Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating earnings for Q1 2025 were 20million,translatingto0.22 per share, while GAAP net income was 19.1millionor0.21 per share after accounting for merger charges of 971,000[6][7]−Totalassetsdecreasedby385.5 million to 11.5billion,primarilyduetoadeliberatereductionincashequivalentsandloanportfoliocomponents[11]−Customerdepositsincreasedby113.8 million, and the net interest margin improved by 10 basis points to 3.22% [8][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The loan portfolio contracted by 130.6million,withsignificantdeclinesincommercialrealestateandequipmentfinance,whilecommercialloansexperiencedgrowth[7][12]−Thespecialtyvehicleportfoliodecreasedby29 million to 267million,followingtheexitfromthatbusiness[12]−Netinterestincomereached85.8 million, an increase of 800,000fromthepreviousquarter,despiteadeclineinaverageinterest−earningassets[14]MarketDataandKeyMetricsChanges−Theprovisionforcreditlosseswas6 million, which is 2millionhigherthanQ4,withnetcharge−offstotaling7.6 million [15] - The reserve coverage slightly increased to 129 basis points of total loans [15] - The economic scenarios weightings remained at 40% baseline, 35% moderate recession, and 25% stronger near-term growth [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing commercial real estate exposures while maintaining important customer relationships [7] - The planned merger with Berkshire Hills Bancorp is progressing well, with regulatory applications filed and stockholder meetings scheduled for May 21 [9][22] - The company anticipates low single-digit growth in the loan portfolio for the remainder of 2025, with a projected deposit growth of 4% to 5% [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed uncertainty regarding the interest rate environment and its potential impact on operations, indicating a need for continual adaptation [18] - While modest improvements to the net interest margin are uncertain, an increase of four to eight basis points is estimated for Q2 [18] - The company is managing expenses to 247millionorlessforthefullyear,excludingmerger−relatedcosts[20]OtherImportantInformation−Theeffectivetaxrateisexpectedtobearound24.250.135 per share, to be paid on May 23 [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of a 25 basis point Fed rate cut on margin - Management indicated that the impact depends on the yield curve's behavior, with a cut in short-term rates potentially being beneficial if mid to long-term rates remain stable [29][30] Question: Details on the 7.1 million commercial charge-off - The charge-off was related to a large C&I credit, specifically a 13 million credit that required additional provisioning [34][35] Question: Tariff implications on equipment finance and manufacturing loan book - Management noted that tariffs are causing unease among customers, affecting underwriting processes, but no tangible impacts have been observed yet [36][37] Question: Loan pricing and sentiment among C&I borrowers - Management expressed optimism about loan pricing and the quality of the pipeline, noting that larger banks are currently cautious, which benefits the company [46][47] Question: Update on the 11millionofficeloan−Managementconfirmedthattheloanisimminenttocloseandisfullyreserved[64][66]Question:Overallcreditqualityandpass−ratedloans−Theoverallpass−ratedloansareapproximately9550 million in lab space across its portfolio [99][100]