• Bank of the James Announces Third Quarter, Nine Months of 2023 Financial Results and Declaration of Dividend

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 20 Oct 2023 12:25:38   America/New_York

    LYNCHBURG, Va., Oct. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:BOTJ), the parent company of Bank of the James (the “Bank”), a full-service commercial and retail bank, and Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc. (“PWW”), an SEC-registered investment advisor, today announced unaudited results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023. The Bank serves Region 2000 (the greater Lynchburg MSA) and the Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Roanoke, and Wytheville, Virginia markets.

    Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $2.08 million or $0.46 per basic and diluted share compared with $2.57 million or $0.55 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $6.60 million or $1.44 per basic and diluted share compared with $7.01 million or $1.48 per basic and diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

    Robert R. Chapman III, CEO, commented: “With a keen focus on financial strength, liquidity, and exceptional asset quality, our Company generated positive, stable financial and operational results. Our year-to-date performance reflects many positives during a period when rising interest rates have, understandably, slowed loan growth but have also created opportunities for us to demonstrate the many benefits of being a Bank of the James client.

    “Skilled service from our banking team and a wide range of reliable, secure electronic and Web-based banking products for commercial and retail customers are backed by an operating philosophy that emphasizes safety and financial strength. This has contributed to high levels of customer retention in commercial real estate and commercial and industrial banking. Our financial management capabilities extend beyond lending and continue to attract a growing base of commercial customers. The ability to provide residential mortgage solutions has allowed the Bank to capture additional market share even in a rising rate environment.

    “Operationally, we have maintained the improvements to productivity made during the past year, reflected in returns on average equity and the efficiency ratio. Growing deposits have enhanced liquidity and enabled the Bank to avoid any borrowings outside of deposits. This has helped to control our cost of funds, which has enabled us to provide the best possible rates to customers while maintaining relatively stable margins.

    “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintaining asset and credit quality for our Company and our customers. Diligent credit management and a proactive approach with customers have resulted, as of September 30, 2023, in having no other real estate owned (OREO) and low levels of nonperforming and watch-list loans.

    “As we approach the close of a very eventful year, we continue to focus on risk management, serving our customers, and creating value for shareholders.”

    Third Quarter, Nine Months of 2023 Highlights

    • Total interest income of $10.14 million in the third quarter and $28.82 million in the nine months of 2023 increased 21% and 26% compared with the respective periods of 2022. The year-over-year growth primarily reflected commercial loan interest rate adjustments to keep pace with the rising interest rate environment and a higher yield on Fed Funds sold.
    • Net interest income after recovery of credit losses was $7.53 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared with $8.20 million a year earlier. For the nine months of 2023, net interest income after recovery of credit losses increased to $22.63 million from $22.31 million for the nine months of 2022.
    • Net interest margin and net interest spread improved in the first nine months of 2023 compared with the same period a year earlier, primarily reflecting year-over-year growth in returns on total earning assets and loans along with a slowing of margin compression.
    • Total noninterest income was $3.20 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared with $3.85 million a year earlier, and noninterest income for the nine months of 2023 was $9.69 million compared with $10.52 million for the nine months of 2022. Both periods were highlighted by solid income from commercial treasury services activity and continuing strong wealth management fee contributions from PWW. Gains on sale of residential mortgages slowed as increased interest rates made mortgage borrowing less attractive.
    • Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, were $599.60 million at September 30, 2023 compared with $605.37 million at December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting rate-driven slowing of demand and the Company’s focus on loan quality.
    • Asset quality remained strong, with a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.10% at September 30, 2023 and minimal levels of nonperforming loans and no OREO.
    • Total deposits grew to $880.20 million at September 30, 2023 compared with $848.14 million at December 31, 2022.
    • On October 17, 2023 the Company’s board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share to stockholders of record as of November 24, 2023 to be paid on December 8, 2023.
    • Measures of shareholder value at September 30, 2023 reflected increased book value per share to $11.03 from $10.85 at December 31, 2022, stable total stockholders’ equity, and increased retained earnings. The Company’s most recent repurchase plan was completed in the second quarter of 2023. In conjunction with a previous repurchase plan, the Company has repurchased just under 4% of its outstanding common stock since August 2022.

    Third Quarter, Nine Months of 2023 Operational Review

    Net interest income after a $164,000 recovery of credit losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was $7.53 million compared with net interest income after a $300,000 recovery of credit losses of $8.20 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. For the nine months of 2023, net interest income after a $278,000 recovery of credit losses was $22.63 million compared with net interest income after a $900,000 recovery of credit losses of $22.31 million for the nine months of 2022.

    Total interest income increased to $10.14 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared with $8.40 million a year earlier. For the nine months of 2023, total interest income was $28.82 million compared with $22.91 million for the nine months of 2022. Both 2023 periods reflected moderate loan activity and interest rate increases.

    The interest rate adjustment related to variable rate loans along with an increase in the Fed Funds rate continued to have a positive impact on the yields earned on interest earning assets. Management noted that while margin compression continues to have an impact, it slowed moderately in the current quarter. The yield on interest-earning assets in the third quarter of 2023 was 4.43% compared with 3.64% a year earlier, while average loan yield increased to 5.13% from 4.37% in the prior year’s third quarter. The interest spread was 2.94% compared with 3.38% a year earlier. Net interest margin was 3.21% in the third quarter of 2023 compared with 3.42% in the third quarter of 2022.

    For the nine months of 2023, the yield on interest-earning assets was 4.30% compared with 3.30% for the nine months of 2022. The interest spread was 3.12% compared with 3.04% for the nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net interest margin was 3.33% compared with 3.09% for the nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

    Total interest expense in the third quarter and nine months of 2023 increased compared with the 2022 periods, reflecting increased levels of interest-paying deposits and higher deposit rates commensurate with the prevailing interest rate environment. Total interest expense in the third quarter of 2023 was $2.78 million compared with $499,000 a year earlier, while total interest expense in the nine months of 2023 was $6.47 million compared with $1.50 million a year earlier.

    J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and CFO, commented: “We saw some mitigation of margin compression in the past several months. Repricing commercial floating rate loans and generating mortgage loans consistent with prevailing rates has allowed interest income to keep pace with rising interest expense. Although commercial and mortgage lending has slowed, we continue to make quality loans consistent with the current rate environment.”

    Noninterest income in the third quarter of 2023 was $3.20 million compared with $3.85 million in the third quarter of 2022. For the nine months of 2023, noninterest income was $9.69 million compared with $10.52 million a year earlier. Noninterest income in both periods of 2023 demonstrated income contributions from debit card activity and commercial treasury services and a strong $0.11 per share contribution to earnings by PWW’s investment management activity. Year-over-year comparisons of noninterest income reflect a decrease in gains on sale of loans as the Company experienced a decrease in mortgage loan originations.

    Noninterest expense in the third quarter of 2023 declined to $8.14 million compared with $8.88 million a year earlier. The nine months of 2023 noninterest expense was $24.09 million compared with $24.12 million in the nine months of 2022. The third quarter of 2023 reflected a decline in professional fees and outside expenses following the successful conclusion of a fraud loss matter and significantly lower year-over-year expenses related to other real estate owned.

    The Company continued to demonstrate stable productivity in the nine months of 2023, with return on average equity (ROAE) of 17.20% compared with 15.45% a year earlier and a return on average assets (ROAA) of 0.93% compared with 0.95% a year earlier, which primarily reflected asset growth in 2023. The efficiency ratio for the nine months of 2023 was 75.19% compared with 75.53% for the nine months of 2022.

    Balance Sheet: Liquidity, Asset Quality

    Total assets were $960.89 million at September 30, 2023 compared with $928.57 million at December 31, 2022.

    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses, declined to $599.60 million at September 30, 2023 compared with $605.37 million at December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting lower commercial lending activity.

    Due to lower originations and payoffs, commercial real estate loans (owner-occupied and non-owner occupied and excluding construction loans) decreased to approximately $305.72 million at September 30, 2023 compared with $336.95 million a year earlier and $341.89 million at December 31, 2022. CRE loans declined by less than $7 million from the second quarter of 2023, reflecting a decrease in the rate of payoffs.  

    Commercial loans (primarily C&I loans) were $65.83 million at September 30, 2023, down from $95.88 million at December 31, 2022 and $69.89 million at June 30, 2023. Commercial construction loans increased to $23.75 million at September 30, 2023 from $12.14 million at December 31, 2022.

    Residential mortgage and residential construction loans have grown significantly throughout the year, increasing to approximately $133.68 million at September 30, 2023 from $63.75 million since December 31, 2022. During the third quarter, our consumer lending slowed.

    Some of the variances in the loan classifications above were due to the Bank’s reclassification of loan categories in connection with the adoption of the current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology on January 1, 2023.

    Michael A. Syrek, President of the Bank, commented: “While rapidly rising interest rates have clearly impacted commercial and retail loan demand and slowed loan growth, we continue to lend and are providing services and financial products to commercial clients that solidify relationships and create value for them. Our sophisticated capabilities and bankers’ expertise have enabled us to meet the requirements of a growing range of customers and appeal to larger customers. This has generated new lending and deposit relationship opportunities.”

    Asset quality has remained strong and stable, with a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.10% at September 30, 2023. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.21% at September 30, 2023 compared with 1.02% at December 31, 2022.

    Total nonperforming loans were $585,000 at September 30, 2023, down from $633,000 at December 31, 2022. Total nonperforming assets declined to $585,000 at September 30, 2023 compared with $1.20 million at December 31, 2022.

    Total deposits at September 30, 2023 increased to $880.20 million compared with $848.14 million at December 31, 2022. The Bank added approximately $13 million in deposits during the third quarter. Total deposits primarily reflected the judicious addition of time deposits, partially offset by a modest decline in core deposits (noninterest-bearing demand, NOW, savings and money market accounts). Lower-cost core deposits represented 77.18% of total deposits.

    Maintaining strong liquidity continues to be a focus to ensure strong, secure operations. The Company added cash and cash equivalents in the third quarter of 2023, had approximately $80 million of available Fed Funds sold, and strengthened several off-balance sheet options. For example, the Bank supplemented its current lines of credit with a new $20 million correspondent line of credit and increased borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta by pledging additional collateral.

    The Company’s measures of shareholder value remained stable. Book value per share was $11.03 compared with $10.85 at December 31, 2022. Total stockholders’ equity was $50.13 million at September 30, 2023 compared with $50.23 million at December 31, 2022 and retained earnings increased to $34.93 million at September 30, 2023 from $31.03 million at December 31, 2022.

    Some of these measures, including book value per share and stockholders’ equity, continue to be negatively impacted by market value changes in the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio, reflecting the impact of higher interest rates. These mark-to-market losses are excluded when calculating the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios. The available-for-sale securities portfolio is composed primarily of securities with implicit government guarantees, including U.S. Treasuries and U.S. agency obligations, and other highly-rated debt instruments. The Company does not expect to realize the unrealized losses as it has the intent and ability to hold the securities until their recovery, which may be at maturity. Management continues to diligently monitor the creditworthiness of the issuers of the debt instruments within its securities portfolio. The duration of the Company’s overall securities portfolio is approximately 6 years.

    The Company’s positive financial performance supported its longstanding practice of paying a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders. As previously noted, the Company’s now-completed stock repurchase programs have contributed to earnings and generated shareholder value.

    About the Company

    Bank of the James, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. opened for business in July 1999 and is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Bank currently services customers in Virginia from offices located in Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Forest, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Roanoke, Rustburg, and Wytheville. The Bank offers full investment and insurance services through its BOTJ Investment Services division and BOTJ Insurance, Inc. subsidiary. The Bank provides mortgage loan origination through Bank of the James Mortgage, a division of Bank of the James. The Company provides investment advisory services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. common stock is listed under the symbol “BOTJ” on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC. Additional information on the Company is available at www.bankofthejames.bank.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan” and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, competition, general economic conditions, potential changes in interest rates, changes in the value of real estate securing loans made by the Bank as well as the potential for the resurgence of COVID-19 and geopolitical conditions. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    CONTACT: J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (434) 846-2000.

    FINANCIAL RESULTS FOLLOW


     
    Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
        
     (unaudited)  
    Assets9/30/2023 12/31/2022
        
    Cash and due from banks$20,105  $30,025 
    Federal funds sold 79,424   31,737 
    Total cash and cash equivalents 99,529   61,762 
        
    Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $3,028 in 2023 and $3,135 in 2022) 3,626   3,639 
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value 181,977   185,787 
    Restricted stock, at cost 1,541   1,387 
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $7,320 in 2023 and $6,259 in 2022 599,585   605,366 
    Loans held for sale 3,325   2,423 
    Premises and equipment, net 18,371   17,974 
    Interest receivable 2,707   2,736 
    Cash value - bank owned life insurance 21,443   19,237 
    Customer relationship Intangible, net 7,425   7,845 
    Goodwill 2,054   2,054 
    Other real estate owned -   566 
    Deferred tax asset 10,376   9,125 
    Other assets 8,928   8,670 
    Total assets$960,887  $928,571 
        
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   
        
    Deposits   
    Noninterest bearing demand$154,628  $154,884 
    NOW, money market and savings 524,721   560,479 
    Time 200,854   132,775 
    Total deposits 880,203   848,138 
        
    Capital notes, net 10,041   10,037 
    Other borrowings 10,030   10,457 
    Interest payable 381   89 
    Other liabilities 10,103   9,624 
    Total liabilities$910,758  $878,345 
        
    Stockholders’ equity   
    Common stock $2.14 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,543,338 as of September 30, 2023 and 4,628,657 as of December 31, 2022 9,723   9,905 
    Additional paid-in-capital 35,253   36,068 
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) (29,778)  (26,781)
    Retained earnings 34,931   31,034 
    Total stockholders’ equity$50,129  $50,226 
        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$960,887  $928,571 


     
    Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
    (unaudited)
            
     For the Three Months For the Nine Months
     Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
    Interest Income 2023   2022   2023   2022 
    Loans$7,990  $6,830  $23,251  $18,909 
    Securities       
    US Government and agency obligations 321   331   962   911 
    Mortgage backed securities 435   437   1,255   1,196 
    Municipals 304   289   908   867 
    Dividends 8   5   49   36 
    Other (Corporates) 139   144   423   395 
    Interest bearing deposits 134   101   375   135 
    Federal Funds sold 812   262   1,601   463 
    Total interest income 10,143   8,399   28,824   22,912 
            
    Interest Expense       
    Deposits       
    NOW, money market savings 894   133   1,916   374 
    Time Deposits 1,683   143   3,918   467 
    FHLB borrowings -   -   31   - 
    Finance leases 22   24   66   73 
    Other borrowings 98   117   297   339 
    Capital notes 82   82   245   245 
    Total interest expense 2,779   499   6,473   1,498 
            
    Net interest income 7,364   7,900   22,351   21,414 
            
    Recovery of credit losses (164)  (300)  (278)  (900)
            
    Net interest income after recovery of credit losses 7,528   8,200   22,629   22,314 
            
    Noninterest income       
    Gains on sale of loans held for sale 989   1,472   3,065   4,675 
    Service charges, fees and commissions 1,004   1,313   2,942   2,563 
    Wealth management fees 1,050   959   3,098   2,935 
    Life insurance income 139   113   405   338 
    Other 19   (3)  179   8 
            
    Total noninterest income 3,201   3,854   9,689   10,519 
            
    Noninterest expenses       
    Salaries and employee benefits 4,683   4,529   13,296   13,051 
    Occupancy 458   445   1,389   1,348 
    Equipment 501   647   1,813   1,870 
    Supplies 118   116   399   380 
    Professional, data processing, and other outside expense 1,371   1,619   4,154   3,544 
    Marketing 204   222   683   661 
    Credit expense 218   244   623   765 
    Other real estate expenses, net 3   195   36   207 
    FDIC insurance expense 126   121   321   382 
    Amortization of intangibles 46   140   420   420 
    Other 412   601   957   1,491 
    Total noninterest expenses 8,140   8,879   24,091   24,119 
            
    Income before income taxes 2,589   3,175   8,227   8,714 
            
    Income tax expense 511   601   1,631   1,709 
            
    Net Income$2,078  $2,574  $6,596  $7,005 
            
    Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted 4,543,338   4,683,581   4,568,789   4,721,423 
            
    Net income per common share - basic and diluted$0.46  $0.55  $1.44  $1.48 

     

           
    Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data
    Unaudited
           
    Selected Data:Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2022
    ChangeYear
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2022
    Change
    Interest income$10,143 $8,399  20.76%$28,824 $22,912  25.80%
    Interest expense 2,779  499  456.91% 6,473  1,498  332.11%
    Net interest income 7,364  7,900  -6.78% 22,351  21,414  4.38%
    Recovery of credit losses (164) (300) -45.33% (278) (900) -69.11%
    Noninterest income 3,201  3,854  -16.94% 9,689  10,519  -7.89%
    Noninterest expense 8,140  8,879  -8.32% 24,091  24,119  -0.12%
    Income taxes 511  601  -14.98% 1,631  1,709  -4.56%
    Net income 2,078  2,574  -19.27% 6,596  7,005  -5.84%
    Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted 4,543,338  4,683,581  (140,243) 4,568,789  4,721,423  (152,634)
    Basic and diluted net income per share $0.46  $0.55  $(0.09) $1.44  $1.48  $(0.04)


    Balance Sheet at
    period end:
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Dec 31,
    2022
    ChangeSep 30,
    2022
    Dec 31,
    2021
    Change
    Loans, net $599,585 $605,366 -0.95% $614,117 $576,469 6.53%
    Loans held for sale 3,325 2,423 37.23% 3,239 1,628 98.96%
    Total securities 185,603 189,426 -2.02% 194,774 164,922 18.10%
    Total deposits 880,203 848,138 3.78% 883,069 887,056 -0.45%
    Stockholders’ equity 50,129 50,226 -0.19% 48,339 69,429 -30.38%
    Total assets 960,887 928,571 3.48% 962,570 987,634 -2.54%
    Shares outstanding 4,543,338 4,628,657 (85,319) 4,628,657 4,740,657 (112,000)
    Book value per share $11.03 $10.85 $0.18  $10.44 $14.65 $(4.21)


    Daily averages:Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2022
    ChangeYear
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2022
    Change
    Loans $612,021 $615,208-0.52% $618,152 $600,2862.98%
    Loans held for sale 4,421 4,2174.84% 3,548 3,978-10.81%
    Total securities (book value) 222,969 230,986-3.47% 223,391 220,8631.14%
    Total deposits 869,655 885,602-1.80% 862,212 895,274-3.69%
    Stockholders’ equity 52,564 52,4510.22% 51,274 60,603-15.39%
    Interest earning assets 909,774 916,798-0.77% 897,364 927,482-3.25%
    Interest bearing liabilities 740,516 752,909-1.65% 732,522 749,545-2.27%
    Total assets 953,546 968,985-1.59% 944,568 986,867-4.29%


    Financial Ratios:Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2022
    ChangeYear
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2022
    Change
    Return on average assets0.86%1.05%(0.19)0.93%0.95%(0.02)
    Return on average equity15.68%19.47%(3.79)17.20%15.45%1.75 
    Net interest margin3.21%3.43%(0.22)3.33%3.09%0.24 
    Efficiency ratio77.05%75.54%1.51 75.19%75.53%(0.34)
    Average equity to
    average assets
    5.51%5.41%0.10 5.43%6.14%(0.71)


    Allowance for credit losses on loans:Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Three
    months
    ending
    Sep 30,
    2022
    ChangeYear
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2023
    Year
    to
    date
    Sep 30,
    2022
    Change
    Beginning balance $7,586  $6,616 14.66% $6,259  $6,915 -9.49%
    Retained earnings adjustment related to impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13 -  - N/A 1,245  - N/A
    Recovery of credit losses (130) (300)-56.67% (188) (900)-79.11%
    Charge-offs (144) (1)14300.00% (196) (10)1860.00%
    Recoveries 8  79 -89.87% 200  389 -48.59%
    Ending balance 7,320  6,394 14.48% 7,320  6,394 14.48%


    Nonperforming assets:Sep 30,
    2023
    Dec 31,
    2022
    ChangeSep 30,
    2022
    Dec 31,
    2021
    Change
    Total nonperforming loans $585 $633-7.58% $788 $954-17.40%
    Other real estate owned - 566-100.00% 566 761-25.62%
    Total nonperforming assets 585 1,199-51.21% 1,354 1,715-21.05%


           
    Asset quality ratios:Sep 30,
    2023
    Dec 31,
    2022
    ChangeSep 30,
    2022
    Dec 31,
    2021
    Change
    Nonperforming loans to total loans0.10%0.10%-0.13%0.16%(0.03)
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans1.21%1.02%0.191.03%1.19%(0.16)
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans1251.28%989.42%261.86811.42%724.84%86.58 

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