Byline Bancorp, Inc. (BY): A Thriving Commercial Bank Poised for Continued Growth

Byline Bancorp, Inc. (BY) has established itself as a leading commercial bank in the Chicagoland market, delivering impressive financial results and positioning itself for long-term success. With a focus on serving small and medium-sized businesses, commercial real estate investors, and financial sponsors, Byline Bancorp has carved out a unique niche in the highly competitive banking landscape.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, Byline Bancorp reported annual net income of $107,878,000 and annual revenue of $534,269,000. The company's strong performance was driven by robust growth in its loan and lease portfolio, as well as disciplined expense management. Byline Bancorp's annual operating cash flow reached $137,047,000, while its annual free cash flow stood at $133,186,000, showcasing the company's ability to generate substantial cash flow to support its operations and strategic initiatives.

In the second quarter of 2024, Byline Bancorp continued to deliver impressive results. The company reported net income of $29,671,000, or $0.68 per diluted share, on revenue of $99,370,000. This represents a 10% year-over-year increase in revenue, demonstrating the company's ability to drive top-line growth. Pretax pre-provision net income remained strong at $46,160,000, reflecting the company's robust profitability.

Byline Bancorp's balance sheet remains well-capitalized, with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 10.84% and a total capital ratio of 13.86% as of June 30, 2024. The company's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio stood at 8.82%, providing ample financial flexibility to support its growth initiatives.

Business Overview

Byline Bancorp's history can be traced back to the recapitalization of a privately held bank in Chicago in 2013, which had assets of $2.4 billion at the time. Since then, the company has grown significantly, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, such as the acquisition of Inland Bancorp, Inc. in 2023. As of June 30, 2024, Byline Bancorp had total assets of $9.6 billion, making it a sizable player in the Chicagoland banking market.

The company's core business revolves around providing a comprehensive suite of commercial banking products and services to its target clientele. This includes commercial and industrial (C&I) lending, commercial real estate (CRE) financing, small business administration (SBA) lending, and equipment leasing solutions through its Byline Financial Group subsidiary. Additionally, Byline Bancorp offers wealth management and trust services, catering to the needs of its commercial and high-net-worth individual clients.

Byline Bancorp's geographic footprint is primarily concentrated in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas, with 46 branch locations as of June 30, 2024. The company's strategic focus on the Chicagoland market has allowed it to develop deep relationships with local businesses and capitalize on the region's economic growth.

Financials

Byline Bancorp's financial performance has been consistently strong, with the company delivering solid growth in key metrics. In the second quarter of 2024, the company's net interest margin stood at 3.98%, a slight decline from the previous quarter but still within the company's target range. The efficiency ratio, a measure of the company's cost discipline, was 52.19%, reflecting Byline Bancorp's ability to manage its expenses effectively.

The company's asset quality metrics remain healthy, with non-performing loans and leases to total loans and leases held for investment at 0.93% as of June 30, 2024. The allowance for credit losses to total loans and leases held for investment stood at 1.45%, providing a robust cushion against potential credit losses.

Byline Bancorp's return on average assets (ROAA) was 1.31% in the second quarter of 2024, while its return on average stockholders' equity (ROAE) was 11.83%. These profitability ratios demonstrate the company's ability to generate strong returns for its shareholders.

Liquidity

Byline Bancorp maintains a strong liquidity position, with total deposits of $7.3 billion as of June 30, 2024. The company's loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 93.98%, indicating ample funding sources to support its lending activities. Byline Bancorp's capital ratios, including the CET1 ratio of 10.84% and the total capital ratio of 13.86%, exceed regulatory requirements, providing the company with the financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Byline Bancorp remains optimistic about its future prospects. The company expects to continue its mid-single-digit loan growth trajectory in the second half of 2024, driven by its commercial and leasing portfolios. Additionally, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on potential market disruptions and attract high-quality talent, further strengthening its competitive position in the Chicagoland market.

Byline Bancorp's management team has outlined several key growth strategies to drive the company's long-term success. These include:

1. Organic growth: The company will continue to focus on expanding its commercial banking relationships, leveraging its strong brand and reputation in the local market.

2. Selective acquisitions: Byline Bancorp will selectively pursue strategic acquisitions that align with its growth objectives and enhance its market presence.

3. Talent attraction and retention: The company will maintain its focus on attracting and retaining top-tier banking professionals, providing them with a platform to serve their clients effectively.

4. Diversification of revenue streams: Byline Bancorp will continue to expand its wealth management and trust services, as well as its equipment leasing business, to diversify its revenue sources.

5. Disciplined expense management: The company will remain committed to its cost-control initiatives, ensuring that its efficiency ratio remains within its target range.

Risks and Challenges

While Byline Bancorp's outlook remains positive, the company is not without its risks and challenges. The highly competitive nature of the Chicagoland banking market, potential changes in interest rates, and the ongoing evolution of the commercial real estate landscape could all present headwinds for the company. Additionally, the company's reliance on the Chicago metropolitan area for the majority of its business activities exposes it to regional economic fluctuations.

Byline Bancorp's management team is well-aware of these risks and has implemented robust risk management practices to mitigate them. The company's diversified business model, strong capital position, and disciplined approach to growth and expense management position it well to navigate the challenges that may arise in the future.

Conclusion

Byline Bancorp, Inc. has established itself as a leading commercial bank in the Chicagoland market, delivering impressive financial results and positioning itself for continued growth. The company's focus on serving small and medium-sized businesses, commercial real estate investors, and financial sponsors has allowed it to carve out a unique niche in the highly competitive banking landscape.

With a strong balance sheet, robust profitability metrics, and a well-defined growth strategy, Byline Bancorp is poised to capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead. As the company continues to execute on its strategic priorities, it is well-positioned to deliver long-term value for its shareholders and contribute to the economic growth of the communities it serves.