, while the remaining $1.8 million resulted from unexpected payoffs and paydowns of loans with an associated fair value mark. Estimated interest income due to accretion from purchased loans for the remainder of 2025 and 2026 using the effective interest method of amortization is $2.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively; however, actual results will be dependent on prepayment speeds and other factors. It is estimated that a total of $54.0 million remains to be recognized as interest income due to accretion from purchased loans over the life of the loan portfolio.

Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $8.0 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to June 30, 2025. During the third quarter of 2025 non-interest bearing deposits declined by $39.9 million while interest bearing demand deposits increased by $73.4 million. The shift from non-interest-bearing to interest-bearing demand deposits was partly due to quarter-end timing and fluctuations in business and municipal activity. The growth in interest-bearing demand deposits was primarily concentrated in non-maturity interest-bearing checking and money market accounts. The average balance of non-interest-bearing deposits rose to $930.3 million in the third quarter of 2025, up from $915.6 million in the second quarter of 2025. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $1.3 billion as of September 30, 2025, compared to September 30, 2024 largely as a result of the Merger. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits and FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity. At September 30, 2025, total available borrowing capacity secured by pledged assets was $1.2 billion. ChoiceOne can increase its borrowing capacity by utilizing unsecured federal fund lines and pledging additional assets. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.2 billion or 33.2% of deposits at September 30, 2025.

In the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year, ChoiceOne's cost of deposits to average total deposits increased by 4 basis points, rising from 1.53% to 1.57%, primarily due to higher-cost deposits acquired through the Merger. This increase was partially offset by a decline in CD costs and a reduction in wholesale funding costs. The annualized cost of funds decreased by 10 basis points, from 1.87% to 1.77% in the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the same period in the prior year. In the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2025, annualized cost of funds decreased to 1.77% from 1.84%, primarily due to a decrease in higher cost local and brokered CDs. Interest expense on borrowings for the three months ended September 30, 2025, declined by $489,000 compared to the same period in the prior year. As of September 30, 2025, the total balance of borrowed funds from the FHLB was $198.0 million at a weighted average fixed rate of 4.23%, with $158.0 million due within 12 months.

ChoiceOne uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate exposure to certain fixed rate assets and variable rate liabilities. During the third quarter of 2025, ChoiceOne entered into $30.4 million in amortizing pay fix swaps to hedge interest rate risk on approximately $40.6 million of newly purchased agency mortgage backed securities. The swaps are designed to amortize with the expected cash flow of the bonds and hold a coupon of 3.52% and a contractual term ending in 2040. On September 30, 2025, ChoiceOne held pay-fixed interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $381.3 million, a weighted average coupon of 3.15%, a fair value of $6.8 million and an average remaining contract length of 7.2 years. Settlements from swaps amounted to $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2025 compared to $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2025. In addition to the pay-fixed interest rate swaps, ChoiceOne also employs back-to-back swaps on select commercial loans, with the impact reflected in interest income.

The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) was 1.19% on September 30, 2025 compared to 1.07% on December 31, 2024. Asset quality continues to remain strong, with annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans of 0.03% and nonperforming loans to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) of 0.69% as of September 30, 2025. Notably, 0.39% of the nonperforming loans to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) is attributed to loans purchased with credit deterioration acquired in the Merger.

The annualized return on average assets and annualized return on average shareholders' equity were 1.36% and 13.39%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2025, compared to an annualized 1.09% and an annualized 12.36%, respectively, for the same period in 2024. The annualized return on average assets and annualized return on average shareholders' equity were 0.48% and 5.00%, respectively, for the first nine months of 2025, compared to 0.98% and 12.00%, respectively, for the same period in 2024.

Dividends

Cash dividends of $4.2 million or $0.28 per share were declared in the third quarter of 2025, compared to $2.4 million or $0.27 per share in the third quarter of 2024. Cash dividends declared in the first nine months of 2025 were $12.6 million or $0.84 per share, compared to $6.5 million or $0.81 per share in the same period during the prior year. The cash dividend payout percentage was 88.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 33.2% in the same period in the prior year.

Interest Income and Expense

Tables 1 and 2 on the following pages provide information regarding interest income and expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024. Table 1 documents ChoiceOne's average balances and interest income and expense, as well as the average rates earned or paid on assets and liabilities. Table 2 documents the effect on interest income and expense of changes in volume (average balance) and interest rates. These tables are referred to in the discussion of interest income, interest expense and net interest income.

Table 1 - Average Balances and Tax-Equivalent Interest Rates

Three Months Ended September 30,

Three Months Ended June 30,

Three Months Ended September 30,

2025

2025

2024

(Dollars in thousands)

Average

Average

Average

Balance

Interest

Rate

Balance

Interest

Rate

Balance

Interest

Rate

Assets:

Loans (1)(3)(4)(5)

$

2,927,878

$

47,142

6.39

%

$

2,936,168

$

46,551

6.36

%

$

1,460,033

$

23,262

6.34

%

Taxable securities (2)

703,045

5,249

2.96

695,546

5,264

3.04

681,578

5,563

3.25

Nontaxable securities (1)

287,274

1,795

2.48

289,061

1,764

2.45

289,335

1,775

2.44

Other

79,365

909

4.54

63,416

735

4.65

108,019

1,473

5.43

Interest-earning assets

3,997,562

55,095

5.47

3,984,191

54,314

5.47

2,538,965

32,073

5.03

Noninterest-earning assets

310,727

314,322

146,225

Total assets

$

4,308,289

$

4,298,513

$

2,685,190

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

1,374,827

$

6,392

1.84

%

$

1,332,318

$

6,163

1.86

%

$

916,459

$

3,111

1.35

%

Savings deposits

591,653

1,125

0.75

595,362

1,003

0.68

329,613

728

0.88

Certificates of deposit

616,686

5,777

3.72

646,247

6,353

3.94

388,183

4,296

4.40

Brokered deposit

91,735

993

4.30

120,720

1,321

4.39

17,227

227

5.25

Borrowings

179,122

2,019

4.47

169,257

1,945

4.61

210,000

2,508

4.75

Subordinated debentures

48,663

701

5.72

48,971

689

5.65

35,658

413

4.61

Other

8,550

94

4.38

11,763

129

4.39

11,756

159

5.37

Interest-bearing liabilities

2,911,236

17,101

2.33

2,924,638

17,603

2.41

1,908,896

11,442

2.38

Demand deposits

930,346

915,637

519,511

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

28,258

30,695

18,908

Total liabilities

3,869,840

3,870,970

2,447,315

Shareholders' equity

438,449

427,543

237,875

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

4,308,289

$

4,298,513

$

2,685,190

Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)

$

37,994

$

36,711

$

20,631

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)

3.77

%

3.70

%

3.23

%

Reconciliation to Reported Net Interest Income

Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)

$

37,994

$

36,711

$

20,631

Adjustment for taxable equivalent interest

(397

)

(389

)

(383

)

Net interest income (GAAP)

$

37,597

$

36,322

$

20,248

Net interest margin (GAAP)

3.73

%

3.66

%

3.17

%

(1)
Adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to facilitate comparison to the taxable interest-earning assets. The adjustment uses an incremental tax rate of 21%. The presentation of these measures on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with GAAP, but is customary in the banking industry. These non-GAAP measures ensure comparability with respect to both taxable and tax-exempt loans and securities.
(2)
Taxable securities include dividend income from Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock.
(3)
Loans include both loans to other financial institutions and loans held for sale.
(4)
Non-accruing loan balances are included in the balances of average loans. Non-accruing loan average balances were $17.0 million, $16.8 million, and $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2025, the second quarter of 2025 and the third quarter of 2024, respectively.
(5)
Interest on loans included net origination fees and interest income due to accretion from purchased loans. Interest income due to accretion from purchased loans was $3.6 million, $3.5 million and $275,000 in the third quarter of 2025, the second quarter of 2025 and the third quarter of 2024, respectively.

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2025

2024

(Dollars in thousands)

Average

Average

Balance

Interest

Rate

Balance

Interest

Rate

Assets:

Loans (1)(3)(4)(5)

$

2,631,222

$

126,359

6.42

%

$

1,436,277

$

66,051

6.14

%

Taxable securities (2)

697,188

15,243

2.92

695,984

16,382

3.14

Nontaxable securities (1)

288,398

5,342

2.48

290,404

5,347

2.46

Other

85,827

2,822

4.40

84,209

3,451

5.47

Interest-earning assets

3,702,635

149,766

5.41

2,506,874

91,231

4.86

Noninterest-earning assets

276,538

143,570

Total assets

$

3,979,173

$

2,650,444

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

1,273,979

$

16,976

1.78

%

$

892,174

$

9,609

1.44

%

Savings deposits

539,990

3,010

0.75

333,707

2,019

0.81

Certificates of deposit

583,934

17,079

3.91

385,823

12,742

4.41

Brokered deposit

86,172

2,778

4.31

29,347

1,095

4.98

Borrowings

180,726

6,174

4.57

211,606

7,511

4.74

Subordinated debentures

45,897

1,889

5.50

35,597

1,237

4.64

Other

13,578

446

4.39

18,835

760

5.39

Interest-bearing liabilities

2,724,276

48,352

2.37

1,907,089

34,973

2.45

Demand deposits

833,490

514,019

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

39,862

11,946

Total liabilities

3,597,628

2,433,054

Shareholders' equity

381,545

217,390

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

3,979,173

$

2,650,444

Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)

$

101,414

$

56,258

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)

3.66

%

3.00

%

Reconciliation to Reported Net Interest Income

Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)

$

101,414

$

56,258

Adjustment for taxable equivalent interest

(1,184

)

(1,165

)

Net interest income (GAAP)

$

100,230

$

55,093

Net interest margin (GAAP)

3.62

%

2.94

%

(1)
Adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to facilitate comparison to the taxable interest-earning assets. The adjustment uses an incremental tax rate of 21%. The presentation of these measures on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with GAAP, but is customary in the banking industry. These non-GAAP measures ensure comparability with respect to both taxable and tax-exempt loans and securities.
(2)
Taxable securities include dividend income from Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock.
(3)
Loans include both loans to other financial institutions and loans held for sale.
(4)
Non-accruing loan balances are included in the balances of average loans. Non-accruing loan average balances were $13.7 million and $2.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(5)
Interest on loans included net origination fees and accretion income. Accretion income was $10.0 million and $944,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Table 2 - Changes in Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income

Three Months Ended September 30,

(Dollars in thousands)

2025 Over 2024

Total

Volume

Rate

Increase (decrease) in interest income (1)

Loans (2)

$

23,880

$

23,696

$

184

Taxable securities

(314

)

943

(1,257

)

Nontaxable securities (2)

20

(63

)

83

Other

(564

)

(350

)

(214

)

Net change in interest income

23,022

24,226

(1,204

)

Increase (decrease) in interest expense (1)

Interest-bearing demand deposits

3,281

1,895

1,386

Savings deposits

397

1,033

(636

)

Certificates of deposit

1,481

5,384

(3,903

)

Brokered deposit

766

1,050

(284

)

Borrowings

(489

)

(349

)

(140

)

Subordinated debentures

288

174

114

Other

(64

)

(38

)

(26

)

Net change in interest expense

5,660

9,149

(3,489

)

Net change in tax-equivalent net interest income

$

17,362

$

15,077

$

2,285

(1)
The volume variance is computed as the change in volume (average balance) multiplied by the previous year's interest rate. The rate variance is computed as the change in interest rate multiplied by the previous year's volume (average balance). The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
(2)
Interest on nontaxable investment securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21%.

Nine Months Ended September 30,

(Dollars in thousands)

2025 Over 2024

Total

Volume

Rate

Increase (decrease) in interest income (1)

Loans (2)

$

60,308

$

57,946

$

2,362

Taxable securities

(1,139

)

37

(1,176

)

Nontaxable securities (2)

(5

)

(45

)

40

Other

(629

)

84

(713

)

Net change in interest income

58,535

58,022

513

Increase (decrease) in interest expense (1)

Interest-bearing demand deposits

7,367

5,196

2,171

Savings deposits

991

1,193

(202

)

Certificates of deposit

4,337

6,207

(1,870

)

Brokered deposit

1,683

1,881

(198

)

Borrowings

(1,336

)

(1,125

)

(211

)

Subordinated debentures

652

440

212

Other

(314

)

(210

)

(104

)

Net change in interest expense

13,380

13,582

(202

)

Net change in tax-equivalent net interest income

$

45,155

$

44,440

$

715

(1)
The volume variance is computed as the change in volume (average balance) multiplied by the previous year's interest rate. The rate variance is computed as the change in interest rate multiplied by the previous year's volume (average balance). The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
(2)
Interest on nontaxable investment securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21%.

Net Interest Income

Tax-equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP) increased $17.4 million and $45.2 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024. The primary factor contributing to the increase in interest income was loan growth, both organically and due to the Merger, the impact of interest income due to accretion from purchased loans, and the impact of fixed rate swaps (see note 8). Tax equivalent net interest margin (non-GAAP) increased 54 and 66 basis points in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024. GAAP based net interest margin increased 56 and 68 basis points in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024.

The following table presents the annualized cost of deposits and the annualized cost of funds for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2025

2024

2025

2024

Cost of deposits

1.57

%

1.53

%

1.60

%

1.58

%

Cost of funds

1.77

%

1.87

%

1.81

%

1.93

%

ChoiceOne has experienced loan growth, leading to an increase in interest income from loans of $23.9 million and $60.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, average loans increased by $1.5 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, driven by both organic growth and the impact of the Merger, compared to the same periods in 2024. In addition, the average rate earned on loans increased 5 and 28 basis points in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024. Interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 includes $3.6 million and $10.0 million, respectively, of interest income due to accretion from purchased loans.

The average balance of total securities increased $19.4 million and decreased $802,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase during the three months ended September 30, 2025 is due to $40.6 million of newly purchased agency mortgage backed securities. These securities were purchased in congruence to $30.4 million of amortizing pay fix swaps designed to amortize with the expected cash flow of the bonds and hold a coupon of 3.52%. The decrease in securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, is due to paydowns and a decline in the fair value of available for sale securities, offset by the purchase of agency mortgage backed securities during the third quarter of 2025. The average rate earned on securities decreased 18 basis points and 15 basis points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Interest income and rate on securities were impacted by a decline in cash settlements from fixed rate interest rate swaps which are hedged against securities.

Total interest expense increased $5.7 million and $13.4 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. This increase was driven by a $1.2 billion increase in interest bearing liabilities from the Merger. Interest expense on interest bearing-demand deposits and savings deposits increased $3.7 million and $8.4 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively. The average rate paid on interest bearing-demand deposits and savings deposits increased by 30 basis points and 20 basis points in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year as higher cost deposits were acquired in the Merger.

In the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year, ChoiceOne's cost of deposits to average total deposits increased by 4 basis points, rising from 1.53% to 1.57%, primarily due to higher-cost deposits acquired through the Merger. This increase was partially offset by a decline in CD costs and a reduction in wholesale funding costs. The annualized cost of funds decreased by 10 basis points, from 1.87% to 1.77% in the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the same period in the prior year. In the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2025, annualized cost of funds decreased to 1.77% from 1.84%, primarily due to a decrease in higher cost local and brokered CDs.

The average balance of borrowings increased by $9.9 million and declined by $30.9 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024. In addition, the rate paid on borrowings declined by 28 basis points and 17 basis points in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same periods in 2024. The decline in balance and rate led to a decline in interest expense of $489,000 and $1.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024.

In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. In addition, ChoiceOne holds certain subordinated debentures issued in connection with trust preferred securities that were obtained as part of the merger with Community Shores and the Merger with Fentura. The average balance of subordinated debentures increased $10.3 million and the average rate on subordinated debentures increased 86 basis points in the first nine months of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year due to the additional subordinated debentures obtained in the Merger. The increase led to additional expense of $652,000 for the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in prior year.

Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses

The ACL consists of general and specific components. The general component covers loans collectively evaluated for credit loss and is based on peer historical loss experience adjusted for current and forecasted factors. Management's adjustment for current and forecasted factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, the experience and ability of lending staff, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast described further below.

The determination of our loss factors is based, in part, upon benchmark peer loss history adjusted for qualitative factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the analysis date. Our lookback period for benchmark peer net charge-off history excludes the years 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and spans from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2019, and January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.

The provision for credit losses on loans was $200,000 and $14.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively. The provision for credit losses in the first nine months of 2025 was due primarily to $12.0 million of expense in the first quarter for the acquisition of $1.3 billion of loans purchased without credit deterioration in the Merger. Additional expense was recorded to account for organic growth, changes in qualitative factors, and forecast data used in the allowance for credit losses calculation. The allowance for credit losses also increased by $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2025 as the credit mark on loans purchased with credit deterioration ("PCD loans") migrated into the reserve in accordance with CECL guidelines.

Nonperforming assets, which includes Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") but excludes performing troubled loan modifications ("TLM"), increased by $15.8 million to $19.9 million at September 30, 2025, compared to the balance on December 31, 2024, largely due to $12.9 million in non-accrual loans and $1.7 million of OREO acquired in the Merger. All non-accrual loans from the Merger are classified as PCD loans. The ACL was 1.19% of total loans, excluding loans held for sale, at September 30, 2025, compared to 1.07% as of December 31, 2024. The liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments was $1.6 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to $1.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

Charge-offs and recoveries for respective loan categories for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

2025

2024

Charge-offs

Recoveries

Charge-offs

Recoveries

Commercial and industrial

$

9

$

8

$

1

$

13

Consumer

586

273

616

321

Commercial real estate

393

-

-

-

Residential real estate

52

25

23

11

$

1,040

$

306

$

640

$

345

Net charge-offs were $734,000 during the first nine months of 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $295,000 during the same period in 2024. Net charge-offs for checking accounts during the first nine months of 2025 were $206,000 compared to $155,000 for the same period in the prior year. Annualized net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.03% for the first nine months of 2025 compared to 0.02% for the same period in the prior year. Nonperforming loans to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) were 0.69% as of September 30, 2025. Notably, 0.39% of the nonperforming loans to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) is attributed to PCD loans acquired through the Merger which have a corresponding PCD credit reserve.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income increased by $2.3 million and $5.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same periods in the prior year. This increase was partly driven by higher service charges and interchange income, which rose due to increased volume from the Merger. Investment commissions and trust income also increased as a result of higher estate settlement fees and customers obtained from the Merger. Additionally, ChoiceOne recognized income from two death benefit claims under bank-owned life insurance policies during the second quarter for an additional $299,000.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased by $10.8 million and $44.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same periods in 2024. The year to date increase was largely due to merger-related expenses of $17.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $645,000 in the same period in the prior year. Management does not anticipate additional material merger expenses. The remainder of the increase was primarily due to the addition of Fentura on March 1, 2025. ChoiceOne continues to strive to optimize our cost structure while investing in opportunities that enhance our performance and reinforce the value we bring to customers and shareholders.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $3.6 million and $3.1 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to income tax expense of $1.9 million and $4.7 million for the same periods in 2024. The effective tax rate was 19.9% and 17.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, compared to 20.8% and 19.4% for the same periods in 2024. The effective tax rate in 2025 is lower than compared to 2024 due to a decrease in disallowed interest expense during 2025.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

At September 30, 2025, ChoiceOne had consolidated total assets of $4.3 billion, net loans of $2.9 billion, total deposits (excluding brokered deposits) of $3.5 billion and total shareholders' equity of $449.6 million.

Securities

In the first quarter of 2025, ChoiceOne acquired $90.7 million in securities as part of the Merger. However, to reduce higher-cost wholesale funding, management opted to sell $78.9 million of those securities. As a result, the net increase in securities from the Merger totaled $11.8 million.

On September 30, 2025, total available-for-sale securities amounted to $544.0 million, up from $479.1 million on December 31, 2024. This increase was driven by securities acquired through the Merger and the purchase of $40.6 million of agency mortgage backed securities purchased in conjuncture with $30.4 million in amortizing pay fix swaps. The swaps are designed to amortize with the expected cash flow of the bonds and hold a coupon of 3.52% and a contractual term ending in 2040. Purchases of securities were offset by principal repayments, calls, and maturities. The unrealized loss on securities available for sale was relatively flat compared to December 31, 2024.

Total held to maturity securities on September 30, 2025 were $388.5 million compared to $394.5 million on December 31, 2024. ChoiceOne's held to maturity securities declined during the first nine months of 2025 due to $12.3 million of principal repayments, calls and maturities, which was offset by $4.1 million in securities acquired through the Merger and purchases of securities during the first nine months of 2025.

At September 30, 2025, ChoiceOne had $101.6 million in gross unrealized losses on its investment securities, including $60.5 million in unrealized losses on available for sale securities, $40.6 million in unrealized losses on held to maturity securities, and $496,000 in unrealized losses on equity securities. Unrealized losses on corporate and municipal bonds have not been recognized into income because management believes the issuers are of high credit quality, and management does not intend to sell prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.

ChoiceOne utilizes interest rate derivatives as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. In order to hedge the risk of rising rates and unrealized losses on securities resulting from the rising rates, ChoiceOne currently holds pay fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $381.3 million. These derivative instruments change in value as rates rise or fall inverse to the change in unrealized losses of the available for sale portfolio. Refer to Note 8 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities of the consolidated financial statements for more discussion on ChoiceOne's derivative position.

Equity securities included a money market preferred security ("MMP") of $1.0 million and common stock of $8.5 million as of September 30, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, equity securities included a MMP of $1.0 million and common stock of $6.8 million.

Per U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale are reflected on the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), while unrealized gains or losses on securities held to maturity are not reflected on the balance sheet.

Loans

The company's loan portfolio by call report code was as follows:

September 30, 2025

December 31, 2024

(Dollars in thousands)

Call Report Codes

Balance

%

Balance

%

Construction & Development Loans

1A2

$

81,476

2.8

%

$

61,740

4.0

%

1-4 Family Loans

1A1, 1C1, 1C2A, 1C2B, 9A

819,428

28.2

%

380,139

24.6

%

Multifamily Loans

1D

154,072

5.3

%

83,766

5.4

%

Owner Occupied CRE Loans

1E1

535,143

18.4

%

325,966

21.1

%

Non-Owner Occupied CRE Loans

1E2

886,114

30.5

%

387,102

25.0

%

Commercial & Industrial Loans

2A2, 4A

341,156

11.7

%

216,376

14.0

%

Farm & Agriculture Loans

1B, 3

52,990

1.8

%

48,246

3.1

%

Consumer & Other Loans

6B, 6C, 6D, 8, 9b2,10B

39,549

1.4

%

42,305

2.7

%

Total Loans

$

2,909,928

$

1,545,640

Average loan balances decreased $8.3 million in the third quarter of 2025, compared to the second quarter of 2025. Core loans, which exclude held for sale loans and loans to other financial institutions, declined by $10.3 million or 1.4% on an annualized basis during the third quarter of 2025 and grew organically by $65.3 million or 4.5% during the twelve months ended September 30, 2025. Core loans grew by $1.4 billion due to the Merger on March 1, 2025.

Loan interest income increased $23.9 million in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2025 includes $3.6 million of interest income due to accretion from purchased loans. Of this amount, $1.8 million was calculated using the effective interest rate method of amortization, while the remaining $1.8 million resulted from accretion through unexpected payoffs and paydowns of loans with an associated fair value mark. Estimated interest income due to accretion from purchased loans for the remainder of 2025 and 2026 using the effective interest method of amortization is $2.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively; however, actual results will be dependent on prepayment speeds and other factors. It is estimated that a total of $54.0 million remains to be recognized as interest income due to accretion from purchased loans over the life of the loan portfolio.

Loans to other financial institutions decreased by $37.4 million as of September 30, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024. Loans to other financial institutions consist of a warehouse line of credit used to facilitate mortgage loan originations, with interest rates and balances that fluctuate in line with the national mortgage market.

Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated annually for impairment and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and an impairment charge would be recognized for any amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. Accounting pronouncements allow a company to first perform a qualitative assessment for goodwill prior to a quantitative assessment (Step 1 assessment). If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, then a quantitative assessment must be performed. If not, there is no further assessment required. The Company acquired Valley Ridge Financial Corp. in 2006, County Bank Corp in 2019, Community Shores in 2020, and Fentura in 2025, which resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $13.7 million, $38.9 million, $7.3 million and $66.6 million, respectively.

ChoiceOne conducted an annual assessment of goodwill as of June 30, 2025 and no impairment was identified. No material changes and no triggering events have occurred that indicated impairment.

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $8.0 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to June 30, 2025. During the third quarter of 2025, non-interest bearing deposits declined by $39.9 million while interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $73.4 million. The shift from non-interest-bearing to interest-bearing demand deposits was partly due to quarter-end timing and fluctuations in business and municipal activity. The growth in interest-bearing demand deposits was primarily concentrated in non-maturity interest-bearing checking and money market accounts. The average balance of non-interest-bearing deposits rose to $930.3 million in the third quarter of 2025, up from $915.6 million in the second quarter of 2025. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $1.3 billion as of September 30, 2025, compared to September 30, 2024 largely as a result of the Merger. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits and FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity. At September 30, 2025, total available borrowing capacity secured by pledged assets was $1.2 billion. ChoiceOne can increase its borrowing capacity by utilizing unsecured federal fund lines and pledging additional assets. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.2 billion or 33.2% of deposits at September 30, 2025.

ChoiceOne recognized a core deposit intangible of $31.0 million related to the Merger. This intangible asset, valued at 2.78% of Fentura's core deposits, is being amortized over a period of 10 years using the sum-of-years-digits method. This approach reflects the anticipated pattern of economic benefits derived from the core deposits. ChoiceOne recognized core deposit intangible expense of $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.

In the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year, ChoiceOne's cost of deposits to average total deposits increased by 4 basis points, rising from 1.53% to 1.57%, primarily due to higher-cost deposits acquired through the Merger. This increase was partially offset by a decline in CD costs and a reduction in wholesale funding costs. The annualized cost of funds decreased by 10 basis points, from 1.87% to 1.77% in the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the same period in the prior year. In the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2025, annualized cost of funds decreased to 1.77% from 1.84%, primarily due to a decrease in higher cost local and brokered CDs.

Interest expense on borrowings for the three months ended September 30, 2025, declined by $489,000 compared to the same period in the prior year. As of September 30, 2025, the total balance of borrowed funds from the FHLB was $198.0 million at a weighted average fixed rate of 4.23%, with $158.0 million due within 12 months and the earliest maturity in October 2025.

In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne also holds $15.9 million in subordinated debentures that were obtained in the acquisition of Community Shores and the Merger with Fentura, offset by the merger mark-to-market adjustment.

Shareholders' Equity

As of September 30, 2025, shareholders' equity was $449.6 million, a significant increase from $260.8 million on December 31, 2024. This growth was primarily driven by the Merger, in which ChoiceOne issued 6,070,836 shares of common stock on March 1, 2025, valued at $193.0 million. ChoiceOne Bank continues to be "well-capitalized," with a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.8% as of September 30, 2025, compared to 12.7% on December 31, 2024.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

Following is information regarding compliance of ChoiceOne and ChoiceOne Bank with regulatory capital requirements:

Minimum Required

to be Well

Minimum Required

Capitalized Under

for Capital

Prompt Corrective

(Dollars in thousands)

Actual

Adequacy Purposes

Action Regulations

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

September 30, 2025

ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc.

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

$

418,645

13.0

%

$

258,279

8.0

%

N/A

N/A

Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

333,388

10.3

145,282

4.5

N/A

N/A

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

351,888

10.9

193,709

6.0

N/A

N/A

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

351,888

8.5

166,068

4.0

N/A

N/A

ChoiceOne Bank

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

$

411,407

12.8

%

$

257,926

8.0

%

$

322,407

10.0

%

Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

377,017

11.7

145,083

4.5

209,565

6.5

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

377,017

11.7

193,444

6.0

257,926

8.0

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

377,017

9.1

165,898

4.0

207,372

5.0

December 31, 2024

ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc.

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

$

287,927

14.5

%

$

158,391

8.0

%

N/A

N/A

Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

237,152

12.0

89,095

4.5

N/A

N/A

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

241,652

12.2

118,793

6.0

N/A

N/A

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

241,652

9.1

106,485

4.0

N/A

N/A

ChoiceOne Bank

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

$

250,494

12.7

%

$

158,197

8.0

%

$

197,746

10.0

%

Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

236,479

12.0

88,986

4.5

128,535

6.5

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

236,479

12.0

118,647

6.0

158,197

8.0

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

236,479

8.9

106,422

4.0

133,028

5.0

Management reviews the capital levels of ChoiceOne and ChoiceOne Bank on a regular basis. The Board of Directors and management believe that the capital levels as of September 30, 2025 are adequate for the foreseeable future. The Board of Directors' determination of appropriate cash dividends for future periods will be based on, among other things, market conditions and ChoiceOne's requirements for cash and capital.

Liquidity

Net cash provided by operating activities was $17.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to $24.6 million net cash provided in the same period in 2024. The change was primarily driven by a $15.1 million decrease in other liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, partially offset by a $13.6 million increase in the provision for credit losses over the same timeframe. Net cash provided by investing activities was $224.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $56.3 million in the same period in 2024. The increase is due to the sale of $78.9 million of securities acquired in the Merger with Fentura. ChoiceOne also received $173.1 million of cash from The State Bank as part of the Merger. Net cash used in financing activities was $240.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $122.2 million provided in the same period in the prior year. ChoiceOne decreased borrowing by $147.2 million in the first nine months of 2025 compared to an increase of $10.1 million in the same period during the prior year. ChoiceOne had $79.0 million in deposit decline, net of the increase from the Merger, in the first nine months of 2025 compared to an increase of $86.2 million in the same period in 2024. The deposit decline was primarily due to seasonal municipal fluctuations and some reduction of higher cost deposits acquired from the Merger, offset by an increase in brokered deposits.

ChoiceOne's market risk exposure occurs in the form of interest rate risk and liquidity risk. ChoiceOne's business is transacted in U.S. dollars with no foreign exchange risk exposure. Agricultural loans comprise a relatively small portion of ChoiceOne's total assets. Management believes that ChoiceOne's exposure to changes in commodity prices is insignificant.

Liquidity risk deals with ChoiceOne's ability to meet its cash flow requirements. These requirements include depositors desiring to withdraw funds and borrowers seeking credit. Longer-term liquidity needs may be met through core deposit growth, maturities of and cash flows from investment securities, normal loan repayments, advances from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank, brokered certificates of deposit, and income retention. ChoiceOne had $198.0 million in outstanding borrowings from the FHLB at a weighted average fixed rate of 4.23%, with the earliest maturity in October 2025 as of September 30, 2025. ChoiceOne had $72.7 million in brokered deposits on September 30, 2025. The acceptance of brokered certificates of deposit is not limited as long as the Bank is categorized as "well capitalized" under regulatory guidelines. At September 30, 2025, total available borrowing capacity from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank was $1.2 billion.

ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc. published this content on November 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Edgar on November 10, 2025 at 13:33 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]