MCLEAN, Va., July 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Financial Holdings (OTCQX: FDVA), (the "Company" or "Freedom"), the holding company for The Freedom Bank of Virginia (the "Bank") today announced net income of $289,621 or $0.04 per diluted share for the second quarter compared to net income of $1,160,338, or $0.16 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and net income of $799,896 or $0.11 per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2025.  The current quarter included a write down on the carrying value of the firm's OREO of $668,301, from $1,302,801 to its appraised land value of $634,500.  The quarter also saw an increase in the firm's allowance for loan loss with provision expense of $538,805, $385,208 of which was due in part to an increase in C&I loan balances and unfunded commitments for future loans and $153,597 due to from net charge-offs in the quarter.

Joseph J. Thomas, President, and CEO, commented, "The company experienced revenue growth in the quarter of 5.49% compared to prior year calendar quarter.  Adjusted for the write down in our only OREO asset, we reported Pre-tax, Pre-Provision Net Income of $1,560,746 which is 3.69% better than linked quarter.  For the second quarter of 2026, our Yield on Earning Assets improved to 5.57% in the quarter from 5.44% in Q1 due to improvement in asset mix, which translated into a net interest margin improvement of 10 basis points, to 2.83% from 2.73% in the prior quarter.  In addition, our mortgage division had a very strong quarter that closed 112 mortgages and $54 million of loan volume, increasing gain on sale revenue by 14.6% compared to the prior quarter.  We remain vigilant in our efforts to improve asset quality and believe we have eliminated future volatility in our earnings from this quarter's OREO and provision expense.  At the same time, our entire team is focused on improving our net interest margin through core deposit growth, better deposit mix and reduced deposit costs.  We celebrated the grand opening of our new branch and corporate headquarters in Tysons Corner this quarter and the 25^th anniversary of Freedom Bank on July 23, 2026.  We are well positioned for the future as a relationship-driven, technology-enabled bank serving entrepreneurs, businesses, and families throughout Northern Virginia with experienced bankers who understand our client's dreams, quick, local decisions, and flexible, innovative solutions delivered with exceptional service.

Second Quarter 2026 Highlights include:

• The Company posted net income of $289,621 or $0.04 per diluted share for the second quarter compared to net income of $1,160,338 or $0.16 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and net income of $799,896 or $0.11 per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2025.
• Tangible Book Value per share improved during the quarter by $0.12 to $12.20 on June 30, 2026, compared to $12.08 on March 31, 2026, with quarter-to-date earnings and improvement on the valuation of the available for sale portfolio.
• Return on Average Assets ("ROAA") was 0.11% for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared to ROAA of 0.44% for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, and 0.29% for the three months ended June 30, 2025.
• Return on Average Equity ("ROAE") was 1.38% for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared to ROAE of 5.57% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and 3.97% for the three months ended June 30, 2025.
• Total Assets were $1.039 billion on June 30, 2026, a decrease of $14 million or 1.33% from total assets on March 31, 2026, as cash and securities came down and brokered deposit balances were reduced.
• Gross Loans held-for-investment decreased by $7.3 million or 0.94% during the quarter.
• Total deposits decreased by $42 million or by 4.64% during the quarter, led by a $30 million reduction in brokered deposits. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $7.3 million during the quarter to $142.1 million and represented 16.24% of total deposits on June 30, 2026.
• The net interest margin¹ increased in the second quarter to 2.83%, higher by 10 basis points compared to the linked quarter and by 18 basis points compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in the net interest margin across linked quarters was a result of holding less low margin assets, while the decrease for the same period a year ago is related to cost of funds reductions.  The cost of funds was 2.85% for the second quarter, higher by 1 basis point compared to the linked quarter and lower by 35 basis points compared to the same period in 2025, as a result of a decline in deposit costs and borrowing costs.
• Non-interest income increased by 17% compared to the linked quarter and by 26% compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in non-interest income in the second quarter of 2026 was primarily due to higher net revenue from the mortgage unit along with gains in the Bank's SBIC investments.
• Non-interest expense increased by $943 thousand in the second quarter or by 14% compared to the linked quarter and increased by 22% compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in expenses compared to the linked quarter was largely due to the $668 thousand write down in the Bank's OREO valuation.  Professional Fees were also elevated in the quarter and the Bank increased its marketing expense to promote its new Tysons Corner location.   
• The Efficiency Ratio² was 89.67% for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared to 81.88% for the linked quarter and 77.57% for the same period in 2025.  Excluding the OREO write-down, the efficiency ratio would have been similar to the prior period at 81.93%.
• Uninsured deposits were 24.9% of total deposits and total liquidity to uninsured deposits³ was 118.71% of uninsured deposits on June 30, 2026.
• Net charge offs were 0.02% of average loans compared to 0.81% in the prior quarter which had the $6.2 million in charge-offs mostly related to one large loan that had been provisioned for in 2025. The ratio of non-accrual loans to loans held-for-investment was 3.32% on June 30, 2026, compared to 2.46% on March 31, 2026, and 1.45% on June 30, 2025.  The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was  2.57% on June 30, 2026, compared to 1.95% on March 31, 2026, and 0.98% on June 30, 2025.
• The Company recognized a provision for loan losses of $538,805, related to changes in the overall portfolio including C&I loan growth.
• The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans held-for-investment was 1.06% at June 30, 2026 compared to 1.00% at the end of the linked quarter.
• The Bank continues to be well capitalized and capital ratios continue to be strong with a Leverage ratio of 11.06%, Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 13.66%, Tier 1 Risk Based Capital ratio of 13.66% and a Total Capital ratio of 14.63% as of June 30, 2026.  Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 Risk Based Capital, and Total Capital ratios are up by 16 basis points, 16 basis points, and 21 basis points, respectively, due to the Bank holding lower average assets in the quarter, and accumulating earnings.

Net Interest Income

The Company recorded net interest income of $6.979 million for the second quarter of 2026, higher by 1.21% compared to the linked quarter, and by 1.5% compared to the same period in 2025. The net interest margin in the first quarter of 2026 was 2.83%, higher by 10 basis points compared to the linked quarter and by 18 basis points compared to the same period in 2025.

The following factors contributed to the changes in net interest margin during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the linked and calendar quarters.

• Yields on average earning assets were 5.57% in the second quarter of 2026, higher by 13 basis points compared to the linked quarter, and lower by 16 basis points compared to the prior year calendar quarter. The increase in yields on average earning assets in the second quarter compared to the linked quarter was primarily due to decreased cash and decreased securities held on the balance sheet in the quarter.  The decrease over the calendar quarter is largely due to  interest rate decreases on cash and floating rate securities and loans that took place over the second half of 2025.  
• Loan yields increased by 4 basis point to 6.01% from 5.97% in the linked quarter, while yields on investment securities increased by 4 basis points to 4.01% from 3.97% in the linked quarter. Loan yields decreased by 19 basis points, while yields on investment securities decreased by 38 basis points compared to the calendar quarter.
• Cost of funds increased by 1 basis point to 2.85% from 2.84% in the linked quarter, and by 35 basis points compared to the prior year quarter, due to lower deposit and borrowing costs.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income was $1.66 million for the first quarter, an increase of 17% when compared to the linked quarter and an increase of 26% when compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in non-interest income in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the linked quarter and the prior calendar quarter was due to higher revenue from the gain on sale of mortgage loans and SBIC investment income. 

Total Revenue⁴

Total revenue, defined as the sum of net interest income, before provision for loan losses, and non-interest income, was higher by 3.98% compared to the linked quarter and by 5.49% compared to the calendar quarter in 2025. The increase in total revenue compared to the linked and calendar quarter was due to an increase in the net interest margin and from the gain on sale of residential mortgages. 

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense in the second quarter increased by $943 thousand or by 13.9% compared to the linked quarter and increased by 21.9% compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in expenses compared to the linked quarter  and calendar quarter was largely attributable to the $668 thousand OREO write-down.  We also increased our marketing expenses related to promoting the new location and saw an increase in Professional Fees.

The Efficiency Ratio² was 89.67% for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared to 81.88% for the linked quarter and 77.57% for the same period in 2025.   If not for the OREO expense in the quarter, the Bank would have had a 81.93%  efficiency ratio.

Asset Quality

Non-accrual loans increased in the second quarter and were 3.32% of loans held-for-investment compared to 2.46% of loans held-for-investment at the end of the linked quarter. Total non-performing assets (defined as the sum of loans on non-accrual, loans greater than 90 days past due and accruing, and OREO assets) were 2.57% of total assets as of June 30, 2026, compared to 1.95% of total assets, at the end of the linked quarter.

The Company recognized a provision for loan losses of $538,805, primarily related to changes in the overall portfolio mix.

The Company's ratio of Allowance for Loan Losses to loans held-for-investment was 1.06% as of June 30, 2026, compared to the ratio of Allowance for Loan Losses to loans held-for-investment of 1.00% as of March 31, 2026.

Total Assets

Total assets on June 30, 2026, were $1.039 billion compared to total assets of $1.053 billion on March 31, 2026.  Changes in major asset categories since March 31, 2026, were as follows:

• Interest bearing deposits at banks decreased by $6.7 million.
• Investment balances decreased by $6.5 million.
• Gross loans held-for investment decreased by $7.27 million
• Residential mortgage loans held for sale increased by $1.74 million

Total Liabilities

Total liabilities on June 30, 2026, were $953.72 million compared to total liabilities of $968.58 million on March 31, 2026. Total deposits were $874.82 million on June 30, 2026, compared to total deposits of $917.36 million on March 31, 2026. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $7.3 million during the second quarter and comprised 16.23% of total deposits at the end of the second quarter. Brokered Deposits decreased by $30.0 million while Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings increased by $25.0 million.

Stockholders' Equity and Capital

Stockholders' equity as of June 30, 2026, was $85.15 million compared to $84.25 million on March 31, 2026. AOCI increased during the second quarter as there was a slight decrease in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities. The tangible book value of the Company's common stock on June 30, 2026, was $12.20 per share compared to $12.08 on March 31, 2026. Excluding AOCI losses/gains⁵, the tangible book value of the Company's common stock on June 30, 2026, was $14.29 per share compared to $14.18 on March 31, 2026.

Stock Buyback Program

In the second quarter, the Company did not have any purchases under its previously announced share repurchase program.  As of June 30, 2026, the Company had repurchased 43,800 of the 250,000 shares currently authorized for repurchase under the program that was approved at the end of 2025. The Board of Directors continues to believe that the share buyback program represents a disciplined capital management strategy for the Company. 

Capital Ratios

As of June 30, 2026, the Bank's capital ratios were well above regulatory minimum capital ratios for well-capitalized bank holding companies. The Bank's capital ratios as of June 30, 2026, and March 31, 2026, were as follows:

About Freedom Financial Holdings, Inc.

Freedom Financial Holdings, Inc. is the holding company of The Freedom Bank of Virginia, a community bank with locations in Fairfax, Reston, Chantilly, Vienna, Tysons Corner, and Manassas, Virginia. For information about deposits, loans and other services, visit the website at www.freedom.bank.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, including our expectations with respect to future events that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates, and expectations include: fluctuation in market rates of interest and loan and deposit pricing; general economic and financial market conditions, in the United States generally and particularly in the markets in which the Company operates and in which its loans are concentrated, including the effects of declines in real estate values, increases in unemployment levels, inflation, recessions and slowdowns in economic growth, including as a result of the impact of geopolitical conflicts; the impact of any U.S. federal government shutdown; U.S. and global trade policies and changes, including the impact of the imposition of or changes in tariffs and trade barriers; adverse developments in the financial services industry; maintenance and development of well-established and valued client relationships and referral source relationships; the adequacy or inadequacy of our allowance for credit losses; acquisition or loss of key production personnel; and the potential adverse effects of unusual and infrequently occurring events, such as weather-related disasters, wars, terrorist acts or public health events, and of governmental and societal responses thereto; these potential adverse effects may include, without limitation, adverse effects on the ability of the Company's borrowers to satisfy their obligations to the Company, on the value of collateral securing loans, on the demand for the Company's loans or its other products and services, on incidents of cyberattack and fraud, on the Company's liquidity or capital positions, on risks posed by reliance on third-party service providers, on other aspects of the Company's business operations and on financial markets and economic growth. The Company cautions readers that the list of factors above is not exclusive. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and the Company may not undertake steps to update the forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of any circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements are made. In addition, our past results of operations are not necessarily indicative of future performance.