First Financial Corporation

04/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2024 08:22

First Financial Corporation Reports First Quarter Results - Form 8-K

First Financial Corporation Reports First Quarter Results

Terre Haute, Indiana, April 30, 2024 - First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) today announced results for the first quarter of 2024.

Net income was $10.9 million compared to the $16.0 million reported for the same period of 2023;
Diluted net income per common share of $0.93 compared to $1.33 for the same period of 2023;
Return on average assets was 0.91% compared to 1.32% for the threemonths ended March31, 2023;
Credit loss provision was $1.8 million compared to provision of $1.8 million for the first quarter 2023; and
Pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $14.9 million compared to $21.4 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 first quarter of 2024 were $3.18 billion versus $3.07 billion for the comparable period in 2023, an increase of $111 million or 3.63%. On a linked quarter basis, average loans increased $47 million or 1.50% from $3.13 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Total Loans Outstanding

Total loans outstanding as of March 31, 2024, were $3.19 billion compared to $3.08 billion as of March 31, 2023, an increase of $112 million or 3.63%, primarily driven by increases in Commercial Real Estate and Consumer Auto loans. On a linked quarter basis, total loans increased $24.2 million or 0.76% from $3.17 billion as of December 31, 2023.

"We are pleased with our first quarter results, as we experienced another quarter of solid loan growth," said Norman D. Lowery, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our balance sheet is strong, our asset quality is stable, and our capital levels remain strong."

Average Total Deposits

Average total deposits for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, were $4.05 billion versus $4.25 billion as of March 31, 2023.

Total Deposits

Total deposits were $4.11 billion as of March 31, 2024, compared to $4.17 billion as of March 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, total deposits increased $15.0 million, or 0.37% from $4.09 billion. Non-interest bearing deposits were $738 million and time deposits were $581 million as of March 31, 2024.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' equity at March 31, 2024, was $520.8 million compared to $505.5 million on March 31, 2023. During the last twelve months, the Corporation has repurchased 311,360 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 and declared a $0.45 quarterly dividend payable April 15, 2024.

Book Value Per Share

Book Value per share was $44.08 as of March 31, 2024, compared to $41.89 as of March 31, 2023, an increase of $2.19 per share or 5.22%. Tangible Book Value per share was $36.26 as of March 31, 2024, compared to $34.16 as of March 31, 2023, an increase of $2.10 per share or 6.15%.

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Asset Ratio

The Corporation's tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio was 9.00% at March 31, 2024, compared to 8.63% at March 31, 2023.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2024 was $38.9 million, compared to $44.3 million reported for the same period of 2023. Interest income increased $4.7 million and interest expense increased $10.1 million year over year.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was 3.53% compared to the 3.96% reported at March 31, 2023.

Nonperforming Loans

Nonperforming loans as of March 31, 2024, were $24.3 million versus $12.1 million as of March 31, 2023. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.76% as of March 31, 2024, versus 0.39% as of March 31, 2023. The increase was driven primarily by the addition of one credit placed on non-accrual in fourth quarter 2023.

Credit Loss Provision

The provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $1.8 million, unchanged from the first quarter 2023.

Net Charge-Offs

In the first quarter of 2024 net charge-offs were $1.5 million compared to $2.0 million in the same period of 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Corporation's allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2024, was $40.0 million compared to $39.6 million as of March 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.25% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 1.29% as of March 31, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, the allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans decreased 1 basis point from 1.26% as of December 31, 2023.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $9.4 million unchanged from the first quarter 2023.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $33.4 million compared to $32.3 million in 2023, an increase of 3.4% reflective of our history of strong expense control.

Efficiency Ratio

The Corporation's efficiency ratio was 67.21% for the quarter ending March 31, 2024, versus 58.73% for the same period in 2023.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $2.2 million versus $3.6 million for the same period in 2023. The effective tax rate for 2024 was 16.79% compared to 18.42% 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

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

2024

2023

2023

END OF PERIOD BALANCES

Assets

$

4,852,615

$

4,851,146

$

4,866,821

Deposits

$

4,105,103

$

4,090,068

$

4,165,398

Loans, including net deferred loan costs

$

3,191,983

$

3,167,821

$

3,080,044

Allowance for Credit Losses

$

40,045

$

39,767

$

39,620

Total Equity

$

520,766

$

527,976

$

505,499

Tangible Common Equity (a)

$

428,430

$

435,405

$

412,118

AVERAGE BALANCES

Total Assets

$

4,804,364

$

4,725,297

$

4,851,484

Earning Assets

$

4,566,461

$

4,485,766

$

4,613,126

Investments

$

1,308,322

$

1,279,821

$

1,407,944

Loans

$

3,180,147

$

3,133,267

$

3,068,716

Total Deposits

$

4,045,838

$

4,050,968

$

4,252,161

Interest-Bearing Deposits

$

3,326,090

$

3,291,931

$

3,407,590

Interest-Bearing Liabilities

$

221,425

$

206,778

$

96,160

Total Equity

$

522,720

$

463,004

$

487,834

INCOME STATEMENT DATA

Net Interest Income

$

38,920

$

39,590

$

44,335

Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent (b)

$

40,297

$

40,942

$

45,654

Provision for Credit Losses

$

1,800

$

2,495

$

1,800

Non-interest Income

$

9,431

$

11,247

$

9,375

Non-interest Expense

$

33,422

$

34,244

$

32,321

Net Income

$

10,924

$

12,420

$

15,980

PER SHARE DATA

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share

$

0.93

$

1.06

$

1.33

Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share

$

0.45

$

0.45

$

-

Book Value Per Common Share

$

44.08

$

44.76

$

41.89

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (c)

$

36.26

$

31.47

$

34.16

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

11,803

11,772

12,058

(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

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

2024

2023

2023

Return on average assets

0.91

%

1.05

%

1.32

%

Return on average common shareholder's equity

8.36

%

10.73

%

13.10

%

Efficiency ratio

67.21

%

65.62

%

58.73

%

Average equity to average assets

10.88

%

9.80

%

10.06

%

Net interest margin (a)

3.53

%

3.63

%

3.96

%

Net charge-offs to average loans and leases

0.19

%

0.22

%

0.26

%

Credit loss reserve to loans and leases

1.25

%

1.26

%

1.29

%

Credit loss reserve to nonperforming loans

165.12

%

161.94

%

328.06

%

Nonperforming loans to loans and leases

0.76

%

0.78

%

0.39

%

Tier 1 leverage

12.02

%

12.14

%

11.30

%

Risk-based capital - Tier 1

14.69

%

14.76

%

14.27

%

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

Asset Quality

Three Months Ended

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

2024

2023

2023

Accruing loans and leases past due 30-89 days

$

17,937

$

20,168

$

18,934

Accruing loans and leases past due 90 days or more

$

1,395

$

960

$

1,157

Nonaccrual loans and leases

$

22,857

$

23,596

$

10,920

Other real estate owned

$

167

$

107

$

336

Nonperforming loans and other real estate owned

$

24,419

$

24,663

$

12,413

Total nonperforming assets

$

27,307

$

27,665

$

15,327

Gross charge-offs

$

3,192

$

3,976

$

4,376

Recoveries

$

1,670

$

2,213

$

2,417

Net charge-offs/(recoveries)

$

1,522

$

1,763

$

1,959

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Three Months Ended March 31,

2024

2023

($in thousands, except EPS)

Income before Income Taxes

$

13,129

$

19,589

Provision for credit losses

1,800

1,800

Provision for unfunded commitments

-

-

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income

$

14,929

$

21,389

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

March 31,

December 31,

2024

2023

(unaudited)

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

69,231

$

76,759

Federal funds sold

-

282

Securities available-for-sale

1,218,287

1,259,137

Loans:

Commercial

1,816,854

1,817,526

Residential

710,496

695,788

Consumer

657,299

646,758

3,184,649

3,160,072

(Less) plus:

Net deferred loan costs

7,334

7,749

Allowance for credit losses

(40,045)

(39,767)

3,151,938

3,128,054

Restricted stock

15,371

15,364

Accrued interest receivable

23,851

24,877

Premises and equipment, net

66,830

67,286

Bank-owned life insurance

114,683

114,122

Goodwill

86,985

86,985

Other intangible assets

5,351

5,586

Other real estate owned

167

107

Other assets

99,921

72,587

TOTAL ASSETS

$

4,852,615

$

4,851,146

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deposits:

Non-interest-bearing

$

738,478

$

750,335

Interest-bearing:

Certificates of deposit exceeding the FDIC insurance limits

109,228

92,921

Other interest-bearing deposits

3,257,397

3,246,812

4,105,103

4,090,068

Short-term borrowings

88,873

67,221

FHLB advances

58,576

108,577

Other liabilities

79,297

57,304

TOTAL LIABILITIES

4,331,849

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

2,015

2,014

Additional paid-in capital

144,391

144,152

Retained earnings

667,675

663,726

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

(138,110)

(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

520,766

527,976

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

4,852,615

$

4,851,146

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2024

2023

INTEREST INCOME:

Loans, including related fees

$

50,052

$

44,595

Securities:

Taxable

5,931

6,236

Tax-exempt

2,603

2,598

Other

817

1,271

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME

59,403

54,700

INTEREST EXPENSE:

Deposits

17,731

9,527

Short-term borrowings

976

808

Other borrowings

1,776

30

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE

20,483

10,365

NET INTEREST INCOME

38,920

44,335

Provision for credit losses

1,800

1,800

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION

FOR LOAN LOSSES

37,120

42,535

NON-INTEREST INCOME:

Trust and financial services

1,333

1,317

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts

6,708

6,818

Other service charges and fees

223

204

Securities gains (losses), net

-

-

Interchange income

179

47

Loan servicing fees

269

285

Gain on sales of mortgage loans

176

180

Other

543

524

TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME

9,431

9,375

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:

Salaries and employee benefits

17,330

17,158

Occupancy expense

2,359

2,599

Equipment expense

4,144

3,299

FDIC Expense

662

787

Other

8,927

8,478

TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

33,422

32,321

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

13,129

19,589

Provision for income taxes

2,205

3,609

NET INCOME

10,924

15,980

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

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

(11,096)

14,238

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

73

147

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

$

(99)

$

30,365

PER SHARE DATA

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

$

0.93

$

1.33

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands)

11,803

12,058