ASHEVILLE, N.C., July 29, 2016 – HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTBI) (“Company”), the holding company of HomeTrust Bank (“Bank”), today announced preliminary net income of $3.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, a $744,000, or 29.1% increase over net income of $2.6 million for the same period a year ago. The Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.19 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 compared to $0.14 per share for the same period in fiscal 2015.

Net income totaled $11.5 million for fiscal year 2016, a $3.4 million, or 42.8% increase compared to $8.0 million earned in 2015. The Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.65 from $0.42 per share for fiscal year 2016 compared to 2015. Tangible book value per share increased $0.99, or 5.4% to $19.05 as of June 30, 2016 compared to $18.06 at June 30, 2015.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2016 compared to the corresponding quarter in the previous year:

• commercial loan portfolio originations increased $35.5 million, or 62.8% from $56.5 million to $92.0 million;
• retail loan portfolio originations decreased $8.5 million, or 10.6% from $80.3 million to $71.8 million; and
• organic net loan growth, which excludes loans acquired through acquisitions and purchases of home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”), increased to $31.4 million (6.9% annualized) from $11.4 million (2.8% annualized).

For the year ended June 30, 2016 compared to the year ended June 30, 2015:

• commercial loan portfolio originations increased $126.5 million, or 60.2% from $210.2 million to $336.7 million;
• retail loan portfolio originations increased $24.7 million, or 10.2% from $241.8 million to $266.5 million;
• organic net loan growth increased to $74.8 million (4.4%) from $28.2 million (1.9%); and
• organic loan growth would be 8.7% including the growth in unfunded construction loans of $72.1 million.

“I am pleased to say that current year results are in line with our strategic plan to expand into high growth markets and focus on sound and profitable growth, as 83% of commercial loan originations in fiscal 2016 were in our new markets. Excluding the expected decline in our one-to-four family residential loan portfolio, our fourth quarter loan growth was $47.9 million or 16.3% annualized,” said Dana Stonestreet, Chairman, President, and CEO. “We also created additional value for our shareholders in fiscal 2016 through the repurchase of 1.5 million shares at an average cost of $18.35, which contributed to the increase in tangible book value by $0.99 to $19.05. We will continue to take a disciplined approach to growing revenues while seeking to reduce expenses and create efficiencies throughout the Bank,” said Stonestreet.

Income Statement Review

Net interest income of $20.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, remained consistent with the same period in 2015. Average interest-earning assets of $2.5 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was also consistent with the corresponding quarter in the prior year, however the average balance of loans receivable increased $139.1 million or 8.3% from organic loan growth and the purchase of HELOCs. Average interest-earning deposits with banks for the three months ended June 30, 2016, decreased $188.9 million, or 51.2% as compared to the same period last year as we redeployed a substantial portion of these funds into higher yielding assets. We continue to utilize our leveraging strategy, where additional short-term Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings are invested in various short-term liquid assets to generate additional net interest income, as well as increased dividend income from the required purchase of additional FHLB stock. As a result, average other interest-earning assets, consisting of Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock, FHLB stock, and commercial paper, increased $55.9 million or 23.9% during the quarter ended June 30, 2016, as compared to the same quarter last year. Net interest margin (on a fully taxable-equivalent basis) for the three months ended June 30, 2016 increased four basis points to 3.43% from 3.39%. During the three months ended June 30, 2016 our leveraging strategy produced an additional $975,000 in interest income at an average yield of 101 basis points, while the average cost of the borrowings was 41 basis points, resulting in approximately $579,000 in net interest income. During the same quarter in the prior fiscal year, our leveraging strategy produced an additional $644,000 in interest income at an average yield of 56 basis points, while the average cost of the borrowings was 20 basis points, resulting in approximately $417,000 in net interest income. Excluding the effects of the leveraging strategy, the net interest margin would be 3.95% and 4.06% for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Total interest income increased $178,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the same period last year, including a slight increase in loan interest income of  $109,000, or 0.5% to $20.0 million and a $331,000, or 51.4% increase in income from our leveraging strategy for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. The additional interest income from higher average loan balances was partially offset by a $570,000 decrease in the accretion of purchase discounts on acquired loans to $1.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 from $1.7 million for the same quarter in 2015. As a result, average loan yields decreased 36 basis points to 4.53% for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 from 4.89% in the corresponding quarter in 2015. Partially offsetting the increases in loan and leveraging interest income was a $296,000, or 17.6% decrease in interest income from certificates of deposit and other interest-bearing deposits and investment securities. Total interest expense increased $200,000, or 14.2% for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period last year. This increase was primarily related to average other borrowings, consisting of short-term FHLB advances, increasing by $35.6 million to $489.1 million due to our leveraging strategy, as well as a 21 basis point increase in the average cost of other borrowings during the fourth quarter as compared to the same quarter last year. This increase was partially offset by an $81.4 million decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, primarily due to a $128.5 million decrease in average certificates of deposit to $456.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015 as we continue to reduce higher rate certificates of deposit. The overall average cost of funds increased five basis points due primarily to the impact of the recent increase in the federal funds rate on our other borrowings.

Net interest income increased $1.9 million, or 2.4% to $81.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2016 compared to $79.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2015. Average interest-earning assets increased $229.1 million, or 10.1% to $2.5 billion for the year ended June 30, 2016 compared to fiscal 2015, mainly from new loans from organic growth and purchased HELOCs and our leveraging strategy. The average balance of loans receivable increased $136.2 million or 8.4% and the average interest-earning deposits with banks for the year ended June 30, 2016, decreased $119.7 million, or 36.0% as compared to the last fiscal year. Net interest margin (on a fully taxable-equivalent basis) for the year ended June 30, 2016 decreased 27 basis points to 3.37% from 3.64% for the prior year primarily due to the $237.1 million increase in average other borrowings and the federal funds rate from the year ended June 30, 2015. For the year ended June 30, 2016, our leveraging strategy produced an additional $3.3 million in interest income at an average yield of 82 basis points, while the average cost of the borrowings was 31 basis points, resulting in approximately $2.0 million in net interest income. During the prior fiscal year, our leveraging strategy produced an additional $1.3 million in interest income at an average yield of 58 basis points, while the average cost of the borrowings was 20 basis points, resulting in approximately $819,000 in net interest income. Excluding the effects of the leveraging strategy, the net interest margin would be 3.93% and 3.98% for the year ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Total interest income increased $2.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to prior fiscal year. Interest income on loans for the year ended June 30, 2016 increased $562,000 due to a $136.1 million increase in the average balance of loans receivable which offset a 36 basis point decrease in the average loan yields as compared to fiscal year 2015. Interest income on loans also included $4.5 million, or 26 basis points and $5.4 million, or 33 basis points in accretion of purchase discounts on acquired loans for the years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Interest income from our leveraging strategy increased $2.1 million and interest income from securities available for sale increased $502,000 for the year ended June 30, 2016 compared to fiscal 2015. Partially offsetting increases in loan, leveraging, and securities available for sale interest income was a $349,000 decrease in interest income from certificates of deposit and other interest-bearing deposits.

Total interest expense increased $650,000 for the year ended June 30, 2016 compared to the year ended June 30, 2015. This increase was primarily due to average other borrowings increasing by $237.1 million to $482.6 million as well as an 11 basis point increase in the average cost of other borrowings for the year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to prior fiscal year.  During the year the composition of our deposits changed as increases in the average balances of money market and checking accounts substantially offset a $117.5 million decrease in average certificates of deposit to $504.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2016 compared to the prior fiscal year.

Noninterest income increased $127,000, or 3.5%, to $3.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from $3.6 million for the corresponding quarter in fiscal 2015. The $304,000, or 40.2% increase in mortgage banking income and fees was a result of increases in brokered loan production over the comparative quarter in 2015, partially offset by a decrease of $107,000, or 10.3% in other noninterest income. Noninterest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 decreased $1.1 million, or 5.2%, to $19.8 million compared to $20.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. The overall decrease was a result of numerous cost cutting initiatives implemented by management, which include the consolidation of six branches during the second quarter of 2016 as reflected by the cumulative decrease of $318,000, or 2.4% in salaries and employee benefits and net occupancy expense; a $171,000, or 21.6% decrease in telephone, postage, and supplies from the consolidation as well as contract renegotiations with various vendors; an $85,000, or 66.4% decrease in expenses due to the Bank’s  recent  change in charter to a North Carolina state bank; as well as a $200,000, or 12.5% decrease in computer services as a result of the final integration of prior acquisitions. Real estate owned (“REO”)-related expenses decreased $260,000, or 34.1% as a result of fewer REO properties held reflecting sales and improving asset quality.

Noninterest income increased $1.0 million, or 7.9%, to $13.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2016 from $12.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to a $750,000, or 12.6%, increase in service charges on core deposit accounts corresponding to the increase in deposit accounts from prior acquisitions, an $80,000, or 2.7% increase in mortgage banking income and fees, and a $215,000, or 6.1% increase in other noninterest income. Noninterest expense for the year ended June 30, 2016 decreased $2.7 million, or 3.3%, to $78.9 million compared to $81.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2015. The overall decrease was a result of the absence of merger-related expenses in 2016, which totaled $5.4 million in 2015, partially offset by a $1.2 million, or 3.0% increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $471,000, or 5.5% increase in net occupancy expense, a $360,000 increase in amortization of core deposit intangibles, and a $510,000 increase in other expenses, all of which were primarily related to our branch acquisition in November 2014. REO-related expenses increased $126,000 primarily as a result of $216,000 in net losses on REO sales for fiscal year 2016, compared to $378,000 in net gains in fiscal year 2015, partially offset by an $88,000 decrease in post-foreclosure REO impairments.

The Company’s income tax expense was $1.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, an increase of $853,000 compared to $553,000 income tax expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. The increase was primarily driven by higher taxable income.  The Company’s effective income tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was 29.9%.

For the year ended June 30, 2016, the Company’s income tax expense was $4.9 million, an increase of $2.3 million compared to $2.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2015.  This increase was due to higher income before taxes, as well as a nonrecurring $526,000 charge incurred in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016 related to the decrease in value of our deferred tax assets based on decreases in North Carolina’s state corporate tax rates.  The rate was reduced from 5.0% to 4.0% in August 2015 with additional reductions to 3.0% in 2017 possible in the event certain state revenue triggers are achieved. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the year ended June 30, 2016 was 30.0%.

Balance Sheet Review

At June 30, 2016, total assets of $2.7 billion and total liabilities of $2.4 billion remained relatively consistent with June 30, 2015. The increase in other borrowings of $16.0 million, or 3.4% and the cumulative decrease of $195.9 million, or 23.3%, in cash and cash equivalents, commercial paper, certificates of deposit in other banks, and securities available for sale during fiscal 2016 were part of our strategy to reduce excess liquidity by funding higher yielding loans, reducing higher cost certificates of deposit as discussed below, and the repurchase of common stock as we continue to focus on increasing shareholder value. The increase in net loans receivable of $148.2 million to $1.8 billion at June 30, 2016 was driven by $74.8 million of organic growth and $72.4 million in purchased HELOCs, net of repayments.

Total deposits decreased $69.4 million, or 3.7%, to $1.8 billion at June 30, 2016 from $1.9 billion at June 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a managed run off of $134.5 million in higher cost certificates of deposit partially offset by a $38.4 million increase in money market accounts, and a $37.5 million increase in checking accounts.

Stockholders’ equity at June 30, 2016 decreased to $360.0 million from $371.1 million at June 30, 2015. The decrease in stockholders’ equity was driven by the repurchase of 1,510,994 shares of common stock at an average cost of $18.35 per share, or approximately $27.7 million in total, partially offset by $11.5 million in net income, and a $1.5 million increase in unrealized gains on securities available for sale. As of June 30, 2016, HomeTrust Bank was considered “well capitalized” in accordance with its regulatory capital guidelines and exceeded all regulatory capital requirements with Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 Risk-Based, Total Risk-Based, and Tier 1 Leverage capital ratios of 12.80%, 12.80%, 13.79%, and 10.50%, respectively. As of June 30, 2015, Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 Risk-Based, Total Risk-Based, and Tier 1 Leverage capital ratios of 13.36%, 13.36%, 14.48%, and 10.00%, respectively. In addition, the Company was categorized as “well capitalized” at June 30, 2016 under applicable regulatory guidelines.

Asset Quality

The allowance for loan losses was $21.3 million, or 1.16% of total loans, at June 30, 2016 compared to $22.4 million, or 1.33% of total loans, at June 30, 2015. The allowance for loan losses was 1.32% of total loans at June 30, 2016, excluding acquired loans, compared to 1.58% at June 30, 2015.

There was no provision for losses on loans for the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $400,000 for the same period in 2015. Net loan charge-offs totaled $469,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 in comparison to $707,000 in net charge-offs for the same period during the prior fiscal year. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans decreased to 0.10% for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 from 0.17% for the same period last fiscal year as we continue to improve our credit metrics.

There was no provision for losses on loans for the year ended June 30, 2016 compared to a $150,000 provision for loan losses for fiscal 2015. Net loan charge-offs decreased to $1.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2016 from $1.2 million for fiscal 2015.  Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans decreased to 0.06% for the year ended June 30, 2016 from 0.07% for last fiscal year.

Nonperforming assets decreased 23.2% to $24.5 million, or 0.90% of total assets, at June 30, 2016, compared to $31.9 million, or 1.15% of total assets, at June 30, 2015. Nonperforming assets included $18.5 million in nonaccruing loans and $6.0 million in REO at June 30, 2016, compared to $24.9 million and $7.0 million, in nonaccruing loans and REO, respectively, at June 30, 2015.  Included in nonperforming loans are $4.6 million of loans restructured from their original terms of which $3.0 million were current at June 30, 2016, with respect to their modified payment terms. The decrease in nonaccruing loans was primarily due to continued improvement in credit quality throughout the loan portfolio and loans returning to performing status as payment history and the borrower’s financial status improved. At June 30, 2016, $8.1 million, or 43.7%, of nonaccruing loans were current on their required loan payments. Purchased impaired loans aggregating $6.6 million acquired from prior acquisitions are excluded from nonaccruing loans due to the accretion of discounts established in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Nonperforming loans to total loans decreased to 1.01% at June 30, 2016 from 1.47% at June 30, 2015.

The ratio of classified assets to total assets decreased to 2.17% at June 30, 2016 from 2.92% at June 30, 2015. Classified assets decreased 27.4% to $58.9 million at June 30, 2016 compared to $81.1 million at June 30, 2015.

About HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for HomeTrust Bank. As of June 30, 2016, the Company had assets of $2.7 billion. The Bank, founded in 1926, is a North Carolina state chartered, community-focused financial institution committed to providing value added relationship banking through 39 locations as well as online/mobile channels. Locations include: North Carolina (including the Asheville metropolitan area, the “Piedmont” region, Charlotte, and a loan production office in Raleigh), Upstate South Carolina (Greenville), East Tennessee (including Kingsport/Johnson City, Knoxville, and Morristown) and Southwest Virginia (including the Roanoke Valley). In 2016, the Bank is celebrating its 90th Anniversary and nine decades of commitment to our customers, employees and surrounding communities. The Bank is the 6th largest community bank headquartered in North Carolina.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “intend” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management’s current expectations and forecasts regarding future events many of which are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Actual results may differ, possibly materially from those currently expected or projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, include expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from our recent acquisitions might not be realized within the expected time frames or at all, and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters might be greater than expected; increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; changes in general economic conditions and conditions within the securities markets; legislative and regulatory changes; and other factors described in HomeTrust’s latest annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission-which are available on our website at www.hometrustbanking.com  and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this press release or our SEC filings are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made and may turn out to be wrong because of inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. These risks could cause our actual results for fiscal 2017 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of, us and could negatively affect our operating and stock performance.

WEBSITE: WWW.HOMETRUSTBANCSHARES.COM

Contact:

Dana L. Stonestreet – Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Tony J. VunCannon – Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

828-259-3939