Adjusted Net Income
In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company believes adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which adjust for the additional C Corp equivalent tax expense for periods prior to October 11, 2019, acquisition expenses, branch closure expenses, net earnings (losses) from closed or sold operations, charges related to termination of certain employee benefit plans, realized gains (losses) on sales of securities, and mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustments, provide investors with additional insight into its operational performance. The Company reported adjusted net income of $14.2 million, or $0.49 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2021. This compares to adjusted net income of $14.5 million, or $0.53 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2021, and adjusted net income of $12.4 million, or $0.45 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020 (see "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" tables).
NXT Bancorporation, Inc. Acquisition
On October 1, 2021, HBT completed its previously announced acquisition of NXT Bancorporation, Inc. (NXT), the holding company for NXT Bank. The acquisition expands HBT’s footprint into Eastern Iowa with four locations that began operating as branches of Heartland Bank and Trust Company in December 2021. After considering business combination accounting adjustments, NXT added total assets of $234 million, total loans of $195 million, and total deposits of $182 million.
Cash consideration of $10.6 million and stock consideration of approximately 1.8 million shares of HBT common stock resulted in aggregate consideration of $39.9 million. Goodwill of $5.7 million was recorded in the acquisition.
Acquisition-related expenses totaled $1.4 million during 2021, including $0.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2021 and $0.4 million during the third quarter of 2021. Acquisition-related expenses consisted primarily of investment banker fees, legal fees, and data processing expenses.
Cash Dividend
On January 25, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share on the Company’s common stock (the “Dividend”). The Dividend is payable on February 15, 2022 to shareholders of record as of February 8, 2022. This represents an increase of $0.01 from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share.
Mr. Drake noted, “Our strong and consistent financial performance enables us to increase our quarterly cash dividend while maintaining sufficient capital to support our organic and acquisitive growth. Our quarterly dividend remains an important tool for enhancing the total return that we deliver for shareholders, while helping the Company to efficiently manage its capital.”
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $32.9 million, an increase of 7.0% from $30.7 million for the third quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in average loans due to the NXT acquisition and organic loan growth. This was partially offset by Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan fees recognized as interest income decreasing to $1.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $3.0 million during the third quarter of 2021.
Relative to the fourth quarter of 2020, net interest income increased $3.7 million, or 12.7%. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in average interest-earning assets. PPP loan fees recognized as loan interest income were $1.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 3.17%, nearly unchanged from the third quarter of 2021. Lower yields on loans and securities were mostly offset by a more favorable interest-earning asset mix.
Relative to the fourth quarter of 2020, net interest margin decreased from 3.31%. The decrease was primarily due to a less favorable interest-earning asset mix, with increased balances being held in cash and lower-yielding securities.