EX-99.1 2 w54911exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 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
FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS UP 14.8 PERCENT
ABILENE, Texas, April 17, 2008 – First Financial Bankshares, Inc. today reported earnings for the first quarter of 2008 of $13.16 million, up 14.8 percent from $11.46 million in the same quarter last year. Basic earnings per share increased 14.5 percent to $0.63 in the first quarter of 2008, compared with $0.55 in the same period last year.
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2008 increased 12.3 percent to $29.83 million compared with $26.57 million in the same quarter last year. The net interest margin, on a taxable equivalent basis, rose to 4.58 percent for the first quarter of 2008 compared with 4.38 percent in the same period a year ago and 4.50 percent for the quarter ended December 31, 2007. These favorable changes resulted primarily from increased loan volume and management of deposit rates as interest rates declined 300 basis points over the past six months. The provision for loan losses was $1.07 million in the first quarter of 2008, up from $242,000 in the same quarter last year reflective of the growth in loans and the Company’s concern for a slowing national economy. Non-performing assets as a percentage of loans and foreclosed assets totaled 38 basis points at March 31, 2008, compared with 31 basis points at December 31, 2007, and 55 basis points at March 31, 2007.
Noninterest income in the first quarter of 2008 was $12.31 million compared with $10.92 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Trust fees increased 12.8 percent to $2.37 million compared with $2.10 million in the first quarter last year. Service charges on deposit accounts increased 7.5 percent to $5.53 million compared with $5.14 million a year ago. Real estate mortgage fees decreased 18.1 percent to $605,000 from $738,000 in the same quarter last year. ATM and credit card fees increased 18.2 percent to $2.03 million from $1.72 million a year ago, indicative of continued increased use of debit cards.
Noninterest expense increased 8.6 percent in the first quarter of 2008 to $22.66 million from $20.87 million in the same quarter last year, due in part to higher salaries from annual pay raises and increased profit sharing and healthcare expenses. The Company’s efficiency ratio in the first quarter improved to 51.86 percent compared with 53.89 percent in the same quarter a year ago.
“We are pleased we were able to improve our net interest margin and report another quarter of increased earnings, especially in light of the Federal Reserve Board’s dramatic reduction in interest rates and the slowing economy,” said F. Scott Dueser, President and

 


 

Chief Executive Officer. “We were prepared for the Federal Reserve to reduce rates over the last six months; however, it will be difficult to compensate for future rate cuts. We will continue to work hard to maintain healthy margins and manage the Company prudently and cautiously given the current economic environment.”
As of March 31, 2008, consolidated assets for the Company totaled $3.06 billion compared with $2.87 billion a year ago. Loans totaled $1.54 billion at quarter end, compared with loans of $1.41 billion a year ago. Total deposits were $2.50 billion as of March 31, 2008, compared with $2.43 billion a year earlier. Noninterest-bearing deposits grew $59.8 million from a year ago. Shareholders’ equity rose to $351.8 million as of March 31, 2008, compared with $308.2 million the prior year.
Headquartered in Abilene, Texas, First Financial Bankshares is a financial holding company that operates ten separately chartered banks with 47 locations in Texas. The bank subsidiaries are First Financial Bank, N.A., Abilene, Albany, Clyde and Moran; 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, Bridgeport, Boyd, Decatur, Keller and Trophy Club; First Financial Bank, N.A., Stephenville, Granbury, Glen Rose and Acton; First Financial Bank, N.A., Sweetwater, Roby and Trent; and Weatherford National Bank, Weatherford, Willow Park, Aledo and Brock. The Company also operates First Financial Trust and 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)
                 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
ASSETS:
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 138,118     $ 110,006  
Fed funds sold
    114,950       109,110  
Investment securities
    1,127,394       1,097,959  
Loans
    1,535,890       1,406,867  
Allowance for loan losses
    (18,377 )     (16,458 )
 
           
Net loans
    1,517,513       1,390,409  
Premises and equipment
    63,187       59,855  
Goodwill
    62,113       62,113  
Other intangible assets
    2,784       4,206  
Other assets
    35,877       36,788  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 3,061,936     $ 2,870,446  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Noninterest-bearing deposits
  $ 717,547     $ 657,786  
Interest-bearing deposits
    1,787,135       1,768,057  
 
           
Total deposits
    2,504,682       2,425,843  
Short-term borrowings
    163,122       111,614  
Other liabilities
    42,373       24,780  
Shareholders’ equity
    351,759       308,209  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 3,061,936     $ 2,870,446  
 
           
 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
INCOME STATEMENTS
               
Interest income
  $ 41,746     $ 41,072  
Interest expense
    11,917       14,499  
 
           
Net interest income
    29,829       26,573  
Provision for loan losses
    1,068       242  
 
           
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    28,761       26,331  
Noninterest income
    12,312       10,920  
Noninterest expense
    22,661       20,867  
 
           
Net income before income taxes
    18,412       16,384  
Income tax expense
    5,250       4,922  
 
           
Net income
  $ 13,162     $ 11,462  
 
           
 
               
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
               
 
           
Net income — basic
  $ 0.63     $ 0.55  
Net income — diluted
    0.63       0.55  
Cash dividends
    0.32       0.30  
Book value
    16.93       14.85  
Market value
    40.98       41.82  
Shares outstanding — end of period
    20,782,926       20,754,796  
Average outstanding shares — basic
    20,773,940       20,747,188  
Average outstanding shares — diluted
    20,801,221       20,796,236  
 
               
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
               
Return on average assets
    1.75 %     1.64 %
Return on average equity
    15.42       15.42  
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
    4.58       4.38  
Efficiency ratio
    51.86       53.89  

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                                         
    Quarter Ended  
    2008     2007  
    March 31,     Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
                                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 17,462     $ 16,728     $ 16,425     $ 16,458     $ 16,201  
Loans charged off
    (288 )     (803 )     (342 )     (505 )     (147 )
Loan recoveries
    135       160       170       234       162  
 
                             
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
    (153 )     (643 )     (172 )     (271 )     15  
Provision for loan losses
    1,068       1,377       475       238       242  
 
                             
Balance at end of period
  $ 18,377     $ 17,462     $ 16,728     $ 16,425     $ 16,458  
 
                             
 
                                       
Allowance for loan losses / period-end loans
    1.20 %     1.14 %     1.15 %     1.18 %     1.17 %
Allowance for loan losses / nonperforming loans
    465.0       541.5       395.6       387.4       226.5  
Net charge-offs (recoveries) / average loans (annualized)
    0.04       0.17       0.05       0.08       0.00  
 
                                       
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
                                       
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 3,933     $ 3,189     $ 4,023     $ 4,179     $ 6,338  
Accruing loans 90 days past due
    19       36       206       61       928  
 
                             
Total nonperforming loans
    3,952       3,225       4,229       4,240       7,266  
Foreclosed assets
    1,908       1,506       2,594       2,174       434  
 
                             
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 5,860     $ 4,731     $ 6,823     $ 6,414     $ 7,700  
 
                             
 
                                       
As a % of loans and foreclosed assets
    0.38 %     0.31 %     0.47 %     0.46 %     0.55 %
 
                                       
CAPITAL RATIOS
                                       
Tier 1 Risk-based
    15.08 %     14.65 %     14.81 %     14.85 %     14.71 %
Total Risk-based
    16.09       15.62       15.76       15.81       15.69  
Tier 1 Leverage
    9.34       9.23       9.31       9.05       8.89  
Equity to assets
    11.49       10.93       11.12       10.75       10.74  
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
NONINTEREST INCOME
               
Gain on sale of student loans, net
  $ 283     $ 163  
Gain on securities transactions, net
    393       85  
Trust fees
    2,369       2,100  
Service charges on deposits
    5,525       5,139  
Real estate mortgage fees
    605       738  
Net gain (loss) on sale of foreclosed assets
    104       12  
ATM and credit card fees
    2,032       1,718  
Other noninterest income
    1,001       965  
 
           
Total Noninterest Income
  $ 12,312     $ 10,920  
 
           
 
               
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
               
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 12,548     $ 11,439  
Net occupancy expense
    1,591       1,409  
Equipment expense
    1,847       1,745  
Printing, stationery and supplies
    510       472  
ATM and credit card expenses
    1,000       929  
Audit fees
    262       249  
Legal, tax and professional fees
    743       673  
Correspondent bank service charges
    265       326  
Advertising and public relations
    642       559  
Amortization of intangible assets
    311       383  
Other noninterest expense
    2,942       2,683  
 
           
Total Noninterest Expense
  $ 22,661     $ 20,867  
 
           
 
               
TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD ADJUSTMENT
  $ 1,555     $ 1,227  
 
           

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                         
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31, 2008  
    Average     Tax Equivalent     Yield /  
    Balance     Interest     Rate  
Interest-earning assets:
                       
Fed funds sold
  $ 112,829     $ 850       3.03 %
Interest-bearing deposits in nonaffiliated banks
    2,088       20       3.79 %
Taxable securities
    784,529       9,118       4.65 %
Tax exempt securities
    320,483       4,821       6.02 %
Loans
    1,535,143       28,492       7.46 %
 
                 
Total interest earning assets
    2,755,072       43,301       6.32 %
Noninterest earning assets
    261,332                  
 
                     
Total assets
  $ 3,016,404                  
 
                     
 
                       
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                       
Deposits
  $ 1,795,823     $ 11,088       2.48 %
Fed funds purchased and other short term borrowings
    164,269       829       2.03 %
 
                 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1,960,092       11,917       2.45 %
 
                   
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
    712,946                  
Shareholders’ equity
    343,366                  
 
                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 3,016,404                  
 
                     
 
                       
Net interest income and margin (tax equivalent)
          $ 31,384       4.58 %