Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

____________________________________________

Form 8-K

____________________________________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event Reported): January 26, 2024

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


Texas	001-38280	20-8339782
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 110

Houston, Texas 77046

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(713) 210-7600

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


£			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

£			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

£			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

£			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

STEL

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company £

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. £

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 26, 2024, Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023 and fourth quarter of 2023. A copy of the press release, as well as a copy of the accompanying earnings presentation, are furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 hereto, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 to Form 8-K, the information furnished in this Item 2.02, Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and such information shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the ”Securities Act”), except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On Friday, January 26, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., Central Time, the Company will host an investor conference call and webcast to review its fourth quarter financial results. The webcast will include a presentation that consists of information regarding the Company’s financial results. The presentation materials will be posted on the Company’s website before the open of the market on Friday, January 26, 2024. The presentation materials are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and are incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 to Form 8-K, the information furnished in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.2, of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and such information shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following are furnished as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K:


Exhibit Number			Description of Exhibit
99.1			Press Release issued dated January 2 6 , 202 4
99.2			Q 4 2023 Earnings Presentation
104			Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as required by law, the Company does not assume any duty to update forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s plans, objectives, strategies, expectations, intentions and other statements that are not statements of historical fact, and may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “building,” “continue,” “could,” “drive,” “estimates,” “expects,” “extent,” “focus,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “position,” “probable,” “progressing,” “projects,” “prudent,” “seeks,” “should,” “target,” “view,” “will” or “would” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. For a list of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, see the risk factors described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


	STELLAR BANCORP, INC.

Date: January 26, 2024	By:	/s/ Paul P. Egge
		Paul P. Egge
		Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

STELLAR BANCORP, INC. REPORTS

FOURTH QUARTER 2023 RESULTS

HOUSTON, January 26, 2024 - Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Stellar”) (NYSE: STEL) today reported net income of $27.3 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.51, for the fourth quarter 2023 and net income of $130.5 million, or diluted earnings per share of $2.45, for the year ended December 31, 2023. During the fourth quarter, the Company recorded certain nonrecurring noninterest expense items, including the FDIC special insurance assessment expense of $2.4 million.

“We are pleased to announce our full-year and fourth quarter results, capping a successful year despite industry challenges and economic uncertainty,” said Robert R. Franklin, Jr., Stellar’s Chief Executive Officer. “We maintained our focus on capital, liquidity, and credit to protect shareholder value in a year of rapidly rising interest rates and large bank failures, all while setting the foundation of a new organization following our combination in late 2022. Our staff has done a great job in combining two banks and we are poised to refine what we have built. The success of our team’s efforts during the year is reflected by our maintaining a solid net interest margin, a strong deposit base, our credit quality and ability to build capital,” he continued.

“While we expect a somewhat slower economy in 2024, our focus will be on continuing to optimize and reduce our noninterest expenses as we manage the organization’s needs and requirements from crossing the $10 billion asset threshold. We believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that may be presented in 2024 and that our strategy provides us with optionality,” said Mr. Franklin.

“We operate in some of the best banking markets in the country and we look forward to the possibility of additional clarity around the direction of interest rates and a more reasonably priced market for deposits and funding in the new year. Thank you to our shareholders for their support and we look forward to continuing to build shareholder value in 2024,” concluded Mr. Franklin.

2023 Financial Highlights

•Strong Earnings: Stellar recorded 2023 net income of $130.5 million, or diluted earnings per share of $2.45, representing a return on average assets of 1.21%, return on average equity of 8.96% and return on average tangible equity of 15.75%(1).

•Meaningful Regulatory Capital Build: Total risk-based capital ratio increased to 14.02% at December 31, 2023 from 12.39% at December 31, 2022 and Tier 1 leverage ratio increased to 10.18% at December 31, 2023 from 8.55% at December 31, 2022.

•Book Value Growth: During 2023, book value per share increased to $28.54 at December 31, 2023 compared to $26.12 at December 31, 2022 while tangible book value per share increased by $3.00, or 21.4%, from $14.02 at December 31, 2022 to $17.02 at December 31, 2023.

•Advantageous Funding Profile: Noninterest-bearing deposit balances remained a significant portion of our deposit funding base, ending the year at 40.0% of total deposits.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights

•Strong Net Interest Margin: Tax equivalent net interest margin was 4.40% for fourth quarter of 2023 up from 4.37% in the third quarter of 2023. The tax equivalent net interest margin, excluding purchase accounting accretion (“PAA”), was 3.91%(1) for the fourth quarter of 2023 up from 3.87%(1) for the third quarter of 2023.

•Solid Profitability: Fourth quarter 2023 net income of $27.3 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.51, translated into an annualized return on average assets of 1.02%, an annualized return on average equity of 7.33% and an annualized return on average tangible equity of 12.61%(1).

_____________________

(1) Refer to page 10 of this earnings release for the calculation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

Merger of Equals

The merger of equals (the “Merger”) between Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. (“Allegiance”) and CBTX, Inc. (“CBTX”), which became effective on October 1, 2022, was accounted for as a reverse acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting, with CBTX treated as the legal acquirer and Allegiance treated as the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes. Therefore, the historical financial statements of the Company prior to the Merger reflect the historical financial statement balances of Allegiance. In addition, the assets and liabilities of CBTX as of the date of the Merger were recorded at estimated fair value and added to those of Allegiance. The Merger had a significant impact on all aspects of the Company's financial statements and, as a result, financial results after the Merger are not comparable

to financial results prior to the Merger. Results of operations for 2023 and the fourth quarter 2022 reflect the combined operations following the Merger. The full year 2022 results of operations reflect the combined operations for the fourth quarter 2022 and the stand-alone Allegiance results for all periods prior to October 1, 2022.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

Net interest income in the fourth quarter 2023 decreased $791 thousand, or 0.7%, to $105.9 million from $106.7 million for the third quarter 2023. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis increased three basis points to 4.40% for the fourth quarter 2023 from 4.37% for the third quarter 2023. The increase in the net interest margin from the prior quarter was primarily due to the increased yield on interest earning assets partially offset by increased rates on our cost of funding. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 benefited from $11.7 million of income from purchase accounting adjustments compared to $12.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. Excluding purchase accounting adjustments, a non-GAAP measure that is reconciled on page 10 of this earnings release, net interest income (tax equivalent) for the fourth quarter 2023 would have been $94.4 million and the tax equivalent net interest margin would have been 3.91%.

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter 2023 was $6.9 million, an increase of $2.2 million, or 46.7%, compared to $4.7 million for the third quarter 2023. Noninterest income increased in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to Small Business Investment Company income recognized partially offset by a decrease in debit card and ATM income due to the impact of the Durbin Amendment and change in the Company’s policy on charging nonsufficient funds fees.

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter 2023 increased $7.2 million, or 10.2%, to $77.9 million compared to $70.7 million for the third quarter 2023. The increase in noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2023 was primarily due to nonrecurring items including higher professional fees associated with various projects during the quarter some of which related to crossing the $10 billion asset threshold, a $2.4 million accrual for future payments to the FDIC pursuant to the special insurance assessment associated with two bank failures during 2023 and $1.9 million of severance expense.

The efficiency ratio was 69.21% for the fourth quarter 2023 compared to 63.50% for the third quarter 2023. Fourth quarter 2023 annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.02%, 7.33% and 12.61%, respectively, compared to 1.14%, 8.34% and 14.47%, respectively, for the third quarter 2023. Return on average tangible equity is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation on page 10 of this earnings release.

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Results

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $147.8 million, or 51.1%, to $436.8 million from $289.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis increased 57 basis points to 4.51% for the year ended December 31, 2023 from 3.94% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in the net interest margin from the prior quarter was primarily due to the impact of the Merger. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 benefited from $46.8 million of purchase accounting adjustments compared to $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Excluding purchase accounting adjustments, a non-GAAP measure that is reconciled on page 10 of this earnings release, net interest income (tax equivalent) for the year ended December 31, 2023 would have been $390.9 million and the tax equivalent net interest margin would have been 4.03%.

Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $24.6 million, an increase of $4.2 million, or 20.7%, compared to $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Noninterest income increased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to increased scale as a result of the Merger along with increased Small Business Investment Company income. The increase in noninterest income was partially offset by the decrease in debit card and ATM income due to the impact of the Durbin Amendment and change in the Company’s policy on charging nonsufficient funds fees along with the nonrecurring gains on sale of securities, loans and assets during the fourth quarter 2022.

Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $94.4 million, or 48.2%, to $290.5 million compared to $196.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in noninterest expense in 2023 compared to 2022 was due to increased scale as a result of the Merger primarily within categories such as salaries and benefits and amortization of intangibles along with higher professional fees

associated with various projects some of which related to crossing the $10 billion asset threshold, partially offset by a decrease in acquisition and merger-related expenses to $15.6 million from $24.1 million in 2022.

The efficiency ratio was 63.02% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 64.23% for the year ended December 31, 2022. Annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity were 1.21%, 8.96% and 15.75%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 0.64%, 5.69% and 9.16%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022. Return on average tangible equity is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation on page 10 of this earnings release.

Financial Condition

Total loans at December 31, 2023 decreased $79.4 million to $7.93 billion compared to $8.00 billion at September 30, 2023. At December 31, 2023, the remaining balance of the purchase accounting adjustments on loans was $106.8 million.

Total deposits at December 31, 2023 increased $186.8 million to $8.87 billion compared to $8.69 billion at September 30, 2023, due to increases in interest-bearing demand, money market and certificates and other time deposits, partially offset by a decreases noninterest-bearing deposits. Shifts in the deposit mix were primarily driven by the current interest rate environment and an intensely competitive market for deposits. Estimated uninsured deposits totaled $4.95 billion and estimated uninsured deposits net of collateralized deposits of $1.17 billion were $3.78 billion, or 42.6%, of total deposits at December 31, 2023.

Total assets at December 31, 2023 were $10.65 billion, a decrease of $18.3 million, compared to $10.67 billion at September 30, 2023.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $39.2 million, or 0.37% of total assets, at December 31, 2023, compared to $38.3 million, or 0.36%, of total assets, at September 30, 2023. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.16% at December 31, 2023 and 1.17% at September 30, 2023.

The provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter 2023 was $1.0 million compared to $2.3 million for the third quarter 2023. Fourth quarter 2023 net charge-offs were $2.6 million, or 0.13% (annualized) of average loans, compared to net charge-offs of $8.1 million, or 0.40% (annualized) of average loans, for the third quarter 2023.

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Stellar’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 10 of this earnings release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Conference Call

Stellar’s management team will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss its fourth quarter 2023 results. Participants may register for the conference call at https://conferencingportals.com/event/FdklYbaS to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN to access the call. If you need assistance in obtaining a dial-in number, please contact IR@stellar.bank. A simultaneous audio-only webcast may be accessed at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/844946085. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the webcast will be accessible via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at ir.stellar.bank.

About Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Stellar’s principal banking subsidiary, Stellar Bank, provides a diversified range of commercial banking services primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses and individual customers across the Houston, Dallas, Beaumont and surrounding communities in Texas.

Investor relations

IR@stellar.bank

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 Merger, including future financial performance and operating results, the Company’s plans, business and growth strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts, including projections of macroeconomic and industry trends, which are inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact economic trends, and any such variations may be material. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “scheduled,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “would,” or “continue” or negatives of such terms or other comparable terminology.

All forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Stellar to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: 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; disruption to our business as a result of the Merger; the risk that the integration of operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than we expected or that we are otherwise unable to successfully integrate our legacy businesses; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Merger; reputational risk and the reaction of our customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the Merger; changes in the interest rate environment, the value of Stellar’s assets and obligations and the availability of capital and liquidity; general competitive, economic, political and market conditions; and other factors that may affect future results of Stellar 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; disruptions to the economy and the U.S. banking system caused by recent bank failures, risks associated with uninsured deposits and responsive measures by federal or state governments or banking regulators, including increases in the cost of our deposit insurance assessments and other actions of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Texas Department of Banking and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms.

Additional factors which could affect the Company’s future results can be found in the Company’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. We 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.

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)


	2023								2022
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31		December 31
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	121,004	$	94,970	$	105,913	$	99,231	$	67,063
Interest-bearing deposits at other financial institutions	278,233		207,302		198,176		164,102		304,642
Total cash and cash equivalents	399,237		302,272		304,089		263,333		371,705

Available for sale securities, at fair value	1,395,680		1,414,952		1,478,222		1,519,175		1,807,586

Loans held for investment	7,925,133		8,004,528		8,068,718		7,886,044		7,754,751
Less: allowance for credit losses on loans	(91,684)		(93,575)		(100,195)		(96,188)		(93,180)
Loans, net	7,833,449		7,910,953		7,968,523		7,789,856		7,661,571

Accrued interest receivable	44,244		43,536		42,051		42,405		44,743
Premises and equipment, net	118,683		119,332		119,142		124,723		126,803
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	25,051		29,022		24,478		19,676		15,058
Bank-owned life insurance	105,084		104,699		104,148		103,616		103,094
Goodwill	497,318		497,318		497,260		497,260		497,260
Core deposit intangibles, net	116,712		122,944		129,805		136,665		143,525
Other assets	111,681		120,432		110,633		108,009		129,092
Total assets	$	10,647,139	$	10,665,460	$	10,778,351	$	10,604,718	$	10,900,437


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	3,546,815	$	3,656,288	$	3,713,536	$	3,877,859	$	4,230,169
Interest-bearing
Demand	1,659,999		1,397,492		1,437,509		1,394,244		1,591,828
Money market and savings	2,136,777		2,128,950		2,174,073		2,401,840		2,575,923
Certificates and other time	1,529,876		1,503,891		1,441,251		1,064,932		869,712
Total interest-bearing deposits	5,326,652		5,030,333		5,052,833		4,861,016		5,037,463
Total deposits	8,873,467		8,686,621		8,766,369		8,738,875		9,267,632

Accrued interest payable	11,288		7,612		4,555		3,875		2,098
Borrowed funds	50,000		323,981		369,963		238,944		63,925
Subordinated debt	109,765		109,665		109,566		109,420		109,367
Other liabilities	81,601		76,735		69,218		67,388		74,239
Total liabilities	9,126,121		9,204,614		9,319,671		9,158,502		9,517,261

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock	533		533		533		533		530
Capital surplus	1,232,627		1,231,686		1,228,532		1,225,596		1,222,761
Retained earnings	405,945		385,600		361,619		333,368		303,146
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(118,087)		(156,973)		(132,004)		(113,281)		(143,261)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,521,018		1,460,846		1,458,680		1,446,216		1,383,176
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	10,647,139	$	10,665,460	$	10,778,351	$	10,604,718	$	10,900,437

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended										Years Ended
	2023								2022		2023		2022
	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	$	139,114	$	138,948	$	133,931	$	125,729	$	116,145	$	537,722	$	280,375
Securities:
Taxable	9,622		9,493		9,726		9,653		9,834		38,494		27,128
Tax-exempt	418		437		436		1,262		3,057		2,553		10,733
Deposits in other financial institutions	3,021		2,391		2,865		3,771		2,933		12,048		4,758
Total interest income	152,175		151,269		146,958		140,415		131,969		590,817		322,994

INTEREST EXPENSE:
Demand, money market and savings deposits	25,033		23,557		20,708		18,037		12,406		87,335		19,139
Certificates and other time deposits	15,075		13,282		9,622		3,307		2,083		41,286		7,825
Borrowed funds	4,154		5,801		6,535		1,317		417		17,807		1,216
Subordinated debt	1,983		1,908		1,812		1,927		1,449		7,630		5,856
Total interest expense	46,245		44,548		38,677		24,588		16,355		154,058		34,036
NET INTEREST INCOME	105,930		106,721		108,281		115,827		115,614		436,759		288,958
Provision for credit losses	1,047		2,315		1,915		3,666		44,793		8,943		50,712
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	104,883		104,406		106,366		112,161		70,821		427,816		238,246

NONINTEREST INCOME:
Nonsufficient funds and overdraft charges	183		291		418		406		447		1,298		834
Service charges on deposit accounts	1,337		1,329		1,157		943		1,242		4,766		2,856
Gain (loss) on sale of assets	198		—		(6)		198		4,025		390		4,050
Bank-owned life insurance	573		551		532		522		515		2,178		1,125
Debit card and ATM income	542		935		1,821		1,698		1,897		4,996		4,465
Other	4,053		1,589		1,561		3,731		2,511		10,934		7,024
Total noninterest income	6,886		4,695		5,483		7,498		10,637		24,562		20,354

NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits	40,464		39,495		37,300		39,775		40,949		157,034		107,554
Net occupancy and equipment	4,572		4,455		3,817		4,088		3,781		16,932		10,335
Depreciation	1,955		1,952		1,841		1,836		1,903		7,584		4,951
Data processing and software amortization	5,000		4,798		4,674		5,054		3,776		19,526		11,337
Professional fees	3,867		997		1,564		1,527		2,298		7,955		3,583
Regulatory assessments and FDIC insurance	5,169		1,814		2,755		1,294		1,263		11,032		4,914
Amortization of intangibles	6,247		6,876		6,881		6,879		7,051		26,883		9,303
Communications	743		663		689		701		737		2,796		1,800
Advertising	1,004		877		907		839		1,130		3,627		2,460
Acquisition and merger-related expenses	3,072		3,421		2,897		6,165		11,469		15,555		24,138
Other	5,848		5,400		5,882		4,440		5,267		21,570		15,701
Total noninterest expense	77,941		70,748		69,207		72,598		79,624		290,494		196,076
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	33,828		38,353		42,642		47,061		1,834		161,884		62,524
Provision for income taxes	6,562		7,445		7,467		9,913		(218)		31,387		11,092
NET INCOME	$	27,266	$	30,908	$	35,175	$	37,148	$	2,052	$	130,497	$	51,432

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic	$	0.51	$	0.58	$	0.66	$	0.70	$	0.04	$	2.45	$	1.48
Diluted	$	0.51	$	0.58	$	0.66	$	0.70	$	0.04	$	2.45	$	1.47

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended															Years Ended
	2023												2022			2023			2022
	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	$	27,266		$	30,908		$	35,175		$	37,148		$	2,052		$	130,497		$	51,432

Earnings per share, basic	$	0.51		$	0.58		$	0.66		$	0.70		$	0.04		$	2.45		$	1.48
Earnings per share, diluted	$	0.51		$	0.58		$	0.66		$	0.70		$	0.04		$	2.45		$	1.47
Dividends per share	$	0.13		$	0.13		$	0.13		$	0.13		$	0.13		$	0.52		$	0.43

Return on average assets(A)	1.02		%	1.14		%	1.31		%	1.38		%	0.07		%	1.21		%	0.64		%
Return on average equity(A)	7.33		%	8.34		%	9.67		%	10.62		%	0.60		%	8.96		%	5.69		%
Return on average tangible equity(A)(B)	12.61		%	14.47		%	17.05		%	19.32		%	1.16		%	15.75		%	9.16		%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)(A)(C)	4.40		%	4.37		%	4.49		%	4.80		%	4.71		%	4.51		%	3.94		%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding PAA(A)(B)(C)	3.91		%	3.87		%	3.97		%	4.38		%	4.38		%	4.03		%	3.83		%
Efficiency ratio(D)	69.21		%	63.50		%	60.83		%	58.96		%	65.14		%	63.02		%	64.23		%

Capital Ratios
Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (Consolidated)
Equity to assets	14.29		%	13.70		%	13.53		%	13.64		%	12.69		%	14.29		%	12.69		%
Tangible equity to tangible assets(B)	9.04		%	8.37		%	8.19		%	8.15		%	7.24		%	9.04		%	7.24		%
Estimated Total capital ratio (to risk-weighted assets)	14.02		%	13.42		%	13.03		%	12.72		%	12.39		%	14.02		%	12.39		%
Estimated Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)	11.77		%	11.14		%	10.67		%	10.39		%	10.04		%	11.77		%	10.04		%
Estimated Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	11.89		%	11.25		%	10.78		%	10.50		%	10.15		%	11.89		%	10.15		%
Estimated Tier 1 leverage (to average tangible assets)	10.18		%	9.82		%	9.51		%	9.01		%	8.55		%	10.18		%	8.55		%
Stellar Bank
Estimated Total capital ratio (to risk-weighted assets)	13.65		%	13.13		%	12.80		%	12.42		%	12.02		%	13.65		%	12.02		%
Estimated Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	12.20		%	11.63		%	11.22		%	10.87		%	10.46		%	12.20		%	10.46		%
Estimated Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	12.20		%	11.63		%	11.22		%	10.87		%	10.46		%	12.20		%	10.46		%
Estimated Tier 1 leverage (to average tangible assets)	10.44		%	10.15		%	9.89		%	9.35		%	8.81		%	10.44		%	8.81		%

Other Data
Weighted average shares:
Basic	53,282			53,313			53,297			53,021			52,715			53,229			34,738
Diluted	53,350			53,380			53,375			53,138			52,973			53,313			35,007
Period end shares outstanding	53,291			53,322			53,303			53,296			52,955			53,291			52,955
Book value per share	$	28.54		$	27.40		$	27.37		$	27.14		$	26.12		$	28.54		$	26.12
Tangible book value per share(B)	$	17.02		$	15.76		$	15.60		$	15.24		$	14.02		$	17.02		$	14.02
Employees - full-time equivalents	998			1,008			1,004			1,055			1,025			998			1,025

(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 10 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 credit losses are not part of this calculation.

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2023						September 30, 2023						December 31, 2022
	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	$	7,973,780	$	139,114	6.92	%	$	8,043,706	$	138,948	6.85	%	$	7,666,502	$	116,145	6.01	%
Securities	1,386,079		10,040		2.87	%	1,471,916		9,930		2.68	%	1,795,082		12,891		2.85	%
Deposits in other financial institutions	217,068		3,021		5.52	%	181,931		2,391		5.21	%	354,117		2,933		3.29	%
Total interest-earning assets	9,576,927		$	152,175	6.30	%	9,697,553		$	151,269	6.19	%	9,815,701		$	131,969	5.33	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans	(92,992)						(99,892)						(88,150)
Noninterest-earning assets	1,142,438						1,143,634						1,218,458
Total assets	$	10,626,373					$	10,741,295					$	10,946,009

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,420,892	$	10,548	2.95	%	$	1,400,508	$	10,415	2.95	%	$	1,465,711	$	5,422	1.47	%
Money market and savings deposits	2,163,348		14,485		2.66	%	2,166,610		13,142		2.41	%	2,705,984		6,984		1.02	%
Certificates and other time deposits	1,461,227		15,075		4.09	%	1,400,367		13,282		3.76	%	932,058		2,083		0.89	%
Borrowed funds	275,694		4,154		5.98	%	411,212		5,801		5.60	%	37,824		417		4.37	%
Subordinated debt	109,713		1,983		7.17	%	109,608		1,908		6.91	%	109,307		1,449		5.26	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	5,430,874		$	46,245	3.38	%	5,488,305		$	44,548	3.22	%	5,250,884		$	16,355	1.24	%

Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	3,624,417						3,695,592						4,199,982
Other liabilities	95,705						86,389						147,205
Total liabilities	9,150,996						9,270,286						9,598,071
Shareholders' equity	1,475,377						1,471,009						1,347,938
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	10,626,373					$	10,741,295					$	10,946,009

Net interest rate spread					2.92	%					2.97	%					4.09	%

Net interest income and margin			$	105,930	4.39	%			$	106,721	4.37	%			$	115,614	4.67	%

Net interest income and net interest margin (tax equivalent)			$	106,121	4.40	%			$	106,919	4.37	%			$	116,574	4.71	%

Cost of funds					2.03	%					1.92	%					0.69	%
Cost of deposits					1.84	%					1.69	%					0.62	%

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)


	Years Ended December 31,
	2023						2022
	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	$	7,961,911	$	537,722	6.75	%	$	5,171,944	$	280,375	5.42	%
Securities	1,490,588		41,047		2.75	%	1,779,425		37,861		2.13	%
Deposits in other financial institutions	242,803		12,048		4.96	%	462,075		4,758		1.03	%
Total interest-earning assets	9,695,302		$	590,817	6.09	%	7,413,444		$	322,994	4.36	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans	(95,668)						(59,099)
Noninterest-earning assets	1,147,232						633,928
Total assets	$	10,746,866					$	7,988,273

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,464,015	$	38,689	2.64	%	$	1,140,575	$	9,278	0.81	%
Money market and savings deposits	2,259,264		48,646		2.15	%	1,841,348		9,861		0.54	%
Certificates and other time deposits	1,239,345		41,286		3.33	%	1,034,491		7,825		0.76	%
Borrowed funds	318,721		17,807		5.59	%	61,773		1,216		1.97	%
Subordinated debt	109,560		7,630		6.96	%	109,111		5,856		5.37	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	5,390,905		$	154,058	2.86	%	4,187,298		34,036		0.81	%

Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	3,814,651						2,833,865
Other liabilities	85,376						62,581
Total liabilities	9,290,932						7,083,744
Shareholders' equity	1,455,934						904,529
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	10,746,866					$	7,988,273

Net interest rate spread					3.23	%					3.55	%

Net interest income and margin			$	436,759	4.50	%			$	288,958	3.90	%

Net interest income and net interest margin (tax equivalent)			$	437,670	4.51	%			$	292,152	3.94	%

Cost of funds					1.67	%					0.48	%
Cost of deposits					1.47	%					0.39	%

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
	2023												2022
	December 31			September 30			June 30			March 31			December 31
	(Dollars in thousands)
Period-end Loan Portfolio:
Commercial and industrial	$	1,409,002		$	1,474,600		$	1,512,476		$	1,477,340		$	1,455,795
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)	5,100			5,968			8,027			11,081			13,226
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	4,071,807			4,076,606			4,038,487			4,014,609			3,931,480
Commercial real estate construction and land development	1,060,406			1,078,265			1,136,124			1,034,538			1,037,678
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	1,047,174			1,024,945			1,009,439			1,008,362			1,000,956
Residential construction	267,357			289,553			311,208			292,143			268,150
Consumer and other	64,287			54,591			52,957			47,971			47,466
Total loans held for investment	$	7,925,133		$	8,004,528		$	8,068,718		$	7,886,044		$	7,754,751

Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	3,546,815		$	3,656,288		$	3,713,536		$	3,877,859		$	4,230,169
Interest-bearing
Demand	1,659,999			1,397,492			1,437,509			1,394,244			1,591,828
Money market and savings	2,136,777			2,128,950			2,174,073			2,401,840			2,575,923
Certificates and other time	1,529,876			1,503,891			1,441,251			1,064,932			869,712
Total interest-bearing deposits	5,326,652			5,030,333			5,052,833			4,861,016			5,037,463
Total deposits	$	8,873,467		$	8,686,621		$	8,766,369		$	8,738,875		$	9,267,632

Asset Quality:
Nonaccrual loans	$	39,191		$	38,291		$	43,349		$	43,413		$	45,048
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due	—			—			—			—			—
Total nonperforming loans	39,191			38,291			43,349			43,413			45,048
Other repossessed assets	—			—			—			124			—
Total nonperforming assets	$	39,191		$	38,291		$	43,349		$	43,537		$	45,048

Net charge-offs	$	2,577		$	8,116		$	236		$	192		$	5,707

Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	5,048		$	14,991		$	22,968		$	23,329		$	25,402
Real estate:
Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential)	16,699			13,563			8,221			9,026			9,970
Commercial real estate construction and land development	5,043			170			388			27			—
1-4 family residential (including home equity)	8,874			8,442			10,880			10,586			9,404
Residential construction	3,288			635			665			195			—
Consumer and other	239			490			227			250			272
Total nonaccrual loans	$	39,191		$	38,291		$	43,349		$	43,413		$	45,048

Asset Quality Ratios:
Nonperforming assets to total assets	0.37		%	0.36		%	0.40		%	0.41		%	0.41		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	0.49		%	0.48		%	0.54		%	0.55		%	0.58		%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans	233.94		%	244.38		%	231.14		%	221.56		%	206.85		%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans	1.16		%	1.17		%	1.24		%	1.22		%	1.20		%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)	0.13		%	0.40		%	0.01		%	0.01		%	0.30		%

Stellar Bancorp, Inc.

GAAP Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

Stellar’s management uses certain non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures to evaluate its performance. Stellar 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 Stellar’s performance and when planning, forecasting, analyzing and comparing past, present and future periods. Specifically, Stellar reviews pre-tax, pre-provision income, pre-tax pre-provision ROAA, tangible book value per share, return on average tangible equity, tangible equity to tangible assets and net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding PAA for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Stellar 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 Stellar calculates the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.


	Three Months Ended															Years Ended
	2023												2022			2023			2022
	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	$	27,266		$	30,908		$	35,175		$	37,148		$	2,052		$	130,497		$	51,432
Add: Provision for credit losses	1,047			2,315			1,915			3,666			44,793			8,943			50,712
Add: Provision for income taxes	6,562			7,445			7,467			9,913			(218)			31,387			11,092
Pre-tax, pre-provision income	$	34,875		$	40,668		$	44,557		$	50,727		$	46,627		$	170,827		$	113,236

Total average assets	$	10,626,373		$	10,741,295		$	10,740,138		$	10,882,533		$	10,946,009		$	10,746,866		$	7,988,273

Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets(B)	1.30		%	1.50		%	1.66		%	1.89		%	1.69		%	1.59		%	1.42		%

Total shareholders' equity	$	1,521,018		$	1,460,846		$	1,458,680		$	1,446,216		$	1,383,176		$	1,521,018		$	1,383,176
Less: Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net	614,030			620,262			627,065			633,925			640,785			614,030			640,785
Tangible shareholders’ equity	$	906,988		$	840,584		$	831,615		$	812,291		$	742,391		$	906,988		$	742,391

Shares outstanding at end of period	53,291			53,322			53,303			53,296			52,955			53,291			52,955

Tangible book value per share	$	17.02		$	15.76		$	15.60		$	15.24		$	14.02		$	17.02		$	14.02

Average shareholders' equity	$	1,475,377		$	1,471,009		$	1,458,473		$	1,418,082		$	1,347,938		$	1,455,934		$	904,529
Less: Average goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net	617,236			623,864			630,854			638,110			658,107			627,449			343,257
Average tangible shareholders’ equity	$	858,141		$	847,145		$	827,619		$	779,972		$	689,831		$	828,485		$	561,272

Return on average tangible equity(B)	12.61		%	14.47		%	17.05		%	19.32		%	1.18		%	15.75		%	9.16		%

Total assets	$	10,647,139		$	10,665,460		$	10,778,351		$	10,604,718		$	10,900,437		$	10,647,139		$	10,900,437
Less: Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net	614,030			620,262			627,065			633,925			640,785			614,030			640,785
Tangible assets	$	10,033,109		$	10,045,198		$	10,151,286		$	9,970,793		$	10,259,652		$	10,033,109		$	10,259,652

Tangible equity to tangible assets	9.04		%	8.37		%	8.19		%	8.15		%	7.24		%	9.04		%	7.24		%

Net interest income (tax equivalent)	$	106,121		$	106,919		$	108,509		$	116,119		$	116,574		$	437,670		$	292,152
Less: Purchase accounting accretion	11,726			12,400			12,572			10,104			8,160			46,802			8,370
Adjusted net interest income (tax equivalent)	$	94,395		$	94,519		$	95,937		$	106,015		$	108,414		$	390,868		$	283,782

Average earning assets	$	9,576,927		$	9,697,553		$	9,693,527		$	9,815,803		$	9,815,701		$	9,695,302		$	7,413,444
Net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding PAA	3.91		%	3.87		%	3.97		%	4.38		%	4.38		%	4.03		%	3.83		%

(A)Represents total noninterest expense, excluding acquisition and merger-related expenses, core deposit intangibles amortization and write-downs on assets moved to held for sale, divided by the sum of net interest income, excluding purchase accounting adjustments plus noninterest income, excluding gains and losses on the sale of assets. Additionally, taxes and provision for credit losses are not part of this calculation.

(B)Interim periods annualized.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Presentation Exhibit 99.2

Forward-Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Financial Measures 2 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 merger of equals (the “Merger”) between Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. and CBTX, Inc. which became effective on October 1, 2022, including future financial performance and operating results, the Company’s plans, business and growth strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts, including projections of macroeconomic and industry trends, which are inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact economic trends, and any such variations may be material. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “scheduled,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “would,” or “continue” or negatives of such terms or other comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (“Stellar”) to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: 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; disruption to our business as a result of the Merger; the risk that the integration of operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than we expected or that we are otherwise unable to successfully integrate our legacy businesses; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Merger; reputational risk and the reaction of our customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the Merger; changes in the interest rate environment, the value of Stellar’s assets and obligations and the availability of capital and liquidity; general competitive, economic, political and market conditions; and other factors that may affect future results of Stellar 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; disruptions to the economy and the U.S. banking system caused by recent bank failures, risks associated with uninsured deposits and responsive measures by federal or state governments or banking regulators, including increases in the cost of our deposit insurance assessments and other actions of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Texas Department of Banking and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms. Additional factors which could affect the Company’s future results can be found in the Company’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. We 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. GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company’s management uses certain non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures to evaluate its performance. The Company 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 the Company’s performance and when planning, forecasting, analyzing and comparing past, present and future periods. Specifically, the Company reviews pre-tax, pre-provision income; pre-tax pre-provision ROAA, the ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets; net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding purchase accounting adjustments; and loan yield excluding accretion for internal planning and forecasting purposes. The Company has included in this presentation 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 Stellar calculates the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

3 (1) Refer to the calculation of this non-GAAP financial measure and a reconciliation to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in the appendix. Stellar Bancorp, Inc. - Snapshot Houston’s largest regionally-focused bank  Principal banking subsidiary renamed Stellar Bank upon successful system conversion in February 2023  Combination delivered scale, growth opportunities, and talent depth  Merger-of-equals between CBTX, Inc. and Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. became effective October 1, 2022 (NYSE: STEL)  Valuable franchise in one of the best markets in the U.S. 12/31/2023 9/30/2023 Total assets 10,647,139$ 10,665,460$ Total loans 7,925,133 8,004,528 Total deposits 8,873,467 8,686,621 Total loans to total deposits 89.31% 92.15% Equity to assets 14.29% 13.70% Tangible equity to tangible assets (1) 9.04% 8.37% (Dollars in thousands) Banking Centers  Strong core earnings power and capital position

$1.9 $1.9 $2.1 $2.5 $2.6 $3.0 $3.1 $5.5 $5.7 $6.7 $7.6 $7.8 $8.6 $10.2 $12.0 $27.2 $29.8 $157.3 Texas Independent BOK Regions Texas Capital Truist Comerica Third Coast Woodforest Prosperity Capital One Frost Cadence Stellar PNC Zions BofA Wells Fargo JPMorgan Focused on Serving the Houston Region 4 Note: Deposit market share based on FDIC data as of June 30, 2023. 1) Houston Region defined as the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands and Beaumont-Port Arthur MSAs; Excludes non-retail branches. Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro; Excludes non-retail branches Stel a Houston Region Market Share(1) Deposits ($B) Houston Percent of Houston T otal Assets Region Com pany Region Market Nam e ($B) Deposits ($B) Deposits (%) Share (%) JPMorgan 3,868 157.3 6.6 48.2 Wells Fargo 1,876 29.8 2.2 9.1 BofA 3,123 27.2 1.4 8.3 Zions 87.2 12.0 16.2 3.7 PNC 558 10.2 2.4 3.1 Stellar 10.8 8.6 97.7 2.6 Cadence 48.8 7.8 20.1 2.4 Frost 48.6 7.6 18.8 2.3 Capital One 468 6.7 1.9 2.0 Prosperity 39.9 5.7 20.9 1.8 Woodforest 9.6 5.5 69.7 1.7 Third Coast 4.0 3.1 90.9 0.9 Comerica 91.0 3.0 4.5 0.9 Truist 555 2.6 0.6 0.8 Texas Capital 29.0 2.5 10.7 0.8 Regions 156 2.1 1.6 0.6 BOK 49.2 1.9 5.7 0.6 Texas Independent 2.2 1.9 100.0 0.6 (1)

5 Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights (1) Refer to the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the appendix. (2) Annualized.  Strong Net Interest Margin (“NIM”): NIM of 4.40% (2) and NIM excluding purchase accounting adjustments (“PAA”) of 3.91% (1)(2) , up from 4.37% (2) and 3.87% (1)(2) , respectively, for the third quarter 2023.  Solid Profitability: Net income of $27.3 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2023. Return on average assets was 1.02% (2) and return on average tangible equity was 12.61% (1)(2) for the fourth quarter 2023. The fourth quarter 2023 results reflect certain nonrecurring items, including the FDIC special insurance assessment of $2.4 million. Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights:  Strong Earnings: Stellar recorded 2023 net income of $130.5 million, or diluted earnings per share of $2.45, representing a return on average assets of 1.21%, return on average equity of 8.96% and return on average tangible equity of 15.75%(1) .  Meaningful Regulatory Capital Build: Total risk based capital ratio increased to 14.02% at December 31, 2023 from 12.39% at December 31, 2022 and Tier 1 leverage ratio increased to 10.18% at December 31, 2023 from 8.55% at December 31, 2022.  Book Value Growth: During 2023, book value per share increased to $28.54 at December 31, 2023 compared to $26.12 at December 31, 2022 while tangible book value per share increased by $3.00, or 21.4%, from $14.02 (2) at December 31, 2022 to $17.02 (2) at December 31, 2023.  Advantageous Funding Profile: Noninterest-bearing deposit balances remained a significant portion of our deposit funding base, ending the year at 40.0% of total deposits. 2023 Financial Highlights Tangible Book Value Per Share (1) Total Capital Ratio 12.39% 14.02% 2022 2023 $14.02 $17.02 2022 2023

Fourth Quarter Deposit Summary 6 Deposit Mix Deposits (in millions) Maintaining Discipline Navigating Competitive Deposit Market As of December 31, 2023: • Retained favorable mix: 40.0% noninterest-bearing deposits • Estimated uninsured deposits, net of collateralized deposits: 42.6% • Average account size of $92 thousand, excluding collateralized and brokered deposits • 89.3% loan to deposit ratio • Brokered deposits increased to $615.9 million from $579.0 million at September 30, 2023 and FHLB borrowings decreased to $50.0 million from $324.0 million at September 30, 2023 . (1) NIB 40.0% IB Demand 18.7% MMDA & Sav. 24.1% CD's 17.2% Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Noninterest-bearing ("NIB") 3,546,815$ 3,656,288$ Interest-bearing demand ("IB Demand") 1,659,999 1,397,492 Money market and savings ("MMDA & Sav.") 2,136,777 2,128,950 Certificates and other time ("CD's") 1,529,876 1,503,891 Total deposits 8,873,467$ 8,686,621$ Cost of deposits 1.84% 1.69% Cost of interest-bearing deposits 3.15% 2.94% (Dollars in thousands)

Fourth Quarter Loan Summary 7 (1) Refer to the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the appendix. . Loan Portfolio Composition (1) (1) 1-4 Family 13.2% Multifamily RE 5.8% Resi. C&D 3.4% CRE C&D 13.4% CRE 21.8% OO CRE 23.7% C&I 17.9% Consumer & Other 0.8%Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Commercial and Industrial (“C&I”) 1,414,102$ 1,480,568$ Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) 1,728,566 1,731,467 Owner-occupied CRE (“OO CRE") 1,880,075 1,891,794 Multifamily Real Estate 463,166 453,345 Total Commercial Real Estate 4,071,807 4,076,606 CRE Construction & Development (“CRE C&D”) 1,060,406 1,078,265 1-4 Family Residential ("1-4 Family") 1,047,174 1,024,945 Residential Construction (“Resi. C&D”) 267,357 289,553 Consumer and other 64,287 54,591 Total 7,925,133$ 8,004,528$ (Dollars in thousands) Average Yield / Rate Excl. PAA(1) Average Yield / Rate Excl. PAA(1) Interest-Earning Assets: Loans 7,973,780$ 139,114$ 6.92% 6.34% 8,043,706$ 138,948$ 6.85% 6.24% Securities 1,386,079 10,040 2.87% 1,471,916 9,930 2.68% Deposits in other financial institutions 217,068 3,021 5.52% 181,931 2,391 5.21% Total interest-earning assets 9,576,927$ 152,175$ 6.30% 5.82% 9,697,553$ 151,269$ 6.19% 5.68% (Dollars in thousands) Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Average Outstanding Balance Interest Earned / Interest Paid Average Outstanding Balance Interest Earned / Interest Paid

Fourth Quarter Asset Quality Summary 8 Nonperforming Loans by Type (1) Combined represents the simple addition of legacy balances for 2022; estimated. Allowance for credit losses on loans: • As of December 31, 2023, was $91.7 million, or 1.16% of total loans, compared to $93.6 million, or 1.17% of total loans, as of September 30, 2023 Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans: • As of December 31, 2023, was 233.94% compared to 244.38% as of September 30, 2023 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Total nonperforming loans 39,191$ 38,291$ Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.49% 0.48% Total nonperforming assets 39,191$ 38,291$ 0.37% 0.36% Net charge-offs 2,577$ 8,116$ 0.13% 0.40% (Dollars in thousands) Nonperforming assets to total assets Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized) Nonaccrual Loans with No Related Allowance Nonaccrual Loans with Related Allowance Total Nonaccrual Loans Commercial and industrial 1,616$ 3,432$ 5,048$ Commercial real estate (including multi-family residential) 11,844 4,855 16,699 Commercial real estate construction and land development 5,043 — 5,043 1-4 family residential (including equity) 7,400 1,474 8,874 Residential construction 3,288 — 3,288 Consumer and other 54 185 239 29,245$ 9,946$ 39,191$ (Dollars in thousands) C&I 12.9% CRE 28.3% OO CRE 9.9% Multifamily RE 4.4% CRE C&D 12.9% 1-4 Family 22.6% Other 9.0%

Regulatory Capital Ratios 9 (1) Refer to the calculation of this non-GAAP financial measure and a reconciliation to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in the appendix. Regulatory capital ratios have grown meaningfully in 2023 Minimum Required Plus Capital Conservation Buffer Consolidated Capital Ratios Total Capital Ratio (to risk-weighted assets) 14.02% 12.39% 10.50% Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio (to risk-weighted assets) 11.77% 10.04% 7.00% Tier 1 Capital Ratio (to risk-weighted assets) 11.89% 10.15% 8.50% Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (to average tangible assets) 10.18% 8.55% 4.00% Tangible equity to tangible assets (1) 9.04% 7.24% N/A Bank Capital Ratios Total Capital Ratio (to risk-weighted assets) 13.65% 12.02% 10.50% Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio (to risk-weighted assets) 12.20% 10.46% 7.00% Tier 1 Capital Ratio (to risk-weighted assets) 12.20% 10.46% 8.50% Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (to average tangible assets) 10.44% 8.81% 4.00% 2023 2022

10 Strong Liquidity Profile Stellar is well-positioned to manage through current environment Sources of Liquidity at December 31, 2023 Sources of Liquidity Estimated Uninsured Deposits at December 31, 2023 (1) Brokered deposit capacity is governed by internal policy limits. 95.8% 126.6% Immediate available liquidity coverage of estimated uninsured deposits, net of collateralized deposits Total available liquidity coverage of estimated uninsured deposits, net of collateralized deposits (Dollars in millions) Cash 399$ Unpledged securities 788 Total on-balance sheet 1,187 FHLB available capacity 1,608 Discount window available capacity 824 Total immediate available liquidity 3,619 Available brokered deposit capacity(1) 1,164 Total available liquidity 4,783$ Amount (Dollars in millions) Total deposits 8,873$ Estimated uninsured deposits 4,946 Less: collateralized deposits (1,169) Estimated uninsured, net of collateralized deposits 3,777$ Percent of total deposits 42.6% Amount

11 Key Takeaways Excellent core funding profile Strong earnings power and franchise value in one of the best markets in the U.S. Key success factors: Credit performance and risk management Significant financial flexibility Positioned for rapid capital-build to continue

4.8% 4.1% 2.1% Houston MSA Texas USA 5.0% 4.4% 2.4% Houston MSA Texas USA 29.8 27.2 12.0 10.2 8.6 7.8 7.6 6.7 5.7 JP Morgan Wells Fargo BofA Zions PNC Stellar Cadence Frost Capital One Prosperity Diverse and Strong Markets of Operation 12 Houston is Diverse, with Significant Economic Tailwinds Greater Houston Market  Houston is the #1 most diverse city in the U.S. based on socioeconomic factors, according to Wallet Hub  26th largest economy in the world – if ranked as a country − 15th largest population in the U.S – if ranked as a state  Port Houston is the largest Gulf Coast container port, 1st in foreign tonnage for 26 consecutive years  Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical complex, which has 10 million annual patient encounters  Business friendly: #3 among U.S. metro areas in Fortune 500 headquarters (26)  Major business clusters in Beaumont-Port Arthur area include chemical and petroleum manufacturing, materials manufacturing and transportation Top 10 Bank by Deposits in Houston Region(1) ($B) Note: Deposit market share based on FDIC data as of June 30, 2023. 1) Houston Region defined as the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands and Beaumont-Port Arthur MSAs; Excludes non-retail branches. Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro, Houston.org, Texas Medical Center, and Wallet Hub. $157 Est. Population Growth ’23-’28 Est. Number of Households Growth ’23-’28 Population Change (’18-’23) Median Household Income (’23) Significant Deposit Share Houston MSA: 5.5% Texas: 5.4% / U.S: 2.4% Houston MSA: $74,325 Texas: $71,347 / U.S: $73,503 Stellar has over $8.6 billion in deposits in the Houston region(1) Houston HQ Bank

Professional and Business Services 17% Government 13% Education and Health Services 13% Leisure and Hospitality 10% Retail Trade 9% Manufacturing 7% Construction 6% Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities 6% Financial Activities 6% Wholesale Trade 5% Other Services 4% Mining and Logging 2% Information 1% 4.6% 5.4% 4.0% 3.2% 2.6% 0.9% 4.7% 6.1% 2.8% 2.9% 2.9% (3.9)% 2.2% (0.6)% Mining and Logging Private Education and Health Services Financial Activities Leisure and Hospitality Professional and Business Services Information Wholesale Trade Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities Government Total Nonfarm Manufacturing Construction Retail Trade Other Services Diversified and Growing Economy 13 1) Data is preliminary as of September 2023, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Houston vs. U.S. Job Change by Industry (Sept ‘22 – Sept. ‘23)(1) Diversified Economy by Job Sector(1) Commentary  Houston’s economy has become much more diversified over the years, while remaining the energy capital of the United States  Houston's largest job sector, professional and business services, recovered faster than U.S. and has shown sector growth  Financial activities showed a large gain over the last year versus the United States United States Houston MSA

2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 Houston is a Resilient Market 14  Since the Great Recession, Houston has proven its resiliency, weathering economic cycles and natural disasters − Houston welcomed 2.1 million new residents and created over 905 thousand jobs since 2007 P o p u la tio n (M ) O il P ri ce D ec li n e G re a t R ec es si o n Ik e H a rv ey C O V ID -1 9 E m p lo y m e n t (M ) Employment Population1) Data is preliminary as of September 2023, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas Workforce Commission

302,570 (300,000) (200,000) (100,000) 0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 H o u st o n D a ll a s N ew Y o rk A tl a n ta P h o en ix M ia m i T a m p a S ea tt le R iv er si d e B o st o n D en v er W a sh in g to n S a n F ra n ci sc o M in n ea p o li s P h il a d el p h ia S a n D ie g o B a lt im o re D et ro it L o s A n g el es C h ic a g o Houston’s Growth Projected to Continue 15 Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro as of June 30, 2022; Oxford Economics, December 2022, CBRE Research. 2010-2023 Population Change (%) Houston has the highest projected net migration 20 most populated metros 5.20% 1.35% 0.46% 24.61% 24.45% 19.57% 8.34% New York MSA Los Angeles MSA Chicago MSA Dallas MSA Houston MSA Texas U.S. • Houston has seen tremendous growth over the past ten years, aided by the relocation of multiple Fortune 500 companies • The growth is not expected to stop any time soon either, as it is projected to see the largest net migration compared to the top 30 most populated metros • The continued growth of the Houston metro will strengthen and diversify the greater economy, benefiting the businesses and constituents Houston is projected to add over 302,000 people by net migration in the next 5 years – a 60,500/year average

$92,662 $86,611 $83,193 $81,625 $74,325 $71,347 $73,503 New York MSA Los Angeles MSA Chicago MSA Dallas MSA Houston MSA Texas U.S. $787,500 $978,000 $335,000 $385,000 $330,000 $341,700 $400,528 New York MSA Los Angeles MSA Chicago MSA Dallas MSA Houston MSA Texas U.S. 8.5x 11.3x 4.0x 4.7x 4.4x 4.8x 5.4x New York MSA Los Angeles MSA Chicago MSA Dallas MSA Houston MSA Texas U.S. Housing Market and Cost of Living 16 • Cost of living in Houston is 8.3% less than that of the U.S. market average while the median household income is above the U.S. median • Houston is #2 in U.S. annual new home starts and closing, only behind Dallas 2 0 2 3 M e d ia n H o u s e h o ld I n c o m e 2 0 2 3 M e d ia n H o m e P r ic e H H I t o M e d ia n H o m e P r ic e R a ti o Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro as of June 30, 2022

Appendix: Non-GAAP Reconciliation(1) 17 (1) See the disclosure under the heading “GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on slide 2 regarding the use of non-GAAP financial measures. (2) Interim periods annualized. Net income $ 27,266 $ 30,908 $ 130,497 $ 51,432 Add: Provision for credit losses 1,047 2,315 8,943 50,712 Add: Provision for income taxes 6,562 7,445 31,387 11,092 Pre-tax, pre-provision Income $ 34,875 $ 40,668 $ 170,827 $ 113,236 Total average assets $ 10,626,373 $ 10,741,295 $ 10,746,866 $ 7,988,273 Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets (2) 1.30% 1.50% 1.59% 1.42% Total shareholders' equity $ 1,521,018 $ 1,460,846 $ 1,521,018 $ 1,383,176 Less: Goodw ill and core deposit intangibles, net 614,030 620,262 614,030 640,785 Tangible shareholders' equity $ 906,988 $ 840,584 $ 906,988 $ 742,391 Total assets $ 10,647,139 $ 10,665,460 $ 10,647,139 $ 10,900,437 Less: Goodw ill and core deposit intangibles, net 614,030 620,262 614,030 640,785 Tangible assets $ 10,033,109 $ 10,045,198 $ 10,033,109 $ 10,259,652 Tangible equity to tangible assets 9.04% 8.37% 9.04% 7.24% Net interest income (tax equivalent) $ 106,121 $ 106,919 $ 437,670 $ 292,152 Less: Purchase accounting accretion 11,726 12,400 46,802 8,370 Adjusted net interest income (tax equivalent) $ 94,395 $ 94,519 $ 390,868 $ 283,782 Average earning assets $ 9,576,927 $ 9,697,553 $ 9,695,302 $ 7,413,444 Net interest margin (tax equivalent)(2) 4.40% 4.37% 4.51% 3.94% Net interest margin (tax equivalent) excluding PAA (2) 3.91% 3.87% 4.03% 3.83% Interest on loans, as reported $ 139,114 $ 138,948 $ 537,722 $ 280,375 Less: Purchase accounting accretion (loans) 11,726 12,400 46,802 8,370 Interest on loans w ithout loan discount accretion $ 127,388 $ 126,548 $ 490,920 $ 272,005 Average loans $ 7,973,780 $ 8,043,706 $ 7,961,911 $ 5,171,944 Loan yield, as reported 6.92% 6.85% 6.75% 5.42% Loan yield, w ithout discount accretion 6.34% 6.24% 6.17% 5.26% Interest on interest-earning assets, as reported $ 152,175 $ 151,269 $ 590,817 $ 322,994 Less: Purchase accounting accretion (loans) 11,726 12,400 46,802 8,370 Interest on interest-earnings assets w ithout loan discount accretion $ 140,449 $ 138,869 $ 544,015 $ 314,624 Average interest-earnings assets $ 9,576,927 $ 9,697,553 $ 9,695,302 $ 7,413,444 Yield on interest-earnings assets, as reported 6.30% 6.19% 6.09% 4.36% Yield on interest-earnings assets, w ithout discount accretion 5.82% 5.68% 5.61% 4.24% Year 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Year 2023

18 NYSE: STEL

Cover	Oct. 27, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 26, 2024
Entity File Number	001-38280
Entity Registrant Name	Stellar Bancorp, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001473844
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-8339782
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Address, Address Line One	9 Greenway Plaza,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 110
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77046
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	210-7600
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	STEL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false