Raymond James maintains VersaBank stock with $18 target

On Wednesday, Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James reaffirmed its Outperform rating and $18.00 price target for VersaBank shares traded on (NASDAQ:VBNK), which currently trades at $11.00. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock’s RSI indicates oversold territory, while analyst targets range from $18 to $22, suggesting significant upside potential. The firm’s analysis followed VersaBank’s earnings per share (EPS) falling short of expectations in a quarter marked by significant activity, including a capital raise intended to bolster growth in its U.S. Residential Property Purchase (RPP) business.

The quarter’s performance was influenced by higher-than-anticipated noninterest expenses, primarily due to salaries, and a net interest margin (NIM) that did not meet projections. These factors, along with a smaller balance sheet than anticipated, led to a deficiency in net interest income (NII). Trading at a P/E ratio of 11.67x and showing revenue growth of 3.59% in the last twelve months, VersaBank maintains profitability despite challenges. Although provision expenses exceeded forecasts, credit quality remained exceptionally high. Additionally, fee income slightly missed targets, and both loan and deposit balances were lower than expected. The first U.S. RPP partner for VersaBank became operational on January 30, 2025, later than initially planned, contributing to the lower loan balances.

Despite these challenges, there were positive developments, including the marketing of DRT Cyber for sale. VersaBank has decided to retain certain assets related to VersaVault, launching a new segment called Digital Meteor. The bank sees a significant opportunity in collecting ultra-low cost digital deposit receipts (DDRs), which could potentially revolutionize its operations.

In the upcoming earnings call, Raymond James anticipates updates on the expansion of U.S. RPP initiatives, including the pipeline of new partners and expected volume increases from Watercress Financial Group, VersaBank’s inaugural U.S. RPP partner. Further insights are expected on the potential financial impact of DDRs, the bank’s perspective on the effects of a prolonged trade war on its point-of-sale initiatives, trends in digital transaction receipt collection (DTRC), and projections for noninterest expenses in future quarters. For deeper insights into VersaBank’s financial health and growth prospects, InvestingPro subscribers can access comprehensive analysis, including 8 additional ProTips and detailed valuation metrics in the Pro Research Report.

In other recent news, VersaBank completed a public offering of common shares, raising approximately $75 million USD. The shares were priced at $13.25 USD each, leading to the sale of 5,660,378 common shares. The proceeds are intended for general banking purposes and are expected to qualify as Common Equity Tier 1 capital. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as the sole bookrunning manager, with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., and Roth Canada, Inc. as co-managers. Additionally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained an Outperform rating on VersaBank, despite reducing the price target from $28 to $27. This adjustment follows a challenging fourth fiscal quarter influenced by a recent U.S. bank acquisition, which increased expenses and reduced the net interest margin. The bank’s expansion in the U.S. market is expected to take a few quarters to reach substantial growth. Nonetheless, the analyst from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods remains optimistic about VersaBank’s long-term prospects in the U.S. market.

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