First Financial Corporation

23/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 23/07/2024 14:05

First Financial Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results Form 8 K

First Financial Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results

Terre Haute, Indiana, July 23, 2024 - First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) today announced results for the second quarter of 2024.

Net income was $11.4 million compared to the $16.0 million reported for the same period of 2023;
Diluted net income per common share of $0.96 compared to $1.33 for the same period of 2023;
Return on average assets was 0.94% compared to 1.34% for the threemonths ended June30, 2023;
Credit loss provision was $3.0 million compared to provision of $1.8 million for the second quarter 2023; and
Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $16.2 million compared to $21.2 million for the same period in 2023.1

The Corporation further reported results for the six months ended June 30, 2024:

Net income was $22.3 million compared to the $32.0 million reported for the same period of 2023;
Diluted net income per common share of $1.89 compared to $2.66 for the same period of 2023;
Return on average assets was 0.93% compared to 1.33% for the sixmonths ended June30, 2023;
Credit loss provision was $4.8 million compared to provision of $3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023; and
Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $31.2 million compared to $42.6 million for the same period in 2023.1

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

Average Total Loans

Average total loans for the second quarter of 2024 were $3.20 billion versus $3.10 billion for the comparable period in 2023, an increase of $100 million or 3.22%. On a linked quarter basis, average loans increased $18 million or 0.55% from $3.18 billion as of March 31, 2024.

Total Loans Outstanding

Total loans outstanding as of June 30, 2024, were $3.20 billion compared to $3.13 billion as of June 30, 2023, an increase of $69 million or 2.21%, primarily driven by increases in Commercial Construction and Development, Commercial Real Estate, and Consumer Auto loans. On a linked quarter basis, total loans increased $12.0 million or 0.38% from $3.19 billion as of March 31, 2024.

Norman D. Lowery, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented "We are pleased with our second quarter results, as we experienced another quarter of loan growth. We also saw our net interest margin expand during the quarter as cost of funds pressure moderated. We expect continued improvement in coming quarters. Additionally on July 1st we closed our acquisition of SimplyBank expanding our footprint into attractive southeastern Tennessee markets."

Average Total Deposits

Average total deposits for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, were $4.11 billion versus $4.12 billion as of June 30, 2023.

Total Deposits

Total deposits were $4.13 billion as of June 30, 2024, compared to $4.06 billion as of June 30, 2023, a $69 million increase, or 1.70%. On a linked quarter basis, total deposits increased $27.2 million, or 0.66%. Non-interest bearing deposits were $748.5 million and time deposits were $585.8 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $817.4 million and $414.2 million, respectively for the same period of 2023.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' equity at June 30, 2024, was $530.7 million compared to $496.9 million on June 30, 2023. During the last twelve months, the Corporation has repurchased 228,457 shares of its common stock. There were no shares repurchased during the quarter. 518,860 shares remain available for repurchase under the current repurchase authorization. During the quarter, the Corporation paid a $0.45 per share quarterly dividend in April, and declared a $0.45 quarterly dividend paid on July 15, 2024.

Book Value Per Share

Book Value per share was $44.92 as of June 30, 2024, compared to $41.47 as of June 30, 2023, an increase of 8.33%. Tangible Book Value per share was $37.12 as of June 30, 2024, compared to $33.70 as of June 30, 2023, an increase of $3.42 per share or 10.15%.

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Asset Ratio

The Corporation's tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio was 9.14% at June 30, 2024, compared to 8.44% at June 30, 2023.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2024 was $39.3 million, compared to $42.2 million reported for the same period of 2023, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 6.86%, driven primarily by higher interest expense. Interest income increased $4.5 million and interest expense increased $7.4 million year-over-year.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, was 3.57% compared to the 3.81% reported at June 30, 2023. On a linked quarterly basis, the net interest margin increased 4 basis points from 3.53% at March 31, 2024.

Nonperforming Loans

Nonperforming loans as of June 30, 2024, were $15.9 million versus $13.3 million as of June 30, 2023. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.50% as of June 30, 2024, versus 0.43% as of June 30, 2023.

Credit Loss Provision

The provision for credit losses for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $3.0 million, compared to $1.8 million for the second quarter 2023. The increase in provision as well as charge-offs discussed below were related to one previously identified credit, reflecting further deterioration in collateral values in the quarter.

Net Charge-Offs

In the second quarter of 2024 net charge-offs were $4.7 million compared to $1.5 million in the same period of 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Corporation's allowance for credit losses as of June 30, 2024, was $38.3 million compared to $39.9 million as of June 30, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.20% as of June 30, 2024, compared to 1.28% as of June 30, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, the allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans decreased 5 basis points from 1.25% as of March 31, 2024.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $9.9 million and $10.5 million, respectively. The 2023 amount included a $760 thousand gain on the sale of a branch which had been closed.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $32.7 million compared to $31.3 million in 2023. This included $654 thousand of acquisition related expenses during the quarter.

Efficiency Ratio

The Corporation's efficiency ratio was 64.56% for the quarter ending June 30, 2024, versus 58.01% for the same period in 2023.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $2.2 million versus $3.5 million for the same period in 2023. The effective tax rate for 2024 was 16.29% compared to 17.99% for 2023.

About First Financial Corporation

First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) is the holding company for First Financial Bank N.A. First Financial Bank N.A., the fifth oldest national bank in the United States, operates 70 banking centers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Additional information is available at www.first-online.bank.

Investor Contact:

Rodger A. McHargue

Chief Financial Officer

P: 812-238-6334

E: [email protected]

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

END OF PERIOD BALANCES

Assets

$

4,891,068

$

4,852,615

$

4,877,231

$

4,891,068

$

4,877,231

Deposits

$

4,132,327

$

4,105,103

$

4,063,155

$

4,132,327

$

4,063,155

Loans, including net deferred loan costs

$

3,204,009

$

3,191,983

$

3,134,638

$

3,204,009

$

3,134,638

Allowance for Credit Losses

$

38,334

$

40,045

$

39,907

$

38,334

$

39,907

Total Equity

$

530,670

$

520,766

$

496,888

$

530,670

$

496,888

Tangible Common Equity (a)

$

438,569

$

428,430

$

403,824

$

438,569

$

403,824

AVERAGE BALANCES

Total Assets

$

4,813,308

$

4,804,364

$

4,818,760

$

4,808,836

$

4,835,122

Earning Assets

$

4,556,839

$

4,566,461

$

4,581,652

$

4,561,650

$

4,597,389

Investments

$

1,279,278

$

1,308,322

$

1,395,446

$

1,293,800

$

1,401,695

Loans

$

3,197,695

$

3,180,147

$

3,097,836

$

3,188,921

$

3,083,276

Total Deposits

$

4,113,826

$

4,045,838

$

4,121,097

$

4,079,832

$

4,186,629

Interest-Bearing Deposits

$

3,413,752

$

3,326,090

$

3,297,110

$

3,369,921

$

3,352,350

Interest-Bearing Liabilities

$

152,303

$

221,425

$

185,318

$

186,864

$

140,739

Total Equity

$

517,890

$

522,720

$

501,686

$

520,305

$

494,760

INCOME STATEMENT DATA

Net Interest Income

$

39,294

$

38,920

$

42,187

$

78,214

$

86,522

Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent (b)

$

40,673

$

40,297

$

43,581

$

80,970

$

89,235

Provision for Credit Losses

$

2,966

$

1,800

$

1,800

$

4,766

$

3,600

Non-interest Income

$

9,905

$

9,431

$

10,453

$

19,336

$

19,828

Non-interest Expense

$

32,651

$

33,422

$

31,346

$

66,073

$

63,667

Net Income

$

11,369

$

10,924

$

15,987

$

22,293

$

31,967

PER SHARE DATA

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share

$

0.96

$

0.93

$

1.33

$

1.89

$

2.66

Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share

$

0.45

$

0.45

$

0.54

$

0.90

$

0.54

Book Value Per Common Share

$

44.92

$

44.08

$

41.47

$

44.92

$

41.47

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (c)

$

36.04

$

36.26

$

33.99

$

37.12

$

33.70

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

11,814

11,803

12,022

11,809

12,040

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

Key Ratios

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Return on average assets

0.94

%

0.91

%

1.34

%

0.93

%

1.33

%

Return on average common shareholder's equity

8.78

%

8.36

%

12.75

%

8.57

%

12.92

%

Efficiency ratio

64.56

%

67.21

%

58.01

%

65.87

%

58.38

%

Average equity to average assets

10.76

%

10.88

%

10.48

%

10.82

%

10.27

%

Net interest margin (a)

3.57

%

3.53

%

3.81

%

3.55

%

3.88

%

Net charge-offs to average loans and leases

0.59

%

0.19

%

0.20

%

0.39

%

0.23

%

Credit loss reserve to loans and leases

1.20

%

1.25

%

1.28

%

1.20

%

1.28

%

Credit loss reserve to nonperforming loans

240.85

%

165.12

%

300.10

%

240.85

%

300.10

%

Nonperforming loans to loans and leases

0.50

%

0.76

%

0.43

%

0.50

%

0.43

%

Tier 1 leverage

12.14

%

12.02

%

11.49

%

12.14

%

11.49

%

Risk-based capital - Tier 1

14.82

%

14.69

%

14.44

%

14.82

%

14.44

%

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

Asset Quality

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Accruing loans and leases past due 30-89 days

$

14,913

$

17,937

$

15,583

$

14,913

$

15,583

Accruing loans and leases past due 90 days or more

$

1,353

$

1,395

$

682

$

1,353

$

682

Nonaccrual loans and leases

$

14,563

$

22,857

$

12,616

$

14,563

$

12,616

Other real estate owned

$

170

$

167

$

90

$

170

$

90

Nonperforming loans and other real estate owned

$

16,086

$

24,419

$

13,388

$

16,086

$

13,388

Total nonperforming assets

$

18,978

$

27,307

$

16,302

$

18,978

$

16,302

Gross charge-offs

$

6,091

$

3,192

$

3,543

$

9,283

$

7,919

Recoveries

$

1,414

$

1,670

$

2,030

$

3,084

$

4,447

Net charge-offs/(recoveries)

$

4,677

$

1,522

$

1,513

$

6,199

$

3,472

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

($in thousands, except EPS)

Income before Income Taxes

$

13,582

$

19,494

Provision for credit losses

2,966

1,800

Provision for unfunded commitments

(300)

(100)

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income

$

16,248

$

21,194

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Six Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

($ in thousands, except EPS)

Income before Income Taxes

$

26,711

$

39,083

Provision for credit losses

4,766

3,600

Provision for unfunded commitments

(300)

(100)

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income

$

31,177

$

42,583

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

June 30,

December 31,

2024

2023

(unaudited)

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

75,073

$

76,759

Federal funds sold

24,000

282

Securities available-for-sale

1,205,751

1,259,137

Loans:

Commercial

1,782,646

1,817,526

Residential

748,044

695,788

Consumer

666,130

646,758

3,196,820

3,160,072

(Less) plus:

Net deferred loan costs

7,189

7,749

Allowance for credit losses

(38,334)

(39,767)

3,165,675

3,128,054

Restricted stock

15,378

15,364

Accrued interest receivable

23,733

24,877

Premises and equipment, net

65,750

67,286

Bank-owned life insurance

114,767

114,122

Goodwill

86,985

86,985

Other intangible assets

5,116

5,586

Other real estate owned

170

107

Other assets

108,670

72,587

TOTAL ASSETS

$

4,891,068

$

4,851,146

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deposits:

Non-interest-bearing

$

748,495

$

750,335

Interest-bearing:

Certificates of deposit exceeding the FDIC insurance limits

112,679

92,921

Other interest-bearing deposits

3,271,153

3,246,812

4,132,327

4,090,068

Short-term borrowings

38,211

67,221

FHLB advances

108,575

108,577

Other liabilities

81,285

57,304

TOTAL LIABILITIES

4,360,398

4,323,170

Shareholders' equity

Common stock, $.125 stated value per share;

Authorized shares-40,000,000

Issued shares-16,165,023 in 2024 and 16,137,220 in 2023

Outstanding shares-11,814,093 in 2024 and 11,795,024 in 2023

2,016

2,014

Additional paid-in capital

144,632

144,152

Retained earnings

673,728

663,726

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

(134,501)

(127,087)

Less: Treasury shares at cost-4,350,930 in 2024 and 4,342,196 in 2023

(155,205)

(154,829)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

530,670

527,976

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

4,891,068

$

4,851,146

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

(unaudited)

INTEREST INCOME:

Loans, including related fees

$

51,459

$

46,479

$

101,511

$

91,074

Securities:

Taxable

5,833

6,231

11,764

12,467

Tax-exempt

2,601

2,678

5,204

5,276

Other

878

841

1,695

2,112

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME

60,771

56,229

120,174

110,929

INTEREST EXPENSE:

Deposits

19,694

11,957

37,425

21,484

Short-term borrowings

959

1,294

1,935

2,102

Other borrowings

824

791

2,600

821

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE

21,477

14,042

41,960

24,407

NET INTEREST INCOME

39,294

42,187

78,214

86,522

Provision for credit losses

2,966

1,800

4,766

3,600

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION

FOR LOAN LOSSES

36,328

40,387

73,448

82,922

NON-INTEREST INCOME:

Trust and financial services

1,318

1,185

2,652

2,502

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts

6,730

7,054

13,437

13,872

Other service charges and fees

286

196

509

400

Securities gains (losses), net

-

-

-

-

Interchange income

135

-

314

47

Loan servicing fees

414

264

683

549

Gain on sales of mortgage loans

299

311

475

490

Other

723

1,443

1,266

1,968

TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME

9,905

10,453

19,336

19,828

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:

Salaries and employee benefits

17,380

16,946

34,710

34,104

Occupancy expense

2,201

2,132

4,560

4,731

Equipment expense

4,312

3,525

8,456

6,824

FDIC Expense

501

577

1,163

1,364

Other

8,257

8,166

17,184

16,644

TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

32,651

31,346

66,073

63,667

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

13,582

19,494

26,711

39,083

Provision for income taxes

2,213

3,507

4,418

7,116

NET INCOME

11,369

15,987

22,293

31,967

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of reclassifications and taxes

3,535

(15,808)

(7,561)

(1,570)

Change in funded status of post retirement benefits, net of taxes

74

147

147

294

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

$

14,978

$

326

$

14,879

$

30,691

PER SHARE DATA

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

$

0.96

$

1.33

$

1.89

$

2.66

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands)

11,814

12,022

11,809

12,040