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): January 27, 2014

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 January 27, 2014 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 January 27, 2014

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: January 27, 2014
	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 January 27, 2014

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 27, 2014

CONTACT: ERIC J. DOSCH, CFO

985.375.0308

FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

REPORTS YEAR END 2013 EARNINGS

First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (“the Company”) of Hammond, Louisiana, a $1.4 billion bank holding company announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2013. The unaudited financial results reveal another strong and profitable year for First Guaranty. Net income for the year ending December 31, 2013 totaled $9,146,000.  In a year of transition of assets from the investment portfolio to the loan portfolio, net income available to shareholders totaled $8,433,000 for 2013 compared to $10,087,000 for 2012.  As the loan portfolio grew from $629 million as of December 31, 2012 to $703 million as of December 31, 2013, First Guaranty Bank achieved its Small Business Lending Fund growth goals to reduce the preferred dividend rate to 1.0%.  This achievement resulted in a reduction of the preferred dividends on the SBLF funds from $1,972,000 in 2012 to $713,000 for 2013, a reduction of $1,259,000.

Retained earnings increased $4,407,000 to $47,478,000 as of December 31, 2013. Dividends to shareholders were paid in the amount of $0.64 per common share.  First Guaranty Bank has paid common dividends for 82 consecutive quarters.

While strong profitability results were posted, First Guaranty continued to show significant improvement in asset quality. The total nonperforming assets decreased from $23,537,000 at December 31, 2012 to $18,256,000 at December 31, 2013, a reduction of $5,281,000. Nonaccrual loans improved significantly as they decreased to $14,485,000 at December 31, 2013 compared to $20,688,000 at December 31, 2012.

The Company’s capital continued to reflect a well-capitalized position. Tier One leverage capital to average total assets was 9.14% and 9.24% for 2013 and 2012, respectively. Total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets for 2013 and 2012 were 14.70% and 15.31%, respectively.

President and CEO Alton Lewis noted, “Our goal for 2013 was to continue building a fortress balance sheet making First Guaranty safer and stronger while at the same time driving profitability for our shareholders. Our work is not yet done; but, we continue to make great strides improving our asset quality, our capital position, and, at the same time, provide returns on our shareholders investments through dividends.”