TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Oct. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Financial Corporation (THFF, Financial) today announced results for the third quarter of 2023.
- Net income was $16.3 million compared to the $18.1 million reported for the same period of 2022;
- Diluted net income per common share of $1.37 compared to $1.50 for the same period of 2022;
- Return on average assets was 1.35% compared to 1.43% for the three months ended September 30, 2022;
- Credit loss provision was $1.2 million compared to provision of $1.1 million for the third quarter 2022; and
- Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $20.5 million compared to $23.7 million for the same period in 2022.1
The Corporation further reported results for the nine months ending September 30, 2023:
- Net income was $48.3 million compared to the $54.6 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 $4.02 compared to $4.45 for the same period of 2022;
- Return on average assets was 1.33% compared to 1.43% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022;
- Credit loss provision was $4.8 million compared to negative provision of $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022; and
- Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $63.1 million compared to $63.2 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 third quarter of 2023 were $3.15 billion versus $2.92 billion for the comparable period in 2022, an increase of $230 million or 7.88%. On a linked quarter basis, average loans increased $49 million or 1.60% from $3.10 billion as of June 30, 2023.
Total Loans Outstanding
Total loans outstanding as of September 30, 2023, were $3.12 billion compared to $2.97 billion as of September 30, 2022, an increase of $147 million or 4.95%, primarily driven by increases in Commercial Construction and Development, Commercial Real Estate, and Consumer Auto loans. On a linked quarter basis, total loans decreased $9.1 million or 0.29% from $3.13 billion as of June 30, 2023.
“We are pleased with our third quarter results, in spite of 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. “Our liquidity is stable and our balance sheet and capital levels remain strong.”
Average Total Deposits
Average total deposits for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, were $4.00 billion versus $4.41 billion as of September 30, 2022.
Total Deposits
Total deposits were $4.04 billion as of September 30, 2023, compared to $4.41 billion as of September 30, 2022.
Shareholder Equity
Shareholder equity at September 30, 2023, was $470.2 million compared to $438.6 million on September 30, 2022. During the quarter, the Corporation repurchased 228,457 shares of its common stock. An additional 518,860 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 $8.7 million in comparison to September 30, 2022, and decreased $34.8 million in comparison to June 30, 2023.
Book Value Per Share
Book Value per share was $40.00 as of September 30, 2023, compared to $36.49 as of September 30, 2022, an increase of 9.63%.
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Asset Ratio
The Corporation’s tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio was 8.04% at September 30, 2023, compared to 7.01% at September 30, 2022, partially driven by the aforementioned share repurchases.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 was $41.2 million, compared to $43.1 million reported for the same period of 2022, a decrease of $2.0 million or 4.53%.
Net Interest Margin
The net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, was 3.74% compared to the 3.71% reported at September 30, 2022, an increase of 3 basis points or 0.69%.
Nonperforming Loans
Nonperforming loans as of September 30, 2023, were $12.6 million versus $10.3 million as of September 30, 2022. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.40% as of September 30, 2023, versus 0.35% as of September 30, 2022.
Credit Loss Provision
The provision for credit losses for the three months ended September 30, 2023, was $1.20 million, compared to $1.05 million for the third quarter 2022.
Net Charge-Offs
In the third quarter of 2023 net charge-offs were $2.07 million compared to $3.02 million in the same period of 2022. On July 12, 2022, the Corporation sold seven classified non farm non residential commercial loans, which were acquired in the two acquisitions in 2019 and 2021, with a total principal balance of $14.9 million. The net recovery on the sale of $361 thousand was a result of the charge-off of the seven loans of $2.1 million, netted by the reserve on those loans and the unamortized discount remaining from the acquisitions.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Corporation’s allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2023, was $39.0 million compared to $39.5 million as of September 30, 2022. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.25% as of September 30, 2023, compared to 1.33% as of September 30, 2022. On a linked quarter basis, the allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans decreased 3 basis points from 1.28% as of June 30, 2023.
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was $11.6 million and $12.1 million, respectively. Both periods reflect Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) proceeds of $1.4 million in 2023 and $2.5 million in 2022.
Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023, was $32.3 million compared to $31.5 million in 2022.
Efficiency Ratio
The Corporation’s efficiency ratio was 59.57% for the quarter ending September 30, 2023, versus 55.72% for the same period in 2022.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023, was $3.0 million versus $4.6 million for the same period in 2022. The effective tax rate for 2023 was 17.37% compared to 20.61% for 2022. The decrease in tax expense is due to a non-taxable gain on BOLI claim proceeds and an adjustment to tax credit investments.
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 70 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 Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | June 30, | September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| END OF PERIOD BALANCES | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | 4,784,806 | $ | 4,877,231 | $ | 5,009,339 | $ | 4,784,806 | $ | 5,009,339 | ||||||
| Deposits | $ | 4,040,995 | $ | 4,063,155 | $ | 4,407,506 | $ | 4,040,995 | $ | 4,407,506 | ||||||
| Loans, including net deferred loan costs | $ | 3,117,626 | $ | 3,126,676 | $ | 2,970,475 | $ | 3,117,626 | $ | 2,970,475 | ||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses | $ | 39,034 | $ | 39,907 | $ | 39,495 | $ | 39,034 | $ | 39,495 | ||||||
| Total Equity | $ | 470,168 | $ | 496,888 | $ | 438,626 | $ | 470,168 | $ | 438,626 | ||||||
| Tangible Common Equity (a) | $ | 377,367 | $ | 403,824 | $ | 344,617 | $ | 377,367 | $ | 344,617 | ||||||
| AVERAGE BALANCES | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 4,814,251 | $ | 4,818,760 | $ | 5,048,849 | $ | 4,828,165 | $ | 5,081,779 | ||||||
| Earning Assets | $ | 4,575,996 | $ | 4,581,652 | $ | 4,774,080 | $ | 4,590,258 | $ | 4,837,110 | ||||||
| Investments | $ | 1,351,433 | $ | 1,395,446 | $ | 1,436,179 | $ | 1,384,941 | $ | 1,445,657 | ||||||
| Loans | $ | 3,147,317 | $ | 3,097,836 | $ | 2,917,457 | $ | 3,104,623 | $ | 2,840,103 | ||||||
| Total Deposits | $ | 4,000,302 | $ | 4,121,097 | $ | 4,406,187 | $ | 4,124,520 | $ | 4,416,845 | ||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits | $ | 3,222,633 | $ | 3,297,110 | $ | 3,515,568 | $ | 3,309,111 | $ | 3,520,152 | ||||||
| Interest-Bearing Liabilities | $ | 309,948 | $ | 185,318 | $ | 95,098 | $ | 197,142 | $ | 101,442 | ||||||
| Total Equity | $ | 493,764 | $ | 501,686 | $ | 481,225 | $ | 494,428 | $ | 513,527 | ||||||
| INCOME STATEMENT DATA | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | 41,150 | $ | 42,187 | $ | 43,104 | $ | 127,672 | $ | 121,384 | ||||||
| Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent (b) | $ | 42,539 | $ | 43,581 | $ | 44,402 | $ | 131,774 | $ | 124,975 | ||||||
| Provision for Credit Losses | $ | 1,200 | $ | 1,800 | $ | 1,050 | $ | 4,800 | $ | (4,750 | ) | |||||
| Non-interest Income | $ | 11,627 | $ | 10,453 | $ | 12,140 | $ | 31,455 | $ | 36,148 | ||||||
| Non-interest Expense | $ | 32,265 | $ | 31,346 | $ | 31,504 | $ | 95,932 | $ | 93,522 | ||||||
| Net Income | $ | 16,285 | $ | 15,987 | $ | 18,051 | $ | 48,252 | $ | 54,588 | ||||||
| PER SHARE DATA | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share | $ | 1.37 | $ | 1.33 | $ | 1.50 | $ | 4.02 | $ | 4.45 | ||||||
| Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share | $ | — | $ | 0.54 | $ | — | $ | 0.54 | $ | 0.54 | ||||||
| Book Value Per Common Share | $ | 40.00 | $ | 41.47 | $ | 36.49 | $ | 40.00 | $ | 36.49 | ||||||
| Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (c) | $ | 33.69 | $ | 33.99 | $ | 33.27 | $ | 32.10 | $ | 28.67 | ||||||
| Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding | 11,901 | 12,022 | 12,029 | 11,993 | 12,270 | |||||||||||
(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 Ratios | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||
| September 30, | June 30, | September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Return on average assets | 1.35 | % | 1.34 | % | 1.43 | % | 1.33 | % | 1.43 | % | |
| Return on average common shareholder's equity | 13.19 | % | 12.75 | % | 15.00 | % | 12.98 | % | 14.14 | % | |
| Efficiency ratio | 59.57 | % | 58.01 | % | 55.72 | % | 58.77 | % | 58.04 | % | |
| Average equity to average assets | 10.26 | % | 10.48 | % | 9.53 | % | 10.24 | % | 10.11 | % | |
| Net interest margin (a) | 3.74 | % | 3.81 | % | 3.71 | % | 3.83 | % | 3.44 | % | |
| Net charge-offs to average loans and leases | 0.24 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.19 | % | 0.24 | % | 0.19 | % | |
| Credit loss reserve to loans and leases | 1.25 | % | 1.28 | % | 1.33 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.33 | % | |
| Credit loss reserve to nonperforming loans | 310.19 | % | 300.10 | % | 382.26 | % | 310.19 | % | 382.26 | % | |
| Nonperforming loans to loans and leases | 0.40 | % | 0.43 | % | 0.35 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.35 | % | |
| Tier 1 leverage | 11.72 | % | 11.49 | % | 10.33 | % | 11.72 | % | 10.33 | % | |
| Risk-based capital - Tier 1 | 14.61 | % | 14.44 | % | 13.69 | % | 14.61 | % | 13.69 | % | |
(a) Net interest margin is calculated on a tax equivalent basis.
| Asset Quality | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| September 30, | June 30, | September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||
| Accruing loans and leases past due 30-89 days | $ | 15,961 | $ | 15,583 | $ | 18,626 | $ | 15,961 | $ | 18,626 | |||||
| Accruing loans and leases past due 90 days or more | $ | 1,370 | $ | 682 | $ | 1,185 | $ | 1,370 | $ | 1,185 | |||||
| Nonaccrual loans and leases | $ | 11,214 | $ | 12,616 | $ | 9,147 | $ | 11,214 | $ | 9,147 | |||||
| Other real estate owned | $ | 63 | $ | 90 | $ | 214 | $ | 63 | $ | 214 | |||||
| Nonperforming loans and other real estate owned | $ | 12,647 | $ | 13,388 | $ | 10,546 | $ | 12,647 | $ | 10,546 | |||||
| Total nonperforming assets | $ | 15,671 | $ | 16,302 | $ | 13,657 | $ | 15,671 | $ | 13,657 | |||||
| Gross charge-offs | $ | 3,601 | $ | 3,543 | $ | 5,653 | $ | 11,520 | $ | 11,318 | |||||
| Recoveries | $ | 1,528 | $ | 2,030 | $ | 2,630 | $ | 5,975 | $ | 7,258 | |||||
| Net charge-offs/(recoveries) | $ | 2,073 | $ | 1,513 | $ | 3,023 | $ | 5,545 | $ | 4,060 | |||||
| Non-GAAP Reconciliations | Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| ($in thousands, except EPS) | ||||||
| Income before Income Taxes | $ | 19,312 | $ | 22,690 | ||
| Provision for credit losses | 1,200 | 1,050 | ||||
| Provision for unfunded commitments | — | — | ||||
| Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income | $ | 20,512 | $ | 23,740 | ||
| Non-GAAP Reconciliations | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||
