Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:GSBC) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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Rex Copeland : Yes, I think that’s exactly right.

Damon DelMonte : Okay. That’s helpful. Thank you. And then I guess just lastly on kind of the outlook for loan growth, you got the commentary on the pipeline and it’s being lower, but yet still being somewhat healthy. How do you kind of frame out growth for the upcoming year? Do you think kind of low to mid-single digits is doable? Do you think you could actually get to a solid mid-single digit level? What are your thoughts on that?

Joseph Turner : It’s just really hard to say Damon. We’re subject to levels of competition, also customer interest and moving forward with projects. We’re not seeing a ton of projects that really sort of fit what we’re trying to do. Either people are trying to do it, do their projects with too low equity or unguaranteed or those sorts of things. And we’re not willing to stretch to put stuff on the books, it’s just hard to say at this point.

Operator: Our next question will come from line of John Rodis from Janney.

John Rodis : Just back to the expense topic, can you just give us an update on the systems conversion? I know in the text you said mid-2024, but so how should we think about expenses there in the first and second quarter and I guess, if any in the third quarter?

Joseph Turner : I mean, I don’t know, John, that we can really update you. Much past what we’ve got in the earnings release, we’ve just sort of — we’re in discussion with the third-party vendor. As we said, we have some disputes with them and we’re trying to make progress on those. But we really haven’t made much to date. I really can’t — we’re going to have that level of expenses until we ultimately do something. And so, I think you’re going to have to kind of model those probably here for the time being

John Rodis : Joe, is worse case though mid this year, or could it be stretched out even farther than that? Is that what you’re saying?

Joseph Turner : Well, it is hard to say. I just wouldn’t want to — I couldn’t tell you beyond that, I can’t comment much past what —

John Rodis : Just one other question. Credit quality remains very solid for you guys, but I did notice in the one table potential problem loans, you had a new addition of roughly 7.2 million and it was other residential. Can you maybe just add a little detail or color on that?

Joseph Turner : That’s a modest size multi-family project in Oklahoma. And to be honest with you, John, I mean we expect that to resolve relatively quickly, hopefully in ‘24. At this point, we don’t expect a loss on it.

Operator: I’m not showing any no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn it back to Joe Turner for closing remarks.

Joseph Turner : All right, everybody, we appreciate you being with us, here in January and we’ll look forward to talking to you in April. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you for your participation in today’s conference. This does conclude the program. You may now disconnect. Everyone, have a great day.

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