The First Bancshares, Inc. (“FBMS” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: FBMS), holding company for The First Bank, (www.thefirstbank.com) reported today financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Highlights:

• Net income available to common shareholders totaled $23.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of 46.1% when compared to $16.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Several one-time items are detailed in the tables located in the appendix of this release.
• Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables located in the appendix of this release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) decreased $0.3 million, or 1.0% to $26.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 as compared to $27.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
• Total loans increased $41.1 million for the quarter representing net growth of 3.3% on an annualized basis, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
• Annualized net interest margin increased 13 bps to 3.76% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 from 3.63% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
• Core net interest margin decreased 4 bps during the quarter from 3.47% to 3.43%.
• Cost of deposits averaged 91 bps for the second quarter compared to 72 bps for the first quarter.
• Added a commercial banking team and opened an LPO in St. Petersburg, FL.
• Added a commercial banking team in New Orleans, LA.
• For additional information, see the investor presentation filed and available under presentations and press releases included in the investor relations section of the Company’s website: www.thefirstbank.com.

M. Ray “Hoppy” Cole, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased to report another strong quarter characterized by modest loan growth of 3.3% on an annualized basis, GAAP net interest margin expansion of 13 bps, an improvement in nonperforming assets and consistent core operating earnings. Our retail oriented, highly granular deposit base continues to perform well exhibited by a total cost of deposits of 91 bps up only 19 bps quarter over quarter. We believe we are well positioned for this very difficult operating environment given our conservative balance sheet structure and our solid core earnings stream.”

Quarterly Earnings

Net income available to common shareholders totaled $23.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase when compared to $16.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) decreased $0.3 million, or 1.0%, to $26.8 million for quarter ended June 30, 2023 as compared to $27.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and $11.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The $11.0 million provision in respect of the quarter ended March 31, 2023 included $10.7 million for the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) day 1 provision for credit losses and unfunded commitments attributable to the acquired loans from Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc. (“Heritage Bank”) in the first quarter of 2023.

Earnings Per Share

For the second quarter of 2023, diluted earnings per share were $0.75, compared to $0.52 for the first quarter of 2023 and $0.76 for the second quarter of 2022.

The increase in diluted earnings per share when compared to the previous quarter was primarily attributable to expenses associated with the acquisition of Heritage Bank.

Diluted earnings per share, operating (non-GAAP) were $0.85 for the second quarter of 2023 compared to $0.86 for the first quarter of 2023 and $0.80 for the second quarter of 2022.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company issued 6,920,422 shares of its common stock in conjunction with the closing of the acquisition of Heritage Bank. Effective August 1, 2022, the Company issued 3,498,936 shares of its common stock in conjunction with the closing of the acquisition of Beach Bancorp, Inc. (“Beach Bank”).

Balance Sheet

Consolidated assets decreased $155.2 million to $7.862 billion at June 30, 2023 from $8.017 billion at March 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $139.4 million for the quarterly comparison.

Total loans were $5.011 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $4.970 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, and $3.125 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, representing an increase of $41.1 million, or 0.8%, for the sequential quarter comparison, and an increase of $1.886 billion, or 60.4%, for the prior year quarterly comparison. During January 2023, loans totaling $1.159 billion, net of purchase accounting adjustments, were recorded from the Heritage Bank acquisition. During August 2022, loans totaling $486.5 million, net of purchase accounting adjustments were recorded from the Beach Bank acquisition.

Total loans increased $41.1 million, or 0.8% as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2023, or 3.3% on an annualized basis.

Excluding the acquired Heritage Bank loans and Beach Bank loans, total loans increased $240 million, or 8% compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Total deposits were $6.492 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $6.668 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, and $5.306 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, representing a decrease of $175.7 million, or 2.6%, for the sequential quarter comparison, and an increase of $1.186 billion, or 22.4%, for the prior year quarterly comparison. During January 2023, deposits totaling $1.392 billion, net of purchase accounting adjustments, were acquired in the Heritage Bank acquisition. During August 2022, deposits totaling $490.6 million, net of purchase accounting adjustments, were acquired in the Beach Bank acquisition.

Deposits decreased $175.7 million, or 2.6% for the prior quarter comparison. The decrease in deposits was partially attributable to brokered certificate of deposits in the amount of $27.4 million that matured during the quarter. The decrease in deposits also reflected a decrease in public fund deposits of $60.4 million during the quarter. Excluding the brokered deposits that matured and the decrease in public fund deposits, there was approximately $87.9 million in deposit runoff during the quarter.

Book value per share increased to $28.64 at June 30, 2023 from $28.58 at March 31, 2023.

Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) increased to $17.62 at June 30, 2023 from $17.49 at March 31, 2023. The balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) increased $14.5 million to $145.2 million at June 30, 2023 from $130.8 million at March 31, 2023.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $21.6 million at June 30, 2023, a decrease of $0.8 million compared to $22.5 million at March 31, 2023 and a decrease of $4.6 million compared to $26.2 million at June 30, 2022.

Nonaccrual loans totaled $16.0 million, a decrease of $1.3 million as compared to March 31, 2023 and a decrease of $7.6 million as compared to June 30, 2022. During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, one large relationship with a balance of $10.2 million was upgraded to accrual status.

The ratio of the allowance for credit losses (ACL) to total loans was 1.05% at June 30, 2023, 1.06% at March 31, 2023 and 1.04% at June 30, 2022. The ratio of annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to total loans was 0.07% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 compared to 0.01% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and (0.04%) for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Second Quarter 2023 vs First Quarter 2023 Earnings Comparison

Net income available to common shareholders for the second quarter of 2023 increased $7.5 million to $23.8 million from $16.3 million for the first quarter of 2023.

Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) decreased $0.3 million, or 1.0%, to $26.8 million for quarter ended June 30, 2023 as compared to $27.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2023 was $66.0 million as compared to $64.9 million for the first quarter of 2023, an increase of $1.1 million. The increase was largely due to the increase in accretion of purchase accounting adjustments of $3.1 million as well as increased interest income, including fees of $3.8 million on the loan portfolio from higher yields and volumes.

Second quarter 2023 net interest margin of 3.76% included 37 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments compared to 3.63% for the first quarter in 2023, which included 19 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments.

Core net interest margin decreased 4 bps to 3.43% for the second quarter from 3.47% for the first quarter of 2023.

Investment securities totaled $1.898 billion, or 24.1% of total assets at June 30, 2023, compared to $1.962 billion, or 24.5% of total assets at March 31, 2023. The average balance of investment securities decreased $84.4 million in sequential-quarter comparison. The average yield on investment securities decreased 8 basis points to 2.23% from 2.31% in sequential-quarter comparison. The investment portfolio had a net unrealized loss of $157.6 million at June 30, 2023 as compared to a net unrealized loss of $137.6 million at March 31, 2023.

The average yield on all earning assets increased in sequential-quarter comparison from 4.49% to 4.91%. Interest expense on average interest bearing liabilities increased 41 basis points from 1.24% for the first quarter of 2023 to 1.65% for the second quarter of 2023.

Cost of all deposits averaged 91 basis points for the second quarter of 2023 compared to 72 basis points for the first quarter of 2023. This increase was a result of rising interest rates and increased competition for deposits.

Non-interest income decreased $0.2 million from $12.6 million to $12.4 million in the sequential-quarter comparison, attributable to decreases in service charges on deposit accounts of $0.2 million.

Non-interest expense for the second quarter of 2023 was $46.9 million compared to $45.7 million for the first quarter of 2023, an increase of $1.2 million, attributed to the increase in acquisition charges of $0.3 million as well as other expenses increased $1.0 million. Other expenses include a $0.5 million write down of other real estate.

Second Quarter 2023 vs. Second Quarter 2022 Earnings Comparison

Net income available to common shareholders for the second quarter of 2023 totaled $23.8 million compared to $15.8 million for the second quarter of 2022, an increase of $8.0 million or 50.9%.

Excluding one-time items detailed in the tables included with this press release, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating (non-GAAP) increased $10.3 million, or 62.7%, to $26.8 million for quarter ended June 30, 2023 as compared to $16.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2023 was $66.0 million, an increase of $23.9 million or 56.8% when compared to the second quarter of 2022. FTE net interest income (non-GAAP) totaled $67.0 million and $43.0 million for the second quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Purchase accounting adjustments increased $5.9 million for the second quarter comparisons. The increase was largely due to increased interest rates as well as the acquisitions of Beach Bank and Heritage Bank.

Second quarter of 2023 net interest margin was 3.76%, which included 37 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments compared to 3.02% for the same quarter in 2022, which included 4 basis points related to purchase accounting adjustments. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the core net interest margin (non-GAAP) increased 41 basis points in prior year quarterly comparison primarily due to an increase in average loans as well as interest rate increases.

Non-interest income increased $3.8 million for the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the second quarter of 2022. This increase was attributable to increases in service charges on deposit accounts and interchange fee income of $2.8 million and an increase of $1.7 million in other charges and fees. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in mortgage income.

Second quarter 2023 non-interest expense was $46.9 million, an increase of $15.9 million, or 51.5% as compared to the second quarter of 2022. For the second quarter of 2023, charges related to the ongoing operations of Beach Bank and Heritage Bank totaled $10.0 million and acquisition charges of $2.9 million.

Investment securities totaled $1.898 billion, or 24.1% of total assets at June 30, 2023, compared to $2.105 billion, or 34.9% of total assets at June 30, 2022. For the second quarter of 2023 compared to the second quarter of 2022, the average balance of investment securities decreased $183.2 million. The average yield on investment securities increased 13 basis points to 2.23% from 2.10% in the prior year quarterly comparison. The investment portfolio had a net unrealized loss of $157.6 million at June 30, 2023 as compared to a net unrealized loss of $149.1 million at June 30, 2022.

The average yield on all earnings assets increased 162 basis points in prior year quarter comparison, from 3.29% for the second quarter of 2022 to 4.91% for the second quarter of 2023. Interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities increased 126 basis points from 0.39% for the second quarter of 2022 to 1.65% for the second quarter of 2023.

Cost of all deposits averaged 91 basis points for the second quarter of 2023 compared to 14 basis points for the second quarter of 2022. This increase was a result of rising interest rates and increased competition for deposits.

Year-to-Date Earnings Comparison

In the year-over-year comparison, net income available to common shareholders increased $7.5 million, or 22.9%, from $32.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to $40.1 million for the same period ended June 30, 2023.

Net interest income was $131.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $50.2 million as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2022, primarily due to interest income earned on a higher volume of loans and securities (including loans and securities acquired from Heritage Bank and Beach Bank).

Non-interest income was $25.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $5.2 million as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2022. Service charges on deposit accounts accounted for $3.0 million of the increase as well as $2.7 million in interchange fee income.

Non-interest expense was $92.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $33.0 million as compared to the same period ended June 30, 2022. The increase was partially attributable to $6.3 million in acquisition and charter conversion charges and $20.9 million in increased operating expenses related to the acquisitions of Beach Bank and Heritage Bank for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Declaration of Cash Dividend

The Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.23 per share, a 5% increase over the previous quarter, to be paid on its common stock on August 24, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 8, 2023.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss the Company’s financial results at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Investors and analysts may participate by clicking on the Participant Conference Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI2f16adb2b9ab4d3184aa6ef3cf9f0f03. An audio archive of the conference call along with the transcript will be available within 24-48 hours after the call and placed in the Investor Relations section of our website.

About The First Bancshares, Inc.

The First Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the parent company of The First Bank (“The First”). Founded in 1996, The First has operations in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The Company’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol FBMS. Information is available on the Company’s website: www.thefirstbank.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Our accounting and reporting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of our performance. This press release includes pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings, FTE net interest income, FTE net interest margin, core net interest margin, FTE average yield on investment securities, FTE average yield on all earning assets, total tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, net earnings available to common shareholders, operating, diluted earnings per share, operating, efficiency ratio, operating and certain ratios derived from these non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release allow management and investors to understand and compare results in a more consistent manner for the periods presented in this press release. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplemental and not a substitute for the Company’s results reported in accordance with GAAP for the periods presented, and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these measures differently. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation and do not purport to be an alternative to net income, earnings per share, net interest income, book value, net interest margin, common equity, net earnings available to common shareholders, diluted earnings per share, efficiency ratio, average yield on investment securities, average yield on all earning assets, or other GAAP financial measures as a measure of operating performance. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure is provided in this press release following the Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited).

Forward Looking Statements

This news release and certain of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain statements that constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such statements can generally be identified by such words as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “assumes,” “should,” “predicts,” “could,” “would,” “intends,” “targets,” “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential,” “positioned” and other similar words and expressions of the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for the Company’s future business and financial performance and/or the performance of the banking industry and economy in general. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risk and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the information known to, and current beliefs and expectations of, the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) competitive pressures among financial institutions increasing significantly; (2) prevailing, or changes in, economic or political conditions, either nationally or locally, particularly in areas in which the Company conducts operations, including the effects of declines in the real estate market, high unemployment rates, inflationary pressure, elevated interest rates and slowdowns in economic growth, as well as the financial stress on borrowers as a result of the foregoing; (3) interest rate risk, including the effects of rising interest rates; (4) developments in our mortgage banking business, including loan modifications, general demand, and the effects of judicial or regulatory requirements or guidance; (5) changes in applicable laws, rules, or regulations; (6) risks related to the Company’s recently completed acquisitions, including that the anticipated benefits from the recently completed acquisitions are not realized in the time frame anticipated or at all as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions or other unexpected factors or events; (7) changes in management’s plans for the future; (8) credit risk associated with our lending activities; (9) changes in loan demand, real estate values, or competition; (10) changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; (11) adverse results from current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions, including as a result of the Company’s participation in and execution of government programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and related variants; (12) higher inflation and its impacts; (13) significant turbulence or disruption in the capital or financial markets and the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our investment securities; (14) potential impacts of the recent adverse developments in the banking industry highlighted by high-profile bank failures, including impacts on customer confidence, deposit outflows, liquidity and the regulatory response thereto; (15) the effects of war or other conflicts including the impacts relating to or resulting from Russia’s military action in Ukraine; and (16) other general competitive, economic, political, and market factors, including those affecting our business, operations, pricing, products, or services.

These and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, as well as a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings we make with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments.