EX-99.1 2 w47486exv99w1.htm EX-99.1 exv99w1
 

EXHIBIT 99.1
     
For immediate release
  For More Information:
 
  J. Bruce Hildebrand, Executive Vice President
 
  325.627.7155
FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES ANNOUNCES
FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Texas-based company records its 21st consecutive year of increased earnings
ABILENE, Texas, January 24, 2008 – First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIN) today reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2007 of $12.51 million, a 6.8 percent increase compared with earnings of $11.71 million in the same quarter last year. Basic earnings per share increased 7.1 percent to $0.60, compared with $0.56 in the same period last year.
Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2007 increased 8.5 percent to $29.25 million compared with $26.97 million in the same quarter last year. The provision for loan losses was $1.38 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, up from $247,000 in the same quarter last year to keep pace with loan growth and in light of a slowing national economy. Non-performing assets as a percentage of loans and foreclosed assets totaled 31 basis points at December 31, 2007, compared to 47 basis points at September 30, 2007, and 30 basis points at December 31, 2006. The net interest margin, on a taxable equivalent basis, improved to 4.50 percent for the fourth quarter of 2007 from 4.43 percent in the same period a year ago and from 4.45 percent in the third quarter of 2007.
Noninterest income in the fourth quarter of 2007 was $12.39 million compared with $11.05 million in the same quarter last year. Trust fees increased 5.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007 to $2.22 million compared with $2.09 million in the same quarter last year due to continued growth of trust assets managed. Real estate mortgage fees declined slightly to $723,000 in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to $759,000 in the same quarter last year. ATM and credit card fees increased 21.1 percent to $2.0 million versus $1.66 million a year ago, indicative of continued increased use of debit cards and the growth in net new accounts.
Noninterest expense increased 7.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007 to $22.73 million from $21.12 million in the same quarter last year. The largest component of this increase is salaries and employee benefits, reflecting higher levels of contributions to the Company’s profit sharing plan and healthcare expenses. The Company’s efficiency ratio in the fourth quarter of 2007 stood at 52.78 percent compared with 53.90 percent in the same quarter a year ago.
The Company reported its 21st consecutive year of increased earnings. Net income for the year rose 7.5 percent to $49.49 million from $46.03 million in 2006. Basic earnings

 


 

per share increased 7.2 percent for 2007 to $2.38 from $2.22 the previous year. Net interest income increased 4.7 percent for the year to $110.81 million from $105.87 million in 2006. The provision for loan losses was $2.33 million for 2007 compared with $2.06 million the previous year.
“We are pleased to report another good quarter and year for our Company and our shareholders,” said F. Scott Dueser, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “In the fourth quarter, we continued to grow loans, trust fees and ATM fees and improved our net interest margin. We feel fortunate to operate in Texas markets where the economy remained strong in 2007 and looks promising for 2008, even though the national economy may be slowing. In light of the national economy, we will proceed with caution to maintain our credit quality and margin.”
As of December 31, 2007, consolidated assets for the Company totaled $3.07 billion compared with $2.85 billion a year ago. Loans increased 11.2 percent to $1.53 billion at year’s end, compared with loans of $1.37 billion a year ago. Total deposits at year’s end stood at $2.55 billion, up from $2.38 billion a year earlier. Noninterest bearing deposits increased $53.8 million from a year ago. In addition, repurchase agreement balances with customers totaled $154.3 million at December 31, 2007 compared to $94.2 million a year ago, as our treasury management services continue to grow. Shareholders’ equity rose to $335.50 million as of December 31, 2007, compared with $300.90 million the prior year.
Headquartered in Abilene, Texas, First Financial Bankshares is a financial holding company that operates ten separately chartered banks with 45 locations in Texas. The bank subsidiaries are First Financial Bank, N.A., Abilene, Clyde, Moran and Albany; First Financial Bank, N.A., Eastland, Ranger and Rising Star; First Financial Bank, N.A., Cleburne, Burleson, Alvarado and Midlothian; Hereford State Bank, Hereford; First Financial Bank, N.A., Mineral Wells; San Angelo National Bank, San Angelo; First Financial Bank, N.A., Southlake, Trophy Club, Keller, Bridgeport, Decatur and Boyd; First Financial Bank, N.A., Stephenville, Granbury and Glen Rose; First National Bank, Sweetwater, Roby and Trent; and Weatherford National Bank, Weatherford, Willow Park and Aledo. The Company also operates First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company, N.A., with five locations and First Technology Services, Inc., a technology operating company.
The Company is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol FFIN. For more information about First Financial Bankshares, please visit our Web site at http://www.ffin.com.
*****
Certain statements contained herein may be considered “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the belief of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made beyond information currently available to the Company’s management, and may be, but not necessarily are, identified by such words as “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “target”, “forecast” and “goal”. Because such “forward-looking statements” are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include competition from other financial institutions and financial holding companies; the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate

 


 

policies of the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the demand for loans; fluctuations in value of collateral and loan reserves; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; and acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses, and similar variables. Other key risks are described in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which may be obtained under “Investor Relations-Documents/Filings” on the Company’s Web site or by writing or calling the Company at 325.627.7155. Except as otherwise stated in this news announcement, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2006  
ASSETS:
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 165,438     $ 128,492  
Fed funds sold
    99,450       64,485  
Investment securities
    1,128,493       1,129,313  
Loans
    1,528,020       1,373,735  
Allowance for loan losses
    (17,462 )     (16,201 )
 
           
Net loans
    1,510,558       1,357,534  
Premises and equipment
    61,670       59,467  
Goodwill
    62,112       62,112  
Other intangible assets
    3,095       4,590  
Other assets
    39,493       44,172  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 3,070,309     $ 2,850,165  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Noninterest-bearing deposits
  $ 739,181     $ 685,336  
Interest-bearing deposits
    1,806,902       1,698,688  
 
           
Total deposits
    2,546,083       2,384,024  
Short-term borrowings
    166,266       143,244  
Other liabilities
    22,465       21,996  
Shareholders’ equity
    335,495       300,901  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 3,070,309     $ 2,850,165  
 
           
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
INCOME STATEMENTS   2007     2006     2007     2006  
Interest income
  $ 43,482     $ 40,564     $ 169,369     $ 154,494  
Interest expense
    14,229       13,594       58,557       48,628  
 
                       
Net interest income
    29,253       26,970       110,812       105,866  
Provision for loan losses
    1,377       247       2,331       2,061  
 
                       
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    27,876       26,723       108,481       103,805  
Noninterest income
    12,390       11,047       48,273       44,668  
Noninterest expense
    22,730       21,118       86,827       83,017  
 
                       
Net income before income taxes
    17,536       16,652       69,927       65,456  
Income tax expense
    5,030       4,943       20,437       19,427  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 12,506     $ 11,709     $ 49,490     $ 46,029  
 
                       
 
                               
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
                               
Net income — basic
  $ 0.60     $ 0.56     $ 2.38     $ 2.22  
Net income — diluted
    0.60       0.56       2.38       2.21  
Cash dividends
    0.32       0.30       1.26       1.18  
Book value
                    16.16       14.51  
Market value
                    37.65       41.86  
Shares outstanding — end of period
    20,766,848       20,739,127       20,766,848       20,739,127  
Average outstanding shares — basic
    20,765,397       20,734,697       20,757,868       20,725,432  
Average outstanding shares — diluted
    20,800,214       20,802,785       20,800,110       20,787,569  
 
                               
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
                               
Return on average assets
    1.68 %     1.67 %     1.72 %     1.68 %
Return on average equity
    15.25       15.74       15.87       16.20  
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
    4.50       4.43       4.43       4.46  
Efficiency ratio
    52.78       53.90       52.83       53.49  

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                                         
    Quarter Ended  
    ’2007     2006  
    Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,     June 30,     March 31,     Dec. 31,  
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
                                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 16,728     $ 16,425     $ 16,458     $ 16,201     $ 16,498  
Loans charged off
    (803 )     (342 )     (505 )     (147 )     (788 )
Loan recoveries
    160       170       234       162       244  
 
                             
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
    (643 )     (172 )     (271 )     15       (544 )
Provision for loan losses
    1,377       475       238       242       247  
 
                             
Balance at end of period
  $ 17,462     $ 16,728     $ 16,425     $ 16,458     $ 16,201  
 
                             
 
Allowance for loan losses / period-end loans
    1.14 %     1.15 %     1.18 %     1.17 %     1.18 %
Allowance for loan losses / nonperforming loans
    541.5       395.6       387.4       226.5       442.9  
Net charge-offs (recoveries) / average loans (annualized)
    0.17       0.05       0.08       0.00       0.16  
 
                                       
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
                                       
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 3,189     $ 4,023     $ 4,179     $ 6,338     $ 3,529  
Accruing loans 90 days past due
    36       206       61       928       129  
 
                             
Total nonperforming loans
    3,225       4,229       4,240       7,266       3,658  
Foreclosed assets
    1,506       2,594       2,174       434       453  
 
                             
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 4,731     $ 6,823     $ 6,414     $ 7,700     $ 4,111  
 
                             
 
                                       
As a % of loans and foreclosed assets
    0.31 %     0.47 %     0.46 %     0.55 %     0.30 %
 
                                       
CAPITAL RATIOS
                                       
Tier 1 Risk-based
    14.65 %     14.81 %     14.85 %     14.71 %     14.35 %
Total Risk-based
    15.62       15.76       15.81       15.69       15.32  
Tier 1 Leverage
    9.23       9.31       9.05       8.89       8.87  
Equity to assets
    10.93       11.12       10.75       10.74       10.56  
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
NONINTEREST INCOME   2007     2006     2007     2006  
Gain on sale of student loans, net
  $ 97     $ 90     $ 1,913     $ 2,141  
Gain on securities transactions, net
    70       2       150       62  
Trust fees
    2,216       2,093       8,747       7,665  
Service charges on deposits
    6,153       5,661       22,920       22,450  
Real estate mortgage fees
    723       759       3,347       2,539  
Net gain (loss) on sale of foreclosed assets
    60       3       108       (10 )
ATM and credit card fees
    2,005       1,655       7,521       6,214  
Other noninterest income
    1,066       784       3,567       3,607  
 
                       
Total Noninterest Income
  $ 12,390     $ 11,047     $ 48,273     $ 44,668  
 
                       
 
                               
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 12,334     $ 10,791     $ 46,944     $ 44,180  
Net occupancy expense
    1,535       1,488       5,893       5,986  
Equipment expense
    1,815       1,758       7,220       7,039  
Printing, stationery and supplies
    459       519       2,004       2,067  
ATM and credit card expenses
    989       859       3,871       3,398  
Audit fees
    208       218       882       856  
Legal, tax and professional fees
    722       561       2,714       2,289  
Correspondent bank service charges
    265       367       1,153       1,353  
Advertising and public relations
    687       703       2,488       2,472  
Amortization of intangible assets
    360       433       1,494       1,491  
Other noninterest expense
    3,356       3,421       12,164       11,886  
 
                       
Total Noninterest Expense
  $ 22,730     $ 21,118     $ 86,827     $ 83,017  
 
                       
 
                               
TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD ADJUSTMENT
  $ 1,422     $ 1,161     $ 5,267     $ 4,656  
 
                       

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                         
    Three Months Ended  
    December 31, 2007  
    Average     Tax Equivalent     Yield /  
    Balance     Interest     Rate  
Interest earning assets:
                       
Fed funds sold
  $ 93,020     $ 1,066       4.55 %
Interest bearing deposits in nonaffiliated banks
    1,836       23       4.90 %
Taxable securities
    818,303       9,626       4.71 %
Tax exempt securities
    303,969       4,562       6.00 %
Loans
    1,488,555       29,627       7.90 %
 
                 
Total interest earning assets
    2,705,683       44,904       6.59 %
Noninterest earning assets
    252,742                  
 
                     
Total assets
  $ 2,958,425                  
 
                     
 
                       
Interest bearing liabilities:
                       
Deposits
  $ 1,750,144     $ 12,655       2.87 %
Fed funds purchased and other short term borrowings
    192,960       1,574       3.24 %
 
                 
Total interest bearing liabilities
    1,943,104       14,229       2.91 %
 
                   
Noninterest bearing liabilities
    689,908                  
Shareholders’ equity
    325,413                  
 
                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 2,958,425                  
 
                     
 
                       
Net interest income and margin (tax equivalent)
          $ 30,675       4.50 %
 
                   
                         
    Year Ended  
    December 31, 2007  
    Average     Tax Equivalent     Yield /  
    Balance     Interest     Rate  
Interest earning assets:
                       
Fed funds sold
  $ 72,426     $ 3,564       4.92 %
Interest bearing deposits in nonaffiliated banks
    3,858       198       5.12 %
Taxable securities
    832,807       38,881       4.67 %
Tax exempt securities
    287,468       17,279       6.01 %
Loans
    1,427,922       114,714       8.03 %
 
                 
Total interest earning assets
    2,624,481       174,636       6.66 %
Noninterest earning assets
    251,712                  
 
                     
Total assets
  $ 2,876,193                  
 
                     
 
                       
Interest bearing liabilities:
                       
Deposits
  $ 1,736,227     $ 51,980       2.99 %
Fed funds purchased and other short term borrowings
    161,648       6,577       4.07 %
 
                 
Total interest bearing liabilities
    1,897,875       58,557       3.09 %
 
                   
Noninterest bearing liabilities
    666,520                  
Shareholders’ equity
    311,798                  
 
                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 2,876,193                  
 
                     
 
                       
Net interest income and margin (tax equivalent)
          $ 116,079       4.43 %