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 three months ended June 30, 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 six months ended June 30, 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. McHargueChief Financial OfficerP: 812-238-6334E: rmchargue@first-online.com

                                       
                                       
  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  
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