First Financial Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results

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Jul 25, 2023

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., July 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Financial Corporation (THFF, Financial) today announced results for the second quarter of 2023.

  • Net income was $16.0 million compared to the $15.6 million reported for the same period of 2022;
  • Diluted net income per common share of $1.33 compared to $1.27 for the same period of 2022;
  • Return on average assets was 1.34% compared to 1.24% for the three months ended June 30, 2022;
  • Credit loss provision was $1.8 million compared to provision of $750 thousand for the second quarter 2022; and
  • Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $21.2 million compared to $19.7 million for the same period in 2022.1

The Corporation further reported results for the six months ending June 30, 2023:

  • Net income was $32.0 million compared to the $36.5 million reported for the same period of 2022, which included the proceeds of a legal settlement and pandemic related reserve releases, both of which were non-recurring events;
  • Diluted net income per common share of $2.66 compared to $2.95 for the same period of 2022;
  • Return on average assets was 1.33% compared to 1.43% for the six months ended June 30, 2022;
  • Credit loss provision was $3.6 million compared to negative provision of $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022; and
  • Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $42.6 million compared to $39.4 million for the same period in 2022.1

1 Non-GAAP financial measure that Management believes is useful for investors and management to understand pre-tax profitability before giving effect to credit loss expense and to provide additional perspective on the Corporation’s performance over time as well as comparison to the Corporation’s peers and evaluating the financial results of the Corporation – please refer to the Non GAAP reconciliations contained in this release.

Average Total Loans

Average total loans for the second quarter of 2023 were $3.10 billion versus $2.83 billion for the comparable period in 2022, an increase of $272 million or 9.63%. On a linked quarter basis, average loans increased $29 million or 2.26% from $3.07 billion as of March 31, 2023.

Total Loans Outstanding

Total loans outstanding as of June 30, 2023, were $3.13 billion compared to $2.89 billion as of June 30, 2022, an increase of $239 million or 8.28%, primarily driven by increases in Commercial Construction and Development, Commercial Real Estate, and Consumer Auto loans. On a linked quarter basis, total loans increased $46.6 million or 1.51% from $3.08 billion as of March 31, 2023.

“We are pleased with our second quarter results, as we experienced another quarter of loan growth in an increasingly challenging environment. Credit quality remains stable, and our disciplined approach to expense management is constant,” said Norman L. Lowery, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Notwithstanding the turbulent environment that arose in the financial services industry towards the end of the first quarter, liquidity is stable, and our balance sheet and capital levels remain strong.”

Average Total Deposits

Average total deposits for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, were $4.12 billion versus $4.42 billion as of June 30, 2022.

Total Deposits

Total deposits were $4.06 billion as of June 30, 2023, compared to $4.38 billion as of June 30, 2022.

Shareholder Equity

Shareholder equity at June 30, 2023, was $496.9 million compared to $461.5 million on June 30, 2022. The Corporation repurchased 82,903 shares of its stock during the quarter and declared a $0.54 per share semi-annual dividend. An additional 747,317 shares remains under the current authorization. Shareholder’s equity was impacted by the downturn in the markets which affected the accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (“AOCI”) on investments available for sale. AOCI decreased $14.6 million in comparison to June 30, 2022, and decreased $15.8 million in comparison to March 31, 2023.

Book Value Per Share

Book Value per share was $41.47 at June 30, 2023, compared to $38.36 at June 30, 2022, an increase of 8.09%.

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Asset Ratio

The Corporation’s tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio was 8.44% at June 30, 2023, compared to 7.48% at June 30, 2022, partially driven by the aforementioned share repurchases.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2023 was $42.2 million, compared to $40.5 million reported for the same period of 2022, an increase of $1.7 million or 4.25%.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, was 3.81% compared to the 3.46% reported at June 30, 2022, an increase of 35 basis points or 9.94%.

Nonperforming Loans

Nonperforming loans as of June 30, 2023, were $13.3 million versus $9.4 million as of June 30, 2022. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.43% as of June 30, 2023, versus 0.32% as of June 30, 2022.

Credit Loss Provision

The provision for credit losses for the three months ended June 30, 2023, was $1.8 million, compared to provision of $750 thousand for the second quarter 2022.

Net Charge-Offs

In the second quarter of 2023 net charge-offs were $1.5 million compared to net recoveries of $202 thousand in the same period of 2022.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Corporation’s allowance for credit losses as of June 30, 2023, was $39.9 million compared to $41.5 million as of June 30, 2022. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.28% as of June 30, 2023, compared to 1.44% as of June 30, 2022. On a linked quarter basis, the allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans decreased 1 basis point from 1.29% as of March 31, 2023.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $10.5 million and $10.3 million, respectively.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023, was $31.3 million compared to $30.7 million in 2022.

Efficiency Ratio

The Corporation’s efficiency ratio was 58.01% for the quarter ending June 30, 2023, versus 59.06% for the same period in 2022.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023, was $3.5 million versus $3.7 million for the same period in 2022. The effective tax rate for 2023 was 17.99% compared to 19.17% for 2022.

About First Financial Corporation

First Financial Corporation (THFF, Financial) is the holding company for First Financial Bank N.A. First Financial Bank N.A., the fifth oldest national bank in the United States, operates 71 banking centers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Additional information is available at www.first-online.bank.

Investor Contact:
Rodger A. McHargue
Chief Financial Officer
P: 812-238-6334
E: [email protected]

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,March 31,June 30,June 30,June 30,
20232023202220232022
END OF PERIOD BALANCES
Assets$4,877,231$4,866,821$5,006,648$4,877,231$5,006,648
Deposits$4,063,155$4,165,398$4,383,257$4,063,155$4,383,257
Loans, including net deferred loan costs$3,126,676$3,080,044$2,887,527$3,126,676$2,887,527
Allowance for Credit Losses$39,907$39,620$41,468$39,907$41,468
Total Equity$496,888$505,499$461,531$496,888$461,531
Tangible Common Equity(a)$403,824$412,118$367,210$403,824$367,210
AVERAGE BALANCES
Total Assets$4,818,760$4,851,484$5,046,846$4,835,122$5,098,244
Earning Assets$4,581,652$4,613,126$4,809,570$4,597,389$4,868,625
Investments$1,395,446$1,407,944$1,432,321$1,401,695$1,450,396
Loans$3,097,836$3,068,716$2,825,684$3,083,276$2,801,426
Total Deposits$4,121,097$4,252,161$4,416,542$4,186,629$4,422,174
Interest-Bearing Deposits$3,297,110$3,407,590$3,519,122$3,352,350$3,522,444
Interest-Bearing Liabilities$185,318$96,160$103,223$140,739$104,614
Total Equity$501,686$487,834$494,233$494,760$529,678
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Net Interest Income$42,187$44,335$40,469$86,522$78,280
Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent(b)$43,581$45,654$41,665$89,235$80,573
Provision for Credit Losses$1,800$1,800$750$3,600$(5,800)
Non-interest Income$10,453$9,375$10,270$19,828$24,008
Non-interest Expense$31,346$32,321$30,674$63,667$62,018
Net Income$15,987$15,980$15,613$31,967$36,537
PER SHARE DATA
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share$1.33$1.33$1.27$2.66$2.95
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share$—$—$0.54$0.54$0.54
Book Value Per Common Share$41.47$41.89$38.36$41.47$38.36
Tangible Book Value Per Common Share(c)$33.99$34.16$32.65$33.70$30.52
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding12,02212,05812,24812,04012,393

(a) Tangible common equity is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate tangible common equity by excluding goodwill and other intangible assets from shareholder’s equity.
(b) Net interest income fully tax equivalent is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate net interest income fully tax equivalent by adding back the tax equivalent factor of tax exempt income to net interest income. We calculate the tax equivalent factor of tax exempt income by dividing tax exempt income by the net of tax rate of 75%.
(c) Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate the factor by dividing average tangible common equity by average shares outstanding. We calculate average tangible common equity by excluding average intangible assets from average shareholder’s equity.

Key RatiosThree Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,March 31,June 30,June 30,June 30,
20232023202220232022
Return on average assets1.34%1.32%1.24%1.33%1.43%
Return on average common shareholder's equity12.75%13.10%12.64%12.92%13.80%
Efficiency ratio58.01%58.73%59.06%58.38%59.30%
Average equity to average assets10.48%10.06%9.79%10.27%10.39%
Net interest margin(a)3.81%3.96%3.46%3.88%3.31%
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases0.20%0.26%(0.03)%0.23%0.07%
Credit loss reserve to loans and leases1.28%1.29%1.44%1.28%1.44%
Credit loss reserve to nonperforming loans300.10%328.06%442.89%300.10%442.89%
Nonperforming loans to loans and leases0.43%0.39%0.32%0.43%0.32%
Tier 1 leverage11.49%11.30%9.97%11.49%9.97%
Risk-based capital - Tier 114.44%14.27%13.51%14.44%13.51%

(a) Net interest margin is calculated on a tax equivalent basis.

Asset QualityThree Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,March 31,June 30,June 30,J