EX-99 2 exh_991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Unassociated Document
Exhibit 99.1
 
For more information, contact:
Investor Relations
228-435-8208
investorrelations@thepeoples.com

PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION REPORTS
 $4.7 MILLION NET INCOME FOR FIRST HALF 2007

BILOXI, MS (July 16, 2007)—Peoples Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Capital Market: PFBX), parent of The Peoples Bank, reported first half 2007 earnings of $4,702,000, announced Chevis C. Swetman, chairman and chief executive officer of the holding company and the bank.

Earnings for the first six months of the current year were 7.6% less than the same period in 2006. The lower earnings were primarily the result of a loss of $619,000 ($409,000, net of taxes) from the sale of securities, said Swetman. Proceeds from the sale of securities funded liquidity needs during the quarter, he said.

“Our operating results continue to improve despite challenging conditions here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast due to the constrictions in the rebuilding effort,” said Swetman. “Our loan volume showed a 7.2% increase for the first half of the year, which is less than what we had projected at the beginning of the year but still healthy in the face of  the twin constraints of slower than expected recovery funding and insurance increases,” he said.

Earnings per share for the first half of 2007 totaled $.85 per average weighted share, compared to $.92 per share in the period the year before. Earnings per share figures are based on weighted average shares outstanding of 5,541,765 and 5,548,403 on June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006, respectively.

“Our Board of Directors remains confident that our earnings will continue at these levels, and in June they voted to raise the semi-annual dividend to an annualized rate of $.50 a share, the eighth time the dividend has been increased since 2003,” said Swetman.

“In addition, we are excited to announce the formation of a Mortgage Loan Department to participate directly in the wave of residential financing we foresee in the very near future. Our new Mortgage Loan Department will give us the capability of seamless service, from land acquisition to construction financing to permanent mortgage loans on residential properties up to four-family units,” said Swetman.

Founded in 1896, with $991 million in assets as of June 30, 2007, The Peoples Bank operates 16 branches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. In addition to a comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking services, the bank also operates a trust and investment services department that has provided customers with financial, estate and retirement planning services since 1936. The Peoples Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples Financial Corporation, listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol PFBX. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.thepeoples.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements and reflects industry conditions, company performance and financial results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties which could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ from the anticipated results and expectation expressed in such forward-looking statements.
 
 
PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
       
(Unaudited)
           
(In thousands, except per share figures)
       
             
EARNINGS SUMMARY
           
             
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2007
   
2006
 
Net interest income
  $
7,565
    $
7,505
 
Provision for loan losses
   
51
     
42
 
Non-interest income
   
1,962
     
2,148
 
Non-interest expense
   
6,280
     
5,635
 
Income taxes
   
1,210
     
1,420
 
Net income
   
1,986
     
2,556
 
Earnings per share
   
.36
     
.46
 
                 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2007
   
2006
 
Net interest income
  $
14,994
    $
15,012
 
Provision for loan losses
   
100
     
77
 
Non-interest income
   
4,612
     
3,818
 
Non-interest expense
   
12,306
     
10,954
 
Income taxes
   
2,498
     
2,710
 
Net income
   
4,702
     
5,089
 
Earnings per share
   
.85
     
.92
 
                 
PERFORMANCE RATIOS (annualized)
         
                 
June 30,
 
2007
   
2006
 
Return on average assets
    .95 %     1.17 %
Return on average equity
    9.06 %     11.46 %
Net interest margin
    3.41 %     3.94 %
Efficiency ratio
    63 %     58 %
                 
BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY
               
                 
Balance at June 30,
 
2007
   
2006
 
Total assets
  $
990,620
    $
878,582
 
Loans
   
429,853
     
401,010
 
Securities
   
428,601
     
382,819
 
Total deposits
   
668,708
     
622,992
 
Total federal funds purchased
   
197,143
     
148,593
 
Shareholders' equity
   
98,465
     
90,220
 
Book value per share
   
17.85
     
16.26
 
Weighted average shares
   
5,541,765
     
5,548,403
 
                 
PERIOD END DATA
               
                 
Allowance for loan losses as a
               
   percentage of loans
    2.53 %     2.75 %
Loans past due 90 days and
               
   still accruing
   
1,488
     
5,284
 
Nonaccrual loans
   
3,803
     
451
 
Primary capital
    11.06 %     11.60 %