ABTX Allegiance Bancshares Inc

Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABTX) (Allegiance), the holding company of Allegiance Bank (the "Bank"), today reported record net income of $21.6 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.06 for the fourth quarter 2021 compared to net income of $15.9 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.77 for the fourth quarter 2020. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $81.6 million, or $4.01 per diluted share, compared to $45.5 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020. The fourth quarter results were primarily driven by the recapture of provision for credit losses and increased net interest income due to lower funding costs compared to the fourth quarter 2020. The year ended December 31, 2021 results were primarily driven by the recapture of provision for credit losses, increased net interest income due to the impact of PPP fee income and lower funding costs partially offset by elevated expenses as a result of increased performance-based accruals compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.

“2021 was a remarkable year for Allegiance,” said Steve Retzloff, Allegiance’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are very proud of our entire team whose dedication led to record earnings results. Our outstanding success in the Paycheck Protection Program over its extended timeframe was not only a significant revenue contributor but these loans also provided much appreciated assistance in our community and further bolstered valuable customer relationships. Our continued success is directly attributable to the many ways our outstanding employees deliver a differentiated level of extraordinary service,” commented Retzloff.

“Consistent with the last several quarters, we reported meaningful deposit growth along with steady improvement in our credit quality. We are once again encouraged by positive core loan growth generated during the year and more recently the strong growth of 7.5% (annualized) during the fourth quarter as we set new highs for new core loan originations in 2021. Additionally, fourth quarter 2021 average noninterest bearing deposit balances increased 22.4% from last year’s fourth quarter average balances, indicating that our deposit franchise continues to grow and gain momentum in our very attractive markets,” continued Retzloff.

“This is an exciting time at Allegiance. Given our strong operating results, the resilience we have demonstrated over the past two years and the recent announcement of the transformational merger with CBTX, Inc., we look forward to the expanded opportunities for growth and performance that lie ahead. Our integration teams are ready to create a premier Texas franchise with the commitment to continue to deliver unmatched personal service to our customers and our growing communities. It is a clear sense of purpose that has energized our growth to date and will continue to inspire our performance as we strive to exceed the expectations of our customers, employees, and shareholders,” concluded Retzloff.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Results

Net interest income before the provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter 2021 increased $3.2 million, or 5.8%, to $58.1 million from $54.9 million for the fourth quarter 2020 and decreased $62 thousand, or 0.1%, from $58.2 million for the third quarter 2021.The increase and decrease were primarily due to changes in the volume and relative mix of the underlying assets and liabilities, the impact of loans within the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) as well as lower costs on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased 57 basis points to 3.57% for the fourth quarter 2021 from 4.14% for the fourth quarter 2020 and decreased 33 basis points from 3.90% for the third quarter 2021. The decreases in the margin were primarily due to the decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets, driven by the increase in cash and securities, partially offset by the decrease in funding costs.

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter 2021 was $2.5 million, an increase of $435 thousand, or 21.5%, compared to $2.0 million for the fourth quarter 2020 and increased $355 thousand, or 16.9%, compared to $2.1 million for the third quarter 2021. Fourth quarter 2021 noninterest income reflected higher transactional fee income when compared to the fourth quarter 2020 and the third quarter 2021. Additionally, the fourth quarter 2021 included a recovery on an acquired loan with an associated credit mark.

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter 2021 increased $4.0 million, or 12.2%, to $36.7 million from $32.7 million for the fourth quarter 2020 and increased $2.4 million, or 7.1%, compared to the third quarter of 2021. The increase over the prior year and prior quarter was primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits, as a result of increased performance-based bonus and profit sharing accruals, along with increased professional fees, other expenses and acquisition and merger-related expenses associated with the pending merger with CBTX, Inc.

In the fourth quarter 2021, Allegiance’s efficiency ratio increased to 60.68% compared to 57.53% for the fourth quarter 2020 and increased from 56.91% for the third quarter 2021. Fourth quarter 2021 annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.23%, 10.60% and 15.05%, respectively, compared to 1.05%, 8.38% and 12.32% for the fourth quarter 2020. Annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity for the third quarter 2021 were 1.14%, 9.45% and 13.49%, respectively. Return on average tangible equity is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation on page 12.  

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Results

Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $25.9 million, or 12.8%, to $228.6 million from $202.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to lower costs related to interest-bearing liabilities, the impact of PPP loan revenue, and a $922.4 million, or 18.4%, increase in average interest-earning assets over the prior year. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased 18 basis points to 3.90% for the year ended December 31, 2021 from 4.08% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in the margin over the prior year was primarily due to the decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets, driven by the increase in lower-yielding assets, partially offset by decreased funding costs.

Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $8.6 million, an increase of $406 thousand, or 5.0%, compared to $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 due primarily to increased transactional fee income.

Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $12.1 million, or 9.5%, to $139.6 million from $127.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in noninterest expense over the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to increased performance-based bonus and profit sharing accruals along with the reduced amount of deferred PPP loan origination costs, increased other expenses, acquisition and merger-related expenses associated with the pending merger with CBTX, Inc. and the write-down of assets related to the closure of a bank office partially offset by lower other real estate expenses as $4.1 million of other real estate write-downs were recorded during the prior year 2020.

Allegiance’s efficiency ratio decreased to 58.86% for the year ended December 31, 2021 from 60.55% for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.24%, 10.38% and 14.93%, respectively, compared to 0.81%, 6.22% and 9.33%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020. Return on average tangible equity is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation on page 12.

Financial Condition

Total assets at December 31, 2021 increased $1.05 billion, or 17.4%, to $7.10 billion compared to $6.05 billion at December 31, 2020 and increased $345.2 million, or 20.4% (annualized), compared to $6.76 billion at September 30, 2021, primarily due to increased liquidity, growth in the securities portfolio and the origination of core loans partially offset by paydowns of PPP loans.

Total loans at December 31, 2021 decreased $271.3 million, or 6.0%, to $4.22 billion compared to $4.49 billion at December 31, 2020 and decreased $69.0 million, or 6.4% (annualized), compared to $4.29 billion at September 30, 2021, primarily due to paydowns on PPP loans. Core loans, which exclude PPP loans, increased $152.7 million, or 3.9%, to $4.07 billion at December 31, 2021 from $3.92 billion at December 31, 2020 and increased $75.1 million, or 7.5% (annualized), from $4.00 billion at September 30, 2021.

Deposits at December 31, 2021 increased $1.06 billion, or 21.2%, to $6.05 billion compared to $4.99 billion at December 31, 2020 and increased $380.8 million, or 26.9% (annualized), compared to $5.67 billion at September 30, 2021.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $24.1 million, or 0.34%, of total assets, at December 31, 2021 compared to $38.1 million, or 0.63%, of total assets, at December 31, 2020 and $29.8 million, or 0.44%, of total assets at September 30, 2021. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.14% at December 31, 2021 and 1.18% at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021.

The recapture of provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter 2021 was $2.6 million compared to the provision for credit losses of $4.4 million for the fourth quarter 2020 and $2.3 million for the third quarter 2021. The recapture of the provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $2.3 million compared to the provision for credit losses of $27.4 million for the same period in 2020. The recapture of provision for credit losses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021 is reflective of recent improvements in certain economic factors compared to the same periods in 2020 where there was more uncertainty surrounding unemployment and COVID-19.

Fourth quarter 2021 net charge-offs were $1.4 million, or 0.13% (annualized) of average loans, a decrease from net charge-offs of $4.3 million, or 0.37% (annualized) of average loans, for the fourth quarter 2020 and an increase of $903 thousand from $450 thousand, or 0.04% (annualized) of average loans, for the third quarter 2021. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $2.3 million, or 0.05% of average loans, compared to net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2020 of $8.0 million, or 0.18% of average loans.

Dividend

The Board of Directors of Allegiance declared a cash dividend on January 27, 2022 of $0.14 per share to be paid on March 15, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of February 28, 2022. The amount and timing of any future dividend payments to shareholders will be subject to the discretion of Allegiance’s Board of Directors.

Pending Merger

On November 8, 2021, Allegiance and CBTX, Inc., jointly announced that they entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals to create a combined company with an equity market capitalization of approximately $1.5 billion and the 17th largest deposit market share in the State of Texas. Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement, Allegiance shareholders will receive 1.4184 shares of CBTX, Inc. common stock for each share of Allegiance common stock they own. Based on the number of outstanding shares of Allegiance and CBTX, Inc. as of November 5, 2021, Allegiance shareholders will own approximately 54% and CBTX, Inc. shareholders will own approximately 46% of the combined company. The companies have submitted the required regulatory filings and, subject to satisfaction or in some cases waiver of the closing conditions, including approval of the merger agreement by both companies’ shareholders, the parties anticipate closing in the second quarter of the year.

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Allegiance’s management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its performance. Please refer to the GAAP Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 12 of this earnings release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Allegiance’s management team will host a conference call on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss its fourth quarter and year-end 2021 results. Individuals and investment professionals may participate in the call by dialing (877) 279-2520. The conference ID number is 1535099. Alternatively, a simultaneous audio-only webcast may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Allegiance’s website at www.allegiancebank.com, under Upcoming Events. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of Allegiance’s website at www.allegiancebank.com, under News and Events, Event Calendar, Past Events.

Allegiance Bancshares, Inc.

As of December 31, 2021, Allegiance was a $7.10 billion asset Houston, Texas-based bank holding company. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Allegiance Bank, Allegiance provides a diversified range of commercial banking services primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses and individual customers in the Houston region. Allegiance’s super-community banking strategy was designed to foster strong customer relationships while benefiting from a platform and scale that is competitive with larger local and regional banks. As of December 31, 2021, Allegiance Bank operated 27 full-service banking locations in the Houston region, which we define as the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land and Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan statistical areas, with 26 bank offices in the Houston metropolitan area and one bank office in Beaumont, just outside of the Houston metropolitan area. Visit www.allegiancebank.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed merger of Allegiance and CBTX, including future financial and operating results (including the anticipated impact of the transaction on Allegiance's and CBTX's respective earnings and book value), statements related to the expected timing of the completion of the merger, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "scheduled," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "expects," "believes," "estimates," "potential," or "continue" or negatives of such terms or other comparable terminology.

All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Allegiance or CBTX to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: (1) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized; (2) disruption to the parties' businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the merger; (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (4) the risk that the integration of each party's operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the parties are otherwise unable to successfully integrate each party's businesses into the other's businesses; (5) the failure to obtain the necessary approvals by the shareholders of Allegiance or CBTX; (6) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger; (7) the ability by each of Allegiance and CBTX to obtain required governmental approvals of the merger (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction); (8) reputational risk and the reaction of each company's customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the merger; (9) the failure of the closing conditions in the merger agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the merger; (10) the possibility that the merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (11) the dilution caused by CBTX's issuance of additional shares of its common stock in the merger; (12) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions; (13) the costs, effects and results of regulatory examinations, investigations, including the ongoing investigation by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of Treasury, or FinCEN, of CBTX or the ability of CBTX to obtain required regulatory approvals; (14) the possible results and amount of civil money penalties related to such FinCEN investigation and CBTX's BSA/AML program; and (15) other factors that may affect future results of CBTX and Allegiance including changes in asset quality and credit risk; the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; changes in interest rates and capital markets; inflation; customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices; the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; capital management activities; and other actions of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms. Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and its future effects on Allegiance are difficult to predict.

Additional factors which could affect future results of Allegiance and CBTX can be found in Allegiance's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the Current Reports on Form 8-K, and CBTX's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, in each case filed with the SEC and available on the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov. Allegiance and CBTX disclaim any obligation and do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this communication, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

Information about the Merger and Where to Find It

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval.

In connection with the proposed merger, CBTX has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of CBTX common stock that will be issued to Allegiance shareholders in connection with the merger. The registration statement includes a joint proxy statement/prospectus. The Form S-4 has not yet become effective. After the Form S-4 is effective, a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the shareholders of CBTX and Allegiance seeking their approval of the proposed merger.

WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ALLEGIANCE, CBTX AND THE PROPOSED MERGER.

Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents, once they are filed, and other documents filed with the SEC by Allegiance or CBTX through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov. Documents filed with the SEC by CBTX will be available free of charge by accessing the CBTX's website at www.communitybankoftx.com under the heading “Investor Relations” or, alternatively, by directing a request by mail or telephone to CBTX, Inc., 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 110, Houston, Texas 77046, Attn: Investor Relations, (713) 210-7600, and documents filed with the SEC by Allegiance will be available free of charge by accessing Allegiance’s website at www.allegiancebank.com under the heading "Investor Relations" or, alternatively, by directing a request by mail or telephone to Allegiance Bancshares, Inc., 8847 West Sam Houston Parkway, N., Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77040, (281) 894-3200.

Participants in the Solicitation

CBTX, Allegiance and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of CBTX and Allegiance in connection with the proposed merger. Certain information regarding the interests of these participants and a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, are included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger. Additional information about the directors and executive officers of CBTX and their ownership of CBTX's common stock is set forth in CBTX's proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 14, 2021. Additional information about the directors and executive officers of Allegiance and their ownership of Allegiance's common stock is set forth in Allegiance's proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2021. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources described above.

	2021																2020
	December 31				September 30				June 30				March 31				December 31
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	23,961			$	23,903			$	146,397			$	141,947			$	122,897
Interest-bearing deposits at other financial institutions		733,548				879,858				564,888				482,383				299,869
Total cash and cash equivalents		757,509				903,761				711,285				624,330				422,766
Available for sale securities, at fair value		1,773,765				1,211,476				977,282				787,516				772,890
Loans held for investment		4,220,486				4,289,469				4,460,743				4,659,169				4,491,764
Less: allowance for credit losses on loans		(47,940	)			(50,491	)			(49,586	)			(52,758	)			(53,173	)
Loans, net		4,172,546				4,238,978				4,411,157				4,606,411				4,438,591
Accrued interest receivable		33,392				33,523				37,075				38,632				40,053
Premises and equipment, net		63,708				65,140				65,442				66,115				70,685
Other real estate owned		—				1,397				1,397				576				9,196
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		9,358				8,326				8,234				7,775				7,756
Bank owned life insurance		28,240				28,101				27,976				27,825				27,686
Goodwill		223,642				223,642				223,642				223,642				223,642
Core deposit intangibles, net		14,658				15,482				16,306				17,130				17,954
Other assets		28,136				29,935				28,871				31,038				18,909
Total assets	$	7,104,954			$	6,759,761			$	6,508,667			$	6,430,990			$	6,050,128
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	2,243,085			$	2,086,683			$	1,973,042			$	1,914,121			$	1,704,567
Interest-bearing
Demand		869,984				594,959				553,874				480,710				437,328
Money market and savings		1,643,745				1,604,222				1,556,920				1,617,823				1,499,938
Certificates and other time		1,290,825				1,381,014				1,349,522				1,361,535				1,346,649
Total interest-bearing deposits		3,804,554				3,580,195				3,460,316				3,460,068				3,283,915
Total deposits		6,047,639				5,666,878				5,433,358				5,374,189				4,988,482
Accrued interest payable		1,753				3,296				1,940				3,862				2,701
Borrowed funds		89,956				139,954				139,951				147,517				155,515
Subordinated debt		108,847				108,715				108,584				108,453				108,322
Other liabilities		40,291				42,326				35,684				36,432				36,439
Total liabilities		6,288,486				5,961,169				5,719,517				5,670,453				5,291,459
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock		20,337				20,218				20,213				20,183				20,208
Capital surplus		510,797				507,948				506,810				505,307				508,794
Retained earnings		267,092				247,966				231,333				210,834				195,236
Accumulated other comprehensive income		18,242				22,460				30,794				24,213				34,431
Total shareholders’ equity		816,468				798,592				789,150				760,537				758,669
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	7,104,954			$	6,759,761			$	6,508,667			$	6,430,990			$	6,050,128

	Three Months Ended																		Years Ended
	2021															2020			2021				2020
	December 31				September 30			June 30				March 31				December 31			December 31				December 31
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans, including fees	$	56,855			$	58,176		$	57,691			$	57,991			$	58,496		$	230,713			$	225,959
Securities:
Taxable		3,933				2,998			2,556				2,402				2,203			11,889				8,227
Tax-exempt		2,526				2,498			2,491				2,394				2,316			9,909				7,311
Deposits in other financial institutions		317				221			94				41				32			673				265
Total interest income		63,631				63,893			62,832				62,828				63,047			253,184				241,762
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Demand, money market and savings deposits		1,277				1,267			1,337				1,484				1,621			5,365				9,371
Certificates and other time deposits		2,391				2,583			2,989				3,665				4,507			11,628				21,675
Borrowed funds		434				436			469				539				557			1,878				2,183
Subordinated debt		1,425				1,441			1,441				1,442				1,460			5,749				5,850
Total interest expense		5,527				5,727			6,236				7,130				8,145			24,620				39,079
NET INTEREST INCOME		58,104				58,166			56,596				55,698				54,902			228,564				202,683
(Recapture of) provision for credit losses		(2,577	)			2,295			(2,679	)			639				4,368			(2,322	)			27,374
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		60,681				55,871			59,275				55,059				50,534			230,886				175,309
NONINTEREST INCOME:
Nonsufficient funds fees		156				131			94				83				100			464				404
Service charges on deposit accounts		476				425			382				388				405			1,671				1,530
Gain on sale of securities		—				—			—				49				—			49				287
Loss on sales of other real estate and repossessed assets		(89	)			—			—				(176	)			—			(265	)			(258	)
Bank owned life insurance		139				125			151				139				144			554				582
Debit card and ATM card income		834				771			761				630				637			2,996				2,205
Other		938				647			885				623				733			3,093				3,406
Total noninterest income		2,454				2,099			2,273				1,736				2,019			8,562				8,156
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits		22,918				22,335			22,472				22,452				21,003			90,177				80,152
Net occupancy and equipment		2,194				2,335			2,225				2,390				2,079			9,144				7,969
Depreciation		1,103				1,060			1,057				1,034				1,019			4,254				3,716
Data processing and software amortization		2,264				2,222			2,176				2,200				2,107			8,862				7,992
Professional fees		1,008				620			608				789				999			3,025				3,128
Regulatory assessments and FDIC insurance		949				883			768				807				810			3,407				2,926
Core deposit intangibles amortization		824				824			824				824				953			3,296				3,922
Communications		395				358			332				321				225			1,406				1,387
Advertising		481				481			432				298				347			1,692				1,565
Other real estate expense		69				137			229				113				382			548				5,162
Acquisition and merger-related expenses		1,408				603			—				—				—			2,011				—
Other		3,131				2,438			2,472				3,691				2,825			11,732				9,575
Total noninterest expense		36,744				34,296			33,595				34,919				32,749			139,554				127,494
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		26,391				23,674			27,953				21,876				19,804			99,894				55,971
Provision for income taxes		4,833				4,614			5,028				3,866				3,863			18,341				10,437
NET INCOME	$	21,558			$	19,060		$	22,925			$	18,010			$	15,941		$	81,553			$	45,534
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic	$	1.06			$	0.94		$	1.13			$	0.89			$	0.78		$	4.04			$	2.23
Diluted	$	1.06			$	0.93		$	1.12			$	0.89			$	0.77		$	4.01			$	2.22

	Three Months Ended																				Years Ended
	2021																2020				2021				2020
	December 31				September 30				June 30				March 31				December 31				December 31				December 31
	(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Net income	$	21,558			$	19,060			$	22,925			$	18,010			$	15,941			$	81,553			$	45,534
Earnings per share, basic	$	1.06			$	0.94			$	1.13			$	0.89			$	0.78			$	4.04			$	2.23
Earnings per share, diluted	$	1.06			$	0.93			$	1.12			$	0.89			$	0.77			$	4.01			$	2.22
Dividends per share	$	0.12			$	0.12			$	0.12			$	0.12			$	0.10			$	0.48			$	0.40
Return on average assets(A)		1.23	%			1.14	%			1.42	%			1.18	%			1.05	%			1.24	%			0.81	%
Return on average equity(A)		10.60	%			9.45	%			11.87	%			9.59	%			8.38	%			10.38	%			6.22	%
Return on average tangible equity(A)(B)		15.05	%			13.49	%			17.20	%			14.03	%			12.32	%			14.93	%			9.33	%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)(A)(C)		3.57	%			3.90	%			4.02	%			4.19	%			4.14	%			3.90	%			4.08	%
Efficiency ratio(D)		60.68	%			56.91	%			57.07	%			60.85	%			57.53	%			58.86	%			60.55	%
Capital Ratios
Allegiance Bancshares, Inc.(Consolidated)
Equity to assets		11.49	%			11.81	%			12.12	%			11.83	%			12.54	%			11.49	%			12.54	%
Tangible equity to tangible assets(B)		8.42	%			8.58	%			8.76	%			8.40	%			8.90	%			8.42	%			8.90	%
Estimated common equity tier 1 capital		12.47	%			12.37	%			12.18	%			11.87	%			11.80	%			12.47	%			11.80	%
Estimated tier 1 risk-based capital		12.69	%			12.60	%			12.41	%			12.10	%			12.04	%			12.69	%			12.04	%
Estimated total risk-based capital		16.08	%			16.13	%			15.98	%			15.72	%			15.71	%			16.08	%			15.71	%
Estimated tier 1 leverage capital		8.53	%			8.76	%			8.56	%			8.57	%			8.51	%			8.53	%			8.51	%
Allegiance Bank
Estimated common equity tier 1 capital		12.63	%			12.81	%			13.03	%			13.17	%			13.32	%			12.63	%			13.32	%
Estimated tier 1 risk-based capital		12.63	%			12.81	%			13.03	%			13.17	%			13.32	%			12.63	%			13.32	%
Estimated total risk-based capital		14.71	%			14.98	%			15.22	%			15.37	%			15.55	%			14.71	%			15.55	%
Estimated tier 1 leverage capital		8.49	%			8.91	%			8.99	%			9.33	%			9.41	%			8.49	%			9.41	%
Other Data
Weighted average shares:
Basic		20,260				20,221				20,203				20,140				20,396				20,206				20,415
Diluted		20,423				20,411				20,386				20,342				20,575				20,355				20,546
Period end shares outstanding		20,337				20,218				20,213				20,183				20,208				20,337				20,208
Book value per share	$	40.15			$	39.50			$	39.04			$	37.68			$	37.54			$	40.15			$	37.54
Tangible book value per share(B)	$	28.43			$	27.67			$	27.17			$	25.75			$	25.59			$	28.43			$	25.59

(A)     Interim periods annualized.(B)     Refer to the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures on page 12 of this Earnings Release.(C)     Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.(D)     Represents total noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding net gains and losses on the sale of loans, securities and assets. Additionally, taxes and provision for (recapture of) loan losses are not part of this calculation.

	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2021										September 30, 2021										December 31, 2020
	Average Balance				Interest Earned/Interest Paid			Average Yield/ Rate			Average Balance				Interest Earned/ Interest Paid			Average Yield/ Rate			Average Balance				Interest Earned/Interest Paid			Average Yield/ Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Interest-Earning Assets:
Loans	$	4,243,778			$	56,855		5.32	%		$	4,336,443			$	58,176		5.32	%		$	4,569,210			$	58,496		5.09	%
Securities		1,457,793				6,459		1.76	%			1,070,851				5,496		2.04	%			701,233				4,519		2.56	%
Deposits in other financial institutions and other		843,808				317		0.15	%			588,859				221		0.15	%			58,664				32		0.22	%
Total interest-earning assets		6,545,379			$	63,631		3.86	%			5,996,153			$	63,893		4.23	%			5,329,107			$	63,047		4.71	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans		(50,654	)									(49,381	)									(53,260	)
Noninterest-earning assets		447,005										680,682										783,200
Total assets	$	6,941,730									$	6,627,454									$	6,059,047
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	724,841			$	388		0.21	%		$	576,144			$	324		0.22	%		$	430,145			$	386		0.36	%
Money market and savings deposits		1,618,240				889		0.22	%			1,565,965				943		0.24	%			1,513,816				1,235		0.32	%
Certificates and other time deposits		1,335,020				2,391		0.71	%			1,363,121				2,583		0.75	%			1,284,181				4,507		1.40	%
Borrowed funds		138,747				434		1.24	%			139,844				436		1.24	%			157,687				557		1.41	%
Subordinated debt		108,784				1,425		5.20	%			108,652				1,441		5.26	%			108,259				1,460		5.37	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		3,925,632			$	5,527		0.56	%			3,753,726			$	5,727		0.61	%			3,494,088			$	8,145		0.93	%
Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		2,163,016										2,031,399										1,766,826
Other liabilities		46,141										42,183										41,434
Total liabilities		6,134,789										5,827,308										5,302,348
Shareholders' equity		806,941										800,146										756,699
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	6,941,730									$	6,627,454									$	6,059,047
Net interest rate spread								3.30	%									3.62	%									3.78	%
Net interest income and margin					$	58,104		3.52	%						$	58,166		3.85	%						$	54,902		4.10	%
Net interest income and net interest margin (tax equivalent)					$	58,838		3.57	%						$	58,873		3.90	%						$	55,477		4.14	%

	Years Ended December 31,
	2021										2020
	Average Balance				Interest Earned/ Interest Paid			Average Yield/Rate			Average Balance				Interest Earned/Interest Paid			Average Yield/Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Interest-Earning Assets:
Loans	$	4,422,467			$	230,713		5.22	%		$	4,383,375			$	225,959		5.15	%
Securities		1,050,376				21,798		2.08	%			588,318				15,538		2.64	%
Deposits in other financial institutions		458,190				673		0.15	%			36,945				265		0.72	%
Total interest-earning assets		5,931,033			$	253,184		4.27	%			5,008,638			$	241,762		4.83	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans		(51,513	)									(46,680	)
Noninterest-earning assets		680,191										675,701
Total assets	$	6,559,711									$	5,637,659
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	574,079			$	1,409		0.25	%		$	385,482			$	2,045		0.53	%
Money market and savings deposits		1,571,532				3,956		0.25	%			1,316,188				7,326		0.56	%
Certificates and other time deposits		1,349,216				11,628		0.86	%			1,268,080				21,675		1.71	%
Borrowed funds		144,354				1,878		1.30	%			197,525				2,183		1.11	%
Subordinated debt		108,588				5,749		5.29	%			108,064				5,850		5.41	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		3,747,769			$	24,620		0.66	%			3,275,339				39,079		1.19	%
Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		1,983,934										1,593,354
Other liabilities		41,972										37,278
Total liabilities		5,773,675										4,905,971
Shareholders' equity		786,036										731,688
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	6,559,711									$	5,637,659
Net interest rate spread								3.61	%									3.64	%
Net interest income and margin					$	228,564		3.85	%						$	202,683		4.05	%
Net interest income and net interest margin (tax equivalent)					$	231,315		3.90	%						$	204,416		4.08	%

	Three Months Ended
	2021																2020
	December 31				September 30				June 30				March 31				December 31
	(Dollars in thousands)
Period-end Loan Portfolio:
Commercial and industrial	$	693,559			$	728,897			$	690,867			$	664,792			$	667,079
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)		145,942				290,028				499,207				728,424				569,901
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)		2,104,621				2,073,521				2,051,516				2,018,853				1,999,877
Commercial real estate construction and land development		439,125				382,610				371,732				386,637				367,213
1-4 family residential (including home equity)		685,071				683,919				715,119				726,228				737,605
Residential construction		117,901				104,638				111,956				119,528				127,522
Consumer and other		34,267				25,856				20,346				14,707				22,567
Total loans	$	4,220,486			$	4,289,469			$	4,460,743			$	4,659,169			$	4,491,764
Asset Quality:
Nonaccrual loans	$	24,127			$	28,369			$	36,643			$	35,051			$	28,893
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due		—				—				—				—				—
Total nonperforming loans		24,127				28,369				36,643				35,051				28,893
Other real estate		—				1,397				1,397				576				9,196
Total nonperforming assets	$	24,127			$	29,766			$	38,040			$	35,627			$	38,089
Net charge-offs	$	1,353			$	450			$	162			$	345			$	4,287
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	8,358			$	10,247			$	12,949			$	14,059			$	10,747
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)		12,639				14,629				18,123				13,455				10,081
Commercial real estate construction and land development		63				53				53				1,000				3,011
1-4 family residential (including home equity)		2,875				3,224				4,839				5,736				4,525
Residential construction		—				—				—				—				—
Consumer and other		192				216				679				801				529
Total nonaccrual loans	$	24,127			$	28,369			$	36,643			$	35,051			$	28,893
Asset Quality Ratios:
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.34	%			0.44	%			0.58	%			0.55	%			0.63	%
Nonperforming loans to total loans		0.57	%			0.66	%			0.82	%			0.75	%			0.64	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans		198.70	%			177.98	%			135.32	%			150.52	%			184.03	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans		1.14	%			1.18	%			1.11	%			1.13	%			1.18	%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)		0.13	%			0.04	%			0.01	%			0.03	%			0.37	%

Allegiance’s management uses certain non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures to evaluate its performance. Allegiance believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and that management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Allegiance’s performance and when planning, forecasting, analyzing and comparing past, present and future periods. Specifically, Allegiance reviews tangible book value per share, return on average tangible equity and the ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Allegiance has included in this Earnings Release information relating to these non-GAAP financial measures for the applicable periods presented.  These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which Allegiance calculates the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

	Three Months Ended																				Years Ended
	2021																2020				2021				2020
	December 31				September 30				June 30				March 31				December 31				December 31				December 31
	(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Total shareholders' equity	$	816,468			$	798,592			$	789,150			$	760,537			$	758,669			$	816,468			$	758,669
Less:  Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net		238,300				239,124				239,948				240,772				241,596				238,300				241,596
Tangible shareholders’ equity	$	578,168			$	559,468			$	549,202			$	519,765			$	517,073			$	578,168			$	517,073
Shares outstanding at end of period		20,337				20,218				20,213				20,183				20,208				20,337				20,208
Tangible book value per share	$	28.43			$	27.67			$	27.17			$	25.75			$	25.59			$	28.43			$	25.59
Net income	$	21,558			$	19,060			$	22,925			$	18,010			$	15,941			$	81,553			$	45,534
Average shareholders' equity	$	806,941			$	800,146			$	774,803			$	761,600			$	756,699			$	786,036			$	731,688
Less:  Average goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net		238,700				239,497				240,331				241,166				242,043				239,916				243,513
Average tangible shareholders’ equity	$	568,241			$	560,649			$	534,472			$	520,434			$	514,656			$	546,120			$	488,175
Return on average tangible equity(A)		15.05	%			13.49	%			17.20	%			14.03	%			12.32	%			14.93	%			9.33	%
Total assets	$	7,104,954			$	6,759,761			$	6,508,667			$	6,430,990			$	6,050,128			$	7,104,954			$	6,050,128
Less: Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net		238,300				239,124				239,948				240,772				241,596				238,300				241,596
Tangible assets	$	6,866,654			$	6,520,637			$	6,268,719			$	6,190,218			$	5,808,532			$	6,866,654			$	5,808,532
Tangible equity to tangible assets		8.42	%			8.58	%			8.76	%			8.40	%			8.90	%			8.42	%			8.90	%

(A)     Interim periods annualized.

Allegiance Bancshares, Inc.8847 West Sam Houston Parkway N., Suite 200Houston, Texas 77040ir@allegiancebank.com