The First Bancshares, Inc. Reports Results for Fourth Quarter ended December 31, 2023; Increases Quarterly Dividend 4%

Rhea-AI Summary

The First Bancshares, Inc. reported a decrease in net income available to common shareholders by 54.7% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to the previous quarter. The company also experienced a decrease in core net interest margin and an increase in nonperforming assets. However, for the year-over-year comparison, net income available to common shareholders increased by 19.9%, and total loans increased by 6.3%. The company's President and CEO emphasized strong results for the full year of 2023, despite margin compression and other challenges.

Positive

• Net income available to common shareholders increased by 19.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
• Total loans increased by 6.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing net growth.
• The company's average assets grew by 22.5% from $6.5 billion to $7.9 billion for the full year of 2023.
• Nonperforming assets decreased for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, and past dues were low at 23 basis points.

Negative

• Net income available to common shareholders decreased by 54.7% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to the previous quarter.
• Core net interest margin decreased by 13 basis points during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
• Nonperforming assets increased by $2.5 million compared to the same period ended December 31, 2022.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported financial results for The First Bancshares, Inc. suggest a mixed performance with significant fluctuations between quarters and a notable year-over-year growth. The sharp 54.7% decrease in net income for Q4 compared to Q3 2023 is a red flag for stakeholders, as it may indicate underlying issues that could affect future profitability. The sale of available-for-sale securities resulting in a pre-tax loss of $9.7 million is particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a strategic shift in asset allocation, likely in response to changing market conditions.

From an investment perspective, the increase in net interest margin and net interest income projections due to the balance sheet repositioning is a positive sign, as it could signal improved profitability in the long term. However, the earn back period of 2.1 years for this strategy indicates that benefits may not be immediate. Additionally, the increase in the cost of deposits and the decrease in core net interest margin highlight the impact of rising interest rates and competitive pressures on the bank's operations.

The year-over-year growth in net income and operating earnings of 19.9% and 41.6% respectively, as well as the growth in average assets of 22.5%, are strong indicators of the company's expansion and ability to generate earnings. However, investors should consider the one-time items that may have skewed the results and the impact of the Heritage Bank acquisition on these figures.

Market Research Analyst

The First Bancshares' strategic decision to sell lower-yielding securities and reinvest in higher-yielding bonds is a response to the current interest rate environment, which has seen a general uptick. This move is expected to increase the net interest margin by 8 basis points, which can be a significant improvement for the bank's earnings. However, the market's reaction to this could be mixed, as the initial loss and the time required to recoup the investment may not align with short-term investor expectations.

The decline in net interest margin and core net interest margin during Q4 2023, coupled with increased loan growth, suggests that while the bank is expanding its loan portfolio, the revenue generated from these loans is being offset by higher interest costs. The bank's growth strategy, including the acquisition of Heritage Bank, has led to an increase in total loans and deposits, which is a positive sign of market penetration and customer base expansion. Yet, the increased cost of deposits and the higher charge-offs indicate potential pressure on the bank's cost management and asset quality.

Economist

The First Bancshares' financial results reflect broader economic trends, such as rising interest rates and increased competition for deposits. The bank's increased cost of deposits, from 121 basis points in Q3 to 154 basis points in Q4, is symptomatic of a higher interest rate environment where banks must offer more attractive rates to retain and attract depositors. This trend can compress margins and affect profitability in the short term, which is evident in the bank's reported decrease in core net interest margin.

On the other hand, the bank's proactive balance sheet repositioning to take advantage of higher interest rates by investing in higher-yielding bonds is an adaptation to these economic conditions. However, the effectiveness of this strategy will largely depend on the future interest rate trajectory and the bank's ability to manage interest rate risk. The increased charge-offs, albeit still relatively low, could signal a turn in the credit cycle, which is important for investors to monitor as it may impact the bank's asset quality and provision for credit losses in the coming periods.

HATTIESBURG, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The First Bancshares, Inc. (“FBMS” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: FBMS), holding company for The First Bank, (www.thefirstbank.com) reported today financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Highlights for the quarter:

• Net income available to common shareholders totaled $11.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, representing a decrease of 54.7% when compared to $24.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Several one-time items are detailed in the tables located in the appendix of this release.
• Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables located in the appendix of this release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) decreased $5.3 million, or 22.1% to $18.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $24.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
• For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, total loans increased $80.2 million, or 6.3%, on an annualized basis, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
• During the fourth quarter of 2023, The First Bank (the "First") sold $123.0 million in available-for-sale securities with a weighted average book yield of 1.12% and average remaining life of 3 years. The First recognized a pre-tax loss of $9.7 million. The First reinvested the proceeds of the sale in available-for-sale bonds in the amount of $92.0 million with a weighted average life of 6 years and an average book yield of 5.33%. The balance sheet repositioning is expected to result in increases in net interest margin of 8 basis points, and net interest income of $4.7 million, and earnings per share of $0.11 with an estimated earn back period of 2.1 years. The First also used $30.0 million of the proceeds to repay borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank under the Bank Term Funding Program.
• Net interest margin decreased 19 basis points during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 from 3.47% to 3.28%.
• Core net interest margin (non-GAAP) decreased 13 basis points during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 from 3.27% to 3.14%.
• Cost of deposits averaged 154 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 121 basis points for the third quarter 2023.
• Annualized quarter-to-date net charge-offs and recoveries to total loans were $783 thousand, or 0.061% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $49 thousand, or 0.004% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and compared to $39 thousand, or 0.004% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
• Nonperforming assets of $20.2 million to total assets was 0.25% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $22.4 million, or 0.28% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and $17.7 million, 0.27% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Highlights for the year:

• In the year-over-year comparison, net income available to common shareholders increased $12.5 million, or 19.9%, from $62.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $75.5 million for the same period ended December 31, 2023.
• Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables located in the appendix of this release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) increased $28.4 million, or 41.6% to $96.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $68.3 million for the same period ended December 31, 2022.
• Excluding the loans acquired from the Heritage Southeast Bank ("Heritage Bank") acquisition of $1.159 billion, total loans increased $236.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing net growth of 6.3%, as compared to the same period ended December 31, 2022.
• Past due loans of $11.7 million to total loans was 0.23% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $6.1 million, or 0.16% for the same period ended December 31, 2022.
• Cost of deposits averaged 109 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 26 basis points for the same period ended December 31, 2022.
• Fully tax equivalent ("FTE") net interest margin (non-GAAP) increased 40 basis points to 3.59% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.19% for the same period ended December 31, 2022.
• For additional information, see the investor presentation filed and available under presentations and press releases included in the investor relations section of the Company's website: www.thefirstbank.com.

M. Ray “Hoppy” Cole, Jr., President, and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We continued to experience margin compression during the fourth quarter as non-GAAP core net interest margin decreased 13 basis points due to increased interest costs and the seasonality of our deposit portfolio. Loan growth and credit remained strong with $80 million of net loan growth for the quarter, or 6.3% on an annualized basis. Non-performing assets decreased for the quarter and past dues were low at 23 basis points.

"For the full year of 2023, the Company produced strong results as average assets grew 22.5% from $6.5 billion to $7.9 billion, non-GAAP operating earnings grew $28.4 million to $96.7 million, a 41.6% increase, and dividends to common shareholders increased 21.6% to $0.90 per share.

"Our team members performed extremely well in 2023, in a very difficult operating environment and we remain focused on increasing the returns to our shareholders.”

Quarterly Earnings

Net income available to common shareholders totaled $11.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $13.3 million, or 54.7%, when compared to $24.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. This decrease was partially attributable to the pre-tax loss of $9.7 million on the sale of $123.0 million in available-for-sale securities and other one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release.

Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) decreased $5.3 million, or 22.1%, to $18.7 million for quarter ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $24.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. This decrease was partially attributable to a decrease in accretion income of $1.0 million and an increase in borrowing costs of $0.9 million, as well as increased deposit costs of $5.2 million, each for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and $1.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Earnings Per Share

For the fourth quarter of 2023, diluted earnings per share were $0.35 compared to $0.77 for the third quarter of 2023 and $0.67 for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Diluted earnings per share, operating (non-GAAP) were $0.59 for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $0.76 for the third quarter of 2023 and $0.71 for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company issued 6,920,422 shares of its common stock in conjunction with the closing of the acquisition of Heritage Bank.

Balance Sheet

Consolidated assets increased $115.1 million to $7.999 billion at December 31, 2023 from $7.884 billion at September 30, 2023. Loans increased $80.2 million and cash increased $157.5 million for the quarterly comparison.

Total loans were $5.170 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $5.090 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and $3.774 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, representing an increase of $80.2 million, or 1.6%, for the sequential quarter comparison, and increase of $1.396 billion, or 37.0%, for the prior year quarterly comparison. During January 2023, loans totaling $1.159 billion, net of purchase accounting adjustments, were recorded from the Heritage Bank acquisition.

Total loans increased $80.2 million, or 1.6% as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023, or 6.3% on an annualized basis.

Excluding the acquired Heritage Bank loans, total loans increased $236.9 million, or 6.3% compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Total deposits were $6.463 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $6.480 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and $5.494 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, representing a decrease of $17.2 million, or 0.3%, for the sequential quarter comparison, and an increase of $968.5 million, or 17.6%, for the prior year quarterly comparison. During January 2023, deposits totaling $1.392 billion, net of purchase accounting adjustments, were acquired in the Heritage Bank acquisition.

Deposits decreased $17.2 million, or 0.3% for the prior quarter comparison. Public funds account for $14.9 million of the decrease in deposits.

Book value per share increased to $30.22 at December 31, 2023 from $28.57 at September 30, 2023.

Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) increased $1.73 to $19.35 at December 31, 2023 from $17.62 at September 30, 2023. The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased $47.6 million to $117.6 million at December 31, 2023 from $165.2 million at September 30, 2023.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $20.2 million at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $2.2 million compared to $22.4 million at September 30, 2023 and an increase of $2.5 million compared to $17.7 million at December 31, 2022.

Nonaccrual loans totaled $10.7 million, a decrease of $6.7 million as compared to September 30, 2023 and a decrease of $1.9 million as compared to December 31, 2022.

The ratio of the allowance for credit losses (ACL) to total loans was 1.05% at December 31, 2023, 1.05% at September 30, 2023 and 1.03% at December 31, 2022. The ratio of annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to total loans was 0.061% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 compared to 0.004% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 and 0.004% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Fourth Quarter 2023 vs Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Comparison

Net income available to common shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $13.3 million to $11.0 million compared to $24.4 million for the third quarter of 2023. This decrease was partially attributable to the pre-tax loss of $9.7 million on the sale of $123.0 million in available-for-sale securities and other one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release.

Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) decreased $5.3 million, or 22.1%, to $18.7 million for quarter ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $24.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. This decrease was partially attributable to a decrease in accretion income of $1.0 million and an increase in borrowing costs of $0.9 million, as well as increased deposit costs of $5.2 million, each for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $57.7 million as compared to $60.7 million for the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $3.0 million. The decrease was largely due to the decrease in accretion of purchase accounting adjustments of $1.0 million as well as increased interest expense of $6.1 million partially offset by an increase in loan interest income of $4.0 million.

Fourth quarter 2023 net interest margin of 3.28% included 19 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments compared to 3.47% for the third quarter in 2023, which included 25 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments.

Core net interest margin (non-GAAP) decreased 13 basis points to 3.14% for the fourth quarter of 2023 from 3.27% for the third quarter of 2023.

Investment securities totaled $1.735 billion, or 21.7% of total assets at December 31, 2023, compared to $1.836 billion, or 23.3% of total assets at September 30, 2023. The average balance of investment securities decreased $60.6 million in sequential-quarter comparison. The average tax equivalent yield on investment securities (non-GAAP) increased 11 basis points to 2.37% from 2.26% in sequential-quarter comparison. The investment portfolio had a net unrealized loss of $121.9 million at December 31, 2023 as compared to a net unrealized loss of $184.9 million at September 30, 2023.

The FTE average yield on all earning assets (non-GAAP) increased in sequential-quarter comparison from 4.95% to 5.10%. Interest expense on average interest bearing liabilities increased 42 basis points from 2.05% for the third quarter of 2023 to 2.47% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Cost of all deposits averaged 154 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 121 basis points for the third quarter of 2023. This increase was a result of rising interest rates and increased competition for deposits.

Non-interest income decreased $17.0 million from $19.3 million in the third quarter of 2023 to $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily attributable to a U.S. Treasury award of $6.2 million recorded in the third quarter of 2023 and a loss on sales of available for sale investment securities of $9.7 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $44.4 million compared to $47.7 million for the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $3.3 million. Excluding the $5.2 million related to the U.S. Treasury award recorded in the third quarter of 2023, expenses increased $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. $0.9 million of non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was related to salary accruals for year end, and $0.08 million of non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was related to professional services.

Fourth Quarter 2023 vs. Fourth Quarter 2022 Earnings Comparison

Net income available to common shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $11.0 million compared to $16.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of $5.2 million or 32.2%. This decrease was partially attributable to the pre-tax loss of $9.7 million on the sale of $123.0 million in available-for-sale securities and other one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release.

Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) increased $1.6 million, or 9.06%, to $18.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $17.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $57.7 million, an increase of $9.7 million or 20.3% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. FTE net interest income (non-GAAP) totaled $58.7 million and $48.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Purchase accounting adjustments increased $1.7 million for the fourth quarter comparisons. The increase was largely due to increased interest rates as well as the acquisition of Heritage Bank.

Fourth quarter of 2023 net interest margin was 3.28%, which included 19 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments compared to 3.31% for the same quarter in 2022, which included 8 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the core net interest margin (non-GAAP) decreased 14 basis points in prior year quarterly comparison primarily due to an increase in rates on interest bearing liabilities.

Non-interest income decreased $5.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. This decrease was attributed to the loss on sales of available for sale investment securities of $9.7 million partially offset by increases of $2.7 million in service charges and interchange fee income.

Fourth quarter 2023 non-interest expense was $44.4 million, an increase of $9.4 million, or 26.8% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. This increase was attributed to an increase of $4.9 million in charges related to the ongoing operations of Beach Bank and Heritage Bank, increased FDIC premiums of $0.7 million, and increased amortization of core deposit intangibles of $1.1 million.

Investment securities totaled $1.735 billion, or 21.7% of total assets at December 31, 2023, compared to $1.983 billion, or 30.7% of total assets at December 31, 2022. For the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, the average balance of investment securities decreased $154.6 million. The average tax equivalent yield on investment securities (non-GAAP) increased 9 basis points to 2.37% from 2.28% in the prior year quarterly comparison. The investment portfolio had a net unrealized loss of $121.9 million at December 31, 2023 as compared to a net unrealized loss of $161.2 million at December 31, 2022.

The average yield on all earning assets increased 104 basis points in prior year quarterly comparison, from 4.00% for the fourth quarter of 2022 to 5.04% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest expense on average interest bearing liabilities increased 148 basis points from 0.99% for the fourth quarter of 2022 to 2.47% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Cost of all deposits averaged 154 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 51 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Year-to-Date Earnings Comparison

In the year-over-year comparison, net income available to common shareholders increased $12.5 million, or 19.9%, from $62.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $75.5 million for the same period ended December 31, 2023.

Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) increased $28.4 million, or 41.6%, to $96.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $68.3 million for the same period ended December 31, 2022.

Net interest income was $249.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $71.5 million as compared to the same period ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to interest income earned on a higher volume of loans (including loans acquired from Heritage Bank and Beach Bank).

Non-interest income was $46.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $9.7 million as compared to the same period ended December 31, 2022. Service charges on deposit accounts and interchange fee income accounted for $11.7 million of the increase.

Non-interest expense was $184.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $54.2 million as compared to the same period ended December 31, 2022. The increase was partially attributable to $2.7 million in acquisition and charter conversion charges and $32.1 million in increased operating expenses related to the acquisitions of Beach Bank and Heritage Bank as well as $5.2 million in expenses associated with the U.S. Treasury awards and increases in FDIC premiums of $1.7 million and a $4.9 million increase in core deposit amortization for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Declaration of Cash Dividend

The Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, a 4% increase over previous quarter, per share to be paid on its common stock on February 23, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 7, 2024.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss the Company’s financial results at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Investors and analysts may participate by clicking on the Participant Conference Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIf4b652d4e9ff4cd5a10ec44d884e1480. An audio archive of the conference call along with the transcript will be available within 24-48 hours after the call and placed in the Investor Relations section of our website.

About The First Bancshares, Inc.

The First Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the parent company of The First Bank (“The First”). Founded in 1996, The First has operations in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The Company’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol FBMS. Information is available on the Company’s website: www.thefirstbank.com.

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 press release includes pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings, FTE net interest income, FTE net interest margin, core net interest margin, FTE average yield on investment securities, FTE average yield on all earning assets, total tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating, diluted earnings per share, operating, efficiency ratio, operating and certain ratios derived from these non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release allow management and investors to understand and compare results in a more consistent manner for the periods presented in this press release. 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, book value, net interest margin, common equity, net earnings available to common shareholders, diluted earnings per share, efficiency ratio, average yield on investment securities, average yield on all earning assets, 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 in this press release following the Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited).

Forward Looking Statements

This news release and certain of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain statements that constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such statements can generally be identified by such words as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “assumes,” “should,” “predicts,” “could,” “would,” “intends,” “targets,” “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential,” “positioned” and other similar words and expressions of the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for the Company’s future business and financial performance and/or the performance of the banking industry and economy in general. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risk and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the information known to, and current beliefs and expectations of, the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) competitive pressures among financial institutions increasing significantly; (2) prevailing, or changes in, economic or political conditions, either nationally or locally, particularly in areas in which the Company conducts operations, including the effects of declines in the real estate market, high unemployment rates, inflationary pressure, elevated interest rates and slowdowns in economic growth, as well as the financial stress on borrowers as a result of the foregoing; (3) interest rate risk, including the effects of rising interest rates; (4) developments in our mortgage banking business, including loan modifications, general demand, and the effects of judicial or regulatory requirements or guidance; (5) changes in applicable laws, rules, or regulations; (6) risks related to the Company’s recently completed acquisitions, including that the anticipated benefits from the recently completed 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; (7) changes in management’s plans for the future; (8) credit risk associated with our lending activities; (9) changes in loan demand, real estate values, or competition; (10) changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; (11) adverse results from current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions, including as a result of the Company's participation in and execution of government programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and related variants; (12) higher inflation and its impacts; (13) significant turbulence or disruption in the capital or financial markets and the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our investment securities; (14) potential impacts of the adverse developments in the banking industry highlighted by high-profile bank failures, including impacts on customer confidence, deposit outflows, liquidity and the regulatory response thereto; (15) the effects of war or other conflicts including the impacts relating to or resulting from Russia's military action in Ukraine or the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, and (16) other general competitive, economic, political, and market factors, including those affecting our business, operations, pricing, products, or services.

These and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, as well as a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings we make with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. 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.

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC and SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
EARNINGS DATA	Quarter Ended 12/31/23				Quarter Ended 9/30/23				Quarter Ended 6/30/23				Quarter Ended 3/31/23				Quarter Ended 12/31/22
Total Interest Income	$	88,720			$	85,681			$	86,194			$	80,338			$	57,923
Total Interest Expense		31,055				24,977				20,164				15,412				10,002
Net Interest Income		57,665				60,704				66,030				64,926				47,921
Net Interest Income excluding PPP Fee Income		57,664				60,703				66,029				64,718				47,899
FTE net interest income*		58,651				61,696				67,028				65,924				48,916
Provision for credit losses		1,250				1,000				1,250				11,000				705
Non-interest income		2,346				19,324				12,423				12,612				8,131
Non-interest expense		44,433				47,724				46,899				45,670				35,040
Earnings before income taxes		14,328				31,304				30,304				20,868				20,307
Income tax expense		3,281				6,944				6,525				4,597				4,012
Net income available to common shareholders	$	11,047			$	24,360			$	23,779			$	16,271			$	16,295
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
Basic earnings per share	$	0.35			$	0.78			$	0.76			$	0.52			$	0.68
Diluted earnings per share		0.35				0.77				0.75				0.52				0.67
Diluted earnings per share, operating*		0.59				0.76				0.85				0.86				0.71
Quarterly dividends per share		0.24				0.23				0.22				0.21				0.20
Book value per common share at end of period		30.22				28.57				28.64				28.58				26.92
Tangible book value per common share at period end*		19.35				17.62				17.62				17.49				17.97
Market price at end of period		29.33				26.97				25.84				25.83				32.01
Shares outstanding at period end		31,399,803				31,404,231				31,406,220				31,364,973				24,025,762
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		31,401,612				31,405,439				31,378,364				31,309,458				24,027,189
Diluted		31,587,506				31,609,564				31,591,665				31,541,213				24,168,544
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total assets	$	7,917,303			$	7,873,345			$	7,882,130			$	8,003,254			$	6,446,521
Loans and leases		5,145,228				5,038,928				4,982,368				4,975,663				3,749,561
Total deposits		6,440,774				6,466,141				6,501,372				6,816,473				5,515,713
Total common equity		901,530				905,070				901,499				868,995				617,049
Total tangible common equity*		558,889				560,071				554,792				538,903				408,365
SELECTED RATIOS
Annualized return on avg assets (ROA)		0.56	%			1.24	%			1.21	%			0.81	%			1.01	%
Annualized return on avg assets, operating*		0.95	%			1.22	%			1.36	%			1.36	%			1.07	%
Annualized pre-tax, pre-provision, operating*		1.31	%			1.62	%			1.81	%			1.78	%			1.38	%
Annualized return on avg common equity, operating*		8.32	%			10.63	%			11.91	%			12.48	%			11.14	%
Annualized return on avg tangible common equity, operating*		13.41	%			17.17	%			19.35	%			20.13	%			16.83	%
Average loans to average deposits		79.89	%			77.93	%			76.64	%			72.99	%			67.98	%
FTE Net Interest Margin*		3.33	%			3.52	%			3.82	%			3.69	%			3.37	%
Efficiency Ratio		72.84	%			58.90	%			59.02	%			58.15	%			61.42	%
Efficiency Ratio, operating*		62.00	%			56.06	%			53.87	%			53.32	%			59.34	%
*See reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures
CREDIT QUALITY
Allowance for credit losses (ACL) as a % of total loans		1.05	%			1.05	%			1.05	%			1.06	%			1.03	%
Nonperforming assets to tangible equity + ACL		3.05	%			3.69	%			3.57	%			3.73	%			3.76	%
Nonperforming assets to total loans + OREO		0.39	%			0.44	%			0.43	%			0.45	%			0.47	%
Annualized QTD net charge-offs (recoveries) to total loans		0.061	%			0.004	%			0.070	%			0.010	%			0.004	%

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC and SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)
(in thousands)
BALANCE SHEET	December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	355,147			$	197,632			$	194,050			$	333,491			$	145,315
Securities available for sale		1,042,365				1,141,971				1,199,103				1,249,791				1,257,101
Securities held to maturity		654,539				658,524				663,473				678,161				691,484
Other investments		37,754				35,872				35,725				34,423				33,944
Total investment securities		1,734,658				1,836,367				1,898,301				1,962,375				1,982,529
Loans held for sale		2,914				5,960				6,602				4,073				4,443
Total loans		5,170,042				5,089,800				5,010,925				4,969,776				3,774,157
Allowance for credit losses		(54,032	)			(53,565	)			(52,614	)			(52,450	)			(38,917	)
Loans, net		5,116,010				5,036,235				4,958,311				4,917,326				3,735,240
Premises and equipment		182,162				183,740				186,381				186,688				153,068
Other Real Estate Owned		8,320				4,920				5,588				5,066				4,832
Goodwill and other intangibles		341,332				343,869				346,104				347,777				214,890
Other assets		258,802				275,562				266,771				260,520				221,400
Total assets	$	7,999,345			$	7,884,285			$	7,862,108			$	8,017,316			$	6,461,717
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Non-interest bearing deposits	$	1,849,013			$	1,967,661			$	2,086,666			$	2,082,441			$	1,630,203
Interest-bearing deposits		4,613,859				4,512,364				4,405,601				4,585,515				3,864,201
Total deposits		6,462,872				6,480,025				6,492,267				6,667,956				5,494,404
Borrowings		390,000				302,000				280,000				250,000				130,100
Subordinated debentures		123,386				128,300				128,214				154,127				145,027
Other liabilities		74,053				76,739				62,181				48,806				45,523
Total liabilities		7,050,311				6,987,064				6,962,662				7,120,889				5,815,054
Total shareholders’ equity		949,034				897,221				899,446				896,427				646,663
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,999,345			$	7,884,285			$	7,862,108			$	8,017,316			$	6,461,717

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC and SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)
(in thousands except per share data)
EARNINGS STATEMENT	Three Months Ended
	12/31/2023				9/30/2023				6/30/2023				3/31/2023			12/31/2022
Interest Income:
Loans, including fees	$	74,357			$	70,349			$	68,057			$	64,264		$	45,583
Investment securities		10,803				10,614				10,815				11,707			11,251
Accretion of purchase accounting adjustments		3,235				4,277				6,533				3,469			1,086
Other interest income		325				441				789				898			3
Total interest income		88,720				85,681				86,194				80,338			57,923
Interest Expense:
Deposits		24,489				19,314				14,613				12,183			7,206
Borrowings		4,500				3,556				3,264				959			1,015
Subordinated debentures		1,807				1,849				2,138				2,176			1,946
Accretion of purchase accounting adjustments		259				258				149				94			(165	)
Total interest expense		31,055				24,977				20,164				15,412			10,002
Net interest income		57,665				60,704				66,030				64,926			47,921
Provision for credit losses		1,250				1,000				1,250				11,000			705
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		56,415				59,704				64,780				53,926			47,216
Non-interest Income:
Service charges on deposit accounts		3,447				3,646				3,425				3,657			2,277
Mortgage Income		582				878				773				633			625
Interchange Fee Income		4,593				5,280				4,543				4,498			3,093
Gain (Loss) on securities, net		(9,670	)			2				(48	)			—			—
Treasury Awards		—				6,197				—				—			—
Loss on sale of premises and equipment		(524	)			(104	)			—				—			—
Other charges and fees		3,918				3,425				3,730				3,824			2,136
Total non-interest income		2,346				19,324				12,423				12,612			8,131
Non-interest Expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		23,717				22,807				23,315				23,572			19,934
Occupancy expense		5,688				5,343				5,041				5,296			4,305
FDIC/OCC premiums		1,263				1,158				758				670			514
Marketing		71				559				45				158			135
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		2,385				2,385				2,391				2,402			1,309
Other professional services		2,309				1,499				1,570				1,068			971
Acquisition and charter conversion charges		593				588				4,101				3,793			1,190
Other non-interest expense		8,407				13,385				9,678				8,711			6,682
Total non-interest expense		44,433				47,724				46,899				45,670			35,040
Earnings before income taxes		14,328				31,304				30,304				20,868			20,307
Income tax expense		3,281				6,944				6,525				4,597			4,012
Net income available to common shareholders	$	11,047			$	24,360			$	23,779			$	16,271		$	16,295
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.35			$	0.77			$	0.75			$	0.52		$	0.67
Diluted earnings per common share, operating*	$	0.59			$	0.76			$	0.85			$	0.86		$	0.71
*See reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC and SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)
(in thousands except per share data)
EARNINGS STATEMENT	Year to Date
	2023				2022
Interest Income:
Loans, including fees	$	276,817			$	152,741
PPP loan fee income		210				1,718
Investment securities		43,939				42,575
Accretion of purchase accounting adjustments		17,514				3,309
Other interest income		2,453				50
Total interest income		340,933				200,393
Interest Expense:
Deposits		70,599				14,295
Borrowings		12,279				1,107
Subordinated debentures		7,970				7,492
Amortization of purchase accounting adjustments		760				(317	)
Total interest expense		91,608				22,577
Net interest income		249,325				177,816
Provision for credit losses		14,500				5,605
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		234,825				172,211
Non-interest Income:
Service charges on deposit accounts		14,175				8,668
Mortgage Income		2,866				4,303
Interchange Fee Income		18,914				12,702
Gain (loss) on securities, net		(9,716	)			(82	)
Treasury Awards		6,197				873
Bargain Purchase Gain and gain on sale of premises and equipment		—				165
BOLI income from death proceeds		—				1,630
Other charges and fees		14,269				8,702
Total non-interest income		46,705				36,961
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		93,412				73,077
Occupancy expense		21,368				15,835
FDIC/OCC premiums		3,849				2,122
Marketing		833				393
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		9,563				4,664
Other professional services		6,446				3,558
Acquisition & charter conversion charges		9,075				6,410
Other non-interest expense		40,180				24,424
Total Non-interest expense		184,726				130,483
Earnings before income taxes		96,804				78,689
Income tax expense		21,347				15,770
Net income available to common shareholders		75,457				62,919
Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.39			$	2.84
Diluted earnings per common share, operating*	$	3.06			$	3.08
*See reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC and SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
COMPOSITION OF LOANS		December 31, 2023				Percent of Total			September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				Percent of Total
Commercial, financial and agricultural		$	765,422			14.8	%		$	753,120			$	753,415			$	750,371			$	506,907			13.4	%
Real estate – construction			629,660			12.2	%			633,682				634,120				691,285				475,956			12.6	%
Real estate – commercial			2,377,864			45.8	%			2,317,666				2,251,710				2,181,384				1,626,066			43.0	%
Real estate – residential			1,311,395			25.4	%			1,298,980				1,286,343				1,262,244				1,094,204			29.0	%
Lease Financing Receivable			1,292			—	%			1,548				1,187				2,056				2,118			0.1	%
Obligations of States & subdivisions			29,316			0.6	%			29,650				31,137				31,652				26,143			0.7	%
Consumer			55,094			1.1	%			55,154				53,013				50,784				42,763			1.1	%
Loans held for sale			2,914			0.1	%			5,960				6,602				4,073				4,443			0.1	%
Total loans		$	5,172,957			100	%		$	5,095,760			$	5,017,527			$	4,973,849			$	3,778,600			100.0	%
COMPOSITION OF DEPOSITS		December 31, 2023				Percent of Total			September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				Percent of Total
Non-interest bearing		$	1,849,013			28.6	%		$	1,967,661			$	2,086,666			$	2,082,441			$	1,630,203			29.7	%
NOW and other			1,914,792			29.6	%			1,962,383				2,014,420				2,095,599				1,769,699			32.2	%
Money Market/Savings			1,623,311			25.1	%			1,532,822				1,565,212				1,678,609				1,368,108			24.9	%
Time Deposits of less than $250,000			813,877			12.6	%			766,553				627,782				562,240				590,564			10.7	%
Time Deposits of $250,000 or more			261,879			4.1	%			250,606				198,187				249,067				135,830			2.5	%
Total Deposits		$	6,462,872			100	%		$	6,480,025			$	6,492,267			$	6,667,956			$	5,494,404			100.0	%
ASSET QUALITY DATA		December 31, 2023							September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Nonaccrual loans		$	10,691						$	17,423			$	16,037			$	17,312			$	12,591
Loans past due 90 days and over			1,163							53				—				73				289
Total nonperforming loans			11,854							17,476				16,037				17,385				12,880
Other real estate owned			8,320							4,920				5,588				5,066				4,832
Total nonperforming assets		$	20,174						$	22,396			$	21,625			$	22,451			$	17,712
Nonperforming assets to total assets			0.25	%						0.28	%			0.28	%			0.28	%			0.27	%
Nonperforming assets to total loans + OREO			0.39	%						0.44	%			0.43	%			0.45	%			0.47	%
ACL to nonperforming loans			455.81	%						306.51	%			328.08	%			301.70	%			302.15	%
ACL to total loans			1.05	%						1.05	%			1.05	%			1.06	%			1.03	%
Qtr-to-date net charge-offs (recoveries)		$	783						$	49			$	837			$	142			$	39
Annualized QTD net chg-offs (recs) to loans			0.061	%						0.004	%			0.070	%			0.010	%			0.004	%

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC and SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)
(in thousands)
Yield	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended									Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
Analysis	December 31, 2023								September 30, 2023								June 30, 2023									March 31, 2023								December 31, 2022
			Tax								Tax								Tax									Tax								Tax
	Avg		Equivalent			Yield/			Avg		Equivalent			Yield/			Avg		Equivalent			Yield/				Avg		Equivalent			Yield/			Avg		Equivalent			Yield/
	Balance		interest			Rate			Balance		interest			Rate			Balance		interest			Rate				Balance		interest			Rate			Balance		interest			Rate
Taxable securities	$	1,375,695	$	7,892		2.29	%		$	1,419,343	$	7,685		2.17	%		$	1,473,166	$	7,867		2.14	%			$	1,565,623	$	8,758		2.24	%		$	1,522,953	$	8,312		2.18	%
Tax-exempt securities		446,348		3,897		3.49	%			463,329		3,921		3.39	%			470,742		3,946		3.35	%				462,718		3,946		3.41	%			453,651		3,934		3.47	%
Total investment securities		1,822,043		11,789		2.59	%			1,882,672		11,606		2.47	%			1,943,908		11,813		2.43	%				2,028,341		12,704		2.51	%			1,976,604		12,246		2.48	%
Int bearing dep in other banks		70,193		325		1.85	%			79,448		441		2.22	%			93,464		789		3.38	%				146,663		898		2.45	%			72,910		3		0.02	%
Loans		5,145,228		77,592		6.03	%			5,038,928		74,626		5.92	%			4,982,368		74,590		5.99	%				4,975,663		67,734		5.45	%			3,749,561		46,670		4.98	%
Total interest earning assets		7,037,464		89,706		5.10	%			7,001,048		86,673		4.95	%			7,019,740		87,192		4.97	%				7,150,667		81,336		4.55	%			5,799,075		58,919		4.06	%
Other assets		879,839								872,297								862,390									852,587								647,446
Total assets	$	7,917,303							$	7,873,345							$	7,882,130								$	8,003,254							$	6,446,521
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits	$	4,533,386	$	24,748		2.18	%		$	4,459,869	$	19,572		1.76	%		$	4,465,800	$	14,762		1.32	%			$	4,738,076	$	12,277		1.04	%		$	3,801,632	$	7,041		0.74	%
Borrowed Funds		361,445		4,500		4.98	%			296,963		3,556		4.79	%			277,531		3,264		4.70	%				77,098		959		4.98	%			108,881		1,015		3.73	%
Subordinated debentures		126,925		1,807		5.69	%			128,251		1,849		5.77	%			145,418		2,138		5.88	%				155,084		2,176		5.61	%			144,985		1,946		5.37	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		5,021,756		31,055		2.47	%			4,885,083		24,977		2.05	%			4,888,749		20,164		1.65	%				4,970,258		15,412		1.24	%			4,055,498		10,002		0.99	%
Other liabilities		1,994,017								2,083,192								2,091,882									2,164,001								1,773,974
Shareholders' equity		901,530								905,070								901,499									868,995								617,049
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	7,917,303							$	7,873,345							$	7,882,130								$	8,003,254							$	6,446,521
Net interest
income (FTE)*			$	58,651		2.63	%				$	61,696		2.91	%				$	67,028		3.32	%					$	65,924		3.31	%				$	48,917		3.08	%
Net interest margin (FTE)*						3.33	%							3.52	%							3.82	%								3.69	%							3.37	%
Core net interest margin*						3.14	%							3.27	%							3.43	%								3.47	%							3.29	%
*See reconciliation for Non-GAAP financial measures

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC and SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)
(in thousands except per share data)
	Three Months Ended
Per Common Share Data	Dec 31, 2023				Sept 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				Mar 31, 2023				Dec 31, 2022
Book value per common share	$	30.22			$	28.57			$	28.64			$	28.58			$	26.92
Effect of intangible assets per share		10.87				10.95				11.02				11.09				8.95
Tangible book value per common share	$	19.35			$	17.62			$	17.62			$	17.49			$	17.97
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.35			$	0.77			$	0.75			$	0.52			$	0.68
Effect of acquisition and charter conversion charges		0.02				0.02				0.13				0.11				0.05
Tax on acquisition and charter conversion charges		(0.01	)			(0.01	)			(0.03	)			(0.02	)			(0.02	)
Effect of Treasury awards		—				(0.20	)			—				—				—
Tax on Treasury awards		—				0.05				—				—				—
Effect on contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards		—				0.17				—				—				—
Tax on contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards		—				(0.04	)			—				—				—
Initial provision for acquired loans		—				—				—				0.34				—
Tax on initial provision for acquired loans		—				—				—				(0.09	)			—
Loss on securities repositioning		0.31				—				—				—				—
Tax loss on securities repositioning		(0.08	)			—				—				—				—
Diluted earnings per share, operating	$	0.59			$	0.76			$	0.85			$	0.86			$	0.71
					Year to Date
					2023								2022
Diluted earnings per share					$	2.39							$	2.84
Effect of acquisition and charter conversion charges						0.28								0.29
Tax on acquisition and charter conversion charges						(0.07	)							(0.08	)
Effect of bargain purchase gain and loss on sale of fixed assets						—								(0.01	)
Effect of Treasury awards						(0.20	)							(0.04	)
Tax on Treasury awards						0.05								0.01
BOLI income from death proceeds						—								(0.08	)
Effect on contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards						0.17								0.01
Tax on contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards						(0.04	)							—
Initial provision for acquired loans						0.34								0.18
Tax on initial provision for acquired loans						(0.09	)							(0.04	)
Loss on securities repositioning						0.31								—
Tax loss on securities repositioning						(0.08	)							—
Diluted earnings per share, operating					$	3.06							$	3.08
					Year to Date
						2023								2022
Net income available to common shareholders					$	75,457							$	62,919
Acquisition and charter conversion charges						9,075								6,410
Tax on acquisition and charter conversion charges						(2,296	)							(1,621	)
Bargain purchase gain and loss on sale of fixed assets						—								(165	)
Tax on bargain purchase gain and loss on sale of fixed assets						—								42
Treasury awards						(6,197	)							(872	)
Tax on Treasury awards						1,568								221
BOLI income from death proceeds						—								(1,630	)
Contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards						5,190								165
Tax on contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards						(1,313	)							(42	)
Initial provision for acquired loans						10,727								3,855
Tax on initial provision for acquired loans						(2,714	)							(976	)
Loss on securities repositioning						9,708								—
Tax loss on securities repositioning						(2,457	)							—
Net earnings available to common shareholders, operating					$	96,748							$	68,306

		Three Months Ended
Average Balance Sheet Data		Dec 31, 2023			Sept 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			Mar 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2022
Total average assets	A	$	7,917,303		$	7,873,345		$	7,882,130		$	8,003,254		$	6,446,521
Total average earning assets	B		7,037,464			7,001,048			7,019,740			7,150,667			5,799,075
Common Equity	C	$	901,530		$	905,070		$	901,499		$	868,995		$	617,049
Less intangible assets			342,641			344,999			346,707			330,092			208,684
Total Tangible common equity	D	$	558,889		$	560,071		$	554,792		$	538,903		$	408,365
		Three Months Ended
Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent		Dec 31, 2023			Sept 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			Mar 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2022
Net interest income	E	$	57,665		$	60,704		$	66,030		$	64,926		$	47,921
Tax-exempt investment income			(2,911	)		(2,929	)		(2,948	)		(2,948	)		(2,939	)
Taxable investment income			3,897			3,921			3,946			3,946			3,934
Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent	F	$	58,651		$	61,696		$	67,028		$	65,924		$	48,916
Annualized Net Interest Margin	E/B		3.28	%		3.47	%		3.76	%		3.63	%		3.31	%
Annualized Net Interest Margin, Fully Tax Equivalent	F/B		3.33	%		3.52	%		3.82	%		3.69	%		3.37	%
Total Interest Income, Fully Tax Equivalent
Total Interest Income	R	$	88,720		$	85,681		$	86,194		$	80,338		$	57,923
Tax-exempt investment income			(2,911	)		(2,929	)		(2,948	)		(2,948	)		(2,939	)
Taxable investment income			3,897			3,921			3,946			3,946			3,934
Total Interest Income, Fully Tax Equivalent	G	$	89,706		$	86,673		$	87,192		$	81,336		$	58,918
Yield on Average Earning Assets	R/B		5.04	%		4.90	%		4.91	%		4.49	%		4.00	%
Yield on Average Earning Assets, Fully Tax Equivalent	G/B		5.10	%		4.95	%		4.97	%		4.55	%		4.06	%
Interest Income Investment Securities, Fully Tax Equivalent
Interest Income Investment Securities	S	$	10,803		$	10,614		$	10,815		$	11,706		$	11,251
Tax-exempt investment income			(2,911	)		(2,929	)		(2,948	)		(2,948	)		(2,939	)
Taxable investment Income			3,897			3,921			3,946			3,946			3,934
Interest Income Investment Securities, Fully Tax Equivalent	H	$	11,789		$	11,606		$	11,813		$	12,704		$	12,246
Average Investment Securities	I	$	1,822,043		$	1,882,672		$	1,943,908		$	2,028,341		$	1,976,604
Yield on Investment Securities	S/I		2.37	%		2.26	%		2.23	%		2.31	%		2.28	%
Yield on Investment Securities, Fully Tax Equivalent	H/I		2.59	%		2.47	%		2.43	%		2.51	%		2.48	%
		Three Months Ended
Core Net Interest Margin		Dec 31, 2023			Sept 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			Mar 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2022
Net interest income (FTE)		$	58,651		$	61,696		$	67,028		$	65,924		$	48,916
Less purchase accounting adjustments			3,235			4,276			6,533			3,469			1,086
Net interest income, net of purchase accounting adj	J	$	55,416		$	57,420		$	60,495		$	62,455		$	47,830
Total average earning assets		$	7,037,464		$	7,001,048		$	7,019,740		$	7,150,667		$	5,799,075
Add average balance of loan valuation discount			27,573			31,269			38,306			42,945			10,928
Avg earning assets, excluding loan valuation discount	K	$	7,065,037		$	7,032,317		$	7,058,046		$	7,193,612		$	5,810,003
Core net interest margin	J/K		3.14	%		3.27	%		3.43	%		3.47	%		3.29	%
		Three Months Ended
Efficiency Ratio		Dec 31, 2023			Sept 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			Mar 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2022
Operating Expense
Total non-interest expense		$	44,433		$	47,724		$	46,899		$	45,670		$	35,040
Pre-tax non-operating expenses			(594	)		(5,777	)		(4,101	)		(3,793	)		(1,190	)
Adjusted Operating Expense	L	$	43,839		$	41,947		$	42,798		$	41,877		$	33,850
Operating Revenue
Net interest income, FTE		$	58,651		$	61,696		$	67,028		$	65,924		$	48,916
Total non-interest income			2,346			19,324			12,423			12,612			8,131
Pre-tax non-operating items			9,708			(6,197	)		—			—			—
Adjusted Operating Revenue	M	$	70,705		$	74,823		$	79,451		$	78,536		$	57,047
Efficiency Ratio, operating	L/M		62.00	%		56.06	%		53.87	%		53.32	%		59.34	%
		Three Months Ended
Return Ratios		Dec 31, 2023			Sept 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			Mar 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2022
Net income available to common shareholders	N	$	11,047		$	24,360		$	23,779		$	16,271		$	16,295
Acquisition and charter conversion charges			593			588			4,101			3,793			1,190
Tax on acquisition and charter conversion charges			(150	)		(149	)		(1,037	)		(960	)		(301	)
Treasury awards			—			(6,197	)		—			—			—
Tax on Treasury awards			—			1,568			—			—			—
Contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards			—			5,190			—			—			—
Tax on contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards			—			(1,313	)		—			—			—
Initial provision for acquired loans			—			—			—			10,727			—
Tax on initial provision for acquired loans			—			—			—			(2,714	)		—
Loss on securities repositioning			9,708			—			—			—			—
Tax loss on securities repositioning			(2,457	)		—			—			—			—
Net earnings available to common shareholders, operating	O	$	18,741		$	24,047		$	26,843		$	27,117		$	17,184
		Three Months Ended
Pre-Tax Pre-Provision Operating Earnings		Dec 31, 2023			Sept 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			Mar 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2022
Earnings before income taxes	P	$	14,328		$	31,304		$	30,304		$	20,868		$	20,307
Acquisition and charter conversion charges			593			588			4,101			3,793			1,190
Provision for credit losses			1,250			1,000			1,250			11,000			705
Treasury awards			—			(6,197	)		—			—			—
Contributions/consulting/advertising related to Treasury awards			—			5,190			—			—			—
Loss on securities repositioning			9,708			—			—			—			—
Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Operating Earnings	Q	$	25,879		$	31,885		$	35,655		$	35,661		$	22,202
Annualized return on avg assets	N/A		0.56	%		1.24	%		1.21	%		0.81	%		1.01	%
Annualized return on avg assets, oper	O/A		0.95	%		1.22	%		1.36	%		1.36	%		1.07	%
Annualized pre-tax, pre-provision, oper	Q/A		1.31	%		1.62	%		1.81	%		1.78	%		1.38	%
Annualized return on avg common equity, oper	O/C		8.32	%		10.63	%		11.91	%		12.48	%		11.14	%
Annualized return on avg tangible common equity, operating	O/D		13.41	%		17.17	%		19.35	%		20.13	%		16.83	%
		Three Months Ended
Capital Ratios		Dec 31, 2023*			Sept 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			Mar 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2022
Common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio			12.1	%		12.0	%		11.5	%		11.2	%		12.7	%
Leverage (Tier 1) ratio			9.7	%		9.6	%		9.1	%		8.8	%		9.3	%
Total risk based capital ratio			15.0	%		15.1	%		14.5	%		14.7	%		16.7	%
Tangible common equity ratio			7.9	%		7.3	%		7.4	%		7.2	%		6.9	%
*estimated

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240124698841/en/

M. Ray “Hoppy” Cole

Chief Executive Officer

Dee Dee Lowery

Chief Financial Officer

(601) 268-8998

Source: The First Bancshares, Inc.

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for The First Bancshares, Inc.?

The ticker symbol for The First Bancshares, Inc. is FBMS.

What was the net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended December 31, 2023?

The net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, was $11.0 million, representing a decrease of 54.7% compared to the previous quarter.

How much did total loans increase by for the year ended December 31, 2023?

Total loans increased by 6.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing net growth.

What was the change in nonperforming assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022?

Nonperforming assets totaled $20.2 million at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $2.2 million compared to September 30, 2023, and an increase of $2.5 million compared to December 31, 2022.