U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019

March 31, 2020

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______ to ________

 

Commission file number: 000-22507

 

THE FIRST BANCshARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

MississippiMississippi64-0862173
(State of Incorporation)(IRS Employer Identification No)

  

6480 U.S. Highway 98 West, Suite A, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39402

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

6480 U.S. Highway 98 West, Suite A, Hattiesburg, Mississippi39402
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

  

(601) 268-8998

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00FBMSThe Nasdaq Stock Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yesþx No¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T(§232.405 of this chapter)during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

Yesþx No¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filerþx
Non-accelerated filer¨Smaller Reporting Company¨
Emerging growth company¨ 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes¨Noxþ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Common stock, $1.00 par value, 18,993,62921,593,396 shares issued and 18,808,47921,398,714 outstanding as of November 4, 2019.May 7, 2020.

 

 

 

 

The First Bancshares, Inc.

Form 10-Q

Quarter Ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020

Index

 

Part I. Financial Information 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements3
 Consolidated Balance Sheets—Unaudited at September 30, 2019March 31, 20203
 Consolidated Statements of Income—Unaudited4
 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—Unaudited5
 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity - Unaudited6
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Unaudited87
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Unaudited98
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations3828
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk5744
Item 4.Controls and Procedures5946
   
Part II. Other Information 
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings6247
Item 1A.Risk Factors6347
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds6348
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities6349
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures6349
Item 5.Other Information6349
Item 6.Exhibits6449
Signatures6550

 


2

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands)

 

 (Unaudited) (Audited)  (Unaudited) 
 September 30, December 31,  March 31, December 31, 
 2019 2018  2020  2019 
ASSETS             
        
Cash and due from banks $91,810  $71,356  $107,252  $89,736 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks  68,180   87,751   179,507   79,128 
Federal funds sold  -   - 
        
Total cash and cash equivalents  159,990   159,107   286,759   168,864 
                
Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost  6,328   6,000 
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value  612,002   492,224   762,977   765,087 
Other securities  22,517   16,704   25,911   26,690 
        
Total securities  640,847   514,928   788,888   791,777 
                
Loans held for sale  11,104   4,838   13,288   10,810 
Loans  2,349,986   2,060,422   2,602,288   2,600,358 
Allowance for loan losses  (13,043)  (10,065)  (20,804)  (13,908)
        
Loans, net  2,348,047   2,055,195   2,594,772   2,597,260 
                
Interest receivable  12,415   10,778   14,943   14,802 
Premises and equipment  96,726   74,783   108,013   104,980 
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance  59,254   50,796   65,713   59,572 
Goodwill  118,636   89,750   158,572   158,572 
Other real estate owned  9,974   10,869   6,974   7,299 
Other assets  36,042   37,780   37,167   38,737 
        
TOTAL ASSETS $3,481,931  $3,003,986  $4,061,801  $3,941,863 
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                
LIABILITIES:                
Deposits:                
Noninterest-bearing $642,054  $570,148  $340,606  $723,208 
Interest-bearing  2,119,291   1,887,311   2,937,188   2,353,325 
        
TOTAL DEPOSITS  2,761,345   2,457,459   3,277,794   3,076,533 
                
Interest payable  2,236   1,519   2,885   2,508 
Borrowed funds  136,250   85,500   116,180   214,319 
Subordinated debentures  80,639   80,521   80,717   80,678 
Other liabilities  23,373   15,733   28,299   24,167 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  3,003,843   2,640,732   3,505,875   3,398,205 
                
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:                
Common stock, par value $1 per share, 40,000,000 shares authorized; 17,307,558 shares issued at September 30, 2019, and 14,857,092 shares issued at December 31, 2018, respectively  17,308   14,857 
Common stock, par value $1 per share, 40,000,000 shares authorized;
19,046,637 shares issued at March 31, 2020, and
18,996,948 shares issued at December 31, 2019, respectively
  19,047   18,997 
Additional paid-in capital  355,641   278,659   409,855   409,805 
Retained earnings  100,107   71,998   116,886   110,460 
Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)  10,373   (1,796)
Treasury stock, at cost, 183,933 shares at September 30, 2019 and 26,494 shares at December 31, 2018  (5,341)  (464)
        
Accumulated other comprehensive gain  15,831   10,089 
Treasury stock, at cost, 194,682 shares at March 31, 2020 and
194,682 shares at December 31, 2019
  (5,693)  (5,693)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  478,088   363,254   555,926   543,658 
        
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $3,481,931  $3,003,986  $4,061,801  $3,941,863 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 


THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands, except earnings and dividends per share)

 

  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended  Nine months ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2019  2018  2019  2018 
INTEREST INCOME:                
Interest and fees on loans $32,480  $22,407  $93,749  $60,106 
Interest and dividends on securities:                
Taxable interest and dividends  3,924   2,369   11,758   6,778 
Tax exempt interest  828   757   2,375   2,190 
Interest on federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits in other banks  9   95   203   348 
                 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME  37,241   25,628   108,085   69,422 
                 
INTEREST EXPENSE:                
Interest on deposits  5,061   2,782   14,747   7,169 
Interest on borrowed funds  1,721   1,177   4,976   2,634 
                 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE  6,782   3,959   19,723   9,803 
                 
NET INTEREST INCOME  30,459   21,669   88,362   59,619 
                 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES  974   412   2,888   1,546 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES  29,485   21,257   85,474   58,073 
                 
NON-INTEREST INCOME:            
Service charges on deposit accounts  1,979   1,538   5,727   3,906 
Other service charges and fees  5,124   3,536   13,646   10,258 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME  7,103   5,074   19,373   14,164 
                 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:                
Salaries and employee benefits  11,612   9,266   33,924   26,557 
Occupancy and equipment  2,632   2,163   7,606   5,844 
Acquisition and integration charges  705   4,059   3,975   9,655 
Other  5,876   4,298   18,104   12,008 
                 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSES  20,825   19,786   63,609   54,064 
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  15,763   6,545   41,238   18,173 
                 
INCOME TAXES  3,491   1,383   9,348   3,809 
                 
NET INCOME $12,272  $5,162  $31,890  $14,364 
                 
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.72  $0.39  $1.91  $1.14 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE  0.71   0.39   1.90   1.13 

  (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2020  2019 
INTEREST INCOME:        
Interest and fees on loans $36,005  $28,804 
Interest and dividends on securities:        
Taxable interest and dividends  4,034   3,591 
Tax exempt interest  1,360   758 
Interest on federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits in other banks  199   120 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME  41,598   33,273 
         
INTEREST EXPENSE:        
Interest on deposits  5,414   4,363 
Interest on borrowed funds  2,119   1,779 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE  7,533   6,142 
         
NET INTEREST INCOME  34,065   27,131 
         
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES  7,102   1,123 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER        
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES  26,963   26,008 
         
NON-INTEREST INCOME:        
Service charges on deposit accounts  1,914   1,831 
Gain on sale of securities  174   38 
Other service charges and fees  4,386   3,685 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME  6,474   5,554 
         
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:        
Salaries and employee benefits  13,228   10,697 
Occupancy and equipment  2,918   2,447 
Acquisition and integration charges  740   3,179 
Other  6,553   5,570 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSES  23,439   21,893 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  9,998   9,669 
INCOME TAXES  1,687   2,034 
NET INCOME $8,311  $7,635 
         
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.44  $0.49 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE  0.44   0.48 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

($ in thousands)

  (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2020  2019 
Net income per consolidated statements of income $8,311  $7,635 
         
Other Comprehensive Income:        
         
Unrealized holding gains arising during period on available-for-sale securities  8,629   7,966 
         
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) included in net income  (174)  (38)
         
Unrealized holding gains arising during period on available-for-sale securities  8,455   7,928 
         
Income tax (expense)  (2,713)  (2,006)
         
Other comprehensive income  5,742   5,922 
         
Comprehensive Income $14,053  $13,557 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 


THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

($ in thousands)

  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended  Nine months ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2019  2018  2019  2018 
Net income per consolidated statements of income $12,272  $5,162  $31,890  $14,364 
                 
Other Comprehensive Income:                
                 
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during period on available-for-sale securities  1,369   (2,463)  16,509   (7,873)
                 
Reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income  (57)  -   (131)  - 
                 
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during period on available-for-sale securities  1,312   (2,463)  16,378   (7,873)
                 
Income tax (expense) benefit  (378)  623   (4,209)  1,990 
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  934   (1,840)  12,169   (5,883)
                 
Comprehensive Income $13,206  $3,322  $44,059  $8,481 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

($ in thousands except per share data, unaudited)

 

  Common Stock  Additional
Paid-in
  Retained  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
  Treasury Stock    
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Income (Loss)  Shares  Amount  Total 
 Balance, June 30, 2018  13,092,447  $13,092  $216,310  $61,369  $(4,481)  (26,494) $(464) $285,826 
Net income  -   -   -   5,162   -       -   5,162 
Other comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   (1,840)  -   -   (1,840)
Dividends on common stock, $0.05 per share  -   -   -   (653)  -   -   -   (653)
Restricted stock grant  9,133   10   (10)  -   -   -   -   - 
Compensation expense          326                   326 
Repurchase of restricted shares for payment of taxes  (570)  (1)  (22)  -   -   -   -   (23)
 Balance, September 30, 2018  13,101,010  $13,101  $216,604  $65,878  $(6,321)  (26,494) $(464) $288,798 
                                 
Balance, June 30, 2019  17,299,975  $17,300  $355,217  $89,231  $9,439   (170,060) $(4,906) $466,281 
Net income  -   -   -   12,272   -   -   -   12,272 
Common stock repurchased  -   -   -   -   -   (13,873)  (435)  (435)
Other comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   934   -   -   934 
Dividends on common stock, $0.08 per share  -   -   -   (1,396)  -   -   -   (1,396)
Issuance of restricted stock grants  8,333   9   (9)  -   -   -   -   - 
Restricted stock grant forfeited  (750)  (1)  1                   - 
Compensation expense  -   -   432   -   -   -   -   432 
Balance, September 30, 2019  17,307,558  $17,308  $355,641  $100,107  $10,373   (183,933) $(5,341) $478,088 
 Common Stock  

Additional
Paid-in 

  Retained  

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive

  Treasury Stock   
 Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Income (Loss)  Shares  Amount  Total 
 .Balance, January 1, 2019  14,857,092  $14,857  $278,659  $71,998  $(1,796)  (26,494) $(464) $363,254 
Net income  -   -   -   7,635   -   -   -   7,635 
Other comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   5,922   -   -   5,922 
Dividends on common stock, $0.07 per share  -   -   -   (1,039)  -   -   -   (1,039)
Issuance of common shares for FPB acquisition  2,377,501   2,378   75,842   -   -   -   -   78,220 
Restricted stock grant  66,132   66   (66)  -   -   -   -   - 
Restricted stock grant forfeited  (1,500)  (2)  2   -   -   -   -   - 
Compensation expense  -   -   355   -   -   -   -   355 
 Balance, March 31, 2019  17,299,225  $17,299  $354,792  $78,594  $4,126   (26,494) $(464) $454,347 
                                 
Balance, January 1, 2020  18,996,948  $18,997  $409,805  $110,460  $10,089   (194,682) $(5,693) $543,658 
Net income  -   -   -   8,311   -   -   -   8,311 
Other comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   5,742   -   -   5,742 
Dividends on common stock, $0.10 per share  -   -   -   (1,885)  -   -   -   (1,885)
Restricted stock grant  60,680   61   (61)  -   -   -   -   - 
Repurchase of restricted stock for payment of taxes  (10,991)  (11)  (367)  -   -   -   -   (378)
Compensation expense  -   -   478   -   -   -   -   478 
Balance, March 31, 2020  19,046,637  $19,047  $409,855  $116,886  $15,831   (194,682) $(5,693) $555,926 

 


THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY - CONTINUED

($ in thousands except per share amount, unaudited)

  Common Stock  Additional
Paid-in
  Retained  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
  Treasury Stock    
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Income (Loss)  Shares  Amount  Total 
Balance, January 1, 2018  11,192,401  $11,192  $158,456  $53,722  $(438)  (26,494) $(464) $222,468 
Net income  -   -   -   14,364   -   -   -   14,364 
Other comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   (5,883)  -   -   (5,883)
Dividends on common stock, $0.15 per share      -   -   (1,859)  -   -   -   (1,859)
Issuance of 1,134,010 common shares for Southwest acquisition  1,134,010   1,134   34,871   -   -   -   -   36,005 
Issuance of 726,461 common shares for Sunshine acquisition  726,461   726   22,702                   23,428 
Issuance restricted stock grants  60,984   62   (62)  -   -   -   -   - 
Restricted stock grant forfeited  (12,276)  (12)  12   -   -   -   -   - 
Expenses associated with common stock issuance      -   (237)  -   -   -   -   (237)
Compensation expense      -   884   -   -   -   -   884 
ASU 2016-01 Implementation  -   -   -   (349)  -   -   -   (349)
Repurchase of restricted stock for payment of taxes  (570)  (1)  (22)  -   -   -   -   (23)
Balance, September 30, 2018  13,101,010  $13,101  $216,604  $65,878  $(6,321)  (26,494) $(464) $288,798 
                                 
Balance, January 1, 2019  14,857,092  $14,857  $278,659  $71,998  $(1,796)  (26,494) $(464) $363,254 
Net income      -   -   31,890   -   -   -   31,890 
Common stock repurchased      -   -   -   -   (157,439)  (4,877)  (4,877)
Other comprehensive income      -   -   -   12,169   -   -   12,169 
Dividends on common stock, $0.23 per share      -   -   (3,781)  -   -   -   (3,781)
Issuance of 2,377,501 common shares for FPB acquisition  2,377,501   2,378   75,842   -   -   -   -   78,220 
Issuance restricted stock grants  75,215   75   (75)  -   -   -   -   - 
Restricted stock grant forfeited  (2,250)  (2)  2   -   -   -   -   - 
Compensation expense  -   -   1,213   -   -   -   -   1,213 
Balance, September 30, 2019  17,307,558  $17,308  $355,641  $100,107  $10,373   (183,933) $(5,341) $478,088 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ in thousands)

 

 (Unaudited) 
 Three months ended 
 (Unaudited)
Nine months ended
September 30,
  March 31, 
 2019  2018  2020 2019 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                
NET INCOME $31,890  $14,364  $8,311  $7,635 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation, amortization and accretion  2,333   3,125   1,308   677 
Provision for loan losses  2,888   1,546   7,102   1,123 
Loss on sale/writedown of ORE  332   31   293   295 
Securities (gain)/losses  (136)  - 
Gain on sale of premises and equipment  (11)  - 
Securities gain  (174)  (38)
Gain on sale/writedown of premises and equipment  8   - 
Restricted stock expense  1,213   884   478   355 
Increase in cash value of life insurance  (1,146)  (657)  (328)  (297)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends  (130)  (85)  (53)  - 
Payments on operating leases  (581)  - 
Payments on right-of-use assets  (382)  (122)
Residential loans originated and held for sale  (134,749)  (105,280)  (55,076)  (30,078)
Proceeds from sale of residential loans held for sale  128,558   105,761   51,828   28,632 
Changes in:                
Interest receivable  (278)  (570)  (141)  (283)
Interest payable  642   145   377   434 
Other, net  (157)  3,711   450   (630)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES  30,668   22,975   14,001   7,703 
                
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Maturities, calls and paydowns of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities  74,871   46,383   46,192   19,445 
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale  20,290   18,573   -   20,291 
Purchases of available-for-sale securities  (107,557)  (64,248)  (36,277)  (46,599)
Redemptions (Purchases) of other securities  (4,377)  (327)
Redemptions of other securities  832   2,712 
Net increase in loans  (42,473)  (86,405)  (925)  (29,961)
Net increase in premises and equipment  (6,013)  (3,174)  (1,413)  (1,548)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned  2,694   1,171   532   385 
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment  1,689   - 
Proceeds from the sale of other assets  65   - 
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance  (5,800)  - 
Cash received in excess of cash paid for acquisitions  14,743   29,901   -   14,743 
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES  (46,068)  (58,126)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED) IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES  3,141   (20,532)
                
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Decrease in deposits  (8,628)  66,596 
Net increase in borrowed funds  33,500   (63,672)
Increase in deposits  201,122   144,318 
Net decrease in borrowed funds  (98,139)  (41,000)
Dividends paid on common stock  (3,712)  (1,829)  (1,852)  (1,020)
Repurchase of restricted stock for payment of taxes  -   (23)  (378)  - 
Expenses associated with capital raise  -   (237)
Cash paid to repurchase common stock  (4,877)  - 
Issuance of subordinated debt, net  -   64,766 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES  16,283   65,601   100,753   102,298 
                
NET INCREASE IN CASH  883   30,450   117,895   89,469 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD  159,107   91,921   168,864   159,107 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $159,990  $122,371  $286,759  $248,576 
                
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:                
        
Cash payments for interest  4,918   9,430   5,567   4,297 
Loans transferred to other real estate  1,616   1,510   504   946 
Issuance of restricted stock grants  75   61   61   66 
Stock issued in connection with Southwest acquisition  -   36,005 
Stock issued in connection with Sunshine acquisition  -   23,428 
Stock issued in connection with FPB acquisition  78,220   -   -   78,220 
Dividends on restricted stock grants  69   32   33   19 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities  4,393   - 
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets  2,419   3,595 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

87

 

 

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2019March 31, 2020

 

NOTE 1 -- BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and the instructions to Form 10-Q of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019.2020. For further information, please refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

 

NOTE 2 -- SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION

 

The First Bancshares, Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi (the "Company"), was incorporated June 23, 1995, under the laws of the State of Mississippi for the purpose of operating as a bank holding company. The Company’s primary asset is its interest in its wholly-owned subsidiary, The First, A National Banking Association (the “Bank” or “The First”).

 

At September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $3.482$4.062 billion in assets, $2.348$2.595 billion in net loans, $2.761$3.278 billion in deposits, and $478.1$555.9 million in stockholders' equity. For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the Company reported net income of $31.9$8.3 million. After tax merger relatedAfter-tax merger-related costs of $3.1 million$576 thousand were expensed during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020.

 

On August 23, 2019,February 21, 2020, the Company paid a cash dividend in the amount of $0.08$0.10 per share to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Friday, August 9, 2019.February 7, 2020.

 

On May 24, 2019,NOTE 3 -- ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

During the three month ended March 31, 2020, there were no significant accounting pronouncements applicable to the Company paid a cash dividendthat became effective.

New Accounting Standards That Have Not Yet Been Adopted

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04,Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.”This ASU provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the amount of $0.08 per share to shareholders of recordglobal market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is assessing ASU 2020-04 and its impact on the close of business on Friday, May 10, 2019.Company’s transition away from LIBOR for its loan and other financial instruments.

On February 26, 2019, the Company paid a cash dividend in the amount of $0.07 per share to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Monday, February 11, 2019.


NOTE 3 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In MarchDecember 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-01,2019-12,Leases: Codification Improvements.Income Taxes (Topic 740): “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.”ASU 2019-01 provides clarification2019-12 removes specific exceptions to increase transparencythe general principles in Topic 740. This update simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in ASC 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assetsthe recognition for deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The ASU also improves financial statement preparers’ application for income tax-related guidance, simplifies GAAP for franchise taxes and liabilities onenacted changes in tax laws or rates, and clarifies the balance sheet and disclosing essential information about leasing transactions. This ASU (1) allows the fair value of the underlying asset reported by lessorsaccounting for transactions that are not manufacturers or dealers to continue to be its cost and not fair value as measured under the fair value definition, (2) allows for the payments received from sales-type and direct financing leases to continue to be presented as results from investing activitiesresult in a step-up in the statementtax basis of cash flows, and (3) clarifies that entities do not have to disclose the effect of the lease standard on adoption year interim amounts.goodwill. ASU 2019-012019-12 will be effective on January 1, 20202021 and will not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13,Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.ASU 2018-11 eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Among the changes, entities will no longer be required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted. Entities are also allowed to elect for early adoption the eliminated or modified disclosure requirements and delay adoption of the new disclosure requirements until their effective date. The revised disclosure requirements will not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07,Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.ASU 2018-07 has been issued as part of a simplification initiative which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees and expands the scope through the amendments to address and improve aspects of the accounting for non-employee share-based payment transactions. The amendments were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2018-07 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15,“Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.”These amendments align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by these amendments. The guidance is effective for public business entities for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2018-15 will not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04,“Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.”ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Under the amended guidance, a goodwill impairment charge will now be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, notexpected to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. ASU 2017-04 will not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “FinancialFinancial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2916-13 makes significant changesThe FASB issued new guidance (Topic 326) to replace the incurred loss model for loans and other financial assets with an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model is applicable to the accounting formeasurement of credit losses on financial instruments presented on anassets measured at amortized cost, basisincluding loan receivables and disclosures about them.held-to-maturity debt securities. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments) and net investments in certain leases recognized by a lessor. In addition, the amendments in Topic 326 require credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities to be presented as a valuation allowance rather than as a direct write-down. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods in those fiscal years. For calendar year-end SEC filers, it is effective for March 31, 2020 interim financial statements. For debt securities with other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”), the guidance will be applied prospectively. Existing purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) assets will be grandfathered and classified as purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) assets at the date of adoption. The assets will be grossed up for the allowance for expected credit losses for all PCD assets at the date of adoption and will continue to recognize the noncredit discount in interest income based on the yield of such assets as of the adoption date. Subsequent changes in expected credit losses will be recorded through the allowance. For all other assets within the scope of CECL, a cumulative-effect adjustment will be recognized in retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective.

The Company’s Allowance for Credit Loss Committee (“ACL Committee”), made up of executive and senior management from corporate administration, accounting, risk management, and credit and portfolio administration, have reviewed and approved the methodology and initial setup of the CECL Model. All historical data used in the model’s calculation, the mathematical accuracy of that calculation, and any inputs provided externally that affect the calculation have been independently validated. Internal controls necessary in maintaining accuracy to estimate an adequate reserve have been designed but not tested for operating effectiveness. The Company had finalized the formal review and approval process and the results of its CECL estimate as of year-end but has elected to delay its adoption of ASU 2016-13, as provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES Act”), until the date on which the national emergency related to the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak is terminated or December 31, 2020 whichever occurs first. The delayed adoption will allow extra time to document and test controls over this standard and will allow us time to provide consistent, high-quality financial information to our investors and other stakeholders. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company has determined that the impact to the allowance for credit losses will be an increase under the new standard due to the life of loan loss estimation methodology, as well as the requirement to record an allowance on acquired loans previously recorded at fair value. As disclosed previously, it can be reasonably expected that a probable range in the reserve as a percentage of total loans after adoption of this guidance to be between 0.68% and 1.39% as of January 1, 2020.

Upon adopting ASU 2016-13, the Company will not record an allowance as of January 1, 2020 with respect to its available-for-sale debt securities as the majority of these securities are government agency-backed securities for which the risk of loss is minimal.In the first quarter of 2020, U.S. federal regulatory authorities issued an interim final rule that provides banking organizations that adopt CECL during the 2020 calendar year with the option to delay for two years the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital relative to regulatory capital determined under the prior incurred loss methodology, followed by a three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of the capital benefit provided during the initial two-year delay (i.e., a five-year transition in total). The Company has elected to delay its adoption of ASU 2016-13, as provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES Act”), until the date on which the national emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak is terminated or December 31, 2020 whichever occurs first. The Company has elected to utilize the five-year CECL transition.The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s regulatory capital ratios.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-03,“Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments.” This ASU makes narrow-scope improvements to various aspects of the financial instruments guidance, including the current expected credit losslosses (CECL) impairment model will require an estimate of expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of an instrument, which considers reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditionsstandard issued in addition to information about past events and current conditions. The standard provides significant flexibility and requires a high degree of judgment throughout the estimation process including, but not limited to, pooling of financial assets with similar risk characteristics and adjusting the relevant historical loss information in order to develop an estimate of expected lifetime losses. In addition,2016. ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The amendments in ASU 2016-13subsequent ASUs are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 for public business entities that are SEC filers. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020.

The Company’s CECL Implementation Team continues to make progress in its plan for adoption, and is currently evaluating what impact ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. While we are currently unable to reasonably estimate that impact, it could be significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of our loan portfolio as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date. The Company, with help from its third party ALLL modeling vendor, completed the tasks of data capture, portfolio segmentation and input of other proxy data during the second quarter to complete runs in the third quarter using that model. Also during the third quarter, the Company engaged a third party vendor to assist in the development of a qualitative and environmental loss factor model (Q&E Model), as well as model validation. The Company’s plan for the fourth quarter is to approve the input of modeled qualitative loss factors, and to complete validation of our reasonable and supportable forecast model, leading to a final parallel run at end-of-year 2019.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842).”ASU 2016-02 establishes a right of use model that requires a lessee to record a right of use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. A lease will be treated as a sale if it transfers all of the risks and rewards, as well as control of the underlying asset, to the lessee. If risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control, the lease is treated as a financing. If neither risks and rewards nor control is conveyed, an operating lease results. The amendments are effective forwithin those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years for public business entities. Entities are2019. This amendment is required to usebe adopted using a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after thewith a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. Early adoption is permitted. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11,Leases – Targeted Improvements.ASU 2018-11 provides entities with relief from the costs of implementing certain aspects of ASU 2016-02. Under the amendments in ASU 2018-11 entities may elect not to recast the comparative periods presented when transitioning to the new leasing standard and lessors may elect not to separate lease and non-lease components when certain conditions are met. The amendments have the same effective date as ASU 2016-02, January 1, 2019. We elected to apply ASU 2016-02retained earnings, as of the beginning of the first reporting period of adoption (January 1, 2019) and did not restate comparative periods. Our operating leases relate primarily to bank branches. As a result ofin which the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, we recorded operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets of $1.8 million and lease liabilities of $1.8 million. ROU assets are adjusted for lease incentives. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows compared to the prior lease accounting model. The ROU asset and operating lease liability are recorded in premises and equipment and other liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 12 – Leases for additional information.guidance is effective.

 


NOTE 4 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

Acquisitions

First Florida Bancorp, Inc.

On November 1, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of First Florida Bancorp, Inc. (“FFB”), and immediately thereafter merged its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Florida Bank with and into The First. The Company paid a total consideration of $89.5 million to the FFB shareholders as consideration in the merger, which included 1,682,889 shares of Company common stock and approximately $34.1 million in cash.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded approximately $40.0 million of goodwill and $3.7 million of core deposit intangible. Goodwill is not deductible for income taxes. The core deposit intangible will be amortized to expense over 10 years.

The Company acquired the $248.9 million loan portfolio at an estimated fair value discount of $1.7 million. The discount represents expected credit losses, adjusted for market interest rates and liquidity adjustments.

Expenses associated with the FFB acquisition were $443 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020. These costs included system conversion and integrating operations charges and legal and consulting expenses, which have been expensed as incurred.

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed and consideration paid in the acquisition of FFB were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management’s best estimates using information available at the date of the acquisition and are subject to adjustment for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition. While the fair values are not expected to be materially different from the estimates, accounting guidance provides that an acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period, which runs through November 1, 2020 in respect of FFB, in the measurement period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The acquirer must record in the financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization or other income effects, if any, as a result of changes to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The items most susceptible to adjustment are the credit fair value adjustments on loans, core deposit intangible and the deferred income tax assets resulting from the acquisition.

The following table summarizes the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on November 1, 2019 ($ in thousands):

Purchase price:   
Cash and stock $89,520 
     Total purchase price  89,520 
     
Identifiable assets:    
Cash and due from banks  50,169 
Investments  122,084 
Loans  247,263 
Core deposit intangible  3,745 
Personal and real property  4,991 
Other assets  2,283 
     Total assets  430,535 
     
Liabilities and equity:    
Deposits  373,908 
Borrowed funds  5,527 
Other liabilities  1,619 
     Total liabilities  381,054 
Net assets acquired  49,481 
Goodwill resulting from acquisition $40,039 

The outstanding principal balance and the carrying amount of these loans included in the consolidated balance sheets as of the date of acquisition and at March 31, 2020, are as follows ($ in thousands):

  November 1, 2019  March 31, 2020 
Outstanding principal balance $248,916  $233,392 
Carrying amount  247,263   232,082 

PCI loans are discussed more fully in Note 10 – “Loans” of this report.

10

 

FPB Financial Corp.

 

On March 2, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of FPB Financial Corp., (“FPB”), and immediately thereafter merged its wholly-owned subsidiary, Florida Parishes Bank with and into The First. The Company paid a total consideration of $78.2 million in stock to the FPB shareholders, as consideration in the merger, which included 2,377,501 shares of Company common stock and $5 thousand in cash.

 

In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded approximately $28.8 million of goodwill and $6.6 million of core deposit intangible. Goodwill is not deductible for income taxes. The core deposit intangible will be amortized to expense over 10 years.

 

The Company acquired the $247.8 million loan portfolio at an estimated fair value discount of $3.1 million. The discount represents expected credit losses, adjusted for market interest rates and liquidity adjustments.

 

Expenses associated with the FPB acquisition were $97$63 thousand and $2.2 million for the three month and nine months period ended September 30, 2019, respectively.March 31, 2020. These costs included system conversion and integrating operations charges and legal and consulting expenses, which have been expensed as incurred.

 

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed and consideration paid in the acquisition of FPB were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management’s best estimates using information available at the date of the acquisition and are subject to adjustment for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition. While the fair values are not expected to be materially different from the estimates, accounting guidance provides that an acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period, which runs through March 2, 2020, in the measurement period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The acquirer must record in the financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization or other income effects, if any, as a result of changes to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The items most susceptible to adjustment are the credit fair value adjustments on loans, core deposit intangible and the deferred income tax assets resulting from the acquisition.


The following table summarizes the provisionalfinalized fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on March 2, 2019 ($ in thousands):

 

Purchase price:    
Cash and stock $78,225 
Total purchase price  78,225 
     
Identifiable assets:    
Cash and due from banks  14,748 
Investments  93,604 
Loans  244,665 
Bank owned life insurance  7,312 
Core deposit intangible  6,597 
Personal and real property  17,358 
Other assets  1,152 
Total assets  385,436 
     
Liabilities and equity:    
Deposits  312,453 
Borrowed funds  17,250 
Other liabilities  6,291 
Total liabilities  335,994 
Net assets acquired  49,442 
Goodwill resulting from acquisition $28,783 


The outstanding principal balance and the carrying amount of these loans included in the consolidated balance sheets as of the date of acquisition and at September 30, 2019, are as follows ($ in thousands):

  March 2,
2019
  September 30,
2019
 
Outstanding principal balance $247,774  $212,917 
Carrying amount  244,665   210,486 
     Measurement    
  As Initially  Period    
  Reported  Adjustments  As Adjusted 
Identifiable assets:            
  Cash and due from banks $14,748  $-  $14,748 
  Investments  93,604   -   93,604 
  Loans  244,665   -   244,665 
  Bank owned life insurance  7,312   -   7,312 
  Core deposit intangible  4,793   1,804   6,597 
  Personal and real property  17,358   -   17,358 
  Other assets  1,430   (278)  1,152 
     Total assets  383,910  $1,526   385,436 
             
Liabilities and equity:            
  Deposits  312,453   -   312,453 
  Borrowed funds  17,250   -   17,250 
  Other liabilities  6,291   -   6,291 
     Total liabilities  335,994   -   335,994 
  Net assets acquired  47,916   1,526   49,442 
  Consideration paid  78,225   -   78,225 
  Goodwill resulting from acquisition $30,309  $1,526  $28,783 

 

Purchased credit impaired loans are detailed in Note 10 – Loans.

FMB Financial Corp.

On November 1, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of FMB Banking Corporation (“FMB”), and immediately thereafter merged its wholly-owned subsidiary, Farmers & Merchants Bank, with and into The First. The Company paid a total consideration of $79.5 million to the FMB shareholders as consideration in the merger, which included 1,763,042 shares of the Company’s common stock and $16.0 million in cash.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded approximately $36.4 million of goodwill and $10.2 million of core deposit intangible. Goodwill is not deductible for income taxes. The core deposit intangible will be amortized to expense over 10 years.

The Company acquired FMB’s $325.5 million loan portfolio at an estimated fair value discount of $7.6 million. The discount represents expected credit losses, adjusted for market interest rates and liquidity adjustments.

Expenses associated with the acquisition were $59 thousand and $615 thousand for the three month and nine months period ended September 30, 2019, respectively. These costs included system conversion and integrating operations charges and legal and consulting expenses, whichValuation adjustments have been expensed as incurred.

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed and consideration paid in the acquisition of FMB were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management’s best estimates using information available at the date of the acquisition and are subjectmade to adjustment for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition. While the fair values are not expected to be materially different from the estimates, accounting guidance provides that an acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period, which runs through November 1, 2019, in the measurement period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The acquirer must record in the financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization or other income effects, if any, as a result of changes to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The items most susceptible to adjustment are the credit fair value adjustments on loans, core deposit intangible and the deferred income taxother assets resulting from the acquisition.


The following table summarizes the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on November 1, 2018 ($ in thousands):

Purchase price:    
Cash and stock $79,547 
Total purchase price  79,547 
     
Identifiable assets:    
Cash and due from banks  28,556 
Investments  97,331 
Loans  317,909 
Bank owned life insurance  13,639 
Core deposit intangible  10,203 
Personal and real property  14,950 
Other assets  3,054 
Total assets  485,642 
     
Liabilities and equity:    
Deposits  431,276 
Borrowed funds  5,369 
Other liabilities  5,894 
Total liabilities  442,539 
Net assets acquired  43,103 
Goodwill resulting from acquisition $36,444 

The outstanding principal balance and the carrying amount of these loans included in the consolidated balance sheets as of the acquisition date and at September 30, 2019, are as follows ($ in thousands):

  November 1,
2018
  September 30,
2019
 
Outstanding principal balance $325,509  $247,629 
Carrying amount  317,909   242,017 

Purchased credit impaired loans are detailed in Note 10 – Loans.

Sunshine Financial, Inc.

On April 1, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Sunshine Financial, Inc., (“Sunshine”), and immediately thereafter merged its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunshine Community Bank, with and into The First. The Company paid a total consideration of $30.5 million to the Sunshine shareholders as consideration in the merger, which included 726,461 shares of Company common stock and $7 million in cash.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $9.5 million of goodwill and $4.1 million of core deposit intangible. Goodwill is not deductible for income taxes. The core deposit intangible will be amortized to expense over 10 years.

The Company acquired the $173.1 million loan portfolio at an estimated fair value discount of $4.5 million. The discount represents expected credit losses, adjusted for market interest rates and liquidity adjustments.


Expenses associated with the acquisition were $0 and $250 thousand for the three month and nine months period ended September 30, 2019, respectively. These costs included system conversion and integrating operations charges and legal and consulting expenses, which have been expensed as incurred.since initially reported.

 

The outstanding principal balance and the carrying amount of these loans included in the consolidated balance sheets as of the date of acquisition and at September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, are as follows ($ in thousands):

 

 April 1,
2018
  September 30,
2019
  March 2, 2019  March 31, 2020 
Outstanding principal balance $173,052  $141,250  $247,774  $180,070 
Carrying amount  168,561   138,560   244,665   178,186 

 

Purchased credit impairedPCI loans are detaileddiscussed more fully in Note 10 – Loans.“Loans” of this report.

 

Southwest Banc Shares, Inc.

11

 

On March 1, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Southwest Banc Shares, Inc., (“Southwest”), and immediately thereafter merged its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Community Bank, with and into The First. The Company paid a total consideration of $60.0 million to the Southwest shareholders as consideration in the merger, which included 1,134,010 shares of Company common stock and $24 million in cash.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $23.9 million of goodwill and $5.8 million of core deposit intangible. Goodwill is not deductible for income taxes. The core deposit intangible will be amortized to expense over 10 years.

The Company acquired the $274.7 million loan portfolio at an estimated fair value discount of $3.5 million. The discount represents expected credit losses, adjusted for market interest rates, and liquidity adjustments.


Expenses associated with the acquisition were $150 thousand and $519 thousand for the three month and nine months period ended September 30, 2019, respectively. These costs included systems conversions and integrating operations charges and legal and consulting expenses, which have been expensed as incurred.

The outstanding principal balance and the carrying amount of these loans included in the consolidated balance sheets as of the date of acquisition and at September 30, 2019, are as follows ($ in thousands):

  March 1,
2018
  September 30,
2019
 
Outstanding principal balance $274,669  $163,223 
Carrying amount  271,150   161,806 

Purchased credit impaired loans are detailed in Note 10 – Loans.

 

Supplemental Pro-Forma Financial Information

 

The following unaudited pro-forma financial data for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2020 and 2019 and September 30, 2018 presents supplemental information as if the Southwest, Sunshine, FMBFPB and FPBFFB acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2018.2019. The pro-forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations had the acquisitions been effective as of these dates.

 

($ in thousands) Pro-Forma Pro-Forma 
 Pro-Forma Pro-Forma  

Three months ended
March 31, 2020

 

Three months ended
March 31, 2019

 
($ in thousands) 

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019

 

Nine months ended

September 30, 2018

 
 (unaudited) (unaudited) 
 (unaudited) (unaudited)         
Net interest income $91,011  $88,904  $34,065  $34,705 
Non-interest income  19,854   18,812   6,474   6,313 
Total revenue $110,865  $107,716   40,539   41,018 
Income before income taxes $46,030  $40,616   10,739   18,002 

 


Supplemental pro-forma earnings were adjusted to exclude acquisition costs incurred.

 

Non-credit impaired loans acquired in the acquisitions were accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-20,Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs.Purchased credit impairedPCI loans acquired in the Southwest, Sunshine, FMBFPB and FPBFFB acquisitions were accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30Accounting for Purchased Loans with Deteriorated Credit Quality.

 

NOTE 5 – EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

 

Basic per share data is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted per share data includes any dilution from potential common stock outstanding, such as restricted stock grants. There were no antidilutiveanti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded in the calculations.

 

The following tables disclose the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted computations applicable to common stockholders ($ in thousands, except per share amount):

 

 For the Three Months Ended 
 For the Three Months Ended  March 31, 2020 
 September 30, 2019  Net Income Shares Per 
 Net Income Shares Per  (Numerator)  (Denominator)  Share Data 
 (Numerator)  (Denominator)  Share Data        
Basic earnings per share $12,272   17,130,610  $0.72  $8,311   18,818,115  $0.44 
                        
Effect of dilutive shares:                        
Restricted stock grants      150,713       ��   124,014     
                        
Diluted earnings per share $12,272   17,281,323  $0.71  $8,311   18,942,129  $0.44 

 

  For the Nine months ended 
  September 30, 2019 
  Net Income  Shares  Per 
  (Numerator)  (Denominator)  Share Data 
Basic earnings per share $31,890   16,653,045  $1.91 
             
Effect of dilutive shares:            
Restricted stock grants      136,873     
             
Diluted earnings per share $31,890   16,789,918  $1.90 


  For the Three Months Ended 
  September 30, 2018 
  Net Income  Shares  Per 
  (Numerator)  (Denominator)  Share Data 
Basic earnings per share $5,162   13,072,455  $0.39 
             
Effect of dilutive shares:            
Restricted stock grants      119,752     
             
Diluted earnings per share $5,162   13,192,207  $0.39 

 For the Three Months ended 
 For the Nine months ended  March 31, 2019 
 September 30, 2018  Net Income Shares Per 
 Net Income Shares Per  (Numerator)  (Denominator)  Share Data 
 (Numerator)  (Denominator)  Share Data        
Basic earnings per share $14,364   12,565,000  $1.14  $7,635   15,646,476  $0.49 
                        
Effect of dilutive shares:                        
Restricted stock grants      119,752           124,146     
                        
Diluted earnings per share $14,364   12,684,752  $1.13  $7,635   15,770,622  $0.48 

 

The Company granted 60,680 shares of restricted stock in the first quarter of 2020 and 66,132 shares of restricted stock in the first quarter of 2019 and 51,851 shares of restricted stock in the first quarter of 2018. The Company granted 750 shares of restricted stock in the second quarter of 2019 and made no grants of restricted stock during the second quarter of 2018. The Company granted 8,333 shares of restricted stock in the third quarter of 2019 and 9,133 shares of restricted stock in the third quarter of 2018.2019.


NOTE 6 – COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

As presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income. The Company’s sources of other comprehensive income are unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities, which are also recognized as separate components of equity.


NOTE 7 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. At September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, these financial instruments consisted of the following:

 

($ in thousands) March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018  Fixed Rate Variable Rate Fixed Rate Variable Rate 
($ in thousands) Fixed Rate Variable Rate Fixed Rate Variable Rate 
Commitments to make loans $79,384  $1,793  $32,624  $36,780  $39,351  $5,723  $42,774  $5,676 
Unused lines of credit  127,886   200,629   115,524   131,741   120,335   180,732   137,966   208,728 
Commercial & similar letters of credit  2,475   8,529   2,357   8,367 
Standby letters of credit  2,425   9,917   3,648   8,475 

 

Commitments to make loans are generally made for periods of 90 days or less. The fixed rate loan commitments have interest rates ranging from 0.5% to 19.7%18.0% and maturities ranging from approximately 1 year to 30 years.

 

NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES AND REPORTING, THE FAIR VALUE OPTION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the assets or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

 

Level 2: Significant observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the factors that market participants would likely consider in pricing an asset or liability.

 


The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate its financial instrument fair values disclosed at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018:2019:

 

·Investment Securities: The fair value for investment securities are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2), using matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique commonly used to price debt securities that are not actively traded, values debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3).

 

·Loans held for sale: Since loans designated by the Company as available-for-sale are typically sold shortly after making the decision to sell them, realized gains or losses are usually recognized within the same period and fluctuations in fair values are not relevant for reporting purposes. If available-for-sale loans are held on our books for an extended period of time, the fair value of those loans is determined using quoted secondary-market prices.

 

·Impaired Loans:Loans for which it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest due according to contractual terms are measured for impairment. If the impaired loan is identified as collateral dependent, then the fair value method of measuring the amount of impairment is utilized. This method requires obtaining a current independent appraisal of the collateral. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available for similar loans and collateral underlying such loans. Such adjustments, if any, result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. The Company generally adjusts the appraisal down by approximately 10 percent to account for selling costs. Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification. Impaired loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional impairment.

 

·Other Real Estate Owned:Other real estate owned consists of properties obtained through foreclosure. The adjustment at the time of foreclosure is recorded through the allowance for loan losses. Fair value of other real estate owned is based on current independent appraisals of the collateral less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals, which are updated no less frequently than annually. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach with data from comparable properties. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments, if any, result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. In the determination of fair value subsequent to foreclosure, Management also considers other factors or recent developments, such as changes in market conditions from the time of valuation and anticipated sales values considering plans for disposition, which could result in an adjustment to lower the collateral value estimates indicated in the appraisals. The Company generally adjusts the appraisal down by approximately 10 percent to account for selling costs. Periodic revaluations are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy since assumptions are used that may not be observable in the market. Due to the subjective nature of establishing the fair value when the asset is acquired, the actual fair value of the other real estate owned or foreclosed asset could differ from the original estimate. If it is determined the fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through other non-interest income. Operating costs associated with the assets after acquisition are also recorded as non-interest expense. Gains and losses on the disposition of other real estate owned and foreclosed assets are netted and recorded in other non-interest income. Other real estate owned is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchyhierarchy.

 


Estimated fair values for the Company’s financial instruments are as follows, as of the dates noted:

 

    Fair Value Measurements 
As of September 30, 2019
($ in thousands)
 Carrying
Amount
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Financial Instruments:                    
Assets:                    
Cash and cash equivalents $159,990  $159,990  $159,990  $-  $- 
Securities available-for-sale:                    
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities  65,009   65,009   -   65,009   - 
Municipal securities  170,298   170,298   -   159,511   10,787 
Mortgage-backed securities  366,062   366,062   -   366,062   - 
Corporate obligations  10,633   10,633   -   10,220   413 
Securities held-to-maturity  6,328   7,531   -   7,531   - 
Loans, net  2,348,047   2,321,293   -   -   2,321,293 
Accrued interest receivable  12,415   12,415   -   3,125   9,286 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Non-interest-bearing deposits $642,054  $642,054  $-  $642,054  $- 
Interest-bearing deposits  2,119,291   2,107,490   -   2,107,490   - 
Subordinated debentures  80,639   79,229   -   -   79,229 
FHLB and other borrowings  136,250   136,250   -   136,250   - 
Accrued interest payable  2,236   2,236   -   2,236   - 

As of March 31, 2020  Fair Value Measurements 
($ in thousands) Carrying
Amount
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Financial Instruments:                    
Assets:                    
Cash and cash equivalents $286,759  $286,759  $286,759  $-  $- 
Securities available-for-sale:                    
U.S. Treasury  5,308   5,308   5,308         
Obligations of U.S. government agencies and sponsored entities  72,880   72,880   -   72,880   - 
Municipal securities  274,163   274,163   -   254,981   19,182 
Mortgage-backed securities  382,900   382,900   -   382,900   - 
Corporate obligations  27,726   27,726   -   27,215   511 
Loans, net  2,594,772   2,573,942   -   -   2,573,942 
Accrued interest receivable  14,943   14,943   -   3,995   10,948 
Liabilities:                    
Non-interest-bearing deposits $340,606  $340,606  $-  $340,606  $- 
Interest-bearing deposits  2,937,188   2,946,069   -   2,946,069   - 
Subordinated debentures  80,717   69,037   -   -   69,037 
FHLB and other borrowings  116,180   116,180   -   116,180   - 
Accrued interest payable  2,885   2,885   -   2,885   - 

 

   Fair Value Measurements 
As of December 31, 2018
($ in thousands)
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
 Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
As of December 31, 2019As of December 31, 2019    Fair Value Measurements 
($ in thousands) Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
 Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Financial Instruments:                                        
Assets:                                        
Cash and cash equivalents $159,107  $159,107  $159,107  $-  $-  $168,864  $168,864  $168,864  $-  $- 
Securities available-for-sale:                                        
U.S. Treasury  4,894   4,894   4,894         
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities  47,342   47,342   -   47,342   -   77,950   77,950   -   77,950   - 
Municipal securities  150,064   150,064   -   142,490   7,574   258,982   258,982   -   248,637   10,345 
Mortgage-backed securities  287,470   287,470   -   287,470   -   395,315   395,315   -   395,315   - 
Corporate obligations  7,348   7,348   -   6,474   874   27,946   27,946   -   27,538   408 
Securities held-to-maturity  6,000   7,028   -   7,028   - 
Loans, net  2,055,195   2,020,782   -   -   2,020,782   2,597,260   2,560,668   -   -   2,560,668 
Accrued interest receivable  10,778   10,778   -   2,673   8,105   14,802   14,802   -   4,246   10,556 
                                        
Liabilities:                                        
Noninterest-bearing deposits $570,148  $570,148  $-  $570,148  $- 
Non-interest-bearing deposits $723,208  $723,208  $-  $723,208  $- 
Interest-bearing deposits  1,887,311   1,855,637   -   1,855,637   -   2,353,325   2,339,537   -   2,339,537   - 
Subordinated debentures  80,521   76,986   -   -   76,986   80,678   80,330   -   -   80,330 
FHLB and other borrowings  85,500   85,500   -   85,500   -   214,319   214,319   -   214,319   - 
Accrued interest payable  1,519   1,519   -   1,519   -   2,508   2,508   -   2,508   - 

 


Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

 

September 30, 2019March 31, 2020

 

($ in thousands)($ in thousands) Fair Value Measurements Using 
    Fair Value Measurements Using     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For
Identical Assets
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For
Identical Assets
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
  Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) 
($ in thousands) Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) 
Available-for-sale                                
U.S. Treasury $5,308  $5,308  $-  $- 
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities $65,009  $-  $65,009  $-   72,880   -   72,880   - 
Municipal securities  170,298   -   159,511   10,787   274,163   -   254,981   19,182 
Mortgage-backed securities  366,062   -   366,062   -   382,900   -   382,900   - 
Corporate obligations  10,633   -   10,220   413   27,726   -   27,215   511 
Total available-for-sale $612,002  $-  $600,802  $11,200  $762,977  $5,308  $737,976  $19,693 

 

December 31, 20182019

 

($ in thousands)($ in thousands) Fair Value Measurements Using 
 Fair Value Measurements Using     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For
Identical Assets
 Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For
Identical Assets
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
  Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) 
($ in thousands) Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) 
Available-for-sale                                
U.S. Treasury $4,894  $4,894  $-  $- 
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities $47,342  $-  $47,342  $-   77,950   -   77,950   - 
Municipal securities  150,064   -   142,490   7,574   258,982   -   248,637   10,345 
Mortgage-backed securities  287,470   -   287,470   -   395,315   -   395,315   - 
Corporate obligations  7,348   -   6,474   874   27,946   -   27,538   408 
Total available-for-sale $492,224  $-  $483,776  $8,448  $765,087  $4,894  $749,440  $10,753 

 


The following is a reconciliation of activity for assets measured at fair value based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) information.

 

  Bank-Issued Trust 
  Preferred Securities 
($ in thousands) 2019  2018 
Balance, January 1 $874  $2,569 
Unrealized (loss) gain included in comprehensive income  (461)  (1,695)
Balance at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 $413  $874 

($ in thousands) Bank-Issued Trust
Preferred Securities
 
  2020  2019 
Balance, January 1 $408  $874 
Unrealized (loss)/gain included in comprehensive income  103   (466)
Balance at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 $511  $408 

 

  Municipal Securities 
($ in thousands) 2019  2018 
Balance, January 1 $7,574  $4,818 
Unrealized (loss) gain included in comprehensive income  3,213   2,756 
Balance at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 $10,787  $7,574 

($ in thousands) Municipal Securities 
  2020  2019 
Balance, January 1 $10,345  $7,574 
Unrealized (loss)/gain included in comprehensive income  8,837   2,771 
Balance at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 $19,182  $10,345 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018.2019. The following tables present quantitative information about recurring Level 3 fair value measurements ($ in thousands):

 

Trust Preferred Securities Fair Value  Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Inputs Range of Inputs
September 30, 2019 $413  Discounted cash flow Probability of default 2.90% - 4.39%
December 31, 2018 $874  Discounted cash flow Probability of default 3.71% - 5.03%
Trust Preferred Securities Fair Value  Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Inputs Range of Inputs
March 31, 2020 $511  Discounted cash flow Probability of default 1.74% - 3.30%
December 31, 2019 $408  Discounted cash flow Probability of default 2.73% - 4.15%

 


Municipal Securities Fair Value  Valuation Technique Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 Range of Inputs 
September 30, 2019 $10,787  Discounted cash flow Discount Rate  1.70% - 3.15% 
December 31, 2018 $7,574  Discounted cash flow Discount Rate  2.00% - 3.50% 
Municipal Securities Fair Value  Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Inputs Range of Inputs
March 31, 2020 $19,182  Discounted cash flow Discount Rate 1.85% - 3.50%
December 31, 2019 $10,345  Discounted cash flow Discount Rate 1.50% - 4.40%

 

The following table presents the fair value measurement of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements were classified at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018.2019.

 

September 30, 2019March 31, 2020

($ in thousands)    Fair Value Measurements Using 
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For
Identical Assets
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
  Fair Value  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
             
Impaired loans $11,124  $-  $-  $11,124 
                 
Other real estate owned  6,974   -   -   6,974 

 

    Fair Value Measurements Using 
       

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For
Identical Assets

   

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

   

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

 
($ in thousands)  Fair Value   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
Impaired loans $21,712  $-  $-  $21,712 
                 
Other real estate owned  9,974   -   -   9,974 


December 31, 20182019

($ in thousands)    Fair Value Measurements Using 
    Fair Value Measurements Using     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For
Identical Assets
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For
Identical Assets
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
  Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) 
($ in thousands) Fair Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) 
         
Impaired loans $11,571  $-  $-  $11,571  $11,337  $-  $-  $11,337 
                                
Other real estate owned  10,869   -   -   10,869   7,299   -   -   7,299 

 

NOTE 9 – SECURITIES

 

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with authoritative guidance. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies that management believes are appropriate. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

 

A summary of the amortized cost, and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018, follows:


2019 and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

($ in thousands) March 31, 2020 
 September 30, 2019  

 

Amortized

Cost

 

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Fair

Value

 
($ in thousands) Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Available-for-sale securities:                                
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities $63,097  $1,919  $7  $65,009 
Tax-exempt and taxable obligations of states and municipal subdivisions  166,449   3,970   121   170,298 
Mortgage-backed securities  357,933   8,404   275   366,062 
U.S. Treasury $4,969  $339  $-  $5,308 
Obligations of U.S. government                
agencies and sponsored entities  70,726   2,216   62   72,880 
Tax-exempt and taxable obligations of                
states and municipal subdivisions  270,385   5,369   1,591   274,163 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential  251,134   10,993   80   262,047 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial  115,974   4,976   97   120,853 
Corporate obligations  10,611   125   103   10,633   27,838   242   354   27,726 
Total $598,090  $14,418  $506  $612,002  $741,026  $24,135  $2,184  $762,977 

 

   

 

Amortized

Cost

   

Gross

Unrecognized

Gains

   

Gross

Unrecognized

Losses

   

Estimated

Fair

Value

 
Held-to-maturity securities:                
Taxable obligations of states and municipal subdivisions $6,000  $1,208  $-  $7,208 
Mortgage-backed securities  328   -   5   323 
Total $6,328  $1,208  $5  $7,531 

 December 31, 2018 
($ in thousands) Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Available-for-sale securities:                
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies sponsored entities $47,212  $405  $275  $47,342 
Tax-exempt and taxable obligations of states and municipal subdivisions  150,215   1,070   1,221   150,064 
Mortgage-backed securities  289,745   1,171   3,446   287,470 
Corporate obligations  7,518   15   185   7,348 
Total $494,690  $2,661  $5,127  $492,224 

   

 

 

Amortized

Cost

   

 

Gross

Unrecognized

Gains

   

 

Gross

Unrecognized

Losses

   

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 
Held-to-maturity securities:                
Taxable obligations of states and municipal subdivisions $6,000  $1,028  $-  $7,028 

The scheduled maturities of securities at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:

  September 30, 2019 
  Available-for-Sale  Held-to-Maturity 
($ in thousands) Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Due less than one year $23,477  $23,563  $-  $- 
Due after one year through five years  76,610   77,856   -   - 
Due after five years through ten years  101,616   105,078   6,000   7,208 
Due greater than ten years  38,454   39,443   -   - 
Mortgage-backed securities  357,933   366,062   328   323 
Total $598,090  $612,002  $6,328  $7,531 
($ in thousands) December 31, 2019 
  

Amortized

Cost

  

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

  

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

 
Available-for-sale securities:                
    U.S. Treasury $4,967  $-  $73  $4,894 
   Obligations of U.S. government                
      agencies sponsored entities  76,699   1,475   224   77,950 
   Tax-exempt and taxable obligations of                
      states and municipal subdivisions  253,527   5,602   147   258,982 
   Mortgage-backed securities - residential  263,229   4,726   107   267,848 
   Mortgage-backed securities - commercial  125,292   2,398   223   127,467 
   Corporate obligations  27,877   218   149   27,946 
        Total $751,591  $14,419  $923  $765,087 

 


 December 31, 2018 
  Available-for-Sale  Held-to-Maturity 
($ in thousands) Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Due less than one year $19,825  $19,794  $-  $- 
Due after one year through five years  64,933   64,925   -   - 
Due after five years through ten years  82,455   82,687   6,000   7,028 
Due greater than ten years  37,732   37,348   -   - 
Mortgage-backed securities  289,745   287,470   -   - 
Total $494,690  $492,224  $6,000  $7,028 

ActualThe amortized cost and fair value of debt securities are shown by contractual maturity. Expected maturities canmay differ from contractual maturities becauseif borrowers have the obligations may be calledright to call or prepaidprepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.

($ in thousands) March 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
  Available-for-Sale  Available-for-Sale 
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
 
Due less than one year $28,094  $28,210  $30,141  $30,303 
Due after one year through five years  86,142   87,617   80,119   81,372 
Due after five years through ten years  147,047   150,671   143,811   148,085 
Due greater than ten years  112,635   113,579   108,999   110,012 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential  251,134   262,047   263,229   267,848 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial  115,974   120,853   125,292   127,467 
         Total $741,026  $762,977  $751,591  $765,087 

 

The details concerning securities classified as available-for-sale with unrealized losses as of September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 20182019 were as follows:

 

($ in thousands)

 September 30, 2019  March 31, 2020    
 Losses < 12 Months Losses 12 Months or > Total  Losses < 12 Months  Losses 12 Months or >  Total 
($ in thousands) Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities $124  $-  $1,847  $7  $1,971  $7 
 Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross Unrealized
Losses
 
U.S. Treasury $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
Obligations of U.S government agencies and sponsored entities  -   -   5,371   62   5,371   62 
Tax-exempt and taxable obligations of state and municipal subdivisions  234   -   13,035   121   13,269   121   2,571   5   45,504   1,586   48,075   1,591 
Mortgage-backed securities  8,535   14   44,686   261   53,221   275 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential  -   -   4,017   80   4,017   80 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial  4,293   4   12,532   93   16,825   97 
Corporate obligations  1,970   3   441   100   2,411   103   4,494   6   9,820   348   14,314   354 
Total $10,863  $17  $60,009  $489  $70,872  $506  $11,358  $15  $77,244  $2,169  $88,602  $2,184 

 

($ in thousands)

 December 31, 2018  December 31, 2019    
 Losses < 12 Months Losses 12 Months or > Total  Losses < 12 Months  Losses 12 Months or >  Total 
($ in thousands) Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Obligations of U.S Government agencies and sponsored entities $11,034  $52  $7,838  $223  $18,872  $275 
 Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
U.S. Treasury $-  $-  $4,894  $73  $4,894  $73 
Obligations of U.S government agencies and sponsored entities  -   -   22,987   224   22,987   224 
Tax-exempt and taxable obligations of state and municipal subdivisions  38,200   311   42,102   910   80,302   1,221   -   -   28,235   147   28,235   147 
Mortgage-backed securities  93,294   843   101,005   2,603   194,299   3,446 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential  -   -   29,930   107   29,930   107 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial  9,306   16   19,130   207   28,436   223 
Corporate obligations  1,962   40   4,969   145   6,931   185   500   -   10,572   149   11,072   149 
Total $144,490  $1,246  $155,914  $3,881  $300,404  $5,127  $9,806  $16  $115,748  $907  $125,554  $923 

 


At September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company’s securities portfolio consisted of 83195 and 427156 securities, respectively, which were in an unrealized loss position. The Company reviews its investment portfolio quarterly for indications of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”), with attention given to securities in a continuous loss position of at least ten percent for over twelve months. Management believes that none of the losses on available-for-sale securities noted above constitutes an OTTI. The noted losses are considered temporary due to market fluctuations in available interest rates. Management considers the issuers of the securities to be financially sound, the corporate bonds are investment grade, and the collectability of all contractual principal and interest payments is reasonably expected. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard for Financial Instruments, which requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in net income. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a $348 thousand decrease to retained earnings. No OTTI losses were recognized during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 or the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

 


NOTE 10 – LOANS

The Company uses four different categories to classify loans in its portfolio based on the underlying collateral securing each loan. The loans grouped together in each category have been determined to share similar risk characteristics with respect to credit quality. Those four categories are commercial, financial and agriculture, commercial real estate, consumer real estate, installment and other;

Commercial, financial and agriculture – Commercial, financial and agriculture loans include loans to business entities issued for commercial, industrial, or other business purposes. This type of commercial loan shares a similar risk characteristic in that unlike commercial real estate loans, repayment is largely dependent on cash flow generated from the operation of the business.

Commercial real estate – Commercial real estate loans are grouped as such because repayment is mainly dependent upon either the sale of the real estate, operation of the business occupying the real estate, or refinance of the debt obligation. This includes both owner-occupied and non-owner occupied CRE secured loans, because they share similar risk characteristics related to these variables.

Consumer real estate – Consumer real estate loans consist primarily of loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties and/or residential lots. This includes loans for the purpose of constructing improvements on the residential property, as well as home equity lines of credit.

Installment and other – Installment and other loans are all loans issued to individuals that are not for any purpose related to operation of a business, and not secured by real estate. Repayment on these loans is mostly dependent on personal income, which may be impacted by general economic conditions.

 

Generally, the Company will place a delinquent loan in non-accrualnonaccrual status when the loan becomes 90 days or more past due. At the time a loan is placed in non-accrualnonaccrual status, all interest which has been accrued on the loan but remains unpaid is reversed and deducted from earnings as a reduction of reported interest income. No additional interest is accrued on the loan balance until the collection of both principal and interest becomes reasonably certain.

 

The following tables summarize by class our loans classified as past due in excess of 30 days or more in addition to those loans classified as non-accrualnonaccrual including purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans that are on non-accrual:PCI loans.

 

($ in thousands)

  September 30, 2019 
($ in thousands) Past Due
30 to 89
Days
  Past Due 90
Days or
More and
Still
Accruing
  Non-
Accrual
  PCI  Total
Past Due,
Non-Accrual
and PCI
  Total
Loans
 
Real Estate-construction $484  $15  $82  $1,634  $2,215  $284,103 
Residential secured loans includingmulti-family and farmland  4,259   1,378   907   8,075   14,619   724,860 
Real Estate-nonfarm nonresidential  2,514   522   19,692   3,231   25,959   943,218 
Commercial  1,278   4   1,423   17   2,722   338,584 
Lease financing receivable  -   -   -   -   -   3,239 
Obligations of states and subdivisions  -   -   -   -   -   16,545 
Consumer installment  323   197   96   18   634   39,437 
Total $8,858  $2,116  $22,200  $12,975  $46,149  $2,349,986 
  March 31, 2020 
  

 

Past Due

30 to 89 Days and Accruing

  

Past Due

90 Days or More and Still Accruing

  

 

 

 

Nonaccrual

  PCI  

Total

Past Due,

Nonaccrual and PCI

  

 

 

 

Total

Loans

 
Commercial, financial and agriculture $1,385  $23  $1,989  $80  $3,477  $327,979 
Commercial real estate  9,664   582   22,123   3,498   35,867   1,388,925 
Consumer real estate  10,960   1,772   2,128   7,704   22,564   821,432 
Consumer installment  328   15   224   5   572   42,208 
Lease financing receivable  -   -   -   -   -   3,526 
Obligations of states and subdivisions  -   -   -   -   -   18,218 
Total $22,337  $2,392  $26,464  $11,287  $62,480  $2,602,288 

 

  December 31, 2018 
($ in thousands) Past Due
30 to 89
Days
  Past Due 90
Days or
More and
Still
Accruing
  Non-
Accrual
  PCI  Total
Past Due,
Non-Accrual
and PCI
  Total
Loans
 
Real Estate-construction $818  $114  $8  $1,830  $2,770  $298,718 
Residential secured loans including multi-family and farmland  5,528   650   1,411   7,781   15,370   617,804 
Real Estate-nonfarm, nonresidential  4,319   456   9,179   3,576   17,530   776,880 
Commercial  1,650   -   1,024   184   2,858   301,182 
Lease financing receivable  -   -   -   -   -   2,891 
Obligations of states and subdivisions  -   -   -   -   -   16,941 
Consumer installment  507   45   46   34   632   46,006 
Total $12,822  $1,265  $11,668  $13,405  $39,160  $2,060,422 

($ in thousands)

  December 31, 2019 
  

 

 

Past Due

30 to 89 Days

  

Past Due 90 Days or More and

Still Accruing

  

 

 

 

Nonaccrual

  PCI  

Total

Past Due,

Nonaccrual and PCI

  

 

Total

Loans

 
Commercial, financial and agriculture $515  $61  $2,137  $97  $2,810  $332,600 
Commercial real estate  2,447   1,046   22,441   3,844   29,778   1,387,207 
Consumer real estate  4,569   1,608   1,902   8,148   16,227   814,282 
Consumer installment  226   -   260   6   492   42,458 
Lease financing receivable  -   -   -   -   -   3,095 
Obligations of states and subdivisions  -   -   -   -   -   20,716 
Total $7,757  $2,715  $26,740  $12,095  $49,307  $2,600,358 

 


We acquired loans with deteriorated credit quality in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019. These loans were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. The acquired loans were segregated as of the acquisition date between those considered to be performing (purchased(acquired non-impaired loans) and those with evidence of credit deterioration (purchased credit impaired or PCI loans). Acquired loans are considered to be impaired if it is probable, based on current available information, that the Company will be unable to collect all cash flows as expected. If the collection of expected cash flows cannot reasonably be estimated noas to what will be collected, there will not be any interest income will be recognized on these loans.

 

The following table presents information regarding the contractually required payments receivable, cash flows expected to be collected and the estimated fair value of PCI loans acquired in the acquisitions from 2018 and 2019.

 

   
($ in thousands) Southwest  Sunshine  FMB  FPB  Total 
Contractually required payments $925  $4,194  $9,939  $4,715  $19,773 
Cash flows expected to be collected  706   3,894   8,604   4,295   17,499 
Fair value of loans acquired  657   3,837   7,978   3,916   16,388 
($ in thousands) FPB  FFB  Total 
Contractually required payments at acquisition $4,715  $947  $5,662 
Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition  4,295   955   5,250 
Fair value of loans at acquisition  3,916   809   4,725 

 

Total outstanding purchased credit impaired loans were $18.0$13.1 million and the related purchase accounting discount was $3.4$3.6 million as of September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, and $17.7$14.6 million and $3.8$3.3 million as of December 31, 2018,2019, respectively. The outstanding balance of these loans is the undiscounted sum of all amounts, including amounts deemed principal, interest, fees, penalties, and other under the loans, owed at the reporting date, whether or not currently due and whether or not any such amounts have been charged-off. There was no related allowance allocated to the acquired impaired loans.charged off.

 

Changes in the carrying amount and accretable yield for purchased credit impaired loans were as follows at September 30,March 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018:($ in thousands):

  March 31,
2020
  March 31,
2019
 
  Accretable
Yield
  Accretable
Yield
 
Balance at beginning of period $3,417  $3,835 
Additions, including transfers from non-accretable  337   427 
Accretion  (148)  (275)
Balance at end of period $3,606  $3,987 

 

 September 30,
2019
  September 30,
2018
 
($ in thousands) Accretable
Yield
  Accretable
Yield
 
Balance at beginning of period, January 1 $3,835  $836 
Reclassification from prior years  -   859 
Addition  307   762 
Accretion  (845)  (225)
Transfer from non-accretable  145   145 
Charge-off  -   (10)
Balance at end of period $3,442  $2,367 


The following tables provide additional detail of impaired loans broken out according to class as of September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018.2019. The following tables do not include PCI loans. The recorded investment included in the following tablestable represents customer balances net of any partial charge-offs recognized on the loans, net of any deferred fees and costs. As nearly all of our impaired loans at September 30, 2019 are on non-accrual status, recordedRecorded investment excludes any insignificant amount of accrued interest receivable on loans 90-days or more past due and still accruing. The unpaid balance represents the recorded balance prior to any partial charge-offs.

 

September 30, 2019           

March 31, 2020

March 31, 2020

         
($ in thousands)        Average Interest 
       Average Interest         Recorded Income 
       Recorded Income  Recorded Unpaid Related Investment Recognized 
 Recorded Unpaid Related Investment Recognized  Investment Balance Allowance YTD YTD 
($ in thousands) Investment Balance Allowance YTD YTD 
Impaired loans with no related allowance:                                        
Commercial, financial and agriculture $656  $656  $-  $572  $7  $262  $265  $-  $160  $- 
Commercial real estate  11,668   12,192   -   8,815   573   13,089   13,210   -   13,322   1 
Consumer real estate  535   639   -   2,714   -   704   760   -   623   2 
Consumer installment  3   3   -   18   -   12   12   -   17   - 
Total $12,862  $13,490  $-  $12,119  $580  $14,067  $14,247  $-  $14,122  $3 
                                        
Impaired loans with a related allowance:                                        
Commercial, financial and agriculture $1,633  $1,634  $308  $1,641  $13  $2,238  $2,238  $1,011  $2,336  $5 
Commercial real estate  10,381   10,459   2,625   8,543   49   12,007   12,076   2,845   12,217   30 
Consumer real estate  416   461   54   459   3   682   707   114   661   4 
Consumer installment  110   110   44   82   2   232   232   65   246   - 
Total $12,540  $12,664  $3,031  $10,725  $67  $15,159  $15,253  $4,035  $15,460  $39 
                                        
Total Impaired Loans:                    
Total impaired loans:                    
Commercial, financial and agriculture $2,289  $2,290  $308  $2,213  $20  $2,500  $2,503  $1,011  $2,496  $5 
Commercial real estate  22,049   22,651   2,625   17,358   622   25,096   25,286   2,845   25,539   31 
Consumer real estate  951   1,100   54   3,173   3   1,386   1,467   114   1,284   6 
Consumer installment  113   113   44   100   2   244   244   65   263   - 
Total Impaired Loans $25,402  $26,154  $3,031  $22,844  $647  $29,226  $29,500  $4,035  $29,582  $42 

 


As of September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the Company had $1.8$1.3 million of foreclosed residential real estate property obtained by physical possession and $1.3 thousand$1.6 million of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local jurisdictions.

 


December 31, 2018        Average Interest 

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019

         
($ in thousands)        Average Interest 
        Recorded Income         Recorded Income 
 Recorded Unpaid Related Investment Recognized  Recorded Unpaid Related Investment Recognized 
($ in thousands) Investment Balance Allowance YTD YTD 
 Investment Balance Allowance YTD YTD 
Impaired loans with no related allowance:                                        
Commercial, financial and agriculture $709  $709  $-  $379  $27  $59  $62  $-  $294  $7 
Commercial real estate  6,441   8,170   -   7,685   427   13,556   13,671   -   10,473   591 
Consumer real estate  445   760   -   4,522   69   542   594   -   2,173   - 
Consumer installment  -   -   -   82   3   21   21   -   23   - 
Total $7,595  $9,639  $-  $12,668  $526  $14,178  $14,348  $-  $12,963  $598 
                    
Impaired loans with a related allowance:                                        
Commercial, financial and agriculture $960  $960  $329  $968  $3  $2,434  $2,434  $1,182  $2,039  $13 
Commercial real estate  4,512   4,512   758   2,868   176   12,428   12,563   3,021   10,026   49 
Consumer real estate  366   366   66   555   16   639   657   141   560   3 
Consumer installment  26   26   26   24   -   260   260   80   164   2 
Total $5,864  $5,864  $1,179  $4,415  $195  $15,761  $15,914  $4,424  $12,789  $67 
Total Impaired Loans:                    
                    
Total impaired loans:                    
Commercial, financial and agriculture $1,669  $1,669  $329  $1,347  $30  $2,493  $2,496  $1,182  $2,333  $20 
Commercial real estate  10,953   12,682   758   10,553   603   25,984   26,234   3,021   20,499   640 
Consumer real estate  811   1,126   66   5,077   85   1,181   1,251   141   2,733   3 
Consumer installment  26   26   26   106   3   281   281   80   187   2 
Total Impaired Loans $13,459  $15,503  $1,179  $17,083  $721  $29,939  $30,262  $4,424  $25,752  $665 

 

The following tablecash basis interest earned in the chart above is a summary ofmaterially the same as the interest income recognized during impairment for period ended March 31, 2020 and cash-basis interest earned on impaired loans:December 31, 2019.

($ in thousands) Three months ended
September 30, 2019
  Nine months ended
September 30, 2019
 
Interest income recognized during impairment $284  $443 
Cash-basis interest income recognized  116   275 

 

The gross interest income that would have been recorded in the period that ended if the non-accrualnonaccrual loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the period or since origination, if held for part of the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, was $143 thousand and $693 thousand, respectively.$377 thousand. The Company had no loan commitments to borrowers in non-accrualnonaccrual status at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018.2019.

 

Troubled Debt Restructuring

 

If the Company grants a concession to a borrower in financial difficulty, the loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).

 

There were 3 and 7 TDRsThe following table presents loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and nine months2019 ($ in thousands, except for number of loans).

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
     Outstanding
Recorded
  Outstanding Recorded 
2020 

Number of

Loans

  

Investment

Pre-Modification

  

Investment

Post-Modification

 
Commercial, financial and agriculture  1  $12  $12 
Commercial real estate  2   738   734 
Residential real estate  -   -   - 
Consumer installment  -   -   - 
Total  3  $750  $746 
             
2019            
Commercial, financial and agriculture  1  $175  $175 
Commercial real estate  1   10   10 
Residential real estate  1   81   80 
Consumer installment  -   -   - 
Total  3  $266  $265 

The TDRs presented above increased the allowance for loan losses $37 thousand and $47 thousand and resulted in no charge-offs for the quarter ended September 30,March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. One TDR was modified during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The balance of TDRs was $30.0decreased $900 thousand to $31.1 million at September 30, 2019 and $14.3March 31, 2020 compared to $32.0 million at December 31, 2018. The increase of $15.7 million is attributable to acquired loans and one relationship that was modified during the third quarter. There was $2.1 million allocated in specific reserves established with respect to these loans as of September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the Company had no additional amount committed on any loan classified as TDR.

 

The following tables set forth the amounts and past due status for the Company’s TDRs at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:


  September 30, 2019 
($ in thousands) Current Loans  Past Due
30-89
  Past Due 90
days and still
accruing
  Non-accrual  Total 
Commercial, financial and agriculture $607  $574  $-  $911  $2,092 
Commercial real estate  4,578   219                 -   18,328   23,125 
Residential real estate  1,460   38   58   3,169   4,725 
Consumer installment  34   -   -   -   34 
Total $6,679  $831  $58  $22,408  $29,976 
Allowance for loan losses $129  $-  $-  $1,997  $2,126 

  December 31, 2018 
($ in thousands) Current Loans  Past Due
30-89
  Past Due 90
days and still
accruing
  Non-accrual  Total 
Commercial, financial and agriculture $13  $646  $-  $18  $676 
Commercial real estate  4,827   -   -   5,425   10,252 
Residential real estate  442   86                    -   2,801   3,329 
Consumer installment  25   -   -   13   38 
Total $5,307  $732  $-  $8,257  $14,295 
Allowance for loan losses $80  $13  $-  $110  $203 

A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms. There were 5table presents loans which totaled $14.0 million, that wereby class modified as troubled debt restructurings for which there was a payment default within twelve months following the modification during($ in thousands, except for number of loans).


  March 31, 2020  March 31, 2019 
Troubled Debt Restructurings Number of  Recorded  Number of  Recorded 
That Subsequently Defaulted: Loans  Investment  Loans  Investment 
                 
Commercial, financial and agriculture  10  $15,841   13  $4,339 

The modifications described above included one of the following or a combination of the following: maturity date extensions, interest only payments, amortizations were extended beyond what would be available on similar type loans, and payment waiver. No interest rate concessions were given on these nor were any of these loans written down. The TDRs presented above increased the allowance for loan losses and resulted in no charge-offs for the quarter ending September 30,ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. There were no loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings for which there was a payment default within twelve months following the modification during the quarter ending September 30, 2018. There were 13 loans, which totaled $17.9 million, and no loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings for which there was a payment default within twelve months following the modification during the nine months ending September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively.

 

The following tables represents the Company’s TDRs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

        Past Due 90       
March 31, 2020 Current  Past Due  days and still       
($ in thousands) Loans  30-89  accruing ��Nonaccrual  Total 
Commercial, financial and agriculture $129  $454  $-  $1,494  $2,077 
Commercial real estate  4,314   99   109   19,569   24,091 
Consumer real estate  1,693   274   58   2,864   4,889 
Consumer installment  35   -   -   -   35 
          Total $6,171  $827  $167  $23,927  $31,092 
Allowance for loan losses $124  $-  $-  $2,247  $2,371 

        Past Due 90       
December 31, 2019 Current  Past Due  days and still       
($ in thousands) Loans  30-89  accruing  Nonaccrual  Total 
Commercial, financial and agriculture $583  $64  $-  $1,062  $1,709 
Commercial real estate  4,299   809   109   19,991   25,208 
Consumer real estate  1,905   112   58   2,940   5,015 
Consumer installment  37   -   -   -   37 
          Total $6,824  $985  $167  $23,993  $31,969 
Allowance for loan losses $128  $-  $-  $1,997  $2,125 

Internal Risk RatingsCredit Quality Indicators

 

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings, which are consistent with the definitions used in supervisory guidance:

Pass: Loan classified as pass are deemed to possess average to superior credit quality, requiring no more than normal attention.

 

Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

 

Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

 


Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.

As of September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018,2019, and based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk categoriescategory of loans by class of loans (excluding mortgage loans held for sale) werewas as follows:

 

March 31, 2020 Commercial,             
 September 30, 2019  Financial and Commercial Consumer Consumer    
($ in thousands) Commercial,
Financial and
Agriculture
  

Commercial
Real Estate

  Consumer Real
Estate
  Installment and
Other
  Total  Agriculture Real Estate Real Estate Installment Total 
Pass $336,249  $1,480,834  $429,355  $36,353  $2,282,791  $330,739  $1,646,868  $496,926  $36,033  $2,510,566 
Special Mention  2,195   7,002   1,978   24   11,199   3,351   11,399   1,001   19   15,770 
Substandard  2,561   41,691   12,236   457   56,945   10,499   53,517   13,052   379   77,447 
Doubtful  19   79   -   -   98   13   75   -   -   88 
Subtotal  341,024   1,529,606   443,569   36,834   2,351,033  $344,602  $1,711,859  $510,979  $36,431  $2,603,871 
Less:                                        
Unearned discount  -   1,047   -   -   1,047 
Unearned Discount  -   1,583   -   -   1,583 
                    
Loans, net of unearned discount $341,024  $1,528,559  $443,569  $36,834  $2,349,986  $344,602  $1,710,276  $510,979  $36,431  $2,602,288 

 

December 31, 2019 Commercial,             
    December 31, 2018  Financial and Commercial Consumer Consumer    
($ in thousands) Commercial,
Financial and
Agriculture
 Commercial
Real Estate
 Consumer Real
Estate
 Installment and
Other
 Total  Agriculture Real Estate Real Estate Installment Total 
Pass $300,685  $1,286,151  $377,028  $34,127  $1,997,991  $327,205  $1,645,496  $499,426  $41,008  $2,513,135 
Special Mention  842   12,401   1,962   13   15,218   3,493   8,876   1,194   21   13,584 
Substandard  2,640   33,856   10,959   270   47,725   10,972   50,554   13,244   397   75,167 
Doubtful  16   85   -   -   101   16   77   -   -   93 
Subtotal  304,183   1,332,493   389,949   34,410   2,061,035  $341,686  $1,705,003  $513,864  $41,426  $2,601,979 
Less:                                        
Unearned discount  -   613   -   -   613 
Loans, net of unearned discount $304,183  $1,331,880  $389,949  $34,410  $2,060,422 
Unearned Discount  -   1,621   -   -   1,621 
Loans, net of unearned                    
discount $341,686  $1,703,382  $513,864  $41,426  $2,600,358 

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

ActivityThe following table presents the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the period was as follows:quarter ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

  Three months ended September 30, 2019 
($ in thousands) Commercial,
Financial and
Agriculture
  Commercial
Real Estate
  Consumer
Real Estate
  Installment
and Other
  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for loan losses:                        
Beginning balance $2,432  $7,872  $1,489  $250  $48  $12,091 
Provision for loan losses  (82)  787   294   18   (43)  974 
Charge-offs  17   (66)  174   76   -   201 
Recoveries  24   9   64   82   -   179 
Net Charge-offs (recoveries)  (7)  (75)  110   (6)  -   22 
Ending Balance $2,357  $8,734  $1,673  $274  $5  $13,043 

($ in thousands) Three months ended March 31, 2020 
  Commercial, Financial and Agriculture  Commercial Real Estate  Consumer Real Estate  Installment and Other  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for loan losses:                        
Beginning balance $3,043  $8,836  $1,694  $296  $39  $13,908 
Provision for loan losses  1,446   4,523   1,106   66   (39)  7,102 
Loans charged-off  (99)  (333)  (9)  (59)  -   (500)
Recoveries  76   69   49   100   -   294 
Total ending allowance balance $4,466  $13,095  $2,840  $403  $-  $20,804 

($ in thousands) Three months ended March 31, 2019 
  Commercial, Financial and Agriculture  Commercial Real Estate  Consumer Real Estate  Installment and Other  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for loan losses:                        
Beginning balance $2,060  $6,258  $1,743  $201  $(197) $10,065 
Provision for loan losses  (490)  1,003   (1,516)  1,929   197   1,123 
Loans charged-off  (4)  -   (42)  (29)  -   (75)
Recoveries  13   10   19   80   -   122 
Total ending allowance balance $1,579  $7,271  $204  $2,181  $-  $11,235 

 


  Nine months ended September 30, 2019 
($ in thousands) Commercial,
Financial and
Agriculture
  Commercial
Real Estate
  Consumer
Real Estate
  Installment
and Other
  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for loan losses:                        
Beginning balance $2,060  $6,258  $1,743  $201  $(197) $10,065 
Provision for loan losses  269   2,454   (19)  (18)  202   2,888 
Charge-offs  23   -   216   143   -   382 
Recoveries  51   22   165   234   -   472 
Net Charge-offs (recoveries)  (28)  (22)  51   (91)  -   (90)
Ending Balance $2,357  $8,734  $1,673  $274  $5  $13,043 

  Three months ended September 30, 2018 
($ in thousands) Commercial,
Financial and
Agriculture
  Commercial
Real Estate
  Consumer
Real Estate
  Installment
and Other
  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for loan losses:                        
Beginning balance $2,011  $5,136  $1,598  $184  $583  $9,512 
Provision for loan losses  268   272   (37)  10   (101)  412 
Charge-offs  242   42   -   39   -   323 
Recoveries  18   4   103   39   -   164 
Net Charge-offs (recoveries)  224   38   (103)  -   -   159 
Ending Balance $2,055  $5,370  $1,664  $194  $482  $9,765 

  Nine months ended September 30, 2018 
($ in thousands) Commercial,
Financial and
Agriculture
  Commercial
Real Estate
  Consumer
Real Estate
  Installment
and Other
  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for loan losses:                        
Beginning balance $1,608  $4,644  $1,499  $173  $364  $8,288 
Provision for loan losses  658   748   32   (10)  118   1,546 
Charge-offs  247   52   7   71   -   377 
Recoveries  36   30   140   102   -   308 
Net Charge-offs (recoveries)  211   22   (133)  (31)  -   69 
Ending Balance $2,055  $5,370  $1,664  $194  $482  $9,765 

The following tables provide the ending balances in the Company's loans (excluding mortgage loans held for sale) and allowance for loan losses, broken down by portfolio segment as of September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018.2019. The tables also provide additional detail as to the amount of our loans and allowance that correspond to individual versus collective impairment evaluation. The impairment evaluation corresponds to the Company's systematic methodology for estimating its Allowance for Loan Losses. See Item 2. – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” for a description of our methodology.

March 31, 2020 Commercial,        Installment       
  Financial and  Commercial  Consumer  and       
  Agriculture  Real Estate  Real Estate  Other  Unallocated  Total 
Loans                        
  Individually evaluated $2,500  $25,095  $1,386  $244  $-  $29,225 
  Collectively evaluated  341,933   1,729,239   449,052   36,156   -   2,556,380 
   PCI Loans  169   9,575   6,908   31   -   16,683 
Total $344,602  $1,763,909  $457,346  $36,431  $-  $2,602,288 
                         
Allowance for Loan Losses                        
  Individually evaluated $1,010  $2,845  $114  $65  $-  $4,034 
  Collectively evaluated  3,456   10,250   2,726   338   -   16,770 
Total $4,466  $13,095  $2,840  $403  $-  $20,804 

December 31, 2019 Commercial,        Installment       
  Financial and  Commercial  Consumer  and       
  Agriculture  Real Estate  Real Estate  Other  Unallocated  Total 
Loans                        
  Individually evaluated $2,493  $25,984  $1,181  $281  $-  $29,939 
  Collectively evaluated  339,003   1,773,934   398,471   41,112   -   2,552,520 
   PCI Loans  191   10,471   7,204   33   -   17,899 
Total $341,687  $1,810,389  $406,856  $41,426  $-  $2,600,358 
                         
Allowance for Loan Losses                        
  Individually evaluated $1,182  $3,021  $141  $80  $-  $4,424 
  Collectively evaluated  1,861   5,815   1,553   216   39   9,484 
Total $3,043  $8,836  $1,694  $296  $39  $13,908 

 


  September 30, 2019 
  Commercial                
  Financial and  Commercial  Consumer  Installment       
($ in thousands) Agriculture  Real Estate  Real Estate  and Other  Unallocated  Total 
Loans                  
Individually evaluated $2,290  $22,048  $951  $114  $                    -  $25,403 
Collectively evaluated  354,912   1,545,912   366,400   39,352   -   2,306,576 
PCI loans  116   10,788   7,056   47   -   18,007 
Total $357,318  $1,578,748  $374,407  $39,513   -  $2,349,986 
                         
Allowance for Loan Losses                        
Individually evaluated $308  $2,625  $54  $44  $-  $3,031 
Collectively evaluated  2,049   6,109   1,619   230   5   10,012 
Total $2,357  $8,734  $1,673  $274  $5  $13,043 

  December 31, 2018 
  Commercial                
  Financial and  Commercial  Consumer  Installment       
($ in thousands) Agriculture  Real Estate  Real Estate  and Other  Unallocated  Total 
Loans                        
Individually evaluated $1,657  $10,932  $804  $66  $-  $13,459 
Collectively evaluated  302,329   1,309,322   383,368   34,292                 -   2,029,311 
PCI loans  197   11,626   5,777   52   -   17,652 
Total $304,183  $1,331,880  $389,949  $34,410   -  $2,060,422 
                         
Allowance for Loan Losses                        
Individually evaluated $329  $758  $66  $26  $-  $1,179 
Collectively evaluated  1,731   5,500   1,677   175   (197)  8,886 
Total $2,060  $6,258  $1,743  $201  $(197) $10,065 

NOTE 11 – REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers.ASU 2014-09 implements a common revenue standard that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The Company concluded that there was no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition for its current revenue streams or the presentation of revenue as gross versus net. No adjustment to retained earnings was required on the adoption date. Because there was no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition, there were no material changes to the Company’s processes and internal controls.

 

All of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers within the scope of ASC 606 is recognized within non-interest income.  The guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans and investment securities that are accounted for under other GAAP, which comprise a significant portion of our revenue stream. A description of the Company’s revenue streams accounted for under ASC 606 is as follows:

 


Service Charges on Deposit Accounts: The Company earns fees from deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance, and overdraft services.  Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM use fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering, and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed at the point in the time the Company fulfills the customer’s request.  Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation.  Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs.  Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account balance.

 

Interchange Income: The Company earns interchange fees from debit and credit card holder transactions conducted through various payment networks.  Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided by the cardholder.

 

Gains/Losses on Sales of OREO: The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed.  When the Company finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether the collectability of the transaction prices is probable.  Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer.  In determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain (loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present.

 

All of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers in the scope of ASC 606 is recognized within non-interest income. The following table presents the Company’s sources of non-interest income revenue, by operating segments, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.2019. Items outside the scope of ASC 606 are noted as such.

 

($ in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020  Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2019  Nine months ended September 30, 2019  Commercial/ Mortgage       Commercial/ Mortgage      
 Commercial/ Mortgage     Commercial/ Mortgage      Retail Banking Holding     Retail Banking Holding    
 Retail Banking Holding   Retail Banking Holding    Bank  Division  Company  Total  Bank  Division  Company  Total 
($ in thousands) Bank  Division  Company  Total  Bank  Division  Company  Total 
Non-interest income                                                                
Service charges on deposits                                                                         
Overdraft fees $1,117  $-  $-  $1,117  $3,129  $1  $-  $3,130  $1,055  $-  $-  $1,055  $974  $-  $-  $974 
Other  861   1   -   862   2,596   2   -   2,598   859   1   -   860   857   1   -   858 
Interchange income  2,252   -   -   2,252   5,949   -   -   5,949   1,986   -   -   1,986   1,652   -   -   1,652 
Investment brokerage fees  24   -   -   24   58   -   -   58   102   -   -   102   9   -   -   9 
Net gains (losses) on OREO  51   -   -   51   23   -   -   23   (224)  -   -   (224)  (10)  -   -   (10)
Net gains on sale of loans (a)  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Net gains (losses) on sales of securities (a)  57   -   -   57   131   -   -   131 
Net gains (losses) on sales of                                
securities (a)  174   -   -   174   (38)  -   -   (38)
Other  932   1,799   9   2,740   2,871   4,265   348   7,484   939   1,566   16   2,521   956   908   245   2,109 
                                                                
Total non-interest income $5,294  $1,800  $9  $7,103  $14,757  $4,268  $348  $19,373  $4,891  $1,567  $16  $6,474  $4,400  $909  $245  $5,554 

 

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2018  Nine months ended September 30, 2018 
  Commercial/  Mortgage        Commercial/  Mortgage       
  Retail  Banking  Holding     Retail  Banking  Holding    
($ in thousands) Bank  Division  Company  Total  Bank  Division  Company  Total 
Non-interest income                                
Service charges on deposits                                
Overdraft fees $873  $-  $           -  $873  $2,299  $2  $-  $2,301 
Other  664   1   -   665   1,603   2   -   1,605 
Interchange income  1,180   -   -   1,180   3,720   -   -   3,720 
Investment brokerage fees  10   -   -   10   36   -   -   36 
Net gains (losses) on OREO  44   -   -   44   59   -   -   59 
Net gains on sale of loans (a)  21   -   -   21   33   -   -   33 
Net gains (losses) on sales of securities (a)  (5)  -   -   (5)  (5)  -   -   (5)
Other  1,219   1,066   1   2,286   2,422   3,075   918   6,415 
                                 
Total non-interest income $4,006  $1,067  $1  $5,074  $10,167  $3,079  $918  $14,164 

(a)Not within scope of ASC 606

 


NOTE 12 – LEASES

 

OperatingThe Company enters into leases in the normal course of business primarily for financial centers, back office operations locations and business development offices. The Company’s leases have remaining terms ranging from 1 to 11 years.

The Company includes lease extension and termination options in the lease term if, after considering relevant economic factors, it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. In addition, the Company has elected to account for any non-lease components in its real estate leases as part of the associated lease component. The Company has also elected not to recognize leases with original lease terms of 12 months or less (short-term leases) on the Company’s balance sheet.

Leases are classified as operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date. Leases in which we are the lessee are recorded as operating lease ROUa right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities, which are included in premises and equipment and other liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets. We do not currently have any significant financeLease expense for leases in which we are the lessee.

Operating lease ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of the remaining lease payments using a discount rate that represents our incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date. Operating lease expense, which is comprised of amortization of the ROU asset and the implicit interest accreted on the operating lease liability,short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and is recorded in net occupancy and equipment expense in the consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date and based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term.


The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement to calculate the present value of lease payments when the rate implicit in a lease is not known. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is based on the FHLB amortizing advance rate, adjusted for the lease term and other factors.

 

Our leases relate primarily to bank branches with remaining lease terms of generally 1 to 8 years. Certain lease arrangements contain extension options, which are not generally considered reasonably certain of exercise, and they are not included in the lease term. As of September 30, 2019, operating lease ROURight-of-use assets and lease liabilities were $4.4 millionrelating to the Company’s operating and $4.4 million, respectively.finance leases are as follows at March 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands).

  Three months ended  Three months ended 
  March 31, 2020  March 31, 2019 
Right-of-use assets:        
  Operating leases $6,141  $3,595 
   Finance leases  2,841   - 
Total right-of-use assets $8,952  $3,595 
Lease liabilities:        
     Operating lease $6,141  $3,595 
     Finance lease  2,419   - 
Total lease liabilities $8,560  $3,595 

 

The table below summarizes our net lease costs:costs ($ in thousands):

 

  Three months ended  Nine months ended 
($ in thousands) September 30, 2019  September 30, 2019 
Operating lease costs $231  $581 
         
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liability        
Operating cash flows from operating leases $231  $581 
  Three months ended  Three months ended 
  March 31, 2020  March 31, 2019 
Operating lease cost $378  $122 
Finance lease cost:      - 
     Interest on lease liabilities  2   - 
     Amortization of right-of-use  2   - 
Net lease cost $382  $122 

 

The table below summarizes other information related to our operating leases:

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases5.8 years
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases2.8%
  Three months ended  Three months ended 
  March 31, 2020  March 31, 2019 
Weighted average remaining lease term        
    Operating leases  4.9 years   6.5 years 
     Finance leases  11.7 years   - 
Weighted average discount rate        
    Operating leases  2.5%  3.1%
     Finance leases  2.3%  - 

 

The table below summarizes the maturity of remaining lease liabilities:liabilities at March 31, 2020 and 2019 ($ in thousands):

 

($ in thousands) September 30, 2019 
Remaining 2019 $245 
2020  946 
 Three months ended March 31, 2020 
 Operating Leases Finance Leases 
Remaining 2020 $1,222  $143 
2021  830   1,527   175 
2022  794   1,359   220 
2023  743   844   220 
2024 and thereafter  1,314 
2024  631   220 
Thereafter  985   1,698 
Total lease payments $4,872  $6,568   2,676 
Less: Interest  (409)  (427)  (257)
Present value of lease liabilities $4,463  $6,141  $2,419 

 


As a result of the adoption of ASC 842, The Company did not restate the prior period unaudited consolidated financial statements and all prior period amounts and disclosures are presented under ASC 840. At December 31, 2018, minimum future lease payments were as follows:

($ in thousands) December 31, 2018 
2019 $784 
 Three months ended March 31, 2019 
 Operating Leases Finance Leases 
Remaining 2019 $562   - 
2020  463   715   - 
2021  347   584   - 
2022  256   541   - 
2023  229   513   - 
2024 and thereafter  197 
Total minimum lease payments $2,276 
Thereafter  1,088   - 
Total lease payments $4,003   - 
Less: Interest  (408)  - 
Present value of lease liabilities $3,595   - 

 

NOTE 13 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS/OTHER

 

First Florida Bancorp, Inc.

On November 1, 2019,April 3, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of First Florida Bancorp, Inc.Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation (“FFB”SWG”), and immediately thereafter merged its wholly-owned subsidiary, First FloridaSouthwest Georgia Bank, with and into The First. The Company paid a total consideration of approximately $89.5$47.9 million to the former FFBSWG shareholders including 1,682,8892,546,967 shares of the Company’s common stock and approximately $34.1 million$2 thousand in cash. At September 30, 2019, FFBMarch 31, 2020, SWG had $426.2$555.3 million in total assets.assets, $391.1 million in loans and $472.9 million in deposits.

 

In connectionThe COVID-19 pandemic is having, and will likely continue to have, significant effects on global markets, supply chains, businesses and communities. COVID-19 is likely to impact the Company’s future financial condition and result of operations including but not limited to additional credit loss reserves, additional collateral and/or modifications to debt obligations, liquidity, limited dividend payouts or potential shortages of personnel. The following estimates are particularly subject to change in the near term due to the impact of COVID-19: the allowance for loan losses and valuation of goodwill. As of April 24, 2020, we have approximately 1,660 PPP loans approved through the SBA for $199.3 million and have processed payment modifications on 926 loans with principal balances of $401.5 million, representing 15% of total portfolio dollars.

Management continues to take appropriate actions to mitigate the acquisition,negative impact the virus has on the Company, estimates goodwillincluding restricting employee travel, directing employees to work remotely, cancelling in-person meetings and implementing our business continuity plans and protocols to the extent necessary. However, the full impact of COVID-19 is unknown and cannot be approximately $34.0 million. Goodwill is not deductible for income taxes.

Expenses associated with the acquisition were $400 thousand and $408 thousand for the three month and nine months period ended September 30, 2019, respectively. These costs included charges associated with due diligence, which have been expensedreasonably estimated as incurred.these events are still developing.

 

NOTE 14 – RECLASSIFICATION

 

Certain amounts in the 20182019 financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform to the current period financial statement presentation.


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This QuarterlyCertain statements made or incorporated by reference in this Report on Form 10-Q containswhich are not statements of historical fact, including those under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Report, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and subject to the Privateprotections of, Section 27A of the Securities Litigation Reform Act and Section 21E of 1995. Wordsthe Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, targets, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and involve known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements or the financial services industry or economy generally, to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through the Company’s use of words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “assumes,” “predicts,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “intends,” “anticipates,“targets,” “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates”“potential” and variations of suchother similar words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Suchof the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for the Company’s future business and financial performance and/or the performance of the financial services industry and economy in general. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available informationthe current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to varioussignificant risks and uncertaintiesuncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements in this document. Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. The most recent factor that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements, include the negative impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic on our financial statements, including our ability to continue our business activities in certain communities we serve, the duration of the pandemic and its continued effects on financial markets, a reduction in financial transaction and business activities resulting in decreased deposits and reduced loan originations, increases in unemployment rates impacting our borrowers’ ability to repay their loans, our ability to manage liquidity in a rapidly changing and unpredictable market, additional interest rate changes by the Federal Reserve and other government actions in response to the pandemic including additional quarantines, regulations or laws enacted to counter the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s present expectations. 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; interest rate risk; risks related to the proposed acquisition of FFB, including the risk that the proposed acquisition of FFB does not close when expected or at all because of required shareholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all, the terms of the proposed transaction with FFB need to be modified to satisfy such approvals or conditions, and that anticipated benefits from the acquisition are not realized in the time frame anticipated or at all as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions or other unexpected factors or events; legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the ability of the consolidated Company to conduct business combinations or new operations; financial success or changing strategies of the Bank’s customers or vendors; actions of government regulators; and the risk that anticipated benefits from the recent acquisitions are not realized in the time frame anticipated or at all as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions or other unexpected factors or events.

Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in anyindicated by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

·the negative impacts and disruptions resulting from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, on the economies and communities we serve, which has had and may continue to have an adverse impact on our business operations and performance, and could have a negative impact on our credit portfolio, stock price, borrowers and the economy as a whole both globally and domestically;

·government or regulatory responses to the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

 ·reduced earnings due to higher credit losses generally and specifically because losses in the sectors of our loan portfolio secured by real estate are greater than expected due to economic factors, including declining real estate values, increasing interest rates, increasing unemployment, or changes in payment behavior or other factors;

 

 ·general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally and especially in our primary service area, becoming less favorable than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality;

 

 ·adverse changes in asset quality and resulting credit risk-related losses and expenses;

 

 ·ability of borrowers to repay loans, which can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including changes in economic conditions, adverse trends or events affecting business industry groups, reductions in real estate values or markets, business closings or lay-offs, natural disasters, public health emergencies and international instability;

 

 ·current or future legislation, regulatory changes or changes in monetary, tax or fiscal policy that adversely affect the businesses in which we or our customers or our borrowers are engaged, including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and tax policies, includingConsumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”), the Federal Reserve’s actions with respect to interest rates, the capital requirements promulgated by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“Basel Committee”), potential impacts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) of 2020, uncertainty relating to calculation of LIBOR and other regulatory responses to economic conditions;
   
 ·changes in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment;

 

 ·the adequacy of the level of our allowance for loancredit losses and the amount of loan loss provisions required to replenish the allowance in future periods;

 

 ·reduced earnings due to higher credit losses because our loans are concentrated by loan type, industry segment, borrower type, or location of the borrower or collateral;

 

 ·changes in the interest rate environment which could reduce anticipated or actual margins;

  

 ·increased funding costs due to market illiquidity, increased competition for funding, higher interest rates, and increased regulatory requirements with regard to funding;

 

 ·results of examinations by our regulatory authorities, including the possibility that the regulatory authorities may, among other things, require us to increase our allowance for loan losses through additional loan loss provisions or write-down of our assets;

 

 ·the rate of delinquencies and amount of loans charged-off;

 

 ·the impact of our efforts to raise capital on our financial position, liquidity, capital, and profitability;

 


 ·risks and uncertainties relating to not successfully closing and integrating the currently contemplated or completed acquisitions within our currently expected timeframe and other terms;

 

 ·significant increases in competition in the banking and financial services industries;

 

 ·changes in the securities markets; and

 

 ·loss of consumer confidence and economic disruptions resulting from national disasters or terrorist activities;

 

 ·our ability to retain our existing customers, including our deposit relationships;

 


 ·changes occurring in business conditions and inflation;

 

 ·changes in technology;technology or risks to cybersecurity;

 

 ·changes in deposit flows;

 

 ·changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines;guidelines, including the impact of the new CECL standard;

 

 ·our ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting;
·risks related to the continued use, availability and reliability of LIBOR and other “benchmark” rates; and

 

 ·other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations about future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in and the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that these expectations will be achieved or the assumptions will be accurate.  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. Additional information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018,2019, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10Q, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The financial information and disclosures contained within those statements are significantly impacted by Management’s estimates and judgments, which are based on historical experience and incorporate various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under current circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates under divergent conditions.

 

Critical accounting policies are those that involve the most complex and subjective decisions and assessments, and have the greatest potential impact on the Company’s stated results of operations. In Management’s opinion, the Company’s critical accounting policies deal with the following areas: the establishment of the allowance for loan and lease losses (referred to as the “allowance for loan losses” or the “ALLL”), as explained in detail in Note 10 - Loans to the Consolidated Financial Statements and in the “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” sections of this Item 2. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; the valuation of impaired loans and foreclosed assets, as discussed in Note 10 - Loans to the Consolidated Financial Statements; income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities, especially with regard to the ability of the Company to recover deferred tax assets as discussed in the “Provision for Income Taxes” and “Other Assets” sections of this Item No. 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; and goodwill and other intangible assets, which are evaluated annually for impairment, as discussed in the “Other Assets” section of this Item 2. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Critical accounting policies are evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure that the Company’s financial statements incorporate our most recent expectations with regard to those areas.

 

As a result of the Company’s immediate response to COVID-19, including loan modifications/payment deferral programs and the Paycheck Protection Program, as well as acquisition and integration of SWG, and increased uncertainty related to certain judgments and estimates, the Company has elected to temporarily defer or suspend the application of two provisions of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as allowed by the CARES Act, which was signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020.  Sections 4013 and 4014 of the CARES Act provide the Company with temporary relief from troubled debt restructurings and from CECL, which the Company believes prudent to elect in these challenging times to allow us time to provide consistent, high-quality financial information to our investors and other stakeholders.


OVERVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SUMMARY

 

ThirdFirst quarter 20192020 compared to thirdfirst quarter 20182019

 

The Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $12.3$8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, compared with net income available to common shareholders of $5.2$7.6 million for the same period last year. For the thirdfirst quarter of 2019,2020, fully diluted earnings per share were $0.71,$0.44, compared to $0.39$0.48 for the thirdfirst quarter of 2018.2019.

 

Operating net earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 totaled $8.9 million compared to $9.9 million for the first quarter of 2019, totaled $12.8a decrease of $1.0 million compared to $8.0or 10.5%. The net, after tax, provision charge in the quarter comparison was $4.6 million, which accounted for the third quarter of 2018, an increase of $4.8 million or 59.9%.decrease. Operating net earnings for the thirdfirst quarter of 20192020 excludes merger-related costs of $553$576 thousand, net of tax. Operating net earnings for the thirdfirst quarter of 20182019 excludes merger-related costs of $3.0$2.5 million, net of tax, and income of $174 thousand, net of tax, related to the Financial Assistance Award from the U.S Department of the Treasury as a result of our designation as a Community Development Financial Institution.Institutions Fund of the U.S. Treasury. Operating earnings per share were $0.74$0.47 on a fully diluted basis for the thirdfirst quarter 2019,2020, compared to $0.61$0.63 for the same period in 2018,2019, excluding the merger-related costs and income described above. See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures provided below.

 


Net interest income increased to $30.5$34.1 million, or 40.6%25.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, compared to $21.7$27.1 million for the same period in 2018.2019. The increase was due to interest income earned on a higher volume of loans. Fully tax equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income, which is a non-GAAP measure, totaled $34.5 million and $27.4 million for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. FTE net interest income increased $7.1 million in the prior year quarterly comparison due to increased loan volume. Purchase accounting adjustments accounted for $1.2 million of the difference in net interest income for the first quarter comparisons. First quarter 2020 FTE net interest margin, which is a non-GAPP measure, of 3.93% included 28 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments compared to 3.89% for the same quarter in 2019, which included 18 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the net interest margin decreased 6 basis points in prior year quarterly comparison. In the first quarter of 2020, the Federal Reserve reduced the Federal Funds rate to near zero. The reduction in the rates contributed to the 6 basis point decrease in the core net interest margin. Quarterly average earning assets at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 increased $825.6 million,$701 thousand, or 37.3%, and quarterly average interest-bearing liabilities increased $587.6 million, or 34.0%, when compared to September 30, 2018.24.9%.

 

Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, was $7.1$6.5 million compared to $5.1$5.6 million for the same period in 2018,2019, reflecting an increase of $2.0 million$920 thousand or 40.0%16.6%. This increase was composed of increases in serviceService charges and interchange fee income increased $417 thousand along with mortgage income of $1.5$658 thousand.

Pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings which exclude acquisition charges and treasury awards increased 29.9% to $17.8 million primarily based on the increased deposit base due to the acquisitions. Non-interest income for the thirdquarter ended March 31, 2020 as compared to $13.7 million for the first quarter of 2018 included2019. See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures provided below.

Provision for loan losses totaled $7.1 million for the Financial Assistance Awardquarter ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $174 thousand, net$6.0 million, or 532% as compared to $1.1 million for the first quarter of tax, from the U.S. Department2019. $5.6 million of the Treasury.

The$7.1 million provision for loan losses was $974 thousandloss expense for the three monthsquarter ended September 30, 2019, compared with $412 thousand for the same period in 2018.March 31, 2020 was related to anticipated economic effects of COVID-19. The allowance for loan losses of $13.0$20.8 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 or 0.56%0.80% of total loans is based on our methodology and is considered by management to be adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio. See “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” in Item 2. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information on this evaluation.

 

Non-interest expense was $20.8$23.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, an increase of $1.0$1.5 million or 5.3%7.1%, when compared with the same period in 2018.2019. Excluding the decrease in acquisition charges of $3.4$2.4 million for the thirdfirst quarter of 2019, non-interest expense increased $4.4$4.0 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2019,2020, of which $3.4$3.1 million was attributable to the operations of FMBFPB and FPB,FFB, as compared to thirdfirst quarter of 2018.2019.

First nine months 2019 compared to first nine months 2018

The Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $31.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $14.4 million for the same period last year. Operating net earnings increased $14.0 million, or 66.9%, from $20.8 million at September 30, 2018 to $34.8 million at September 30, 2019. Operating net earnings excludes merger-related costs of $3.1 million, net of tax, and income in the form of an award from the U.S Department of Treasury of $174 thousand, net of tax, for the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2019, and merger-related costs of $7.3 million, net of tax, and income of $859 thousand, net of tax, related to the Financial Assistance Award from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, for the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2018. Operating earnings per share were $2.07 on a fully diluted basis for nine-month period ending September 30, 2019, compared to $1.64 for the same period in 2018, excluding the merger-related costs and income described above. See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures provided below.

Net interest income increased to $88.4 million, or 48.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $59.6 million for the same period in 2018. This increase was primarily due to interest earned on a high volume of loans. Average earning assets at September 30, 2019, increased $535.8 million, or 21.4%, and average interest-bearing liabilities also increased $370.3 million, or 19.0%, when compared to December 31, 2018.

Non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, was $19.4 million compared to $14.2 million for the same period in 2018, reflecting an increase of $5.2 million or 36.8%. The increase consists of $1.8 million in service charges, $1.2 in mortgage fee income and $2.2 million in interchange fee income. Non-interest income included income of $233 thousand and $1.2 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, due to the receipt of awards from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The provision for loan losses was $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared with $1.5 million for the same period in 2018. The allowance for loan losses of $13.0 million at September 30, 2019 (approximately 0.56% of total loans) is considered by management to be adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Total valuation accounting adjustments totaled $12.9 million on acquired loans. See “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” in Item 2. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information on this evaluation.

Non-interest expense was $63.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of $9.5 million or 17.7%, when compared with the same period in 2018. $3.5 million is related to the acquisitions and operations of Southwest, Sunshine, FMB and FPB. The remaining increase of $6.0 million in expenses for the legacy bank are related to salaries and employee benefits of $2.5 million and other expenses of $3.5 million.


 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

The First represents the primary asset of the Company. The First reported total assets of $3.475$4.054 billion at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 compared to $2.997$3.935 billion at December 31, 2018,2019, an increase of $478$119.5 million. Loans increased $289.6$1.9 million to $2.350$2.602 billion, or 14.1%0.1%, during the first ninethree months of 2019.2020. Deposits at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 totaled $2.771$3.280 billion compared to $2.461$3.082 billion at December 31, 2018. The First acquired loans of $244.7 million, net of fair value marks and deposits of $314.4 million, as a result of the acquisition of FPB during the first quarter of 2019. See Note 4 – Business Combinations to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


For the nine monththree months period ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, The First reported net income of $37.3$10.1 million compared to $14.4$9.6 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2018.March 31, 2019. Merger charges, net of tax, equaled $3.1$576 thousand for the first three months of 2020 as compared to $2.5 million for the first ninethree months of 2019.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) IMPACT

In March 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) as compareda pandemic. The spread of COVID-19 has created a global public health crisis that has resulted in unprecedented uncertainty, volatility and disruption in financial markets and in governmental, commercial and consumer activity in the United States and globally. In response to $7.3 millionthe outbreak, federal and state authorities in the U.S. introduced various measures to try to limit or slow the spread of the virus, including travel restrictions, nonessential business closures, stay-at-home orders, and strict social distancing and shelter in place. These actions, together with responses to the pandemic by businesses and individuals, have resulted in rapid decreases in commercial and consumer activity, temporary closures of many businesses that have led to a loss of revenues and a rapid increase in unemployment, material decreases in oil and gas prices and in business valuations, disrupted global supply chains, market downturns and volatility, changes in consumer behavior related to pandemic fears, related emergency response legislation and an expectation that Federal Reserve policy will maintain a low interest rate environment for the first nine monthsforeseeable future. These disruptions may result in a decline in demand for banking products or services, including loans and deposits, which could impact our future financial condition, result of 2018.operations and liquidity.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the banking industry are rapidly evolving and the future effects are unknown at this time. The Company is working to adapt to the changing environment and proactively plan for contingencies. To that end, the Company has and is taking steps to protect the health of our employees and to work with our customers experiencing difficulties as a result of this virus. The Company has many non-branch personnel working remotely. All of our branches are open, and we are servicing our clients with limited lobby access by appointment only. We have also been working through loan modifications and payment deferral programs to assist affected customers, and have increased our allowance for loan and lease losses.

Our staff has been working to assist clients with payment modifications and processing of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) applications with the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). As of April 24, 2020, we have approximately 1,660 PPP loans approved through the SBA for $199.3 million and have processed payment modifications on 926 loans with principal balances of $401.5 million, representing 15% of total portfolio dollars.

 

EARNINGS PERFORMANCE

 

The Company earns income from two primary sources. The first is net interest income, which is interest income generated by earning assets less interest expense on deposits and other borrowed money. The second is non-interest income, which primarily consists of customer service charges and fees as well as mortgage income but also comes from non-customer sources such as bank-owned life insurance. The majority of the Company’s non-interest expense is comprised of operating costs that facilitate offering a full range of banking services to our customers.

 

Net interest income AND NET INTEREST MARGIN

 

Net interest income increased by $8.8$6.9 million, or 40.6%25.6%, for the thirdfirst quarter of 20192020 relative to the thirdfirst quarter of 2018.2019. The increase was due to interest income earned inon a higher volume of loans as well as increased interest rates.loans. The level of net interest income we recognize in any given period depends on a combination of factors including the average volume and yield for interest-earning assets, the average volume and cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and the mix of products which comprise the Company’s earning assets, deposits, and other interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is also impacted by the reversal of interest for loans placed on non-accrualnonaccrual status during the reporting period, and the recovery of interest on loans that had been on non-accrualnonaccrual and were paid off, sold or returned to accrual status.

 


The following tables depict, for the periods indicated, certain information related to the average balance sheet and average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Such yields are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. Average balances have been derived from daily averages.

 

Average Balances, Tax Equivalent Interest and Yields/Rates

($ in thousands) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended 
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended  March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 
 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018  Avg. Tax
Equivalent
 Yield/ Avg. Tax
Equivalent
 Yield/ 
 Avg. Tax
Equivalent
 Yield/ Avg. Tax
Equivalent
 Yield/  Balance interest Rate Balance interest Rate 
($ in thousands) Balance interest Rate Balance interest Rate 
             
Earning Assets:                                                
                        
Taxable securities $494,184  $3,926   3.18% $331,601  $2,369   2.86% $560,613  $3,944   2.81% $435,576  $3,581   3.29%
Tax exempt securities  127,750   1,108   3.47%  116,235   1,013   3.49%  224,212   1,821   3.25%  117,831   1,015   3.45%
Total investment securities  621,934   5,034   3.24%  447,836   3,382   3.02%  784,825   5,765   2.94%  553,407   4,596   3.32%
                        
Fed funds sold  -   -   0.0%  355   5   5.63%
Interest bearing deposits in other banks  71,165   9   0.05%  41,819   90   0.86%
Interest bearing deposits in                        
other banks  129,978   289   0.89%  94,778   130   0.55%
Loans  2,343,392   32,480   5.54%  1,720,884   22,407   5.21%  2,602,340   36,005   5.53%  2,167,495   28,804   5.32%
Total earning assets  3,036,491   37,521   4.94%  2,210,894   25,884   4.68%  3,517,143   42,059   4.78%  2,815,680   33,530   4.76%
Other assets  402,711           256,633           473,350           366,081         
Total assets $3,990,493          $3,181,761         
                                                
Total assets $3,439,202          $2,467,527         
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                                
                        
Deposits $2,140,419  $5,061   0.95% $1,629,195  $2,782   0.68% $3,042,529  $5,413   0.71% $2,024,718  $4,363   0.86%
Fed funds purchased  6,708   11   0.66%  1,893   17   3.59%
FHLB  88,533   440   1.99%  22,469   35   0.62%
Borrowed funds  145,267   917   2.53%  86,269   546   2.53%
Subordinated debentures  80,619   1,270   6.30%  75,124   1,125   5.99%  80,697   1,203   5.96%  80,540   1,233   6.12%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  2,316,279   6,782   1.17%  1,728,681   3,959   0.92%  3,268,493   7,533   0.92%  2,191,527   6,142   1.12%
Other liabilities  652,899           454,007           174,691           600,017         
Stockholders’ equity  470,024           284,839           547,309           390,217         
Total liabilities and                                                
stockholders’ equity $3,439,202          $2,467,527          $3,990,493          $3,181,761         
                                                
Net interest income     $30,459          $21,669          $34,065          $27,131     
Net interest margin          4.01%          3.92%          3.87%          3.85%
Net interest income (FTE)*     $30,739   3.77%     $21,925   3.76%     $34,526   3.86%     $27,388   3.64%
Net interest margin (FTE)*          4.05%          3.97%          3.93%          3.89%

*See reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures.

 


Average Balances, Tax Equivalent Interest and Yields/Rates

  Nine Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 2019  September 30, 2018 
  Avg.  Tax
Equivalent
  Yield/  Avg.  Tax
Equivalent
  Yield/ 
($ in thousands) Balance  interest  Rate  Balance  interest  Rate 
Earning Assets:                        
                         
Taxable securities $475,967  $11,734   3.29% $315,394  $6,778   2.87%
Tax exempt securities  123,353   3,181   3.44%  113,460   2,932   3.45%
Total investment securities  599,320   14,915   3.32%  428,854   9,710   3.02%
                         
Fed funds sold  -   -   0.0%  9,722   101   1.39%
Interest bearing deposits in other banks  85,370   227   0.34%  49,598   248   0.67%
Loans  2,283,468   93,748   5.47%  1,582,010   60,106   5.07%
Total earning assets  2,968,158   108,890   4.89%  2,070,183   70,165   4.52%
Other assets  392,135           227,215         
Total assets $3,360,293          $2,297,398         
                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
                         
Deposits $2,128,661  $14,747   0.92% $1,546,703  $7,169   0.62%
Fed funds purchased  4,028   46   1.52%  1,165   27   3.09%
FHLB  68,996   1,239   2.39%  38,933   632   2.16%
Subordinated debentures  80,579   3,691   6.11%  46,691   1,977   5.65%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  2,282,264   19,723   1.15%  1,633,492   9,805   0.80%
Other liabilities  639,335           400,491         
Stockholders’ equity  438,694           263,416         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $3,360,293          $2,297,398         
                         
Net interest income     $88,362          $59,619     
Net interest margin          3.97%          3.84%
Net interest income (FTE)*     $89,167   3.74%     $60,360   3.72%
Net interest margin (FTE)*          4.01%          3.89%

*See reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures.


NON-INTEREST INCOME AND NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

The following table provides details on the Company’s non-interest income and non-interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and 2018:2019:

 

($ in thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
EARNINGS STATEMENT 9/30/19 % of
Total
 9/30/18 % of
Total
 9/30/19 % of
Total
 9/30/18 % of
Total
  3/31/20 % of
Total
 3/31/19 % of
Total
 
Non-interest income:                                                
Service charges on deposit accounts $1,979   27.9% $1,538   30.3% $5,728   29.6% $3,906   27.6% $1,914   29.56% $1,831   32.97%
Mortgage fee income  1,800   25.3%  1,066   21.0%  4,268   22.0%  3,079   21.7%  1,567   24.20%  909   16.37%
Interchange fee income  2,252   31.7%  1,180   23.3%  5,949   30.7%  3,720   26.3%  1,986   30.68%  1,652   29.74%
Gain (loss) on securities , net  57   0.8%  -   -   131   0.7%  (5)  0.0%  174   2.69%  38   0.68%
Financial assistance award  -   0.0%  233   4.6%  233   1.2%  1,150   8.1%  -   -   233   4.20%
Other charges and fees  1,015   14.3%  1,057   20.8%  3,064   15.8%  2,314   16.3%  833   12.87%  891   16.04%
Total non-interest income $7,103   100% $5,074   100% $19,373   100% $14,164   100% $6,474   100% $5,554   100%
                                                
Non-interest expense:                                                
Salaries and employee benefits $11,612   55.8% $9,266   46.8% $33,924   53.3% $26,557   49.1% $13,228   56.43% $10,697   48.87%
Occupancy expense  2,632   12.6%  2,163   10.9%  7,606   12.0%  5,844   10.8%  2,918   12.45%  2,442   11.15%
FDIC premiums  111   0.5%  278   1.4%  485   0.8%  1,013   1.9%  147   0.63%  (52)  (0.24)%
Marketing  62   0.3%  60   0.3%  397   0.6%  210   0.4%  213   0.91%  175   0.80%
Amortization of core deposit intangibles  796   3.8%  349   1.8%  2,308   3.6%  906   1.7%  938   4.00%  716   3.27%
Other professional services  1,140   5.5%  847   4.3%  3,040   4.8%  1,474   2.7%  874   3.73%  920   4.20%
Other non-interest expense  3,767   18.1%  2,764   14.0%  11,874   18.7%  8,405   15.5%  4,381   18.69%  3,816   17.43%
Acquisition and integration charges  705   3.4%  4,059   20.5%  3,975   6.2%  9,655   17.9%  740   3.16%  3,179   14.52%
Total non-interest expense $20,825   100% $19,786   100% $63,609   100% $54,064   100% $23,439   100% $21,893   100%

 


PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

The Company sets aside a provision for income taxes on a monthly basis. The amount of the provision is determined by first applying the Company’s statutory income tax rates to estimated taxable income, which is pre-tax book income adjusted for permanent differences, and then subtracting available tax credits if applicable. Permanent differences include but are not limited to tax-exempt interest income, bank-owned life insurance cash surrender value income, and certain book expenses that are not allowed as tax deductions.

 

The Company’s provision for income taxes was $3.5$1.7 million or 22.1%16.9% of earnings before income taxes for the thirdfirst quarter of 2019,2020, compared to $1.4 million or 21.1% of earnings before income taxes for the same period in 2018. The provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $9.3 million or 22.7% of earnings before income taxes compared to $3.8$2.0 million or 21.0% of earnings before income taxes for the same period in 2018.2019. The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2020 is related to the CARES Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The Act includes several significant provisions for corporations including increasing the amount of deductible interest under section 163(j), allowing companies to carryback certain net operating losses, and increasing the amount of net operating loss that corporations can use to offset income.

 

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

 

EARNING ASSETS

 

The Company’s interest-earning assets are comprised of investments and loans, and the composition, growth characteristics, and credit quality of both are significant determinants of the Company’s financial condition. Investments are analyzed in the section immediately below, while the loan and lease portfolio and other factors affecting earning assets are discussed in the sections following investments.

 

INVESTMENTS

 

The Company’s investments can at any given time consist of debt securities and marketable equity securities (together, the “investment portfolio”), investments in the time deposits of other banks, surplus interest-earning balances in our Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) account, and overnight fed funds sold. Surplus FRB balances and federal funds sold to correspondent banks represent the temporary investment of excess liquidity. The Company’s investments serve several purposes: 1) they provide liquidity to even out cash flows from the loan and deposit activities of customers; 2) they provide a source of pledged assets for securing public deposits, bankruptcy deposits and certain borrowed funds which require collateral; 3) they constitute a large base of assets with maturity and interest rate characteristics that can be changed more readily than the loan portfolio, to better match changes in the deposit base and other funding sources of the Company; 4) they are another interest-earning option for surplus funds when loan demand is light; and 5) they can provide partially tax exempt income. Total securities, excluding other securities, totaled $618.3$763.0 million, or 17.8%18.8% of total assets at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 compared to $498.2$765.1 million, or 16.6%19.4% of total assets at December 31,20182019.

 

We hadThere were no federal funds sold at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018;2019; and interest-bearing balances at other banks decreasedincreased to $68.2$179.5 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 from $87.8$79.0 million at December 31, 2018.2019. The Company’s investment portfolio increased $126.1decreased $2.9 million, or 24.4%0.4%, to a total fair market value of $642.1$788.9 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2018, $93.6 million of which was due2019. The portfolio decrease can be attributed to calls, maturities and mortgage paydowns related to the acquisitiondecline in interest rates since the end of FPB during the first three months of 2019, as well as an increase in the fair market value of $16.4 million.2019. The Company carriesCompany’s investments principally at their fair market values. The Company holds a small amount of “held-to-maturity” investments with a fair market value of $7.5 million at September 30, 2019 as compared to $7.0 million at December 31, 2018. All other investment securities are classified as “available-for-sale” to allow maximum flexibility with regard to interest rate risk and liquidity management.

 


Refer to the tabletables shown in Note 9 – Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the Company’s amortized cost and fair market value of its investment portfolio by investment type.

 

LOAN AND LEASE PORTFOLIO

 

The Company’s gross loans and leases, excluding the associated allowance for loan losses and including loans held for sale, totaled $2.361$2.616 billion at September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, an increase of $296.3$4.4 million, or 14.3%0.2%, from December 31, 2018.2019. The acquisition of FPB accounted for approximately $244.7 million, net of fair value marks, of the increase.increase is attributed to organic loan growth.

 


The following table shows the composition of the loan portfolio by category ($ in thousands):

 

Composition of Loan Portfolio 
  September 30, 2019  December 31, 2018 
  Amount  Percent
of Total
  Amount  Percent
of Total
 
Loans held for sale $11,104   0.6% $4,838   0.3%
Commercial, financial and agricultural  338,584   14.3%  301,182   14.6%
Real Estate:                
Mortgage-commercial  943,218   39.9%  776,880   37.6%
Mortgage-residential  724,860   30.7%  617,804   29.9%
Construction  284,103   12.0%  298,718   14.5%
Lease financing receivable  3,239   0.1%  2,891   0.1%
Obligations of states and subdivisions  16,545   0.7%  16,941   0.8%
Consumer and other  39,437   1.7%  46,006   2.2%
Total loans  2,361,090   100%  2,065,260   100%
Allowance for loan losses  (13,043)      (10,065)    
Net loans $2,348,047      $2,055,195     

  Composition of Loan Portfolio 
  March 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
  Amount  

Percent

of Total

  Amount  

Percent

of Total

 
Loans held for sale $13,288   0.5% $10,810   0.4%
Commercial, financial and agricultural  327,979   12.5%  332,600   12.7%
   Real estate - commercial  1,048,854   40.1%  1,028,012   39.4%
   Real estate - residential  828,378   31.7%  814,282   31.2%
   Real estate - construction  334,707   12.8%  359,195   13.8%
Lease financing receivable  3,526   0.1%  3,095   0.1%
Obligations of states and subdivisions  18,218   0.7%  20,716   0.8%
Consumer and other  40,626   1.6%  42,458   1.6%
Total loans  2,615,576   100%  2,611,168   100%
Allowance for loan losses  (20,804)      (13,908)    
Net loans $2,594,772      $2,597,260     

 

In the context of this discussion, a "real estate residential loan" is defined as any loan, other than a loan for construction purposes, secured by real estate, regardless of the purpose of the loan. The Company follows the common practice of financial institutions in its market area by obtaining a security interest in real estate whenever possible, in addition to any other available collateral. This collateral is taken to reinforce the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan and tends to increase the magnitude of the real estate loan portfolio component. Generally, the Company limits its loan-to-value ratio to 80%. Management attempts to maintain a conservative philosophy regarding its underwriting guidelines and believes that the risk elements of its loan portfolio have been reduced through strategies that diversify the lending mix.

 

Loans held for sale consist of mortgage loans originated by the Bank and sold into the secondary market. Associated servicing rights are not retained. Commitments from investors to purchase the loans are obtained upon origination.

 

LOAN CONCENTRATIONS

 

Diversification within the loan portfolio is an important means of reducing inherent lending risk. At September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, The First had no concentrations of ten percent or more of total loans in any single industry or any geographical area outside its immediate market areas, which include Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

 

NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

 

At September 30, 2019, The First had loans past due as follows ($ in thousands):

Past due 30 through 89 days $8,859 
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing  2,115 

Non-performing assets are comprised of loans for which the Company is no longer accruing interest, and foreclosed assets including mobile homes and OREO. Loans are placed on non-accrualnonaccrual status when they become ninety days past due (principal and/or interest), unless the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection. Non-accrual andNonaccrual loans, including PCI loans, that are non-accrual totaled $35.2$37.8 million at September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, an increasedecrease of $10.1$1.0 million from December 31, 2018. The increase is attributable to acquired loans and one relationship that was modified during the third quarter.2019.

 

Other real estate owned is carried at fair value, determined by an appraisal, less estimated costs to sell. Other real estate owned totaled $10.0$7.0 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 as compared to $10.9$7.3 million at December 31, 2018.2019.

 


A loan is classified as a restructured loan when the following two conditions are present: first, the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and second, the creditor grants a concession it would not otherwise consider but for the borrower’s financial difficulty. At September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the Bank had $30.0$31.1 million in loans that were classified as “TDRs”, of which $6.7$6.2 million were performing as agreed with modified terms. At December 31, 2018,2019, the Bank had $14.3$32.0 million in loans that were classified as troubled debt restructurings of which $5.3$6.8 million were performing as agreed with modified terms. TDRs may be classified as either non-performing or performing loans depending on their accrual status. As of September 30, 2019, $23.3March 31, 2020, $24.9 million in loans categorized as TDRs were classified as non-performing as compared to $9.0$25.1 million at December 31, 2018.2019.

 


The following table, which includes purchased credit impaired loans, presents comparative data for the Company’s non-performing assets and performing TDRs as of the dates noted:

 

($ in thousands) 9/30/19 12/31/18  3/31/20 12/31/19 
Non-accrual Loans        
     
Nonaccrual Loans        
                
Real Estate:                
1-4 Family residential construction $-  $-  $-  $- 
Other Construction/land  1,783   1,918   1,578   1,548 
1-4 family residential revolving/open-end  407   431   1,154   998 
1-4 family residential closed-end  8,509   8,680   8,679   8,986 
Nonfarm, nonresidential, owner-occupied  17,546   7,154   20,270   20,157 
Nonfarm, nonresidential, other nonfarm nonresidential  5,377   5,601   3,772   4,647 
Total Real Estate  33,622   23,784   35,453   36,336 
Commercial and industrial  1,163   1,208   2,069   2,234 
Loans to individuals – other  390   81   229   265 
Total Non-Accrual Loans  35,175   25,073 
Total Nonaccrual Loans  37,751   38,835 
                
Other real-estate owned  9,974   10,869   6,974   7,299 
                
Total Non-performing Assets $45,149  $35,942  $44,725  $46,134 
Performing TDRs $6,679  $5,307  $6,171  $6,824 
Total non-performing assets as a % of total loans & leases net of unearned income  1.92%  1.75%  1.72%  1.77%
Total non-accrual loans as a % of total loans & leases net of unearned income  1.50%  1.22%
Total nonaccrual loans as a % of total loans & leases net of unearned income  1.45%  1.49%

 

Non-performing assets totaled $45.1$44.7 million at September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, compared to $35.9$46.1 million at December 31, 2018, an increase2019, a decrease of $9.2$1.4 million. The ALLL/total loans ratio was 0.56%0.80% at September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, and 0.49%0.53% at December 31, 2018.2019. The increase in the ALLL/total loans ratio is primarily attributable to an increase in the ALLL due to concerns with the anticipated economic effects of COVID-19, as discussed under the heading “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” below. Total valuation accounting adjustments total $12.9$11.1 million on acquired loans. The ratio of annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to total loans was 0.004%0.03% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 compared to 0.02%(0.002)% at December 31, 2018.2019.

 

The following table represents the Company’s impaired loans, excluding PCI loans, as of the dates noted:

 

  September 30,  December 31, 
($ in thousands) 2019  2018 
Impaired Loans:        
    Impaired loans without a valuation allowance $12,862  $7,595 
    Impaired loans with a valuation allowance  12,540   5,864 
Total impaired loans $25,402  $13,459 
Allowance for loan losses on impaired loans at period end  3,031   1,179 
         
Total non-accrual loans  22,200   25,073 
         
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing  2,115   1,265 
Average investment in impaired loans  22,844   16,257 

48

($ in thousands) March 31,  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Impaired Loans:        
    Impaired loans without a valuation allowance $14,067  $14,178 
    Impaired loans with a valuation allowance  15,159   15,761 
Total impaired loans $29,226  $29,939 
Allowance for loan losses on impaired loans at period end  4,035   4,424 
         
Total nonaccrual loans $29,226  $29,939 
         
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing  2,392   2,715 
Average investment in impaired loans  29,266   26,195 

 

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

 

The Company has developed policies and procedures for evaluating the overall quality of its credit portfolio and the timely identification of potential problem loans. Management’s judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance for loancredit losses is based upon a number of assumptions about future events which it believes to be reasonable, but which may not prove to be accurate. The level of this allowance is dependent upon a number of factors, including the total amount of past due loans, general economic conditions, and management’s assessment of potential losses. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant change. Ultimately, losses may vary from current estimates and future additions to the allowance may be necessary. Thus, there can be no assurance that charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses or that additional increases in the allowance for loan losses will not be required. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses quarterly and makes provisions for loan losses based on this evaluation.

 


The Company’s allowance consists of two parts. The first part is determined in accordance with authoritative guidance issued by the FASB regarding the allowance. The Company’s determination of this part of the allowance is based upon quantitative and qualitative factors. The Company uses a loan loss history based upon the prior ten years to determine the appropriate allowance. Historical loss factors are determined by criticized and uncriticized loans by loan type. These historical loss factors are applied to the loans by loan type to determine an indicated allowance. The loss factors of peer groups are considered in the determination of the allowance and are used to assist in the establishment of a long-term loss history for areas in which this data is unavailable and incorporated into the qualitative factors to be considered. The historical loss factors may also be modified based upon other qualitative factors including but not limited to local and national economic conditions, trends of delinquent loans, changes in lending policies and underwriting standards, concentrations, and management’s knowledge of the loan portfolio. These factors require judgment on the part of management and are based upon state and national economic reports received from various institutions and agencies including the Federal Reserve Bank, United States Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, meetings with the Company’s loan officers and loan committees, and data and guidance received or obtained from the Company’s regulatory authorities.

 

The second part of the allowance is determined in accordance with guidance issued by the FASB regarding impaired loans. Impaired loans are determined based upon a review by internal loan review and senior loan officers. Impaired loans are loans for which the Bank does not expect to receive contractual interest and/or principal by the due date. A specific allowance is assigned to each loan determined to be impaired based upon the value of the loan’s underlying collateral. Appraisals are used by management to determine the value of the collateral.

 

The sum of the two parts constitutes management’s best estimate of an appropriate allowance for loan losses. On a quarterly basis, the estimated allowance is determined and presented to the Company’s audit committee for review and approval.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

 

Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis, and a specific allowance is assigned to each loan determined to be impaired. Impaired loans not deemed collateral dependent are analyzed according to the ultimate repayment source, whether that is cash flow from the borrower, guarantor or some other source of repayment. Impaired loans are deemed collateral dependent if, in the Company’s opinion, the ultimate source of repayment will be generated from the liquidation of collateral.

 

The Company discontinues accrual of interest on loans when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that a borrower’s financial condition is such that the collection of interest is doubtful. Generally, the Company will place a delinquent loan in non-accrualnonaccrual status when the loan becomes 90 days or more past due. At the time a loan is placed in non-accrualnonaccrual status, all interest which has been accrued on the loan but remains unpaid is reversed and deducted from earnings as a reduction of reported interest income. No additional interest is accrued on the loan balance until the collection of both principal and interest becomes reasonably certain.

 

At September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the consolidated allowance for loan losses was approximately $13.0$20.8 million, or 0.56%0.80% of outstanding loans excluding loans held for sale. At December 31, 2018,2019, the allowance for loan losses amounted to approximately $10.1$13.9 million, which was 0.49%0.53% of outstanding loans.loans excluding loans held for sale. The provision for loan losses is a charge to earnings to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level consistent with management’s assessment of the collectability of the loan portfolio in light of current economic conditions and market trends. ItDuring the quarter, the World Health Organization declared the spread of the COVID-19 virus to be a global pandemic. This has caused significant disruptions to the U.S. economy across all industries. While it is maintainednot yet possible to know the full effect that the pandemic will have on the economy, or to what extent this crisis will impact the Company, all available current industry statistics and internal monitoring of loan repayment ability and payment forgiveness across the portfolio has been analyzed in an attempt to understand the correlation with asset quality and degree of possible deterioration. This analysis of the possibility of increasing credit losses resulted in the need for a higher than normal provision expense to provide the required allowance reserve for this situation.If economic conditions continue to worsen, further funding to the allowance may be required in future periods. The Company maintains the allowance at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged-off against the allowance; recoveries are generally recorded only when sufficient cash payments are received subsequent to the charge off. The Company’s provision for loan losses was $2.9$7.1 million at September 30, 2019, $2.1March 31, 2020, $3.7 million at December 31, 20182019 and $1.5$1.1 million at September 30, 2018.March 31, 2019. The overall allowance for loan losses results from consistent application of our loan loss reserve methodology as described above. At September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, management believes the allowance is appropriate and has been derived from consistent application of our methodology. Should any of the factors considered by management in evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses change, management’s estimate of inherent losses in the portfolio could also change, which would affect the level of future provisions for loan losses.

 


The table that follows summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the noted periods:periods ($ in thousands):

 

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses                  
            Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  For the Year Ended 
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended For the Year Ended 
($ in thousands) 9/30/19 9/30/18 9/30/19 9/30/18 12/31/18 
Balances:            3/31/20  3/31/19  12/31/19 
Average gross loans & leases outstanding during period: $2,343,392  $1,720,884  $2,283,468  $1,582,010  $1,678,746 
Gross loans & leases outstanding at end of period:  2,361,090   1,752,752   2,361,090   1,752,752   2,065,260 
                    
Average gross loans & leases outstanding during            
period: $2,602,340  $2,167,495  $2,341,202 
Gross loans & leases outstanding at end of            
period:  2,615,575   2,341,586   2,611,168 
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses:                                
Balance at beginning of period $12,091  $9,512  $10,065  $8,288  $8,288  $13,908  $10,065  $10,065 
Prior period reclassification – Mortgage Reserve Funding  -   -   -   -   (181)
Beginning balance of allowance restated  12,091   9,512   10,065   8,288   8,107 
Provision charged to expense  974   412   2,888   1,546   2,120   7,102   1,123   3,738 
                    
Charge-offs:                                
Real Estate-                                
1-4 family residential construction  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Other construction/land  -   42   -   52   52   -   -   - 
1-4 family revolving, open-ended  54   -   54   7   7   -   -   54 
1-4 family closed-end  -   -   108   -   -   9   42   109 
Nonfarm, nonresidential, owner-occupied  54   -   54   -   170   333   -   54 
Total Real Estate  108   42   216   59   229   342   42   217 
Commercial and industrial  17   242   23   247   265   99   4   141 
Credit cards  10   -   10   -   -   -   -   33 
Automobile loans  14   5   25   5   5   21   1   48 
Loans to individuals - other  52   34   108   66   82   28   28   - 
All other loans  -   -   -   -   -   10   -   225 
Total  201   323   382   377   581   500   75   664 
Recoveries:                                
Real Estate-                                
1-4 family residential construction  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Other construction/land  8   4   22   30   34   9   6   129 
1-4 family revolving, open-ended  7   9   17   17   27   25   1   19 
1-4 family closed-end  54   93   139   120   156   24   19   221 
Nonfarm, nonresidential, owner-occupied  3   1   9   3   10   60   4   13 
Total Real Estate  72   107   187   170   227   118   30   382 
Commercial and industrial  24   18   51   36   44   76   12   85 
Credit cards  2   -   3   -   1   -   -   3 
Automobile loans  11   10   33   23   29   33   13   40 
Loans to individuals - other  28   15   58   25   37   21   12   72 
All other loans  42   14   140   54   81   46   55   187 
Total  179   164   472   308   419   294   122   769 
Net loan charge offs (recoveries)  22   159   (90)  69   162   206   (47)  (105)
Balance at end of period $13,043  $9,765  $13,043  $9,765  $10,065  $20,804  $11,235  $13,908 
                                
RATIOS                                
Net Charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans & leases(annualized)  0.004%  0.04%  (0.005)%  0.006%  0.01%
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans & leases at end of period  0.56%  0.56%  0.56%  0.56%  0.49%
Net Loan Charge-offs (recoveries) to provision for loan losses  2.26%  38.59%  (3.12)%  4.46%  7.64%
                    
Net Charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans &            
leases (annualized)  0.03%  (0.008)%  (0.004)%
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans &            
leases at end of period  0.80%  0.48%  0.53%
Net Loan Charge-offs (recoveries) to provision            
for loan losses  2.90%  (4.19)%  (2.81)%

 


The following tables represent how the allowance for loan losses is allocated to a particular loan type, as well as the percentage of the category to total loans at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018.2019.

 

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses
($ in thousands) September 30, 2019  March 31, 2020 
 Amount % of loans
in each category to total loans
  Amount % of loans
in each category to total loans
 
Commercial, Financial and Agriculture $2,357   14.5%
Commercial Real Estate  8,734   65.0%
Consumer Real Estate  1,673   18.9%
Installment and Other  274   1.6%
Commercial, financial and agriculture $4,466   13.2%
Commercial real estate  13,095   65.8%
Consumer real estate  2,840   19.6%
Installment and other  403   1.4%
Unallocated  5   -   -   - 
Total $13,043   100% $20,804   100%

 


($ in thousands) December 31, 2018 
  Amount  % of loans
in each category to total loans
 
Commercial, Financial and Agriculture $2,060   14.8%
Commercial Real Estate  6,258   64.6%
Consumer Real Estate  1,743   18.9%
Installment and Other  201   1.7%
Unallocated  (197)  - 
        Total $10,065   100%
($ in thousands) December 31, 2019 
  Amount  % of loans
in each category to total loans
 
Commercial, financial and agriculture $3,043   13.1%
Commercial real estate  8,836   65.5%
Consumer real estate  1,694   19.8%
Installment and other  296   1.6%
Unallocated  39   - 
        Total $13,908   100%

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

The Company’s balance of non-interest earning cash and due from banks was $91.8$107.3 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and $71.4$89.7 million at December 31, 2018.2019. The balance of cash and due from banks depends on the timing of collection of outstanding cash items (checks), the level of cash maintained on hand at our branches, and our reserve requirement among other things, and is subject to significant fluctuation in the normal course of business. While cash flows are normally predictable within limits, those limits are fairly broad and the Company manages its short-term cash position through the utilization of overnight loans to and borrowings from correspondent banks, including the Federal Reserve Bank and the FHLB.Federal Home Loan Bank (“ FHLB”). Should a large “short” overnight position persists for any length of time, the Company typically raises money through focused retail deposit gathering efforts or by adding brokered time deposits. If a “long” position is prevalent, the Company will let brokered deposits or other wholesale borrowings roll off as they mature, or might invest excess liquidity in higher-yielding, longer-term bonds.

 

Total other securities increased $5.8 milliondecreased $779 thousand due to an increasea decrease in Federal ReserveFHLB stock. The Company’s net premises and equipment at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 was $96.7$108.0 million and $74.8$105.0 million at December 31, 2018;2019; an increase of $21.9$3.0 million, or 29.3%2.9% for the first ninethree months of 2019. Included2020. The increase is attributed to the recording of a finance lease in the acquisitionfirst quarter of FPB was $7.3 million in bank-owned2020. Bank-owned life insurance creating a balance of $59.3increased to 65.7 million at September 30, 2019. Goodwill increased to $118.6 million at September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, an increase of $28.9$6.1 million from December 31. 2019. Goodwill at March 31, 2018 as a result of the FPB acquisition.2020 remained unchanged at $158.6 million when compared to December 31, 2019. Other intangible assets, consisting primarily of the Company’s core deposit intangible, increaseddecreased by $4.3 million$938 thousand in the thirdfirst quarter of 2019,2020, as compared to December 31, 20182019.


Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Given the recent events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company performed a peer stock price comparison and did not note any impairment. At this time, we do not believe there exists any impairment to goodwill and intangible assets, long-lived assets, or available-for-sale securities due to the FPB acquisition. The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets are evaluated annually for potential impairment, and pursuant to that analysis management has determined that no impairment exists as of September 30, 2019.COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Other real estate owned decreased by $895$325 thousand, or 8.2%4.5%, to $10.0$7.0 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 as compared to December 31, 2018.2019.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company maintains commitments to extend credit in the normal course of business, as long as there are no violations of conditions established in the outstanding contractual arrangements. Unused commitments to extend credit totaled $412.7$361.5 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and $316.6$410.3 million at December 31, 2018,2019, although it is not likely that all of those commitments will ultimately be drawn down. Unused commitments represented approximately 17.5%14.0% of gross loans at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and 15.3%15.8% at December 31, 2018,2019, with the increase due in partdecrease related to higher commitments in revolving open-ended lines secured by 1-4 family and commercial and industrial loans. The Company also had undrawn commercial andstandby similar letters of credit to customers totaling $11.0$12.3 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and $10.7$12.1 million at December 31, 2018.2019. The effect on the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash flows and liquidity from the unused portion of the commitments to provide credit cannot be reasonably predicted because there is no guarantee that the lines of credit will ever be used. However, the “Liquidity” section in this Form 10-Q outlines resources available to draw upon should we be required to fund a significant portion of unused commitments. For more information regarding the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 7 – Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Risk to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In addition to unused commitments to provide credit, the Company is utilizing a $70.0$5.0 million letter of credit issued by the FHLB on the Company’s behalf as security as of September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020. That letter of credit is backed by loans which are pledged to the FHLB by the Company.

 


liquidity and CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

LIQUIDITY

 

Liquidity management refers to the Company’s ability to maintain cash flows that are adequate to fund operations and meet other obligations and commitments in a timely and cost-effective manner. Detailed cash flow projections are reviewed by management on a monthly basis, with various scenarios applied to assess its ability to meet liquidity needs under adverse conditions. Liquidity ratios are also calculated and reviewed on a regular basis. While those ratios are merely indicators and are not measures of actual liquidity, they are closely monitored and we are focused on maintaining adequate liquidity resources to draw upon should unexpected needs arise.

 

The Company, on occasion, experiences cash needs as the result of loan growth, deposit outflows, asset purchases or liability repayments. To meet short-term needs, the Company can borrow overnight funds from other financial institutions, draw advances via FHLB lines of credit, or solicit brokered deposits if deposits are not immediately obtainable from local sources. The net availability on lines of credit from the FHLB totaled $784.4 million$1.093 billion at September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020. Furthermore, funds can be obtained by drawing down the Company’s correspondent bank deposit accounts, or by liquidating unpledged investments or other readily saleable assets. In addition, the Company can raise immediate cash for temporary needs by selling under agreement to repurchase those investments in its portfolio which are not pledged as collateral. As of September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the market value of unpledged debt securities plus pledged securities in excess of current pledging requirements comprised $285.5$306.8 million of the Company’s investment balances, compared to $110.8$348.3 million at December 31, 2018.2019. The increasedecrease in unpledged securities from September 2019March 2020 compared to December 20182019 is primarily due to an increasedecrease in portfolio assets. Other forms of balance sheet liquidity include but are not necessarily limited to any outstanding federal funds sold and vault cash. The Company has a higher level of actual balance sheet liquidity than might otherwise be the case, since it utilizes a letter of credit from the FHLB rather than investment securities for certain pledging requirements. That letter of credit, which is backed by loans that are pledged to the FHLB by the Company, totaled $65.0$109.5 million at September 30, 2019. Management is of the opinion that available investments and other potentially liquid assets, along with the standby funding sources it has arranged, are more than sufficient to meet the Company’s current and anticipated short-term liquidity needs.March 31, 2020.

 


The Company’s liquidity ratio as of September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 was 14.2%20.1%, as compared to internal liquidity policy guidelines of 10% minimum. Other liquidity ratios reviewed include the following along with policy guidelines:

 

 

 

 

September 30,
2019

 

 

 

Policy
Maximum

 

 

 

Policy

Compliance

 

 

 

March 31, 2020 

 

 

 

Policy Maximum 

 

 

 

Policy

Compliance

Loans to Deposits (including FHLB advances)  80.7%  90.0% In Policy  76.7%  90.0% In Policy
Net Non-core Funding Dependency Ratio  6.8%  20.0% In Policy  2.9%  20.0% In Policy
Fed Funds Purchased / Total Assets  0.0%  10.0% In Policy  0.0%  10.0% In Policy
FHLB Advances / Total Assets  3.9%  20.0% In Policy  2.7%  20.0% In Policy
FRB Advances / Total Assets  0.0%  10.0% In Policy  0.0%  10.0% In Policy
Pledged Securities to Total Securities  66.3%  90.0% In Policy  58.3%  90.0% In Policy

 

Continued growth in core deposits and relatively high levels of potentially liquid investments have had a positive impact on our liquidity position in recent periods, but no assurance can be provided that our liquidity will continue at current robust levels.

 

As of March 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalents were $286.8 million. In addition, loans and investment securities repricing or maturing within one year or less were approximately $682.3 million at March 31, 2020. Approximately $363.4 million in loan commitments could fund within the next three months and other commitments, primarily commercial and similar letters of credit, totaled $11.2 million at March 31, 2020.

Management continually evaluates our liquidity position and currently believes the Company has adequate funding to meet our financial needs. During March 2020, in response to COVID-19, the Federal Reserve lowered the primary credit rate by 150 basis points to 0.25 percent and extended terms to 90 days to enhance market liquidity and encourage use of the discount window. In addition, the Federal Reserve announced it would begin quantitative easing, or large-scale asset purchases, consisting primarily of Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities to stem the effects of the pandemic on the financial markets. A prolonged outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a widespread liquidity crisis, and the availability of these funds or the options to sell securities currently held could be hindered. The full impact and duration of COVID-19 on our business is unknown but if it continues to curtail economic activity, it could impact our ability to obtain funding and result in the reduction of or the cessation of dividends.

The Company’s primary uses of funds are ordinary operating expenses and stockholder dividends, and its primary source of funds is dividends from the Bank since the Company does not conduct regular banking operations. Management anticipates that the Bank will have sufficient earnings to provide dividends to the Company to meet its funding requirements for the foreseeable future. Both the Company and the Bank are subject to legal and regulatory limitations on dividend payments, as outlined in Item 1. Business – Supervision and Regulation in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

 

DEPOSITS

 

Deposits are another key balance sheet component impacting the Company’s net interest margin and other profitability metrics. Deposits provide liquidity to fund growth in earning assets, and the Company’s net interest margin is improved to the extent that growth in deposits is concentrated in less volatile and typically less costly non-maturity deposits such as demand deposit accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, and money market demand accounts. Information concerning average balances and rates for the three-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018 is included in the Average Balances, Tax Equivalent Interest and Yield/Rates tables appearing above, under the heading “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin.” The Company implemented Deposit Reclassification at the beginning of 2020. This program reclassifies noninterest bearing deposits and NOW deposit balances to money market accounts. This program reduces our reserve balance required at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and provides additional funds for liquidity or lending. At quarter end March 31, 2020, $409.3 million in noninterest deposit balances and $643.5 million in NOW deposit accounts were reclassified as money market accounts. A distribution of the Company’s deposits showing the balance and percentage of total deposits by type is presented for the noted periods in the following table.

 

Deposit Distribution March 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
($ in thousands) Amount  Percent of Total  Amount  Percent of Total 
Non-interest bearing demand deposits $340,606   10.4% $723,208   23.5%
NOW accounts and Other  478,526   14.6%  941,598   30.7%
Money Market accounts  1,530,796   46.7%  462,810   15.0%
Savings accounts  296,177   9.0%  287,200   9.3%
Time Deposits of less than $250,000  462,808   14.1%  479,386   15.6%
Time Deposits of $250,000 or more  168,881   5.2%  182,331   5.9%
Total deposits $3,277,794   100% $3,076,533   100%


Deposit Distribution September 30, 2019  December 31, 2018
($ in thousands) Amount  Percent of
Total
  Amount  Percent of
Total
 
Non-interest bearing demand deposits $642,054   23.3% $570,148   23.2%
NOW accounts and Other  926,704   33.5%  835,434   34.0%
Money Market accounts  385,988   14.0%  312,552   12.7%
Savings accounts  265,551   9.6%  253,724   10.3%
Time Deposits of less than $250,000  401,559   14.5%  384,030   15.6%
Time Deposits of $250,000 or more  139,489   5.1%  101,571   4.2%
Total deposits $2,761,345   100% $2,457,459   100%

As of September 30, 2019, cash and cash equivalents were $160.0 million. In addition, loans and investment securities repricing or maturing within one year or less were approximately $668.7 million at September 30, 2019. Approximately $412.6 million in loan commitments could fund within the next three months and other commitments, primarily commercial and similar letters of credit, totaled $11.0 million at September 30, 2019.

OTHER INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

 

The Company’s non-deposit borrowings may, at any given time, include federal funds purchased from correspondent banks, borrowings from the FHLB, advances from the Federal Reserve Bank, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and/or junior subordinated debentures. The Company uses short-term FHLB advances and federal funds purchased on uncommitted lines to support liquidity needs created by seasonal deposit flows, to temporarily satisfy funding needs from increased loan demand, and for other short-term purposes. The FHLB line is committed, but the amount of available credit depends on the level of pledged collateral.

 

Total non-deposit interest-bearing liabilities increaseddecreased by $50.9$98.1 million, or 30.6%33.3%, in the first ninethree months of 2019,2020, due in part to an increasea decrease in notes payable to the FHLB of $50.8$95.2 million. The Company had junior subordinated debentures totaling $80.6$80.7 million at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 and $80.5$80.7 million December 31, 2018, in the form2019, which consists of long-term borrowings from trust subsidiaries formed specifically to issue trust preferred securities.securities and of 10 and 15 year subordinated notes issued by the Company in 2018.

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

Other liabilities are principally comprised of accrued interest payable, lease liabilities and other accrued but unpaid expenses. Other liabilities increased by $7.6$4.5 million, or 48.6%16.9%, during the first ninethree months of 2019. On January 1,2020. The Company recorded a finance lease during the first quarter of 2019 the Company adopted the new accounting standard for leases, which requires a lesseeresulting in an increase to record an ROU and a lease liability for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. The adoptionother liabilities of this guidance resulted in a lease liability of $4.4 million as of September 30, 2019.$2.7 million. For more information regarding the Company’s leases, see Note 12 – Leases to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

CAPITAL

 

At September 30, 2019March 31, 2020, the Company had total stockholders’ equity of $478.1$555.9 million, comprised of $17.3$19.0 million in common stock, $5.3$5.7 million in treasury stock, $355.6$409.9 million in surplus, $100.1$116.9 million in undivided profits and $10.4$15.8 million in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities. Total stockholders’ equity at the end of 20182019 was $363.3$543.7 million. The increase of $477.9$12.3 million, or 15.9%2.3%, in stockholders’ equity during the first ninethree months of 20192020 is comprised of capital added via net earnings of $31.9$8.3 million, an $12.2$5.7 million increase in accumulated comprehensive income for available-for-sale securities and, $2.7 million of common stock issued for the purchase of FPB, offset by $3.8$1.9 million in cash dividends paid.

 

On March 28, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to an aggregate of $20 million of the Company’s common stock (the “March 2019 program”). This share repurchase program has an expiration dateexpired as of December 31, 2019. Under the March 2019 program, the Company may repurchaserepurchased shares of its common stock periodically in a manner determined by the Company’s management. The actual means and timing of purchase, target number of shares and maximum price or range of prices under the program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of the Company’s common stock, general market and economic conditions, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Company repurchased 13,873 shares and 157,439168,188 shares under the March 2019 program during the three month and nine monthsyear ended September 30, 2019, respectively.December 31, 2019.


 

The Company uses a variety of measures to evaluate its capital adequacy, including risk-based capital and leverage ratios that are calculated separately for the Company and the Bank. Management reviews these capital measurements on a quarterly basis and takes appropriate action to ensure that they meet or surpass established internal and external guidelines. As permitted by the regulators for financial institutions that are not deemed to be “advanced approaches” institutions, the Company has elected to opt out of the Basel III requirement to include accumulated other comprehensive income in risk-based capital. The following table sets forth the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios as of the dates indicated.

 

Regulatory Capital Ratios
The First, A National Banking Association
 September 30,
2019
  December 31,
2018
  Minimum
Required to be
Well Capitalized
  March 31,
2020
 December 31, 2019 Minimum Required to be Well Capitalized 
Common Equity Tier 1            
Capital Ratio  15.6%  14.8%  6.5%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio  15.5%  15.1%  6.5%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio  15.6%  14.8%  8.0%  15.5%  15.1%  8.0%
Total Capital Ratio  16.1%  15.2%  10.0%  16.2%  15.6%  10.0%
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio  12.0%  12.2%  5.0%  11.4%  11.8%  5.0%

 

Regulatory Capital Ratios
The First Bancshares, Inc.
 September 30,
2019
  December 31,
2018
  Minimum
Required to be
Well Capitalized
  March 31,
2020
 December 31, 2019 Minimum Required to be Well Capitalized
Common Equity Tier 1            
Capital Ratio*  13.0%  11.5%  N/A 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio*  12.7%  12.5% N/A
Tier 1 Capital Ratio**  13.6%  12.2%  N/A   13.2%  13.0% N/A
Total Capital Ratio  16.6%  15.6%  N/A   16.3%  15.8% N/A
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio  10.5%  10.2%  N/A   9.8%  10.3% N/A
            
* The numerator does not include Preferred Stock and Trust Preferred.            
** The numerator includes Trust Preferred.            

* The numerator does not include Preferred Stock and Trust Preferred.

** The numerator includes Trust Preferred.

 

Our capital ratios remain very strong relative to the median for peer financial institutions, and at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 were well above the threshold for the Company and the Bank to be classified as “well capitalized,” the highest rating of the categories defined under the Bank Holding Company Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991. Basel III rules require a “capital conservation buffer” for both the Company and the Bank. The capital conservation buffer is subject to a three year phase-in period that began January 1, 2016 and was fully phased-in on January 1, 2019 at 2.5%. Under this guidance banking institutions with a CETI, Tier 1 Capital Ratio and Total Risk Based Capital above the minimum regulatory adequate capital ratios but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on their ability to pay dividends, repurchase equity and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers, based on the amount of the shortfall.

In the first quarter of 2020, U.S. federal regulatory authorities issued an interim final rule that provides banking organizations that adopt CECL during the 2020 calendar year with the option to delay for two years the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital relative to regulatory capital determined under the prior incurred loss methodology, followed by a three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of the capital benefit provided during the initial two-year delay (i.e., a five-year transition in total). The Company has elected to delay its adoption of ASU 2016-13, as provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES Act”), until the date on which the national emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak is terminated or December 31, 2020 whichever occurs first. The Company has elected to utilize the five-year CECL transition.

As of September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, management believes that each of the Bank and the Company met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. We do not foresee any circumstances that would cause the Company or the Bank to be less than well capitalized, although no assurance can be given that this will not occur.

 

Total consolidated equity capital at September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 was $478.1$555.9 million, or approximately 13.7% of total assets. The Company currently has adequate capital to meet the minimum capital requirements for all regulatory agencies.

 

On June 30, 2006, The Company issued $4,124,000 of floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures to The First Bancshares Statutory Trust 2 (“Trust 2”) in which the Company owns all of the common equity. The debentures are the sole asset of the Trust. Trust 2 issued $4,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities (TPSs) to investors. The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of Trust 2’s obligations under the preferred securities. The preferred securities are redeemable by the Company at its option. The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2036. Interest on the preferred securities is the three month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.65% and is payable quarterly. The terms of the subordinated debentures are identical to those of the preferred securities.

 


On July 27, 2007, The Company issued $6,186,000 of floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures to The First Bancshares Statutory Trust 3 (“Trust 3”) in which the Company owns all of the common equity. The debentures are the sole asset of Trust 3. The Trust issued $6,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities (TPSs) to investors. The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the Trust 3’s obligations under the preferred securities. The preferred securities are redeemable by the Company at its option. The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2037. Interest on the preferred securities is the three month LIBOR plus 1.40% and is payable quarterly. The terms of the subordinated debentures are identical to those of the preferred securities.

 

In 2018, the Company acquired FMB’s Capital Trust 1 (“Trust 1”), which consisted of $6.1 million of floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures in which the Company owns all of the common equity. The debentures are the sole asset of Trust 1. Trust 1 issued $6,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities to investors. The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the Trust 1’s obligations under the preferred securities. The preferred securities are redeemable by the Company at its option. The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2033. Interest on the preferred securities is the three month LIBOR plus 2.85% and is payable quarterly. The terms of the subordinated debentures are identical to those of the preferred securities.

 


In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 810,Consolidation,the trusts are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Subordinated Notes

 

On April 30, 2018, The Company entered into two Subordinated Note Purchase Agreements pursuant to which the Company sold and issued $24 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2028 and $42 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.40% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2033 (collectively, the “Notes”).

  

The Notes are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holder. Principal and interest on the Notes are subject to acceleration only in limited circumstances. The Notes are unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Company and rank junior in right to payment to the Company’s current and future senior indebtedness, and each Note is pari passu in right to payment with respect to the other Notes.

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Our accounting and reporting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of our performance. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes operating net earnings, operating earnings per share, fully tax equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income, FTE net interest margin and tangible book value per common share. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q allow management and investors to understand and compare results in a more consistent manner for the periods presented herein. The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 25.3% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income and net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis, and believes it enhances the comparability of income and expenses arising from taxable and nontaxable sources. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplemental and not a substitute for the Company’s results reported in accordance with GAAP for the periods presented, and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these measures differently. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation and do not purport to be an alternative to net income, earnings per share, net interest income, net interest margin, book value per common share or other GAAP financial measures as a measure of operating performance. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure is provided below.

 

Operating Net Earnings

 

($ in thousands) Three Months Three Months 
 Three Months  Three Months  Nine Months  Nine Months  Ended Ended 
 Ended Ended Ended Ended  

March 31,

2020

 

March 31,

2019

 
($ in thousands)  September 30,
2019
   September 30,
2018
   September 30,
2019
   September 30,
2018
 
Net income available to common shareholders $12,272  $5,162  $31,890  $14,364 
Net income available to common        
shareholders $8,311  $7,635 
Effect of acquisition charges  705   4,059   3,975   9,655   740   3,179 
Tax on acquisition charges  (152)  (1,027)  (887)  (2,311)  (164)  (712)
Treasury awards  -   (233)  (233)  (1,150)  -   (233)
Tax on Treasury awards  -   59   59   290   -   59 
Net earnings available to common shareholders, operating $12,825  $8,020  $34,804  $20,848 
                
Net earnings available to common        
shareholders, operating $8,887  $9,928 

 


Operating Earnings per Share

 

 Three Months  Three Months  Nine Months
  Nine Months
 
  Ended  Ended  Ended  Ended 
($ in thousands)  September 30,
2019
   September 30,
2018
   September 30,
2019
   September 30,
2018
 
Book value per common share $27.92  $22.09  $81.44  $89.41 
Effect of intangible assets per share  8.53   4.99   25.54   22.22 
Tangible book value per common share $19.39  $17.10  $55.90  $67.19 
                 
Diluted earnings per share $0.71  $0.39  $1.90  $1.13 
Effect of acquisition charges  0.04   0.31   0.24   0.76 
Tax on acquisition charges  (0.01)  (0.08)  (0.06)  (0.18)
Effect of Treasury Awards  -   (0.02)  (0.01)  (0.09)
Tax on Treasury Awards  -   0.01   -   0.02 
Diluted earnings per share, operating $0.74  $0.61  $2.07  $1.64 

($ in thousands) Three Months  Three Months 
  Ended  Ended 
  

March 31,

2020

  

March 31,

2019

 
Book value per common share $29.49  $26.30 
Effect of intangible assets per share  9.97   8.51 
Tangible book value per common share $19.52  $17.79 
         
Diluted earnings per share $0.44  $0.48 
Effect of acquisition charges  0.04   0.21 
Tax on acquisition charges  (0.01)  (0.05)
Effect of Treasury Awards  -   (0.01)
Tax on Treasury Awards  -   - 
Diluted earnings per share, operating $0.47  $0.63 

 


Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent

 

($ in thousands) Three Months Three Months 
 Three Months  Three Months  Nine Months  Nine Months  Ended Ended 
 Ended  Ended  Ended  Ended  

March 31,

2020

 

March 31,

2019

 
($ in thousands) September 30,
2019
  September 30,
2018
  September 30,
2019
  September 30,
2018
 
     
Net interest income $30,459  $21,669  $88,362  $59,618  $34,065  $27,131 
Tax exempt investment income  (828)  (757)  (2,376)  (2,190)  (1,360)  (758)
Taxable investment income  1,108   1,013   3,181   2,932   1,821   1,015 
Net interest income fully tax equivalent $30,739  $21,925  $89,167  $60,360  $34,526  $27,388 
                        
Average earning assets $3,036,491  $2,210,894  $2,968,158  $2,070,184  $3,517,143  $2,815,680 
Net interest margin fully tax equivalent  4.05%  3.97%  4.01%  3.89%  3.93%  3.89%
                

Pre-Tax Pre-Provision Operating Earnings

($ in thousands) Three Months  Three Months 
  Ended  Ended 
  

March 31,

2020

  

March 31,

2019

 
       
Earnings before income taxes $9,998  $9,669 
Acquisition charges  740   3,179 
Provision for loan losses  7,102   1,123 
Treasury Awards  -   (233)
Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Operating Earnings $17,840  $13,738 

 

ITEM 3. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The Company does not engage in the trading of financial instruments, nor does it have exposure to currency exchange rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily that of interest rate risk, and we have established policies and procedures to monitor and limit our earnings and balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates. The principal objective of interest rate risk management is to manage the financial components of the Company’s balance sheet in a manner that will optimize the risk/reward equation for earnings and capital under a variety of interest rate scenarios.

 

To identify areas of potential exposure to interest rate changes, we utilize commercially available modeling software to perform earnings simulations and calculate the Company’s market value of portfolio equity under varying interest rate scenarios every month. The model imports relevant information for the Company’s financial instruments and incorporates Management’s assumptions on pricing, duration, and optionality for anticipated new volumes. Various rate scenarios consisting of key rate and yield curve projections are then applied in order to calculate the expected effect of a given interest rate change on interest income, interest expense, and the value of the Company’s financial instruments. The rate projections can be shocked (an immediate and parallel change in all base rates, up or down), ramped (an incremental increase or decrease in rates over a specified time period), economic (based on current trends and econometric models) or stable (unchanged from current actual levels).

 


The following table shows the estimated changes in net interest income at risk and market value of equity along with policy limits:

 

 Net Interest
Income at Risk
  Market Value of Equity  Net Interest
Income at Risk
 Market Value of Equity 
Change in Interest Rates  % Change
from Base
    Policy Limit   % Change
from Base
    Policy Limit  

 

% Change from Base

 

 

 

Policy Limit

 

 

% Change

from Base

 

 

 

Policy Limit

 
Up 400 bps  1.7%  -20.0%  32.1%  -40.0%  4.8%  -20.0%  30.3%  -40.0%
Up 300 bps  2.8%  -15.0%  28.7%  -30.0%  4.2%  -15.0%  27.2%  -30.0%
Up 200 bps  2.9%  -10.0%  22.5%  -20.0%  2.3%  -10.0%  21.5%  -20.0%
Up 100 bps  1.9%  -5.0%  13.2%  -10.0%  0.3%  -5.0%  12.6%  -10.0%
Down 100 bps  -3.0%  -5.0%  3.6%  -10.0%  -1.5%  -5.0%  -9.5%  -10.0%
Down 200 bps  -4.9%  -10.0%  10.4%  -20.0%  -2.9%  -10.0%  -2.3%  -20.0%
                

 

We use seven standard interest rate scenarios in conducting our 12-month net interest income simulations: “static,” upward shocks of 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis points, and downward shocks of 100, and 200 basis points. Pursuant to policy guidelines, we typically attempt to limit the projected decline in net interest income relative to the stable rate scenario to no more than 5% for a 100 basis point (bp) interest rate shock, 10% for a 200 bp shock, 15% for a 300 bp shock, and 20% for a 400 bp shock. As of September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the Company had the following estimated net interest income sensitivity profile, without factoring in any potential negative impact on spreads resulting from competitive pressures or credit quality deterioration:

 

September 30, 2019 Net Interest Income at Risk – Sensitivity Year 1 
March 31, 2020 Net Interest Income at Risk – Sensitivity Year 1 
($ in thousands)  -200 bp   -100 bp   STATIC   +100 bp   +200 bp   +300 bp   +400 bp  -200 bp -100 bp STATIC +100 bp +200 bp +300 bp +400 bp 
Net Interest Income  106,961   109,094   112,489   114,628   115,693   115,619   114,367   114,788   116,371   118,182   118,494   120,876   123,111   123,899 
Dollar Change  (5,526)  (3,395)      2,139   3,204   3,130   1,878   -3,394   -1,811       312   2,694   4,929   5,717 
NII @ Risk - Sensitivity Y1  -4.9%  -3.0%      1.9%  2.9%  2.8%  1.7%  -2.9%  -1.5%      0.3%  2.3%  4.2%  4.8%
Policy Limits  -10.0%  -5.0%      -5.0%  -10.0%  -15.0%  -20.0%  -10.0%  -5.0%      -5.0%  -10.0%  -15.0%  -20.0%

 

If there were an immediate and sustained downward adjustment of 200 basis points in interest rates, all else being equal, net interest income over the next twelve months would likely be approximately $5.5$3.4 million lower than in a stable interest rate scenario, for a negative variance of 4.9%2.9%. The unfavorable variance increases if rates were to drop below 200 basis points, due to the fact that certain deposit rates are already relatively low (on NOW accounts and savings accounts, for example), and will hit a natural floor of close to zero while non-floored variable-rate loan yields continue to drop. This effect would be exacerbated by accelerated prepayments on fixed-rate loans and mortgage-backed securities when rates decline, although rate floors on some of our variable-rate loans partially offset other negative pressures. The potential percentage drop in net interest income exceeds our internal policy guidelines in declining interest rate scenarios and we will continue to monitor our interest rate risk profile and take corrective action as deemed appropriate.

 

Net interest income would likely improve by $3.2$2.7 million, or 2.9%2.3%, if interest rates were to increase by 200 basis points relative to a stable interest rate scenario, with the favorable variance expanding the higher interest rates rise. The initial increase in rising rate scenarios will be limited to some extent by the fact that some of our variable-rate loans are currently at rate floors, resulting in a re-pricing lag while base rates are increasing to floored levels, but the Company would expect to benefit from a material upward shift in the yield curve.

 

The Company’s one year cumulative GAP ratio is approximately 163.8%156.0%, which means that there are more assets repricing than liabilities within the first year. The Company is “asset-sensitive.” These results are based on cash flows from assumptions of assets and liabilities that reprice (maturities, likely calls, prepayments, etc.) Typically, the net interest income of asset-sensitive financial institutions should improve with rising rates and decrease with declining rates.

 


If interest rates change in the modeled amounts, our assets and liabilities may not perform as anticipated.  Measuring interest rate risk has inherent limitations including model assumptions.  For example, changes in market indices as modeled in conjunction with a changes in the shapes of the yield curves could result in different net interest income.    We consider many factors in monitoring our interest rate risk, and management adjusts strategies for the balance sheet and earnings as needed.

In addition to the net interest income simulations shown above, we run stress scenarios modeling the possibility of no balance sheet growth, the potential runoff of “surge” core deposits, which flowed into the Company in the most recent economic cycle, and potential unfavorable movement in deposit rates relative to yields on earning assets. Even though net interest income will naturally be lower with no balance sheet growth, the rate-driven variances projected for net interest income in a static growth environment are similar to the changes noted above for our standard projections. When a greater level of non-maturity deposit runoff is assumed or unfavorable deposit rate changes are factored into the model, projected net interest income in declining rate and flat rate scenarios does not change materially relative to standard growth projections. However, the benefit we would otherwise experience in rising rate scenarios is minimized and net interest income remains relatively flat.

 


The economic value (or “fair value”) of financial instruments on the Company’s balance sheet will also vary under the interest rate scenarios previously discussed. The difference between the projected fair value of the Company’s financial assets and the fair value of its financial liabilities is referred to as the economic value of equity (“EVE”), and changes in EVE under different interest rate scenarios are effectively a gauge of the Company’s longer-term exposure to interest rate risk. Fair values for financial instruments are estimated by discounting projected cash flows (principal and interest) at projected replacement interest rates for each account type, while the fair value of non-financial accounts is assumed to equal their book value for all rate scenarios. An economic value simulation is a static measure utilizing balance sheet accounts at a given point in time, and the measurement can change substantially over time as the characteristics of the Company’s balance sheet evolve and interest rate and yield curve assumptions are updated.

 

The change in economic value under different interest rate scenarios depends on the characteristics of each class of financial instrument, including stated interest rates or spreads relative to current or projected market-level interest rates or spreads, the likelihood of principal prepayments, whether contractual interest rates are fixed or floating, and the average remaining time to maturity. As a general rule, fixed-rate financial assets become more valuable in declining rate scenarios and less valuable in rising rate scenarios, while fixed-rate financial liabilities gain in value as interest rates rise and lose value as interest rates decline. The longer the duration of the financial instrument, the greater the impact a rate change will have on its value. In our economic value simulations, estimated prepayments are factored in for financial instruments with stated maturity dates, and decay rates for non-maturity deposits are projected based on historical patterns and Management’s best estimates. The table below shows estimated changes in the Company’s EVE as of September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, under different interest rate scenarios relative to a base case of current interest rates:

 

 Balance Sheet Shock  Balance Sheet Shock 
($ in thousands) -200 bp  -100 bp  STATIC
(Base)
  +100 bp  +200 bp  +300 bp  +400 bp  -200 bp -100 bp STATIC (Base) +100 bp +200 bp +300 bp +400 bp 
Market Value of Equity  730,170   684,945   661,340   748,733   810,129   851,023   873,871   756,984   701,119   774,404   872,120   940,598   985,105   1,008,703 
Change in EVE from base  68,830   23,605       87,393   148,789   189,683   212,531   -17,420   -73,285       97,716   166,194   210,701   234,299 
% Change  10.4%  3.6%      13.2%  22.5%  28.7%  32.1%  -2.3%  -9.5%      12.6%  21.5%  27.2%  30.3%
Policy Limits  -20.0%  -10.0%      -10.0%  -20.0%  -30.0%  -40.0%  -20.0%  -10.0%      -10.0%  -20.0%  -30.0%  -40.0%

 

The table shows that our EVE will generally deteriorate in declining rate scenarios, but should benefit from a parallel shift upward in the yield curve. We also run stress scenarios for EVE to simulate the possibility of higher loan prepayment rates, unfavorable changes in deposit rates, and higher deposit decay rates. Model results are highly sensitive to changes in assumed decay rates for non-maturity deposits, in particular.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, (the “Evaluation Date”), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

 


As previously disclosed in the 2018 Form 10-K, in connection with its fiscal 2018 Sarbanes Oxley testing procedures, management observed a number of deficiencies in the Company’s control environment in four areas: overall design of the control environment; completeness and accuracy of loan controls, including problem loan monitoring; allowance for loan losses; and accounting for business combinations. These deficiencies, which are described in more detail below, in the aggregate, rose to the level of material weaknesses in each of those four areas. None of the identified control deficiencies resulted in material misstatements related to the Company’s annual or interim financial statements, and there were no changes to previously released financial results as a result of the material weaknesses.

·Overall design of the control environment

o

In the area of preventative controls, management identified areas in which journal entries were recorded by certain personnel, including by the Chief Financial Officer, but a second review was not documented for all entries, and identified deficiencies in the scope of reviews of employee account activities. During the fourth quarter of 2018, management implemented the following corrective actions:

Ø removed the Chief Financial Officer’s access and subjected all entries performed by the Chief Financial Officer during 2018 to supervisory review, and implemented a review control to ensure that all journal entries are now reviewed by a second individual with supervisory authority;

Ø removed the Chief Financial Officer’s administrative rights to the accounts payable system; and

Ø implemented a risk-based testing approach to review activity in employee accounts, and increased the review period for the subject accounts.

o

During the first quarter of 2018, management converted its core provider IT system. During the user template review conducted in the first quarter of 2019, management determined that the review control related to the IT system user template setup during the conversion to the core provider was not performed and documented with sufficient precision, and that the user access rights review was not completed in an effective and timely manner. As a result, management determined that several users had inappropriate user rights which could have resulted in the ability of employees to make inappropriate changes to the IT system platform or conduct inappropriate activity. In addition, management determined that security logs were reviewed daily, however the reviewer was determined not to be independent of the function due to elevated system rights. Subsequently, management implemented the following corrective actions:

Ø implemented an independent party review procedure for all daily logs for 2018 and for subsequent periods;

Ø documented its user access review control and removed excessive rights identified, which involved revisions to user templates; and

Ø performed an additional user template and user access review, based upon changes resulting from the process above, to ensure that user and template rights are assigned appropriately based on job function.

oIn the area of design and evidence of monitoring controls, management determined that a completeness control was not operating effectively to ensure all balance sheet accounts were reconciled timely, however upon review major areas such as correspondent banks, loans, securities, deposits and equities were reviewed on a timely basis. To remediate this issue, during the fourth quarter of 2018 management instituted a completeness control to ensure all balance sheet reconciliations are subject to timely review.

o

In the area of financial statements/internal financial reports, management determined that the review of the accuracy of the financial statements was not documented with sufficient precision, and identified an inadequate control design due to the fact that a subordinate was tasked with reviewing the compilation of the financial statements performed by a supervisor. In addition, control deficiencies related to masterfile changes on loans and deposits were not sufficiently mitigated by management's monitoring of financial results through certain financial reports, including our monthly yield variance analysis (among others), as this review was not documented with sufficient precision and did not include testing of the reports for completeness and accuracy. In the third and fourth quarters of 2018, management implemented the following corrective actions:

Ø implemented an alternate control design to eliminate subordinate review; and

Ø implemented controls to provide for documentation of management review and monitoring of financial statements, masterfile changes and other financial reports with sufficient precision.

Management has completed documentation of the corrective actions described above and, based on the evidence obtained in validating the design and operating effectiveness of the implemented controls, has determined that controls are operating effectively and the material weakness with respect to the overall design of the control environment has been remediated as of June 30, 2019.


·Completeness and accuracy of loan controls, including problem loan monitoring

o

With respect to newly originated loans, management determined that testing for completeness and accuracy had not been performed in a timely manner during the post-closing review process for certain loans originated during 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2018, management implemented the following corrective actions:

Ø  engaged an independent third party to review the completeness and accuracy of the newly originated loans for 2018; and

Ø  redesigned controls to ensure the completeness of review by personnel independent of the recording function.

oWith respect to monitoring of loans between the closing date and systems conversion for acquired banks, loan reports were reviewed by management but not tested and documented for completeness and accuracy with sufficient precision. In the fourth quarter of 2018, management implemented completeness and accuracy controls to determine the validity of the reports provided.

o

With respect to problem loan monitoring, management determined that the review of certain loan reports and other relevant information, including the report of loans 90 days past due and accruing, individual classified and criticized loan reports, and evaluations of troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”), was performed but not documented with sufficient precision, and a completeness check had not been performed to ensure that all loans agreed to the source document, which could have resulted in a lack of timely identification of loans as criticized and classified, impaired, or TDRs. In addition, management determined that the review of the accuracy of loan grade changes submitted via loan status change forms was performed but not documented with sufficient precision and a completeness check had not been performed. During the fourth quarter of 2018, management implemented the following corrective actions:

Ø  implemented completeness controls with respect to problem loan monitoring; and

Ø  began documenting review controls to provide evidence of their operation.

Management has completed documentation of the corrective actions described above and, based on the evidence obtained in validating the design and operating effectiveness of the implemented controls, has determined that controls are operating effectively and the material weakness with respect to the completeness and accuracy of loan controls, including problem loan monitoring has been remediated as of June 30, 2019. Management has completed documentation related to the completeness of TDR identification and has determined that controls are operating effectively and the deficiency with respect to the completeness of TDR identification has been remediated as of September 30, 2019.

·Allowance for loan losses

o

With respect to the calculation of the allowance for loan losses, management uses a third party consultant to calculate the general reserve used in the calculation, which includes several variables such as bond ratings, loss given default historical percentages, proxy risk grades used to determine probability of default, sensitivity variances used for qualitative and environmental (“Q&E”) reserve adjustments, and other factors. Management did not document and perform with sufficient precision an independent verification of these factors, and did not document the secondary review of its internal determination of included Q&E factors. In addition, management did not document with sufficient precision its rationale for the sensitivity variances used in the Q&E reserve adjustments. During the second quarter of 2019, management implemented the following corrective actions:

Ø implemented additional controls to document with sufficient precision its review and approval of all proxy variables and factors used in the calculation of the allowance for loan losses, as well as its rationale for using the sensitivity variances provided by its third party consultant in the internal determination of the Q&E factors used for reserve adjustments; and

Ø implemented an additional control to document with sufficient precision its review of the mathematical accuracy of its allowance for loan losses model.


oManagement determined that with respect to acquired loans, including loans acquired in 2017, the control related to the measurement and recording of impairment did not operate with sufficient precision, resulting in a finding that loans of approximately $4.3 million that were classified and disclosed as “impaired” should have been classified as “purchased credit impaired,” or PCI. This finding resulted in changes to the method by which measurement and recognition of subsequent impairment is performed, so that impairment is measured and recorded for specific loans individually in accordance with ASC 310-30 and not against credit marks on the overall portfolio of impaired acquired loans. During the fourth quarter of 2018, as a result of enhanced disclosure controls, management reclassified these loans as PCI, properly recorded a reserve adjustment of $537 thousand through the allowance for loan losses for subsequent impairment of acquired loans and implemented an internal PCI policy with control procedures to identify and separately account for PCI loans in future acquisitions.

Management has completed documentation of the corrective actions described above and, based on the evidence obtained in validating the design and operating effectiveness of the implemented controls, has determined that controls are operating effectively and the material weakness with respect to the allowance for loan losses has been remediated as of September 30, 2019.

·Accounting for business combinations

o

When completing an acquisition, management must initially record all assets of the acquired bank, both financial and non-financial, at fair value. The fair value of the performing loan portfolio and the core deposit intangible (“CDI”) is estimated using a discounted cash flow method. There are numerous assumptions that are considered when estimating the discounted cash flows, including principal maturities, prepayments, probability of default, loss given default, current market rates and proper discount rates, with respect to loan portfolios; and deposit decay rates, estimated fees, maintenance costs, and alternative costs of funding, with respect to CDI. Management used different third party valuation firms to assist with these fair value estimates for its acquisitions completed in 2018, which resulted in differing assumptions used to value the assets of the banks acquired. Management determined that the control related to the assumptions and methodology utilized in the determination of the value of the loan portfolio and the CDI did not operate with sufficient precision to ensure such values were reasonably stated and supported. During the fourth quarter of 2018, management implemented the following corrective actions:

Ø  began using a single valuation firm in order to provide more uniformity in its valuation assumptions and methodology;

Ø  reclassified certain acquired loans as PCI in compliance with its newly implemented internal PCI policy; and

Ø  implemented a review control related to the reasonableness of its valuation assumptions and methodology.

oWith respect to the purchase price allocation of acquired assets and liabilities, management determined that evidence of the review of certain reports, including the reports related to consideration paid and goodwill, was not appropriately documented with sufficient precision. In the fourth quarter of 2018, management implemented additional documentation procedures to ensure the review of these entries is appropriately documented and that they are recorded accurately.

Management has completed documentation of the corrective actions described above and, based on the evidence obtained in validating the design and operating effectiveness of the implemented controls, has determined that the controls are operating effectively. As a result, management has concluded that the material weakness with respect to accounting for business combinations as described above has been fully remediated as of June 30, 2019.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

        

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings in the normal course of business. Management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcome of any such proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.


 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been noThe following represents a material changes from thechange in our risk factors previouslyfrom those disclosed in Part I - “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and our liquidity in the short term and for the foreseeable future.

In March 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 caused by a novel strain of the coronavirus was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Shortly thereafter, the President of the United States declared a National Emergency throughout the United States attributable to such outbreak. The outbreak has become increasingly widespread in the United States, including in the markets in which we operate. The Company has taken a number of steps to assess the effects, and mitigate the adverse consequences to its businesses, of the outbreak; though the magnitude of the impact remains to be seen, the Company’s business will likely be adversely impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19.

As previously disclosed in Part I - Item IA - Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2019 Form 10-K, the Company’s operations and profitability are impacted by business and economic conditions generally, as well as those in the primary banking markets in which it operates. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in historic job losses and decreases in economic activity. While the duration and full extent of job losses and magnitude of economic dislocation are not yet known, it is clear that they may impact the ability of individuals and businesses to make payments, adversely affect the value of underlying collateral and the ability of guarantors to make payments in the case of default, which may decrease demand for the Company’s products and services and otherwise adversely impact the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and business.

The United States and various state and local governments have implemented various programs designed to aid individuals and businesses, but the impact of, and extent to which, these efforts will be successful cannot be determined at this time. We have participated in some of these programs, including PPP, and likely will continue to participate in and facilitate such programs. Such programs have been developed and implemented rapidly, often with little immediate guidance from regulatory authorities, creating uncertainty regarding the rules for participating in and facilitating these programs in a compliant manner. We may experience losses as a result of our participation in and facilitation of PPP and similar government stimulus and relief programs, including losses arising from fraud, litigation or regulatory action.

COVID-19 presents a significant risk to our loan portfolio. Timely loan repayment and the value of collateral supporting the loans are affected by the strength of our borrower’s business. Concern about the spread of COVID-19 has caused and is likely to continue to cause business shutdowns, limitations on commercial activity and financial transactions, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions, increased unemployment and commercial property vacancy rates, reduced profitability and ability for property owners to make mortgage payments, and overall economic and financial market instability, all of which may cause our customers to be unable to make scheduled loan payments. If the effects of COVID-19 result in widespread and sustained repayment shortfalls on loans in our portfolio, we could incur significant delinquencies, foreclosures and credit losses, particularly if the available collateral is insufficient to cover our exposure. The future effects of COVID-19 on economic activity could negatively affect the collateral values associated with our existing loans, the ability to liquidate the real estate collateral securing our residential and commercial real estate loans, our ability to maintain loan origination volume and to obtain additional financing, the future demand for or profitability of our lending and services, and the financial condition and credit risk of our customers. Further, in the event of delinquencies, regulatory changes and policies designed to protect borrowers may slow or prevent us from making our business decisions or may result in a delay in our taking certain remediation and collection actions, such as foreclosure. Approximately 20% of our loan portfolio also includes exposure to sectors that are expected to be subject to increased risk from COVID-19, including hotels, restaurants, retail, convenience stores, healthcare, and direct energy.


As a result of the adverse impact of COVID-19 on our customers, we have faced and may continue to face a decrease in demand for certain products, reduced access to our branches by our customers, and disruptions in the operations of its vendors. The pandemic could also result in recognition of additional credit losses in the Company’s loan portfolios and increase its allowance for credit losses as both businesses and consumers are negatively impacted by the economic downturn. In addition, in future periods the Company will be required to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the carrying value of certain of its assets, including goodwill, and to conduct impairments tests on those assets, which may result in impairment charges on these assets in future periods that could be material.

Effective March 2020, the Federal Reserve lowered the primary credit rate by 150 basis points to 0.25 percent to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the liquidity and stability of banking institutions as they serve the increased demand for credit. We expect a long duration of reduced interest rates to negatively impact our net interest income, margin, cost of borrowing and future profitability and to have a material adverse effect on our financial results for the remainder of 2020.

In order to protect the health of our customers and employees, and to comply with applicable government restrictions, we have modified our business practices, including restricting employee travel, directing many employees to work remotely, cancelling in-person meetings and implementing our business continuity plans and protocols to the extent necessary. In compliance with social distancing mandates and recommendations issued by federal, state and local governments to combat the spread of the virus, our branches are servicing clients primarily through drive-thrus with limited lobby access by appointment only. We may take further such actions that we determine are in the best interest of our employees, customers and communities or as may be required by government order. These precautions could impact demand for the Company’s products and services.

As many of our employees are required to work from home, our internal controls over financial reporting could also be negatively affected as the remote working environment could necessitate new processes, procedures, and controls. The increased reliance on remote access to information systems also increases the Company’s exposure to potential cybersecurity breaches and could impact the Company’s productivity. Additionally, the Company’s business customers are increasingly required to work remotely as well and may not have appropriately secured remote networks may be more vulnerable to cyber-attacks or phishing schemes that could also affect us. Furthermore, if a large proportion of the Company’s key employees were to contract COVID-19 or be quarantined as a result of the virus, then the Company’s operations could be adversely impacted and its business continuity plans may not prove effective..

Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and business The extent to which the pandemic impacts the Company’s results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the duration of the pandemic, government and regulatory responses to the pandemic, new information which may emerge concerning its severity and the actions necessary to contain it or address its impact, among others. Behavioral changes are not fully known and may not be temporary.

The potential effects of COVID-19 also could impact and heighten many of our risk factors included in Part I - “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Including, but not limited to: risks associated with information technology and systems, including service interruptions or security breaches; disruptions in services provided by third parties; our ability to hire or retain key personnel; the analytical and forecasting models we use to estimate our loan losses and to measure the fair value of our financial instruments; general political or economic conditions in the U.S.; economic conditions in the geographic areas in which we operate; funding to provide liquidity; the failure to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures, including internal control over financial reporting; the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets; our susceptibility to fraud; the impact of governmental regulation and supervision; the soundness of other financial institutions; volatility in our stock price. However, as the COVID-19 situation is unprecedented and continuously evolving, the potential impacts to our risk factors that are further described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, remain uncertain.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The following table provides information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company made during the three months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, by the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act:

 

  Current Program 
Period Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
  Average
Price Paid
Per Share
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
  Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs
 
July 1 – July 31  -  $-   -   - 
August 1 –  August 31  12,463  $31.33   12,463   487,194 
September 1 – September 30  1,410  $30.93   1,410   485,948 
Total  13,873  $31.13   13,873     
  Current Program 
Period Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
  Average
Price Paid
Per Share
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
  Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs
 
January 2020  -  $-   -   - 
February 2020  10,991   34.42   -   - 
March 2020  -   -   -   - 
Total  10,991  $34.42   -   - 

 

The share purchaseslisted above represents shares withheld by the Company in the table above were made pursuantorder to the March 2019 program. The March 2019 program expires on December 31, 2019. Assatisfy employee tax obligations for vesting of September 30, 2019, $15.1 million remained available for further share repurchases of commonrestricted stock under the March 2019 program.awards.


ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicableThe Company is disclosing under this Item 5 the following information otherwise disclosable in a Current Report on Form 8-K under “Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year”:

 


On May 7, 2020, our board of directors approved and adopted an Amendment No. 1 to our Amended and Restated Bylaws. Amendment No. 1 was adopted to clarify that (i) shareholders may participate meetings by means of remote communications to extent permitted by Mississippi law the board of directors, and (ii) meetings of shareholders can be held entirely by means of remote communication to the extent permitted by the Mississippi Business Corporation Act. In light of the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2020 annual meeting will be held in completely virtual annual meeting, as permitted by Executive Order No. 1469 issued by the Governor of the state of Mississippi on April 9, 2020.

The foregoing summary is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.4 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

(a) Exhibits

(a)Exhibits

 

 Exhibit No. Description
 2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 22, 2019, by and between The First Bancshares, Inc. and First Florida Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2019).
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The First Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2016).
3.2 Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The First Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2018).
3.3 Amended and Restated Bylaws of The First Bancshares, Inc. effective as of March 17, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2016).
 3.4Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of The First Bancshares, Inc. effective as of May 7, 2020*
4.1 Form of Certificate of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 333-220491 on Form S-3 filed on September 15, 2017).
10.1Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 16, 2020, between The First, A National Banking Association, and M. Ray Cole, Jr.*
10.2Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 16, 2020, between The First, A National Banking Association, and Donna T. Lowery*
10.3Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement effective January 1, 2020 between The First, A National Banking Association and Milton R. Cole, Jr.*
31.1 Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 31.2 Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 32.1 Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U. S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
 32.2 Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U. S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**

_________
   101.INS XBRL Instance Document
 
  101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
   101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
  101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
  101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
   101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

 


SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
 (Registrant)
 

 /s/ M. RAY (HOPPY) COLE, JR.
November 8, 2019May 11, 2020                     M. Ray (Hoppy) Cole, Jr.
(Date)Chief Executive Officer

 /s/ DONNA T. (DEE DEE) LOWERY
November 8, 2019May 11, 2020                     Donna T. (Dee Dee) Lowery, Executive
(Date)Vice President and Chief Financial Officer