INCOME TAXES
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 was 20.8% and 17.0%, respectively, and the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 was 17.2% and 19.7%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2025 is primarily due to the Sandy Spring acquisition, which resulted in additional state income tax expense, as well as an overall increase in the proportion of tax-exempt to pre-tax income. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 primarily reflects the impact of the Sandy Spring acquisition, which resulted in a $8.0 million income tax benefit in the second quarter of 2025 related to re-evaluating our state net deferred tax assets as a result of the Sandy Spring acquisition, as well as the impact of the $4.8 million valuation allowance established during the second quarter of 2024.
Our provision for income taxes is based on our results of operations, adjusted for the effect of certain tax-exempt income and non-deductible expenses. In addition, we report certain items of income and expense in different periods for financial reporting and tax return purposes. We recognize the tax effects of these temporary differences in the deferred income tax provision or benefit. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statements and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using the applicable enacted marginal tax rate.
As of each reporting date, we consider existing evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact our view regarding our future realization of deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance was $11.9 million and $4.4 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The increase in the valuation allowance was due to the Sandy Spring acquisition and its historical valuation allowance related to net operating losses in certain state filing jurisdictions.
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was enacted into law by the federal government. In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, we recognized the total effect of the tax law changes in the quarter ended September 30, 2025, the interim period in which the law was enacted. The tax provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act did not have a material impact on our income tax balances.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
Balance Sheet
At September 30, 2025, our consolidated balance sheet includes the impact of the Sandy Spring acquisition, which closed April 1, 2025. Preliminary goodwill associated with the Sandy Spring acquisition totaled $512.3 million at September 30, 2025, inclusive of a $15.4 million measurement period adjustment increase during the third quarter of 2025. See Note 2 “Acquisitions” in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for more information on the Sandy Spring acquisition.
Assets
At September 30, 2025, we had total assets of $37.1 billion, an increase of $12.5 billion December 31, 2024. The increase in total assets was primarily driven by the Sandy Spring acquisition, as well as organic growth in LHFI. At September 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $794.7 million, an increase of $440.6 million from December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting the impact of the remaining proceeds from the CRE loan sale that closed in the second quarter of 2025.
LHFI were $27.4 billion at September 30, 2025, an increase of $8.9 billion from December 31, 2024, primarily due to the Sandy Spring acquisition, as well as organic loan growth. At September 30, 2025, quarterly average LHFI increased $9.1 billion or 49.5% from the same period in the prior year. Refer to "Loan Portfolio" within this Item 2 and Note 4 "Loans and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses" in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for additional information on our loan activity.
At September 30, 2025, we had total investments of $5.3 billion, an increase of $2.0 billion from December 31, 2024. The increase in total investments was primarily due to the Sandy Spring acquisition, as well as purchases of AFS agency mortgage-backed securities and HTM municipal bonds using a portion of the proceeds from the CRE loan sale that occurred in the second quarter of 2025. AFS securities totaled $4.3 billion at September 30, 2025, compared to $2.4 billion at December 31, 2024. At September 30, 2025, total net unrealized losses on the AFS securities portfolio were $327.6 million, compared to $402.6 million at December 31, 2024. HTM securities totaled $883.8 million at September 30, 2025, compared to $803.9 million at December 31, 2024, with net unrealized losses of $35.7 million at September 30, 2025, compared to $44.5 million at December 31, 2024.