Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Press Release For Immediate Release

Friday, July 17, 2026

Steele Bancorp, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2026 Earnings

 

Mifflinburg, PA – Steele Bancorp, Inc. (“Company”) (OTCID: “STLE”), parent company of Central Penn Bank and Trust (“Bank”), has released its unaudited results of operations and financial condition for the second quarter of 2026.  The 2026 results reflect the Company's merger with Northumberland Bancorp, Inc., completed on August 1, 2025, while the comparative 2025 periods reflect the Company pre-merger.  Accordingly, the year-over-year results are not directly comparable.  

 

 

Unaudited Financial Information

 

Net income, as reported under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, was $5.26 million compared to $1.82 million for the same period in 2025, a 188.8% increase. Net income year-to-date for 2026 was $10.14 million compared to $3.63 million for the same period in 2025, a 179.5% increase. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarters ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 were $1.54 and $0.98 and $2.98 and $1.95 for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Annualized return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.65% and 16.92% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2026 compared to 1.20% and 12.36% for the same period of 2025.

 

Net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2026 was $12.66 million compared to $4.99 million for the same period in 2025, a 153.7% increase. Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $24.87 million compared to $9.73 million for the same period in 2025, a 155.6% increase.  The significant increase in net interest income was primarily driven by higher interest income resulting from growth in loan and securities balances, partially offset by increased interest expense due to an increase in deposits resulting from the merger with Northumberland Bancorp ("Northumberland"). Yield on earning assets increased 70 basis points, to 6.04% for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 compared to 5.34% for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, and the cost of funds decreased 22 basis points, to 2.16%, as compared to the same time period in 2025. The net interest margin (GAAP) increased from 3.41% for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 to 4.31% for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The tax-equivalent net interest margin (Non-GAAP) increased from 3.48% for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 to 4.38% for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The tax equivalent adjustment increased from $102 thousand for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 to $205 thousand for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Yield on earning assets increased 61 basis points, to 5.90% for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to 5.29% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, and the cost of funds decreased 15 basis points, to 2.21%, as compared to the same time period in 2025. The net interest margin (GAAP) increased from 3.36% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to 4.17% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The tax equivalent net interest margin (Non-GAAP) increased from 3.43% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to 4.22% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The tax equivalent adjustment increased from $207 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2025 to $311 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2026.  

 

The Bank recorded a provision for credit losses for loans of $212 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to a provision of $192 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2025. The Bank recorded a provision for credit losses for loans of $78 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to a provision of $262 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2025.  The Bank recorded a recovery of credit losses for off balance sheet credit exposures of $93 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to a recovery of $36 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2025.  The Bank recorded a recovery of credit losses for off balance sheet exposures of $93 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to a recovery of $100 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2025.  

 

Noninterest income increased by $1.36 million, or 258.4%, to $1.89 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, from the $527 thousand recognized during the same period of 2025.  Noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $3.46 million compared to $1.11 million for the same period in 2025, a 210.7% increase.  The increase in noninterest income is primarily due to the addition of trust fee income resulting from the merger with Northumberland and increases in ATM fees and debit card income due to increased utilization and volume.

 

Noninterest expense increased $4.85 million or 155.0%, from $3.13 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, to $7.99 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026. The increase in noninterest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2026 is primarily the result of an increase of $2.55 million in salaries and employee benefits and amortization of core deposit intangible of $666 thousand for which there was no comparable expense in 2025. Noninterest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $6.23 million compared to $15.98 million for the same period in 2026, a 156.6% increase.  The increase in noninterest expense year-to-date is primarily the result of an increase of $5.18 million in salaries and employee benefits, amortization of core deposit intangible of $1.33 million for which there was no comparable expense in 2025 and an increase of $1.56 million in other expenses. All increases are the direct result of the merger with Northumberland.   

 

An income tax provision of $1.18 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $407 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2025, a 190.4% increase. An income tax provision of $2.22 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to an income tax provision of $827 thousand for the same period in 2025, a 168.8% increase.  The increase in the income tax provision quarter-to-date is directly the result of an increase in income before income tax to $6.44 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $2.23 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, a 189.1% increase.  The increase in the income tax provision year-to-date is directly the result of an increase in income before income tax to $12.36 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $4.45 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, a 177.5% increase. Quarter-to-date and year-to-date the effective tax rate was 18.4% and 18.0% of June 30, 2026, compared to 18.3% and 18.6% as of June 30, 2025, respectively.  

 

 

Financial Condition

 

Total assets increased to $1.27 billion as of June 30, 2026 from $1.26 billion as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $12.29 million, or 1.0%. Cash and cash equivalents increased $5.02 million from December 31, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Net loans increased by $5.77 million, and securities available for sale increased $4.45 million. Total deposits increased $9.92 million from December 31, 2025 to June 30, 2026, subordinated debt decreased $9.89 million from December 31, 2025 to June 30, 2026 as result of paying off the borrowing at the call date and senior secured debt, less unamortized issuance costs increased $7.37 million as result of the new debt issuance executed on June 26, 2026.

 

When compared to December 31, 2025, stockholders’ equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss, increased $7.55 million to $127.09 million as of June 30, 2026. Steele Bancorp, Inc. remains well capitalized, and the total equity-to-assets was 9.77% and 9.39% as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

 

 

 

 

The Bank maintained a strong liquidity position as of June 30, 2026, with additional borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh of $448.13 million and $4.48 million in additional borrowing capacity from the Federal Reserve’s Discount Window.

 

 

About Steele Bancorp, Inc.

 

Steele Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. The Company has one subsidiary bank, Central Penn Bank & Trust, serving individuals, families, nonprofits, and business clients through 13 banking offices located in Centre, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties. The Bank has 174 employees as of June 30, 2026.

 

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of current or historical fact and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "projects," "may," "will," "should," and other similar expressions can be used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following: costs or difficulties related to integration following the merger with Northumberland; the risk that the anticipated benefits, cost savings and other savings from the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer than expected to realize; changes in general economic trends, including inflation and changes in interest rates; our ability to manage credit risk; our ability to maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit loss on loans; increased competition; changes in consumer demand for financial services; our ability to control costs and expenses; fluctuations in the values of securities held in our securities portfolio, including as a result of changes in interest rates; our ability to successfully manage liquidity risk; adverse developments in borrower industries and, in particular, declines in real estate values; the concentration of large deposits from certain customers who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits; changes in and compliance with federal and state laws that regulate our business and capital levels; our ability to raise capital as needed; the impact to the economy resulting from the conflict with Iran; and any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as required by law. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 

 

 

 

 

Steele Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheets

($ in thousands, except per share data)

 

   

(Unaudited)

         
   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2026

   

2025 *

 

Assets

               

Cash and due from banks

  $ 8,224     $ 7,633  

Interest-bearing demand deposits

    45,173       35,204  

Federal funds sold

    634       6,173  
                 

Total cash and cash equivalents

    54,031       49,010  
                 

Interest-bearing time deposits

    3,715       5,923  

Debt securities available-for-sale, at fair value

    225,256       220,807  

Marketable equity securities, at fair value

    821       613  

Restricted investments in bank stock, at cost

    2,498       2,717  
                 

Loans held for sale

    725       -  
                 

Loans

    923,973       918,171  

Allowance for credit losses

    (9,934 )     (9,904 )
                 

Loans, net

    914,039       908,267  
                 

Premises and equipment, net

    17,939       17,928  

Accrued interest receivable

    4,088       4,039  

Core deposit intangible, net

    12,219       13,551  

Bank owned life insurance

    28,552       28,233  

Net deferred tax asset

    4,373       4,136  

Other assets

    5,492       6,233  
                 

Total Assets

  $ 1,273,748     $ 1,261,457  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

               
                 

Liabilities

               

Deposits:

               

Noninterest-bearing deposits

  $ 222,855     $ 221,306  

Interest-bearing deposits

    897,841       889,468  
                 

Total deposits

    1,120,696       1,110,774  
                 

Repurchase agreements

    1,261       1,589  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    4,500       5,500  

Senior secured debt, net

    7,367       -  

Subordinated debt, net

    -       9,892  

Accrued interest payable

    1,457       1,969  

Other liabilities

    14,042       13,334  
                 

Total Liabilities

    1,149,323       1,143,058  

Commitments and Contingencies

               
                 

Redeemable Common Stock Held By Employee Stock Ownership Plan

    6,574       4,600  
                 

Stockholders' Equity

               

Common stock, par value $1.00 per share; authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued 3,706,725 shares; outstanding 3,405,061 shares as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

    3,707       3,707  

Capital surplus

    40,595       40,595  

Retained earnings

    90,519       82,972  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (2,665 )     (1,144 )

Treasury stock, at cost: 2026: 301,664 shares; 2025: 301,664 shares

    (7,731 )     (7,731 )
                 

Total Stockholders' Equity

    124,425       118,399  
                 

Less maximum cash obligation to ESOP shares

    6,574       4,600  

Total Stockholders’ Equity Less Maximum Cash Obligations Related to ESOP Shares

    117,851       113,799  
                 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

  $ 1,273,748     $ 1,261,457  

* Derived from consolidated audited financial statements

 

 

 

 

Steele Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary 

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

($ in thousands, except per share data)

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2026

   

2025

   

2026

   

2025

 

Interest and Dividend Income

                               

Interest and fees on loans

  $ 14,955     $ 6,735     $ 29,660     $ 13,142  

Interest-bearing deposits in banks and time deposits

    388       121       720       237  

Federal funds sold

    55       4       119       10  

Securities:

                               

Taxable

    1,420       486       2,777       1,017  

Tax-exempt

    589       292       1,183       587  

Dividends

    135       69       259       117  
                                 

Total Interest and Dividend Income

    17,542       7,707       34,718       15,110  
                                 

Interest Expense

                               

Deposits

    4,728       2,341       9,533       4,559  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    42       378       89       820  

Subordinated debt

    112       -       225       -  

Senior secured debt

    5       -       5       -  

Federal Discount Window borrowings

    -       -       -       1  
                                 

Total Interest Expense

    4,887       2,719       9,852       5,380  
                                 

Net Interest Income

    12,655       4,988       24,866       9,730  
                                 

Provision for credit losses - loans

    212       192       78       262  

(Recovery of) credit losses - off balance sheet credit exposures

    (93 )     (36 )     (93 )     (100 )

Provision for (recovery of) credit losses

    119       156       (15 )     162  
                                 

Net Interest Income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses

    12,536       4,832       24,881       9,568  
                                 

Noninterest Income

                               

Service charges on deposit accounts

    275       130       549       261  

ATM fees and debit card income

    483       187       927       370  

Mortgage banking revenue

    162       66       334       108  

Trust income

    386       -       736       -  

Investment fee income

    85       29       169       78  

(Loss) gain on sale of premises

    (7 )     -       (7 )     52  

Net marketable equity security gains (losses)

    214       (10 )     209       (3 )

Earnings on bank owned life insurance

    162       63       319       126  

Other

    129       62       219       120  
                                 

Total Noninterest Income

    1,889       527       3,455       1,112  
                                 

Noninterest Expense

                               

Salaries and employee benefits

    4,439       1,892       8,863       3,687  

Net occupancy and equipment expense

    627       296       1,247       598  

Amortization of core deposit intangible

    666       -       1,333       -  

Gain on sale of OREO

    (52 )     -       (34 )     -  

Data processing fees

    467       169       909       346  

Pennsylvania shares tax

    246       109       477       223  

Professional fees

    184       33       342       79  

Advertising expense

    68       44       126       75  

FDIC deposit insurance

    139       68       319       136  

Merger-related expenses

    -       85       -       248  

Other

    1,202       436       2,396       835  
                                 

Total Noninterest Expense

    7,986       3,132       15,978       6,227  
                                 

Income Before Income Taxes

    6,439       2,227       12,358       4,453  
                                 

Income Taxes

    1,182       407       2,223       827  
                                 

Net Income

  $ 5,257     $ 1,820     $ 10,135     $ 3,626  
                                 

Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted

  $ 1.54     $ 0.98     $ 2.98     $ 1.95  

 

 

 

 

Steele Bancorp, Inc.

Key Ratios and Other Data

(Unaudited)

 

      At or For the Three Months Ended:  

($ in thousands, except per share data)

 

June 30, 2026

   

March 31, 2026

   

December 31, 2025

   

September 30, 2025

   

June 30, 2025

 
                                         

Operating Highlights:

                                       

Net income

  $ 5,257     $ 4,878     $ 5,585     $ 13,677     $ 1,820  

Provision for (recovery of) credit losses

    119       (134 )     801       4,228       156  

Bargain purchase gain

    -       -       477       17,827       -  

Noninterest income

    1,889       1,567       2,476       19,068       527  

Noninterest expense

    7,986       7,992       8,516       10,922       3,132  
                                         

Balance Sheet Highlights:

                                       

Total assets

  $ 1,273,748     $ 1,268,765     $ 1,261,457     $ 1,253,576     $ 629,239  

Loans, net

    914,039       907,144       908,267       891,098       462,977  

Core deposit intangible, net

    12,219       12,885       13,551       14,218       -  

Total deposits

                                       

Noninterest-bearing

    222,855       224,642       221,306       214,926       81,741  
                                         

Savings

    172,578       164,834       164,133       164,047       73,995  

NOW

    262,466       260,341       268,818       265,547       190,879  

Money Market

    115,163       113,566       107,050       108,157       34,163  

Time Deposits

    347,634       351,818       349,467       353,253       133,830  

Total interest-bearing deposits

    897,841       890,559       889,468       891,004       432,867  
                                         

Core deposits (1)

    773,062       763,383       761,307       752,677       380,778  
                                         

Net Interest Margin (GAAP & Non-GAAP)

                                       

Net interest income (GAAP)

  $ 12,655     $ 12,210     $ 12,254     $ 9,864     $ 4,988  

Tax equivalent adjustment

    205       218       231       180       102  

Net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) (Non-GAAP)

    12,860       12,428       12,485       10,044       5,090  

Annualized fully tax-equivalent net interest margin (Non-GAAP)

    4.38 %     4.21 %     4.32 %     3.97 %     3.48 %

Annualized net interest margin (GAAP)

    4.31 %     4.14 %     4.24 %     3.90 %     3.41 %
                                         

Selected Ratios:

                                       

Annualized return on average assets

    1.65 %     1.56 %     1.77 %     5.19 %     1.20 %

Annualized return on average equity

    16.92 %     16.31 %     18.60 %     56.35 %     12.36 %
                                         

Capital Ratios - Central Penn Bank & Trust:

                                       

Leverage ratio (2)

    9.11 %     8.94 %     8.56 %     9.93 %     9.79 %
                                         

Share and Per Share Data:

                                       

Earnings per share

  $ 1.54     $ 1.43     $ 1.64     $ 4.77     $ 0.98  

Dividend declared per share

    0.76       -       0.75       -       0.74  

Book Value per share

    36.54       35.87       34.77       33.74       31.78  

Common stock price:

                                       

Last trade

    43.34       35.00       28.55       25.83       26.10  

Weighted average common shares

    3,405,061       3,405,061       3,405,061       2,867,124       1,858,536  
                                         

Allowance for Loan Credit Losses:

                                       

Beginning balance

  $ 9,755     $ 9,904     $ 9,512     $ 4,636     $ 4,451  

Merger adjustments

    -       -       -       725       -  

Provision for (recovery of) credit losses

    212       (134 )     361       4,228       192  

Charge-Offs

    (35 )     (19 )     -       (81 )     (16 )

Recoveries

    2       4       31       4       9  

Ending balance

  $ 9,934     $ 9,755     $ 9,904     $ 9,512     $ 4,636  

 

 

(1)

Core deposits are defined as total deposits less time deposits

 

(2)

Leverage ratio for the most recent period is estimated

 

 

 

 

Steele Bancorp, Inc.

Asset Quality Data

(Unaudited)

 

 

   

At or for the Three Months Ended

 

($ in thousands)

 

June 30, 2026

   

March 31, 2026

   

December 31, 2025

   

September 30, 2025

   

June 30, 2025

 
                                         

Nonperforming Assets:

                                       

Nonaccrual loans

  $ 7,369     $ 7,307     $ 6,304     $ 1,591     $ 179  

Other real estate owned

    -       147       -       -       78  

Total nonperforming assets

  $ 7,369     $ 7,454     $ 6,304     $ 1,591     $ 257  

Loans 90 days or more past due and accruing

    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         

Asset Quality Ratios:

                                       

Nonperforming assets to loans plus other real estate owned

    0.80 %     0.81 %     0.69 %     0.18 %     0.05 %

Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans

    1.08 %     1.06 %     1.08 %     1.06 %     0.99 %

Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming assets

    134.82 %     130.87 %     157.12 %     597.86 %     2,589.94 %