Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Glacier Bancorp fourth quarter earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there'll be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during the session, you'll need to press star one one on your telephone. You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Mr. Randy Chesler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Glacier Bancorp. Mr. Chesler, please begin. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand by. Mr. Chesler, you may begin. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand by. Again, ladies and gentlemen, please stand by. We are experiencing technical difficulties. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand by.
Your conference will resume momentarily. Again, please stand by. Again, ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing technical difficulties. Please stand by. Again, ladies and gentlemen, please remain on your line. Your conference will resume shortly. Mr. Chesler, you may begin.
All right. We... Thank you very much. Sorry for the technical difficulties. I think we're ready to go. So, good morning, and thank you for joining us today. With me here in Kalispell this morning is Ron Copher, our Chief Financial Officer, Angela Dossey, our Chief Accounting Officer, Byron Pollan, our Treasurer, Tom Dolan, our Chief Credit Administrator, and Don Chery, our Chief Administrative Officer. I'd like to point out that the discussion today is subject to the same forward-looking considerations found on page 14 of our press release, and we encourage you to take a careful review of this section. We released our fourth quarter and full year 2023 earnings after the close of the market yesterday, and the Glacier Bancorp team wrapped up a challenging year with a very strong quarter.
We achieved earnings per share of $0.49, which increased $0.02 per share from the prior quarter. Net income was $54.3 million for the current quarter, an increase of $1.9 million, or 4% from the prior quarter. Interest income of $273 million in the current quarter increased $8.6 million, or 3% over the prior quarter. Net interest margin on a tax equivalent, equivalent basis was 2.56% versus 2.58% in the prior quarter, our smallest quarterly decrease this year. Total non-interest expense of $132 million for the current quarter, including a one-time $6 million FDIC special assessment, increased only $2.6 million, or 2% over the prior quarter.
The portfolio loan yield of 5.34% increased 7 basis points from the prior quarter. New loan production yields were 8.24%, up 32 basis points from the last quarter. Non-performing assets to bank assets decreased $16.7 million, or 39% from the prior quarter to 9% or 9 basis points of assets. Net charge-offs to total loans ended the year at only 6 basis points. Provision expense for the quarter was $3 million, which was stable compared to the prior quarter provision expense of $3.5 million. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans outstanding at year-end was 1.19%, flat to the prior quarter and relatively unchanged compared to the 1.2% in the prior fourth quarter, prior year fourth quarter.
While the industry saw a significant outflow of deposits during the year, the company's core deposits and retail repurchase agreements only decreased $108 million, or 50 basis points from the prior year-end. The company ended the year with $1.3 billion in cash, which was an increase of $952 million over the prior year-end. Stockholders' equity of $3 billion increased $146 million for the quarter, or 5%, and increased $177 million or 6% over the prior year-end. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 a share, and the company has declared 155 consecutive quarterly dividends and has increased the dividend 49 times.
We received all regulatory approvals for the acquisition of Wheatland Bank, a leading Eastern Washington community bank headquartered in Spokane, with total assets of $728 million as of the end of the year. This will be our 25th acquisition since 2000, and we will close the transaction on January 31st. We welcome the Wheatland team to Glacier Bancorp. Despite the significant volatility in the banking industry in 2023, with two of the largest bank failures in history, depositors' fear of bank safety and historic interest rate increases, the Glacier team did an excellent job taking care of customers and communities across the West and ended 2023 well positioned for a strong 2024. That ends my formal remarks, and I would now like Norma to open the line for any questions that our analysts may have.
Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, you'll need to press star one, one on your telephone. To withdraw your question, please press star one, one again. Please wait for your name to be announced. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. One moment for our first question, please. Our first question comes from the line of Matthew Clark with Piper Sandler. Your line is now open.
Hey, good morning, guys, everyone.
Good morning, Matthew.
Starting on expenses, the run rate, well below the prior guidance of $132-$134. Can you speak to not only the run rate that you expect going forward, excluding Wheatland, but also, maybe provide some color behind the staffing efficiencies that you gained, just maybe, you know, speak to what exactly was done there?
Yeah, Matthew, Ron here. So, yeah, what you recognized, we're proud to be recognized for that, but in terms of the staffing especially. But so, the guidance was $132 million-$134 million and if you remove the FDIC $6 million and some M&A have $500,000, you get down to the roughly $126,000.
B ut our compensation was down by about $6 million, and I want to normalize for that because that included the performance-related performance-based pay. That totals about $6 million. So when you bring it all back, $132 million is basically what we came in at. And then when you look forward for the guidance for Q1, excluding Wheatland, we would be at $138 million-$140 million. And then when you add in $6 million for Wheatland, the guide for the full first quarter, $144 million-$146 million, that should be the high for each of the quarters in 2024. As is typical, the first quarter runs high.
You get the full impact of the merit pay increases, the FICA tax, the employer portion, you know, kicks in. So that's how that reconciles there. So the FTE count has continued to migrate down, particularly in the second and third quarters. The divisions, the teams, the corporate departments all did an outstanding job. Continuing into the fourth quarter, we had another 20 FTE reduction. So overall, for the full year, it was a 96 FTE reduction, and a lot of that is attributable to the technologies that we've talked about, I think, on each of the calls. As we continue to implement those, think of the account opening process, cut that in half, even doing better now. Instead of doing end-of-day closing, we've gone to real-time adjustments.
That's greatly sped up that process. The construction program, we added Built, been very, very good. Treasury management's making great strides. It's all very positive. We do continue to believe that, you know, we'll have some additional reductions in staffing, probably not to that same degree. Remember, we're bringing on Wheatland, and they've got 14 branches. So, we'll, we feel pretty good about what we're able to achieve, certainly for the year, but in particularly the fourth quarter.
Okay, that's great. Thank you. And shifting gears to the margin, I have a three-part question there. If you had the spot rate on deposits at the end of the year, the average NIM in the month of December, and then what's your deposit beta assumption on the way down with rate cuts at this stage?
Hi, Matthew, this is Byron. I can, I can address that. So spot rate for total deposits in December, this is a December 31 total deposit spot rate, 1.30%. You asked for the margin, the December margin, that was 2.59%. And beta on the way down. I think what we'll likely see as the Fed begins to cut rates, I think what we'll likely see is an adjustment period, maybe a lag in customer expectations as well as in the competitive deposit environment. I think for the first few cuts, we're expecting a lower beta on the way down, maybe less than 10%. I think we will see some opportunities, some near-term opportunities to reduce rate.
Our first rate reduction opportunity will be really with the higher cost CDs that we've ramped up in recent quarters. I'm thinking of our CD specials that we have in place. We've kept our CD specials intentionally short. Almost 60% of our CDs mature in the first quarter, and so that will afford us an opportunity to reprice those CDs as they mature and as market rates are falling. And so, that's our expectation. I think it'll take a little bit of time for the down rate beta to gain some traction. And for the first few cuts, we're thinking less than 10% on the way down.
Okay, great. And then on the loan portfolio, you know, particularly within residential construction and land lots and other construction, that's come down the last couple of quarters. I assume those are just projects being completed, but maybe speak to the trend there. Is it maybe being a little more cautious on that front, or is it just tough to get things, you know, find workers and get things done?
Yeah, Matthew, this is Tom. Yeah, the reduction in the construction segments, that's—you're absolutely right. That's a function of projects getting completed and moving into the perm functions, which is why you saw one- to four-family, multifamily, some other CRE segments lift in the quarter. In terms of volume in the construction segments, we're definitely seeing a reduction there, really across the board, residential and commercial construction. And I think it's really twofold. We are being more selective and cautious than we normally are, even more so than our existing conservative underwriting standards. But we've also seen customers waiting on the sidelines to get a little bit more clarity on what's going to happen. So there definitely is some pent-up demand out there.
You know, with the current interest rate environment, especially on the commercial side, it takes, you know, certainly more cash equity to make a deal pencil to our underwriting standards. So I think all those things combined have the construction production muted a bit.
Okay. And then last one for me. A bit of a two-part question around M&A. Great to see you guys getting the regulatory approvals here. Does this elongated approval process change your appetite in wanting to do deals? And if not, can you speak to kind of the incremental change in conversations you've had over the last quarter?
Sure. Well, we're 30 days longer than what we expected. So I think that we are very, very happy to get all the approvals and get it closed. No, I don't think this will change our appetite one bit. I think it will change our expectations that we set at the beginning of these and allow more time for the regulatory approval. In terms of activity, yes, the market has picked up. We are getting more inbound calls and a lot of very interesting opportunities. So, I think coming out of 2023, there is just, you know, a little more of an increase in inquiries interest, as well as different types of opportunities, be it whole banks or branches or just quite a bit of more activity picking up.
We'll see if it continues, Matthew, but at the start here, a market increase.
Okay. Thank you.
Thank you. One moment for our next question, please. Our next question comes from the line of David Feaster with Raymond James. Your line is now open.
Hey, good morning, everybody.
Morning, David.
Maybe just starting on the deposit front. I'm curious some of the dynamics that you're seeing there. And if you could help us think about, like, how much of the deposit flows that you saw in the quarter, would you attribute to maybe client activation or perhaps some seasonality? Hoping you could quantify that. And then just kind of how you think about deposit growth going forward and really, I guess, the overall balance sheet size. Obviously, probably targeting core deposit growth, but would you expect the balance sheet to remain relatively stable and just remix the book?
Sure. David, this is Byron. I'll, I'll start with deposits. You know, our, our deposit flows in Q4 were primarily driven by our, our non-interest bearing decline. We also had some decline in our brokered CDs. We just let those mature and run off. In terms of our outlook for total deposits for, for 2024, we do think we'll be reverting back to some typical seasonal patterns. I think we'll be down in the first quarter. But on the year, I think we'll be likely flat versus where we ended in 2023. That's, that's in terms of total deposits. Digging into the non-interest bearing a little bit, the majority of our non-interest bearing decline came from typical seasonal outflows.
Another driver that we looked at, though, the bulk of the outflow of non-interest bearing came from business accounts. So we looked at what type of businesses saw balance decline. The top three categories were all related to the housing market. So title company balances were down, you know, construction, construction accounts, contractor accounts, those kinds of things. And so no surprise there, given recent headlines that housing activity is at a very, very slow pace, a low point. I think I've seen, you know, a 30-year low in some headlines. I would say, on the other hand, when we're talking about non-interest bearing balances, the rate-motivated migration is slowing. That trend has been slowing in recent quarters, and in Q4, it was half of what it was in Q3.
So there is still some rate-seeking migration there, but it's much lower than it has been in previous quarters. And I think that trend will continue to slow. In terms of the outlook for non-interest bearing, I think we could continue to see some outflow of non-interest non-interest-bearing balances, some remix there. I would say this is where Wheatland will give us a real boost. They're very strong on the non-interest-bearing balances. Their total deposit base is over 45% non-interest bearing, which is very strong. There's now some seasonality to that. You know, it is influenced by the ag cycle and what's going on there.
But very encouraged by the strong deposit base that Wheatland is bringing to the balance sheet.
Okay. That's helpful. And then maybe just touching on the securities book. Could you first remind us the cash flows that you're expecting off that book near term? And I know you sold some securities at gains this quarter. Curious your thoughts on maybe being more active on managing that book and at what point you maybe be interested in a restructuring. And then just to your point on, you know, Wheatland, whether there's any, you know, rates have come down since that deal was announced. Just curious if there's any additional opportunity from optimization for balance sheet optimization, you know, inclusive of that deal.
Yeah. I could comment on the investment portfolio. The gain there, David, was the sale of the Visa B shares. And so, we've been holding on to those for quite a while, 1.7 million. We thought this was a good time based on a lot of factors, to exit those shares. So that was the gain that you saw this quarter.
Got it. Got it.
Sure. David, back to cash flow on the securities portfolio. We are expecting about $250 million a quarter in securities cash flow. That's through the end of this year. In terms of restructuring, I don't think, you know, as Randy mentioned, we didn't sell anything in the fourth quarter. I don't think we'll be looking to sell anything out of our portfolio. When Wheatland comes to us, we are looking to sell those securities. And so, the securities currently in their portfolio will be liquidated in February and will just become part of our overall pot of liquidity.
Okay, perfect. And then maybe just touching on the loan growth side. Obviously, loan growth slowed, and I know you're very conservative. You've been, you've been. You've done a great job pushing, pushing pricing. I'm curious, how much of that slowdown would you attribute to being strategic on your end and just less appetite for growth versus maybe weaker market demand or just a less certain backdrop, you know, for the borrowers? And just any thoughts on how you think about loan growth going forward?
Please stand by. They just dropped. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain on your line. The call will resume momentarily. Again, ladies and gentlemen, please stand by. Your call will resume momentarily. David, you might want to ask your question again.
Yeah, sure. My question was just kind of on the loan growth side. You know, loan growth slowed in the quarter. I know you guys have a pretty conservative posture. You guys have done a great job pushing, you know, improving loan yields. I'm curious, how much of the slowdown in loan growth was strategic on your end? And, you know, y'all just having less appetite for growth versus weaker market demand and maybe a less certain economic backdrop as your clients are looking out, and just how you think about loan growth more broadly going forward.
Sure. Yeah, David, this is Tom. You know, I really think it's twofold. We have been more selective, you know, especially around, you know, higher risk areas, especially in uncertain economic times, speculative repayment, you know, cash out refi based on market appreciation. Those are things that we're even more conservative on now than we have been. I think that's a portion of it. I think the other side of it is, we do still have a lot of borrowers, a lot of developers waiting on the sidelines until, you know, they're comfortable with kind of the market outlook. And, you know as Byron mentioned, the slowdown on the residential side, you know, we've seen our, you know, builder finance and subdivision finance is not a big business line for us.
But, you know, we do make some very well-heeled multi-recession tested developers, and they have proactively scaled down as well, just kind of seeing what was coming on the forefront. So I really think it's twofold. Us being more selective, borrowers being more cautious. In terms of the production yield that we saw, you know, we have done - our bank division has done a phenomenal job getting strong pricing on our deals. That hasn't really slowed growth that much. You know, I'm constantly talking to our bank division, so I'm not hearing that we're losing deals over pricing. It's generally just overall pipelines are muted from where they were back in the heyday, although they have been somewhat stable the last couple of quarters.
You know, the tailwinds we saw at the first half of 2023, with a lot of construction draws, as those deals have moved through to completion and into the perm category, we're just not replacing the construction volume at the same pace that we were, as expected. Then to answer your last question on our go-forward outlook for 2024, you know, we're thinking low to mid single digits for the year.
Perfect. Thanks, everybody.
All right, thank you.
Thank you. One moment for our next question, please. Our next question comes from the line of Kelly Motta with KBW. Your line is now open.
Hey, good morning. Thanks for the questions.
Morning, Kelly.
I wanted to ask about $2.7 billion of BTFP that you guys have. Just wondering what your plans are there with replacing that amount and how we should be thinking about that in context of the balance sheet overall?
Sure, Kelly, this is Byron. As you know, we have $2.74 billion of BTFP balances. Those mature in March. The rate curve in Q4 allowed us to lock in some forward-starting FHLB advances. We locked in $1.8 billion of forward-starting advances at a very similar rate as we have our BTFP borrowing rate. That's on a dividend-adjusted basis. Those forward-starting advances will begin in March to coincide with the maturity of the BTFP borrowings, and we laddered those maturities from 12-24 months. And so we spread the refinancing of that over five quarters. So we locked in the $1.8 billion. That leaves us with $940 million left to refinance in March. And we've got some flexibility and options there.
We've got a little bit of extra cash right now. We could use some of that to pay down that $940 million. We'll look at what the overnight, you know, borrowing environment is then. We'll look at what the curve looks like in terms of term FHLB advances. And so we'll keep our options open. We'll evaluate that last $940 million as we get closer to maturity.
Got it. That's super helpful. Thank you. You alluded to the higher levels of liquidity you have. Can you remind us where you're comfortable running those cash balances? Or what's a more normalized level?
Sure. We could bring our cash down to somewhere in the $500 million-$750 million range. So somewhere in that zone is probably a more comfortable level.
Okay, super helpful. And then just on the margin overall, it's really encouraging, the stats you threw out about spot rates and whatnot. It seems like we've somewhat reached the bottom, but I was just wondering what you guys are expecting in terms of the glide path of NII this year, and margins really, especially considering potential rate cuts, maybe given the forward curve.
Sure. Yeah, you know, Q4 margin was down only two basis points. That was a significant improvement over the pace of decline that we have seen in prior quarters, so very encouraged by that. We are seeing signs of stabilization. The biggest driver of that is the slowing of our deposit cost increase. So in terms of our outlook, I think we do see Q1 continued stabilization. I think from there, we'll see an inflection point, likely somewhere in the second quarter, and then we see growing NIM from there. We are also encouraged by, you know, again, Wheatland and the lift that they will help provide on the margin side. That will be helpful.
To put a range in terms of our expectations for the full year, I think we'll come in on the full year 2024, somewhere in the range of 280-290. And so that's, you know, that's given our current rate outlook, that includes three cuts in 2024, you know, spread evenly throughout quarters two, three, and four later this year.
Got it. That's super helpful. And if we were to get more rate cuts and more in line with the forward curve, just directionally, what would you anticipate that would—how would you anticipate that would impact that expectation?
I think it would be helpful. So I think our margin could improve even above the range that I mentioned previously, so.
Okay, awesome. That's really helpful. Last question I wanted to ask was on expenses. I think you had said increases of Wheatland $144 million-$146 million in Q1. That was a little higher than where I was. Can you remind us, and that's a partial impact of Wheatland. Can you just remind us the dollar amount of cost saves you anticipate expecting for Wheatland and overall core expenses? It seems like from the release in your commentary, you're looking to control. I'm just wondering, you know, if what you're anticipating in terms of kind of core expense outlook there.
Yeah. Kelly, Ron, let me go back. I just want to make sure, the $144 million-$146 million guide, that included Wheatland. So just to go back to the core, ignoring Wheatland, we're going to go from $132 million in the fourth quarter, we'll go up to $138 million-$140 million, just on the divisions we already had. And then you add another $6 million, so the guide becomes $144 million-$146 million. And on the expense saves, we are in the model that we built, we assumed a 20% reduction of their non-interest expense, and that would be layered in 50% in 2024 and then 100% in 2025, and we feel that's very, very achievable. I don't have the exact dollar amount.
I just remember it's 20% phased in, 50% 2024, 100% 2025.
Got it. And if they're adding, that's, that's $6 billion that they're adding for the quarter. Is that inclusive of any, any one-time, non-operating, kind of just merger charges in, in that?
Yeah.
That's, that's two months.
It's in there, but it's not a really big number, so we just are giving the guide $144 million-$146 million.
Okay. And that's a two-month contribution from them?
Yes, two months. Thank you.
Got it. Awesome. Thank you so much. I really appreciate all the color today. I'll step back.
Thank you. One moment for our next question, please. Our next question comes from the line of Jeff Rulis with D.A. Davidson. Your line is now open.
Thanks. Good morning.
Good morning, Jeff.
Hi, Randy. Not to chase down the margin too much, and I think you framed it up really well, Byron, particularly that last piece. So wanted to get sensitivity. You do screen fairly liability sensitive, so I just want to make sure if, you know, in that three-cut scenario and kind of upward trending, and you talked about kind of the beta on the way down on deposits. Would that extend into 2025, then some of that favorable kind of tailwind in a three-cut environment? And then conversely, kind of margin expectations, should there be no cuts this year? Is there kind of a core lift or is that just trying to chase that down? Thanks.
Sure. Yeah, I'll start with expectations if, you know, if we don't see cuts. I think we could still see margin growth. It'll the pace of that growth will be a lot slower, and the key to that is stabilization of our deposit costs. We're already seeing good signs there, and so we're kind of flattening out the curve of that deposit cost increase. And so I think that will happen even without cuts. It may push out that inflection point. I mentioned second quarter. It may push that inflection point out further in the year, but I still think we could see some growth, although more limited, even if the Fed doesn't cut rates this year.
Yep. Okay. I guess, the not so clear question there was, into 2025, you talked about that, three-cut lift to, you know, kind of 2.80-2.90 range. As we progress into 2025, can we see further lift? Is there sort of a tail of that beta down scenario, where you foresee an environment where margin can continue to propel higher in 2025? A long time from now, but just thoughts on that.
Sure. I do think we'll see, you know, some tailwinds into 2025. The way our balance sheet is structured, you know, we get most of the benefit kind of in year 2 of a rate move. So, you know, with 3 rate cuts in 2024, you know, we'll gain momentum into 2025. If there are further cuts beyond that, it'll be even better. So yeah, I do think the outlook for 2025 is really positive.
Okay. That's. I appreciate it. Thank you. And Randy, appreciate the M&A kind of appetite and conversation. The dividend rate has been flat for a little while now, and I know that's a board discussion, but do we read anything into that in terms of holding capital for maybe a more active M&A, or is that a separate channel that looking at the dividend, you could, you can kind of do both? Just more specifically asking about the dividend. Thanks.
Sure. We're comfortable where the dividend is. I don't see it changing. I think this is still an environment where capital is king, and so, you know, we're, we'll stay the course with the dividends in the foreseeable future. Again, that's up to the board, but that's my expectation.
Okay. Maybe some of those hikes were kind of post-pandemic. Yeah, there were some moves there, I suppose. Anyway, I think you answered it. I appreciate it. The last one for me is just to check in on that tax rate, kind of where you see in 2024, where we settle in.
Yeah. Ron here. Settle in, it will range from 18%-18.5%. Somewhere in that ballpark is the, we achieved the net interest income, the NIM, all of that, occurring, as well.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you. One moment for our next question, please. Our next question comes from the line of Brandon King with Truist. Your line is now open.
Hey, good morning.
Morning, Brandon.
Could you quantify the amount of loans, fixed rate and adjustable-rate loans you expect to reprice in 2024, and what the run off yields are?
The answer is, we're going to have to check on that for you, Brandon.
Okay.
So let us get back to you with the exact numbers. We do. That was one thing I was going to add to the margin discussion. We do continue to get some lift with portfolio repricing. It's a lag repricing, and so there is some lift there, and it is accelerating into 2025, but we'll get to the actual numbers.
Okay. And then on the CDs, if I remember correctly, with what I heard, 60% mature in the first quarter, and I wanted to know what rates those CDs are coming off at and what you're looking to reprice those CDs at?
Sure. Those CDs are priced at a little under 4.5%. And it will depend on the rate environment, you know, when those CDs come up for maturity. But we're already starting to test, you know, kind of peeling back those renewal rates a little bit, and we're having good success there. So I would expect the renewal of those CDs to come in just a little bit below where they are.
Okay, that's helpful. And then lastly, with the CFPB proposal on overdraft fees, are you considering any proactive changes to your overdraft policy?
No, we're watching that carefully and, you know, looking at it. At this point in time, we don't anticipate any changes. I think, it's still early, so, there's a lot of discussion to be had about that. If you read the full report, pretty extensive. You know, the industry's got a very strong point of view. So at this point, we're watching the discussion and too early to really anticipate any changes.
Okay. That's all I had. Thanks for taking my questions.
Thank you.
Welcome.
As a reminder, to ask a question, you'll need to press star one one on your telephone. Our next question comes from the line of Andrew Terrell with Stephens. Your line is now open.
Hey, good morning.
Morning, Andrew.
Maybe just to start, Byron, I appreciate all the commentary you gave earlier on the deposit side. It was helpful. I just wanna clarify, when you discuss kind of year-on-year 2024 versus 2023 deposit balances kind of flat on the year, is that inclusive or exclusive of Wheatland?
That, that is exclusive of Wheatland. So that would be the organic trajectory of our deposit base.
Yeah. Okay. I thought so. Just wanted to make sure there. And then, if I could clarify, Ron, on the—just to go back to the core expense guide. So, before the Wheatland deal, you're talking to kind of a $138-$140 core expense in Q1. So call it even a pretty significant build from the Q4, even if you normalize for the $6 million, that sounds like a true up benefit this quarter. I guess I'm struggling to figure out how you get from what I'm—what I call, like, a $132 core in Q4 up to $138-$140 on a core basis in the first quarter.
Just given some of the expense commentary, sounds pretty positive, and you had some FTE reduction in the fourth quarter. It sounds like a lot of expense management focus. I guess I'm just struggling to figure out how we get from $132 to $138 to $140.
Yes. Certainly a good chunk of that is the merit increase, you know, talent costs. And so layer it in a 5% increase. So we're still seeing higher inflation out there. And so just being conservative but still very comfortable, the $138-$140. And, you know, the team, the colleagues, everybody's looking at it, but we continue to have, you know, negotiate and see 5%, absolutely could happen, no doubt about it.
Yeah. Okay. Got it. And then if I could just clarify one point on the margin guidance that you guys provided, the 2.80%-2.90% range for the full year, inclusive of, it sounds like three cuts in the last three quarters of the year. I guess if the margin commentary for the NIM into Q1 is a pretty stable level versus the fourth quarter, and then maybe some inflection in Q2, but then building in the back half of the year as you get the benefit of those cuts, it kind of implies you got to move to, like, a 3%+ NIM exiting the year.
Is that, is that kind of a fair assessment, or, would you, would you walk that back a little bit?
That's a fair assessment.
Okay. Well, thanks for taking the questions this morning. I appreciate it.
You're welcome.
Thank you. I'm currently showing no further questions at this time. I'd like to hand the conference back to Mr. Randy Chesler for closing remarks.
All right. Well, thank you, Norma. Thank you, everyone, for joining us this morning, and that concludes our call. So we appreciate everyone taking time out of your busy day to listen in. Have a great Friday and a great weekend.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your participation in today's conference. You may now disconnect. Everyone, have a wonderful day.