8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 12, 2013

FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana	000-52748	26-0513559
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification Number)

400 East Thomas Street
Hammond, Louisiana	70401
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
(985) 345-7685
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 12, 2013 First Guaranty Bancshares Inc. issued an earnings press release. The press release is attached as exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 Earnings Press Release February 12, 2013

SIGNATURES

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

	FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.
	(Registrant)
Date: February 12, 2013
	By:	/s/Alton B. Lewis, Jr.
		Alton B. Lewis, Jr.
		Vice Chairman of the Board and
		Chief Executive Officer

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number	Description
Exhibit 99.1	Earnings Press Release February 12, 2013

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 12, 2013

CONTACT: ERIC J. DOSCH, CFO

985.375.0308

FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

REPORTS YEAR END 2012 EARNINGS

First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. of Hammond, Louisiana, a $1.4 billion bank holding company announced its financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2012.  The unaudited financial results reveal a very strong and profitable 2012 for First Guaranty with great improvement over the strong 2011 results.  Record Net Income of $12,059,000 was recorded in 2012 compared to $8,033,000 for 2011.  Return on average common equity increased to 10.90% for 2012 from 7.37% for 2011 while the return on average assets increased to 0.89% in 2012 compared to 0.65% in 2011.  The company declared and awarded a ten percent stock dividend in February of 2012 which resulted in an increase in common cash dividends to $4,035,000 paid in 2012 compared to $3,610,000 paid in 2011.  Retained earnings jumped from $37,019,000 in 2011 to $43,071,000 in 2012, an increase of $6,052,000.  Net income available to common shareholders for 2012 was $10,087,000 compared to $6,057,000 in 2011.  Total common equity at year end rose to $94,746,000 compared to $87,167,000 as of 12/31/2011.

While the strong profitability results were posted, First Guaranty also showed significant improvement in asset quality.  The total nonperforming assets decreased from $28,895,000 as of December 31, 2011 to $23,537,000 as of December 31, 2012, a reduction of $5,358,000.  Other Real Estate Owned decreased by $3,315,000 from $5,709,000 to $2,394,000.  Nonaccrual loans also showed significant improvement as they decreased to $20,688,000 compared to $22,450,000.

First Guaranty’s capital position continued to improve as Tier One leverage capital rose to 9.24% as of December 31, 2012 compared to 9.03% as of the end of 2011 while total risk based capital increased from 14.13% to 15.31%.

President and CEO Alton Lewis noted, “Our goal for 2012 was to build a fortress balance sheet making First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. safer and stronger while at the same time increasing the profitability for our shareholders.  Our work is not yet done; but, we made great strides forward as we increased profitability to record levels, improved our asset quality, strengthened our capital position, and, at the same time, continued to provide returns on our shareholders investments through dividends.”