EX-99.1 2 w73696exv99w1.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
FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS
ABILENE, Texas, April 23, 2009 — First Financial Bankshares, Inc. today reported earnings for the first quarter of 2009 of $13.70 million, an increase of 4.1 percent from $13.16 million in the same quarter last year. Basic earnings per share increased 4.8 percent to $0.66 in the first quarter of 2009, compared with $0.63 in the same period last year.
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2009 increased 7.0 percent to $31.92 million compared with $29.83 million in the same quarter last year. The net interest margin, on a taxable equivalent basis, rose to 4.76 percent for the first quarter of 2009 compared with 4.58 percent in the same period a year ago and compared to 4.77 percent for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. The provision for loan losses was $1.76 million in the first quarter of 2009, up from $1.07 million in the same quarter last year. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans and foreclosed assets totaled 95 basis points at March 31, 2009, compared with 80 basis points at December 31, 2008, and 38 basis points at March 31, 2008.
Noninterest income in the first quarter of 2009 declined 6.3 percent to $11.54 million compared with $12.31 million in the same quarter a year earlier. As previously reported, the Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $616,000, excluding related servicing and overhead expenses, during the first quarter of 2009 on the sale of $73.7 million in student loans to the Department of Education. This compares with a net gain on sale of student loans of $283,000 in the first quarter of 2008. The first quarter sale of student loans represents approximately 86 percent of the Company’s student loan portfolio and the Company expects to complete the sale of the remaining portfolio in the second or third quarters of this year. For the year 2008, First Financial sold $62.7 million in student loans recognizing a gain of $1.7 million, substantially all in the second quarter of 2008.
Trust fees declined 10.7 percent to $2.12 million compared with $2.37 million in the first quarter last year, reflecting declines in the market value of the equity investments under management and lower oil prices, offset in part by a growth of $223 million in total assets under management over the prior year. Service charges on deposit accounts decreased 6.9 percent to $5.14 million compared with $5.53 million a year ago, reflecting a decrease in the use of overdraft privileges. ATM and credit card fees increased 8.7 percent to $2.21 million from $2.03 million a year ago, primarily as a result of increased use of debit cards.

 


 

Noninterest expense remained steady in the first quarter of 2009, increasing only 1.26 percent to $22.95 million from $22.66 million in the same quarter last year. Lower profit sharing expenses and healthcare costs were the largest contributing factors. However, noninterest expense would have declined over prior periods had it not been for the significant increase in FDIC insurance premiums, increasing to $951 thousand in the first quarter of 2009 from $133 thousand in the same quarter last year. The FDIC is considering an additional special assessment that could further significantly increase the Company’s 2009 expense. The Company’s efficiency ratio in the first quarter of 2009 improved to 50.22 percent compared with 51.86 percent in the same quarter a year ago.
“We are pleased with our first quarter results given the national economic recession, low interest rates and large increase in FDIC insurance premiums,” said F. Scott Dueser, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our Presidents have done an excellent job of maintaining our net interest margin and reducing expenses to compensate for the additional FDIC insurance expense. We continue to increase our allowance for loan losses and aggressively work out our problem loans. Although our nonperforming assets increased to 95 basis points, this number continues to be very manageable and much lower than our peer banks.”
As of March 31, 2009, consolidated assets for the Company totaled $3.12 billion compared with $3.06 billion a year ago. Loans totaled $1.48 billion at quarter end, compared with loans of $1.54 billion a year ago, primarily as a result of the sale of student loans. Total deposits held steady at $2.52 billion as of March 31, 2009, compared with $2.50 billion a year earlier. Noninterest-bearing deposits grew 7.2 percent or $51.85 million, from a year ago. Shareholders’ equity rose to $381.5 million as of March 31, 2009, compared with $351.8 million the prior year.
Headquartered in Abilene, Texas, First Financial Bankshares is a financial holding company that operates ten separately chartered banks with 48 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, Trent and Merkel; and Weatherford National Bank, Weatherford, Willow Park, Aledo and Brock. 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)
                 
    March 31,  
    2009     2008  
ASSETS:
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 114,843     $ 138,118  
Fed funds sold
    46,575       114,950  
Investment securities
    1,330,466       1,119,789  
Loans
    1,479,552       1,535,890  
Allowance for loan losses
    (22,652 )     (18,377 )
 
           
Net loans
    1,456,900       1,517,513  
Premises and equipment
    64,888       63,187  
Goodwill
    62,113       62,113  
Other intangible assets
    1,668       2,784  
Other assets
    43,909       43,482  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 3,121,362     $ 3,061,936  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Noninterest-bearing deposits
  $ 769,393     $ 717,547  
Interest-bearing deposits
    1,752,322       1,787,135  
 
           
Total deposits
    2,521,715       2,504,682  
Short-term borrowings
    166,347       163,122  
Other liabilities
    51,761       42,373  
Shareholders’ equity
    381,539       351,759  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 3,121,362     $ 3,061,936  
 
           
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2009     2008  
INCOME STATEMENTS
               
Interest income
  $ 36,962     $ 41,746  
Interest expense
    5,038       11,917  
 
           
Net interest income
    31,924       29,829  
Provision for loan losses
    1,761       1,068  
 
           
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    30,163       28,761  
Noninterest income
    11,536       12,312  
Noninterest expense
    22,947       22,661  
 
           
Net income before income taxes
    18,752       18,412  
Income tax expense
    5,048       5,250  
 
           
Net income
  $ 13,704     $ 13,162  
 
           
 
               
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
               
Net income — basic
  $ 0.66     $ 0.63  
Net income — diluted
    0.66       0.63  
Cash dividends
    0.34       0.32  
Book value
    18.34       16.93  
Market value
    48.17       40.98  
Shares outstanding — end of period
    20,804,668       20,782,926  
Average outstanding shares — basic
    20,801,681       20,773,940  
Average outstanding shares — diluted
    20,847,967       20,801,221  
 
               
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
               
Return on average assets
    1.76 %     1.75 %
Return on average equity
    14.59       15.42  
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
    4.76       4.58  
Efficiency ratio
    50.22       51.86  

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                                         
    Quarter Ended  
    2009     2008  
    March 31,     Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
 
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
                                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 21,529     $ 20,048     $ 18,677     $ 18,377     $ 17,462  
Loans charged off
    (893 )     (2,406 )     (647 )     (1,374 )     (288 )
Loan recoveries
    255       204       253       233       135  
 
                             
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
    (638 )     (2,202 )     (394 )     (1,141 )     (153 )
Provision for loan losses
    1,761       3,683       1,765       1,441       1,068  
 
                             
Balance at end of period
  $ 22,652     $ 21,529     $ 20,048     $ 18,677     $ 18,377  
 
                             
 
                                       
Allowance for loan losses / period-end loans
    1.53 %     1.37 %     1.28 %     1.23 %     1.20 %
Allowance for loan losses / nonperforming loans
    233.5       216.8       245.7       208.4       465.0  
Net charge-offs (recoveries) / average loans (annualized)
    0.17       0.56       0.10       0.30       0.04  
 
                                       
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
                                       
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 9,606     $ 9,893     $ 7,947     $ 8,963     $ 3,933  
Accruing loans 90 days past due
    94       36       213             19  
 
                             
Total nonperforming loans
    9,700       9,929       8,160       8,963       3,952  
Foreclosed assets
    4,415       2,602       2,613       1,792       1,908  
 
                             
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 14,115     $ 12,531     $ 10,773     $ 10,755     $ 5,860  
 
                             
 
                                       
As a % of loans and foreclosed assets
    0.95 %     0.80 %     0.69 %     0.71 %     0.38 %
As a % of end of period total assets
    0.45       0.39       0.34       0.35       0.19  
 
                                       
CAPITAL RATIOS
                                       
Tier 1 Risk-based
    16.80 %     15.89 %     15.41 %     15.25 %     15.08 %
Total Risk-based
    18.05       17.04       16.49       16.27       16.09  
Tier 1 Leverage
    10.01       9.68       9.63       9.55       9.34  
Equity to assets
    12.22       11.48       11.13       11.15       11.49  
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2009     2008  
NONINTEREST INCOME
               
Gain on sale of student loans, net
  $ 616     $ 283  
Gain on securities transactions, net
    249       393  
Trust fees
    2,116       2,369  
Service charges on deposits
    5,141       5,525  
Real estate mortgage fees
    588       605  
Net gain (loss) on sale of foreclosed assets
    (159 )     104  
ATM and credit card fees
    2,209       2,032  
Other noninterest income
    776       1,001  
 
           
Total Noninterest Income
  $ 11,536     $ 12,312  
 
           
 
               
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
               
Salaries and employee benefits, excluding profit sharing
  $ 11,497     $ 11,503  
Profit sharing expense
    495       1,045  
Net occupancy expense
    1,620       1,591  
Equipment expense
    1,940       1,847  
Printing, stationery and supplies
    433       510  
ATM and credit card expenses
    921       1,000  
Audit fees
    286       262  
Legal, tax and professional fees
    927       743  
FDIC Insurance premiums
    951       133  
Correspondent bank service charges
    312       265  
Advertising and public relations
    532       642  
Amortization of intangible assets
    222       311  
Other noninterest expense
    2,811       2,809  
 
           
Total Noninterest Expense
  $ 22,947     $ 22,661  
 
           
 
               
TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD ADJUSTMENT
  $ 2,234     $ 1,555  
 
           

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                         
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31, 2009  
    Average     Tax Equivalent     Yield /  
    Balance     Interest     Rate  
Interest-earning assets:
                       
Fed funds sold
  $ 33,506     $ 24       0.29 %
Interest-bearing deposits in nonaffiliated banks
    3,391       18       2.17 %
Taxable securities
    904,931       9,738       4.30 %
Tax exempt securities
    399,250       6,160       6.17 %
Loans
    1,567,101       23,256       6.02 %
 
                 
Total interest-earning assets
    2,908,179       39,196       5.47 %
Noninterest-earning assets
    255,487                  
 
                     
Total assets
  $ 3,163,666                  
 
                     
 
                       
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                       
Deposits
  $ 1,767,060     $ 4,777       1.10 %
Fed funds purchased and other short term borrowings
    231,224       261       0.46 %
 
                 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1,998,284       5,038       1.02 %
 
                     
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
    784,565                  
Shareholders’ equity
    380,817                  
 
                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 3,163,666                  
 
                     
 
                       
Net interest income and margin (tax equivalent)
          $ 34,158       4.76 %