The First Bancshares, Inc. Reports 3rd Quarter 2014 Earnings and Declaration of Dividend

HATTIESBURG, Miss.--()--The First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FBMS), holding company for The First, A National Banking Association, (www.thefirstbank.com) today reported earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The First Bancshares, Inc. also announced a quarterly dividend of $.0375 per common share. The record date will be November 10, 2014 with a payable date of November 25, 2014.

Net income available to common shareholders exclusive of merger related costs for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $1,606,000, or $0.30 per diluted share, a 23.1% increase in net income available to common shareholders over the same quarter in 2013 adjusted for merger related costs. Net income available to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2014 amounted to $1,448,000, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to $998,000, or $0.19 per diluted share for the same quarter in 2013, an increase of $450,000 or 45.1% in net income available to common shareholders.

Net income available to common shareholders exclusive of one-time items for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $4,425,000, or $0.85 per diluted share, a 27.7% increase in net income available to common shareholders over the same period in 2013 adjusted for merger related costs. Net income available to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 amounted to $4,296,000, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared to $2,823,000, or $0.69 per diluted share for the same period in 2013, an increase of $1,473,000 or 52.2% in net income available to common shareholders.

M. Ray “Hoppy” Cole, President & Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We closed the acquisition of Bay Bank on July 1, 2014 and completed the system integration in August, 2014. We welcome our new clients, team members and shareholders from Bay Bank and look forward to our improved market coverage in the Mobile area with 10 locations in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, Ala. The combination of these two community-oriented institutions will provide our clients more convenient locations and expanded products and services to help reach their financial goals.”

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total assets for the Company totaled $1.1 billion at September 30, 2014, an increase of $63.0 million compared with June 30, 2014. The increase during the third quarter of 2014 was attributable to an increase in the Company’s deposit balances along with the acquisition of BCB Holdings, holding company of Bay Bank.

September 30, 2014 loans outstanding increased by $61.3 million, or approximately 40.2% on an annualized basis, compared with June 30, 2014, and increased $98.8 million, or 17.3%, compared to September 30, 2013 total loans outstanding. Loans acquired on July 1, 2014 from Bay Bank amounted to $40.9 million.

           
End of Period Loan Balances     09/30/14     06/30/14     09/30/13
(dollars in thousands)
Loans held for sale $ 3,769 $ 3,220 $ 1,399
Commercial 100,263 81,958 79,094
Real Estate:
Mortgage-commercial 217,684 204,101 198,123
Mortgage-residential 248,125 230,310 211,494
Construction 83,908 74,105 66,745
Consumer and other   17,553     16,337     15,658
$ 671,302   $ 610,031   $ 572,513
 

Non-performing assets totaled $11.4 million at September 30, 2014 compared to $13.3 million of non-performing assets at June 30, 2014 and $10.4 million at September 30, 2013. Non-performing assets represented 1.06% of total assets at September 30, 2014 compared to 1.32% of total assets at June 30, 2014, and compared to 1.09% at September 30, 2013. Non-performing loans totaled $6.1 million at September 30, 2014 compared to $6.5 million at June 30, 2014 and compared to $3.2 million of non-performing loans at September 30, 2013. Non-performing loans represented 0.91% of total loans at September 30, 2014 compared with 1.07% of total outstanding loans at June 30, 2014 and 0.55% of total loans outstanding at September 30, 2013.

           
Non-Performing Assets   09/30/14     06/30/14     09/30/13
(dollars in thousands)
Non-Accrual Loans $ 6,032 $ 6,063 $ 2,681
Past Due Loans (90 days or more)   102     447     471
Total Non-Performing Loans 6,134 6,510 3,152
Non-Accrual Securities 250 1,950 1,950
Other Real Estate   4,986     4,875     5,292
Total Non-Performing Assets $ 11,370   $ 13,335   $ 10,394
 

The Company’s allowance for loan losses totaled $6.1 million at September 30, 2014 representing an increase of $85,000, or 5.67% on an annualized basis, from June 30, 2014 and an increase of $412,000, or 7.26%, from September 30, 2013. The allowance for loan losses represented 0.91% of period-end loans at September 30, 2014 compared with 0.98% of period-end loans at June 30, 2014 and 0.99% of period-end loans at September 30, 2013. Under acquisition accounting treatment, loans acquired are recorded at fair value which includes a credit risk component, and therefore the allowance on loans acquired is not carried over from the seller. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.10% of period-end loans excluding those booked at fair value at September 30, 2014 compared with 1.16% at June 30, 2014 and 1.26% at September 30, 2013.

Total deposits increased $23.6 million or 10.7% on an annualized basis, as of September 30, 2014 compared with June 30, 2014 and increased by approximately $93.6 million or 11.5% compared with September 30, 2013. Deposits acquired from Bay Bank on July 1, 2014 were $58.1 million and totaled $54.2 million at the end of the period. A reduction in legacy deposits associated with seasonal fluctuations accounted for the difference in the net change in total deposits.

           
End of Period Deposit Balances   09/30/14     06/30/14     09/30/13
(dollars in thousands)
Non-interest-bearing Demand Deposits $ 195,957 $ 183,226 $ 169,001
IB Demand, Savings, and MMDA Accounts 500,637 498,527 434,449
Time Deposits < $100,000 86,897 80,144 88,907
Time Deposits > $100,000   124,024     121,975     121,608
$ 907,515   $ 883,872   $ 813,965
 

Results of Operations Highlights – Quarter ended September 30, 2014

Net income available to common shareholders exclusive of merger related costs for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $1,606,000, or $0.30 per diluted share, a 11.68% increase in net income available to common shareholders compared to net income available to common shareholders exclusive of one-time items for the three months ended June 30, 2014 of $1,438,000, or $0.27 per diluted share. Net income available to common stockholders for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 totaled $1,448,000 or $0.27 per diluted share, a decrease of $79,000 or 5.17% from the second quarter of 2014 net income available to common stockholders of $1,527,000 or $0.29 per diluted share.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, net interest income totaled $8,855,000 representing an increase of $1,007,000, or 12.8%, compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2014 net interest income of $7,848,000 as well as an increase of $897,000, or 11.3%, compared with the quarter ended September 30, 2013 net interest income of $7,958,000. The tax equivalent net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 was 3.79% compared to 3.52% for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 as compared to 3.86% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Changes in net interest income and net interest margin were due to increased average loans outstanding and seasonal fluctuations in interest-bearing deposit balances.

Fair value accounting adjustments on acquired assets and liabilities contributed approximately 7 basis points on an annualized basis to the net interest margin in the third quarter of 2014 and 12 basis points in the third quarter of 2013.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, non-interest income totaled $2,021,000, a decrease of $34,000 or 1.7%, compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2014, and an increase of $429,000, or 26.9%, compared with the third quarter of 2013. The decrease for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 is attributed primarily to a one-time gain of $254,000 from the sale of other investments that was recognized in the second quarter of 2014.

           
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
Non-interest Income     09/30/14     06/30/14     09/30/13
(dollars in thousands)
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts $ 616 $ 594 $ 649
Mortgage Income 522 407 454
Interchange Fee Income 563 507 472
Other Operating Income   320     547     17
Total Non-interest Income $ 2,021   $ 2,055   $ 1,592
 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, non-interest expense totaled $8,071,000, an increase of $687,000, or 9.3%, compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2014, and an increase of $441,000, or 5.8%, compared with the third quarter of 2013.

     
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
Non-interest Expense   09/30/14   06/30/14   09/30/13
(dollars in thousands)
Salaries and Employee Benefits $ 4,554 $ 4,260 $ 4,010
Occupancy, Furniture and Equipment Expense 1,209 1,093 802
FDIC Premiums 222 222 181
Professional Fees 429 456 618
Advertising and Promotion 94 87 98
Intangible Amortization 98 94 94
Other Operating Expenses   1,465   1,172   1,827
Total Non-interest Expense $ 8,071 $ 7,384 $ 7,630
 

Total non-interest expenses increased $687,000 for the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter of 2014. One-time merger related expenses of approximately $280,000 were expensed during the third quarter of 2014 as well as a write-down on other real estate in the amount of $125,000.

About The First Bancshares, Inc.

The First Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the parent company of The First, A National Banking Association. Founded in 1996, The First has operations in south Mississippi, Louisiana and south Alabama. The Company’s stock is traded on NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol FBMS. Information is available on the Company’s website: www.thefirstbank.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains statements regarding the projected performance of The First Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary. These statements constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Actual results may differ materially from the projections provided in this release since such projections involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: competitive pressures among financial institutions increasing significantly; economic conditions, either nationally or locally, in areas in which the Company conducts operations being less favorable than expected; and legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the ability of the combined Company to conduct business combinations or new operations. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments. Further information on The First Bancshares, Inc. is available in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov.

     

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except per shares data)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 
Sept 30,

2014

June 30,

2014

Sept 30,

2013

ASSETS
Cash and Due from Banks $ 33,111 $ 25,677 $ 26,110
Federal funds sold 1,298 2,477 1,328
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 16,038 27,289 24,326
Investment Securities 276,654 276,099 264,883
Loans held for sale 3,769 3,220 1,399
Loans, Net of Unearned Income 667,533 606,812 571,114
Allowance for Loan Losses   (6,084 )   (5,999 )   (5,672 )
Net Loans 661,449 600,813 565,442
Premises and Equipment 35,079 31,339 32,551
Other Real Estate Owned 4,986 4,875 5,292
Goodwill 12,310 10,621 10,621
Other Assets   27,568     26,879     19,943  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,072,262   $ 1,009,289   $ 951,895  

LIABILITIES

Non-interest-bearing Demand Deposits $ 195,957 $ 183,226 $ 169,001
Interest-bearing Accounts 500,637 498,527 434,449
Time Deposits   210,921     202,119     210,515  
Total Deposits 907,515 883,872 813,965
Borrowings 49,456 13,500 30,000
Subordinated Debentures 10,310 10,310 10,310
Other Liabilities   11,117     11,830     13,860  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   978,398     919,512     868,135  
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Preferred Stock 17,123 17,123 17,082
Common Stock 5,338 5,180 5,134
Surplus 50,328 42,239 41,994
Retained Earnings 20,425 24,972 21,305
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 1,114 727 (1,291 )
Treasury Stock   (464 )   (464 )   (464 )
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   93,864     89,777     83,760  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 1,072,262   $ 1,009,289   $ 951,895  
END OF PERIOD SHARES OUTSTANDING 5,338,370 5,180,287 5,107,131
TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE PER SHARE $ 11.58 $ 11.49 $ 10.43
 

   

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except per share data)

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

 
Three Months

Ended

Nine Months

Ended

Sept 30,

2014

  Sept 30,

2013

Sept 30,

2014

  Sept 30,

2013

INTEREST INCOME
Interest and Fees on Loans $ 8,059 $ 7,216 $ 22,154 $ 18,765
Interest and Dividends on Securities 1,623 1,396 4,508 4,072
Interest on Fed Funds Sold   6   36   47   70
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME 9,688 8,648 26,709 22,907
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on Deposits 689 540 1,739 1,824
Interest on Borrowings   144   150   443   448
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE   833   690   2,182   2,272
NET INTEREST INCOME 8,855 7,958 24,527 20,635
Provision for Loan Losses   631   360   1,266   1,020
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

8,224 7,598 23,261 19,615
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME 2,021 1,592 5,748 5,412
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE   8,071   7,630   22,682   20,854
Income before Income Taxes 2,174 1,560 6,327 4,173
Income Taxes   641   456   1,754   1,032
NET INCOME 1,533 1,104 4,573 3,141
Preferred Stock Accretion & Dividends   85   106   277   318
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO

COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

$ 1,448 $ 998 $ 4,296 $ 2,823
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.27 $ 0.20 $ 0.83 $ 0.70
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.27 $ 0.19 $ 0.82 $ 0.69
WEIGHTED AVG SHARES OUTSTANDING 5,311,876 5,102,572 5,198,776 4,058,432
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVG SHS OUTSTANDING 5,349,686 5,150,517 5,236,586 4,106,377
 

   

 

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except per share data)

 
Three Months

Ended

Nine Months

Ended

Sept 30,

2014

  Sept 30,

2013

  Sept 30,

2014

  Sept 30,

2013

EARNINGS PERFORMANCE RATIOS    
Annualized Return on Average Assets 0.58 % 0.47 % 0.60 % 0.48 %
Annualized Return on Average Assets(1) 0.64 % 0.60 % 0.62 % 0.57 %
Annualized Return on Average Equity 6.81 % 5.66 % 6.94 % 5.56 %
Annualized Return on Average Equity(1) 7.51 % 7.22 % 7.14 % 6.69 %
Net Interest Margin 3.79 % 3.86 % 3.66 % 3.60 %
Efficiency Ratio(2) 72.39 % 77.58 % 72.99 % 77.63 %
Efficiency Ratio(1)(2) 70.23 % 73.04 % 72.30 % 73.52 %
Net Overhead Expense to Average

Earning Assets(3)

2.51 % 2.82 % 2.45 % 2.59 %
Net Overhead Expense to Average

Earning Assets(1)(3)

2.41 % 2.61 % 2.43 % 2.43 %
 
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS
Annualized Net Charge-offs to Average Loans 0.33 % 0.06 % 0.20 % 0.02 %
Allowance for Loan Losses to Period End Loans 0.91 % 0.99 %
Non-performing Assets to Period End Assets 1.06 % 1.09 %
Non-performing Loans to Period End Loans 0.91 % 0.55 %
Loans 30-89 Days Past Due to Period End Loans 0.32 % 0.54 %
 
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET & OTHER

FINANCIAL DATA

Average Assets $ 1,065,080 $ 944,683 $ 1,019,301 $ 877,223
Average Earning Assets $ 964,508 $ 855,107 $ 922,462 $ 793,903
Average Total Loans $ 657,925 $ 566,291 $ 621,174 $ 506,461
Average Demand Deposits $ 194,357 $ 119,670 $ 180,841 $ 104,536
Average Interest Bearing Liabilities $ 768,793 $ 733,336 $ 739,506 $ 684,006
Average Equity $ 90,039 $ 78,068 $ 87,799 $ 75,352
 
Period End Non-performing Assets $ 11,370 $ 10,394
Period End Non-performing Loans $ 6,134 $ 3,152
Period End Loans 30-89 Days Past Due $ 2,143 $ 3,077
 
Tax Equivalent Net Interest Income $ 9,128 $ 8,243 $ 25,328 $ 21,453
Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) during Period $ 546 $ 81 $ 910 $ 75
 
(1)Excludes merger related costs and one-time items

(2)Efficiency Ratio is defined as Non-interest Expense divided by the sum of Net Interest Income, on a tax equivalent basis, and Non-Interest Income

(3)Net Overhead Expense is defined as Total Non-interest Expense less Total Non-interest income

Contacts

The First Bancshares, Inc.
M. Ray “Hoppy” Cole, 601-268-8998
Chief Executive Officer
or
Dee Dee Lowery, 601-268-8998
Chief Financial Officer

Contacts

The First Bancshares, Inc.
M. Ray “Hoppy” Cole, 601-268-8998
Chief Executive Officer
or
Dee Dee Lowery, 601-268-8998
Chief Financial Officer