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8-K - FORM 8-K - FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC /DE/f8k_012413.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.


FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC. ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS
AND DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND


CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, January 24, 2013 – First Financial Holdings, Inc. (“First Financial,” NASDAQ: FFCH), the holding company for First Federal Bank (“First Federal”), announced today net income available to common shareholders of $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012, compared with $5.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and $14.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011.  Diluted net income per common share was $0.41 for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, compared with $0.34 for the prior quarter and $0.88 for the same quarter last year.  The quarter ended December 31, 2011 included a $12.7 million after-tax gain from a bulk loan sale of certain performing loans and classified assets.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, net income available to common shareholders was $24.9 million, compared with a net loss of $(30.6) million for the same period of 2011.  Diluted net income per common share from continuing operations was $1.51 for 2012, compared with a net loss of $(1.64) for 2011.

“The fourth quarter continued First Financial’s progress to produce solid operating trends in the core franchise and stable credit quality,” said R. Wayne Hall, president and chief executive officer of First Financial and First Federal.  “We have made consistent progress over the year to grow fee income, leverage our mortgage banking team, and expand our net interest margin.  Our improvement in net interest income was driven by the acquisitions and strategic initiatives completed during 2012, and margin expansion was due in large part to continued credit improvement from our acquired loan portfolios.  We are pleased with the earnings momentum we are building and the potential to improve performance and enhance shareholder value.”

Highlights for the Quarter

·  
Net interest margin increased 34 basis points over the September 30, 2012 quarter to 4.69% for the December 31, 2012 quarter as a result of additional income on a Cape Fear loan pool. Net interest margin for the current quarter without the impact of the additional income was 4.15%.
·  
Net charge-offs totaled $6.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, compared with $7.0 million for the prior quarter, while the provision for loan losses was $4.2 million and $4.5 million for the quarters ended December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
·  
Noninterest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 totaled $16.2 million, or an 11.2% increase over the prior quarter.  The increase was driven by improvements in fee income and higher mortgage banking volumes.
·  
First Financial remains well capitalized at December 31, 2012 with total risk-based capital of 16.16%, Tier 1 risk-based capital of 14.89%, and Tier 1 leverage capital of 10.54%.  The tangible common equity to tangible common assets ratio increased to 7.07% at quarter end, compared with 6.77% at September 30, 2012.
 
Quarterly Results of Operations

First Financial reported net income of $7.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012, compared with $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and $15.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011.

Net interest income

Net interest margin, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, was 4.69% for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, as compared with 4.35% for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and 3.91% for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. The increase over the linked quarter was primarily the result of $3.6 million in cash received associated with the Cape Fear Bank ("Cape Fear") loans acquired from the FDIC in April 2009. The performance of an underlying Cape Fear loan pool has been better than originally projected and payments received exceeded First Federal's initial investment in the pool. Net interest margin adjusted for the cash received and the incremental loan accretion on the Cape Fear pool was 4.15% for the December 31, 2012 quarter, a 14 basis point decrease from the September 30, 2012 quarter. The net interest margin for the prior quarter was positively impacted by 9 basis points due to the full resolution and collection of certain nonperforming loans and by 2 basis points due to accelerated accretion on called investment securities. The increase over the same quarter last year was principally caused by the accretion and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments resulting from the acquisition of certain Plantation Federal Savings Bank ("Plantation") assets and liabilities from the FDIC in April 2012. In addition, improved performance on a Cape Fear loan pool, a lower cost of funds as maturing time deposits have been replaced with core deposits and the continued funding mix shift from borrowings, as well as higher yields on investments due to accelerated accretion on called investment securities have positively impacted net interest margin.
 
 
 

 
Net interest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 was $35.1 million, an increase of $1.9 million or 5.7% over the prior quarter and an increase of $6.2 million or 21.4% over the same quarter last year.  The increase over the prior quarter was primarily due to the $3.6 million cash received exceeding First Federal’s initial investment in a Cape Fear loan pool, partially offset by the effect of lower average earning assets for the current quarter.  The increase over the same quarter last year was primarily the effect of the improved performance of a Cape Fear loan pool as well as higher levels of average earning assets from the Plantation acquisition and Liberty Savings Bank (“Liberty”) branch purchase in April 2012.

Provision for loan losses

After determining what First Financial believes is an adequate allowance for loan losses based on the estimated risk inherent in the loan portfolio, the provision for loan losses is calculated based on the net effect of the change in the allowance for loan losses and net charge-offs.  The provision for loan losses was $4.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, a decrease of $372 thousand or 8.2% from the linked quarter and a decrease of $3.3 million or 44.1% from the same quarter last year.  The decreases were related to the continued improvement in historical loss trends and general stabilization of credit metrics through December 31, 2012.

Noninterest income

Noninterest income totaled $16.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $1.6 million or 11.2% over the prior quarter and a decrease of $16.6 million from the same quarter last year.  The increase over the linked quarter was primarily the result of higher mortgage and other loan income and other income, partially offset by the final purchase accounting adjustment of $(661) thousand to the gain on the Plantation acquisition originally recorded in the second quarter of 2012.  Mortgage and other loan income increased $1.9 million or 47.4% due in large part to more favorable hedge adjustments on both the mortgage servicing rights and the mortgage pipeline hedges in the current quarter as well as higher gains on residential mortgage loan sales into the secondary market as volumes increased and spreads improved due to a temporary shift in the mix of cash sales versus securitizations.  Other income increased $308 thousand or 40.8% over the prior quarter due to the full-quarter impact of income on bank owned life insurance, which was substantially purchased during the September 30, 2012 quarter.

The December 31, 2011 quarter included a $20.8 million pre-tax gain ($12.7 million after-tax) from a bulk loan sale of certain performing and nonperforming assets.  Noninterest income without the impact of the gain from the sold loan pool for the December 31, 2011 quarter was $12.0 million, which was $4.2 million or 35.1% lower than the December 31, 2012 quarter.  The increase for the current quarter was due to the Plantation and Liberty acquisitions, acquiring bank owned life insurance, and higher residential mortgage origination levels related to the continued low interest rate environment and the addition of correspondent lenders.

Noninterest expense

Noninterest expense totaled $35.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $2.3 million or 7.0% over the prior quarter and an increase of $6.5 million or 22.4% over the same quarter last year.  The December 31, 2012 quarter included an additional $2.9 million potential impairment on the FDIC indemnification asset related to the Cape Fear loans.  Consistent with the loss share agreement with the FDIC, the $2.9 million represents 80% of the incremental cash received on the loan pool as the increase in the projected cash collections may result in lower future claims to the FDIC.  Noninterest expense without the impact of the potential impairment on the FDIC indemnification asset for the December 31, 2012 quarter totaled $32.5 million or a decrease of $533 thousand or 1.6% from the linked quarter.  Other real estate owned (“OREO”) expenses decreased $1.0 million primarily as a result of final purchase accounting adjustments on the acquired Plantation OREO as well as lower writedowns on other OREO properties.  Other loan expense increased $663 thousand or 40.9% due to higher foreclosure-related expenses and the timing and amount of reimbursements from the FDIC.

In addition to the impact of the Plantation and Liberty transactions and the FDIC impairment amortization, the increase in noninterest expense over the same quarter of the prior year was related to higher professional services ($796 thousand) and other loan expense ($1.2 million), partially offset by lower OREO expenses ($1.5 million).  The increase in professional fees was the result of various strategic initiatives implemented during the year. The increase in other loan expense was due to higher foreclosure-related costs as well as higher loan origination and servicing costs due to expanding mortgage origination channels.  The decrease in OREO expenses was primarily the effect of fewer write-downs of OREO properties, recognition of more gains on the sales of properties, and less OREO related expense.

Income Taxes

The income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2012 totaled $3.9 million, an increase of $405 thousand or 11.5% over the linked quarter and a decrease of $5.8 million from the same quarter last year.  The quarter ended December 31, 2012 included a tax benefit of $931 thousand recorded as a final adjustment to the state deferred tax asset write-off originally recorded in the first quarter of 2012 related to a difference in applicable South Carolina tax laws for banks versus thrifts upon First Federal’s conversion to a state-chartered commercial bank.  In addition, the variances from both prior periods were the result of the change in pre-tax income.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2012 was 33.39%, compared with 34.53% and 38.54% for the quarters ended September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 respectively.  The decreases in the effective tax rate were principally due to higher tax-exempt income resulting from purchasing bank owned life insurance.
 
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Year-to-Date Results of Operations

First Financial reported net income from continuing operations of $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared with a net loss of $(23.2) million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Net interest income

Net interest margin, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, was 4.24% for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared with 3.86% for the same period of 2011.  Net interest margin excluding the $3.6 million interest income and $944 thousand in incremental loan accretion on a Cape Fear loan pool as discussed above was 4.09% for the year ended December 31, 2012.  The increase was primarily the result of average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities declining more than interest-earning asset yields declined.  Contributing to the decline in interest-bearing liabilities was the replacement of high cost maturing time deposits with lower-cost core deposits from organic growth as well as acquired from Plantation and Liberty.

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2012 totaled $128.3 million, an increase of $11.6 million or 9.9% over the same period of 2011.  The increase was principally caused by the higher level of earning assets from the Plantation and Liberty transactions as well as the improved performance on a Cape Fear loan pool.

Provision for loan losses

The provision for loan losses was $20.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared with $106.9 million for the same period of 2011.  The decrease was primarily the result of $65.7 million recorded in 2011 related to the reclassification of loans to loans held for sale, as well as improvement in historical loss trends and credit metrics through December 31, 2012.

Noninterest income

Noninterest income totaled $76.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $6.7 million or 9.7% over the same period of 2011.  The increase was impacted by the $13.9 million gain on the Plantation acquisition and the $3.9 million gain on the sale or call of investment securities and was partially offset by a $22.7 million gain on the loan pool sold during the December 31, 2011 quarter.  In addition, mortgage and other loan income increased $9.3 million and service charges on deposit accounts increased $2.9 million, both due to an increased volume of transactions.

Noninterest expense

Noninterest expense totaled $136.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $19.1 million or 16.3% over the same period of 2011.  The increase was due in large part to the $8.5 million termination charge from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) recorded in the June 30, 2012 quarter related to prepaying certain FHLB advances as part of a balance sheet repositioning strategy.  Noninterest expense without the impact of the termination charge from the FHLB increased $10.6 million or 9.0% over 2011.  In addition to the impact of the Plantation and Liberty acquisitions, other significant variances included higher occupancy costs ($1.1 million), professional services ($2.0 million), other loan expense ($2.5 million), FDIC indemnification impairment ($4.0 million), and other expenses ($4.3 million), partially offset by lower FDIC insurance and regulatory fees ($646 thousand), and a goodwill impairment in 2011 ($630 thousand).  Other expenses increased as a result of new deposit product expenses related to higher customer debit card usage and a $487 thousand post-sale settlement recorded in the September 30, 2012 quarter related to the 2011 sale of one of the insurance agencies.  The decrease in FDIC insurance and regulatory fees was due to the new assessment methodology implemented by the FDIC during 2011.  The variances in the other categories were essentially caused by the factors discussed above in the quarterly analysis.

Income Taxes

The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 totaled $19.4 million, an increase of $33.9 million over the prior year.  The increase was primarily the result of the change in pre-tax income, a $1.2 million net write-down of the state deferred tax asset during 2012 related to First Federal’s charter conversion, and the establishment of a $5.6 million deferred tax liability related to the gain on the Plantation acquisition in the second quarter of 2012.  The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 was 40.23%, compared with 38.54% for the same period last year.  The increase was principally caused by the state deferred tax asset write-down, partially offset by higher tax-exempt income related to bank owned life insurance.
 
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Balance Sheet

Total assets at December 31, 2012 were $3.2 billion, essentially unchanged from September 30, 2012 and an increase of $68.6 million or 2.2% over December 31, 2011.  While total assets were stable with September 30, 2012, the decrease of $79.0 million or 3.1% in total loans from September 30, 2012 was substantially offset by increases in interest-bearing deposits with banks and securities available for sale.  The increase in total assets over December 31, 2011 was principally due to the Plantation and Liberty acquisitions, partially offset by a decrease in investment securities as part of repositioning the balance sheet during the second quarter of 2012.
 
Investment securities at December 31, 2012 totaled $290.3 million, an increase of $13.6 million or 4.9% over September 30, 2012 and a decrease of $167.5 million or 36.6% from December 31, 2011.  The increase over September 30, 2012 was due to new security purchases, partially offset by normal principal reductions and cash flows from called securities.  The decrease from December 31, 2011 was primarily the result of the sale of $203.6 million of mortgage-backed securities during the June 30, 2012 quarter as part of repositioning the balance sheet, partially offset by new security purchases since the repositioning.

Total loans at December 31, 2012 decreased $79.0 million or 3.1% from September 30, 2012 and increased $109.9 million or 4.6% over December 31, 2011.  The decrease from September 30, 2012 was a result of reductions in residential and commercial loan categories due to several large payoffs and paydowns on commercial real estate and commercial land loans, higher loss claims on the Plantation portfolio, and normal cash flows.  The decline in commercial loans is consistent with a strategy to reduce problem and criticized loan balances, both legacy as well as those in acquired portfolios.  The increase in total loans over December 31, 2011 was primarily the result of the Plantation and Liberty acquisitions which occurred during the June 30, 2012 quarter, partially offset by normal loan portfolio activity.  The marine portfolio continues to increase due to strong demand for First Federal’s yacht loan product, which was introduced in early 2012.

First Federal’s credit quality metrics at December 31, 2012 reflect seasonal increases normally experienced in the fourth calendar quarter each year.  Delinquent loans at December 31, 2012 totaled $17.1 million, an increase of $5.6 million or 48.6% over September 30, 2012 and a decrease of $1.3 million or 7.0% from December 31, 2011.  The increase over the prior quarter was driven by higher delinquent commercial loans, of which several larger loans are in the process of resolution, and higher delinquent home equity and manufactured housing loans due to normal seasonal fluctuations.  The decrease from the same quarter last year was primarily the result of continued collection efforts.  Total delinquent loans at December 31, 2012 included $1.6 million in loans covered under loss share agreements with the FDIC (“covered loans”), as compared with $1.4 million and $2.3 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2012 totaled $67.8 million, a decrease of $2.8 million or 4.0% from September 30, 2012 and essentially unchanged from December 31, 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to resolution of several nonperforming residential 1-4 family loans and OREO sales outpacing new foreclosures.  These reductions were partially offset by higher nonperforming commercial real estate and commercial land loans resulting primarily from two large relationships and higher nonperforming manufactured housing loans due to seasonal fluctuations.  Covered nonperforming loans totaled $8.6 million at December 31, 2012, compared with $10.0 million and $17.5 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Covered OREO totaled $9.6 million at December 31, 2012, compared with $14.6 million and $7.6 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Classified loans at December 31, 2012 totaled $124.6 million, an increase of $6.7 million or 5.7% over September 30, 2012 and an increase of $9.9 million or 8.7% over December 31, 2011.  The increases were in the legacy portfolio due in large part to the effect of the prolonged economic downturn as well as the lengthy cycle to resolve foreclosed residential mortgages in South Carolina.  The classified loans acquired from Cape Fear continue to be reduced through resolution or loss claims with the FDIC.  Covered classified loans totaled $17.9 million at December 31, 2012, compared with $20.6 million and $33.5 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Non-covered classified assets to Tier 1 capital plus the allowance for loan losses totaled 30.21% at December 31, 2012, compared with 27.60% and 25.15% at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Net charge-offs for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 totaled $6.3 million, a decrease of $648 thousand or 9.3% from the prior quarter and a decrease of $1.9 million or 23.3% from the same quarter last year.  There were no individually large loans charged-off during the most recent two quarters.

The allowance for loan losses was 1.77% of total loans at December 31, 2012, compared with 1.80% of total loans at September 30, 2012 and 2.24% of total loans at December 31, 2011.  The decrease in the allowance ratio from September 30, 2012 was due to the continued improvement in historical loss factors and stable credit metrics since the bulk loan sale in October 2011.  In addition, the change in the allowance ratio from December 31, 2011 was affected by acquiring loans in the Plantation and Liberty acquisitions that are carried at fair value and do not currently have an associated allowance.  The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2012 was 1.94% of loans excluding covered loans, and represented 1.1 times coverage of the non-covered nonperforming loans.
 
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The FDIC indemnification asset, net at December 31, 2012 was $80.3 million, an increase of $5.3 million or 7.0% over September 30, 2012 and an increase of $29.2 million or 57.3% over December 31, 2011.  The increase over September 30, 2012 was due to finalizing the purchased accounting related to the Plantation covered loans and normal accretion, partially offset by the receipt of claims reimbursement from the FDIC and amortization of a potential impairment on the FDIC indemnification asset related to the Cape Fear transaction as the performance of the underlying loan pool has been better than originally projected and may result in lower future reimbursements under the loss share agreement.  In addition to the normal potential impairment amortization of $563 thousand, First Financial recorded $2.9 million during the December 31, 2012 quarter, which, in accordance with its loss share agreement with the FDIC, represents 80% of the cash payments received in excess of First Federal’s initial investment.  The cash received was recognized in interest income and the potential impairment was recognized in noninterest expense during the current quarter.  The increase over December 31, 2011 was the result of establishing a $34.3 million indemnification asset during the second quarter of 2012 to recognize the loss share agreement associated with the Plantation transaction, as well as normal accretion of the existing indemnification asset, partially offset by the receipt of claims reimbursement from the FDIC and the potential impairment amortization.

Bank owned life insurance totaled $50.6 million at December 31, 2012, essentially unchanged from September 30, 2012 and an increase of $50.6 million over December 31, 2011.  The increase was the result of establishing a bank owned life insurance program on certain corporate officers as part of a strategy to offset the costs of existing employee benefit plans.

Other assets totaled $77.2 million at December 31, 2012, a decrease of $5.8 million or 7.0% from September 30, 2012 and a decrease of $18.8 million or 19.6% from December 31, 2011.  The decrease from September 30, 2012 was principally the result of a $3.2 million decline in OREO as sales of properties continue to outpace foreclosures, combined with miscellaneous reductions in other asset categories.  The decrease from December 31, 2011 was principally due to current tax adjustments recorded, federal tax refunds received during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012 and a $1.2 million net write-down of the state deferred tax asset due to First Federal’s conversion to a South Carolina state-chartered commercial bank.

Core deposits, which include checking, savings, and money market accounts, totaled $1.6 billion at December 31, 2012, an increase of $24.2 million or 1.5% over September 30, 2012 and an increase of $412.2 million or 33.5% over December 31, 2011.  The increases were primarily the result of the Plantation and Liberty transactions as well as the introduction of new retail deposit products and sales processes during 2012.  Time deposits at December 31, 2012 totaled $951.5 million, a decrease of $45.6 million or 4.6% from September 30, 2012 and a decrease of $56.0 million or 5.6% from December 31, 2011.  The decreases were due to a strategy to focus on core transaction accounts and to reduce high rate retail and wholesale time deposits as they matured.

Advances from the FHLB at December 31, 2012 totaled $233.0 million, a decrease of $20.0 million or 7.9% from September 30, 2012 and a decrease of $328.0 million or 58.5% from December 31, 2011.  The decrease from September 30, 2012 was due to repaying short-term funding.  The decrease from December 31, 2011 was primarily the effect of prepaying $125.0 million of long-term FHLB advances during the June 30, 2012 quarter as part of repositioning the balance sheet, as well as a shift in funding mix due to the organic growth of core deposits and the acquisition of low-cost deposits from Plantation and Liberty.

Shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2012 was $299.6 million, an increase of $7.1 million or 2.4% over September 30, 2012 and an increase of $22.5 million or 8.1% over December 31, 2011.  The increases were due to the effect of net operating results.  Both First Financial’s and First Federal’s regulatory capital ratios are in excess of “well-capitalized” minimums.

Cash Dividend Declared

On January 24, 2013, First Financial declared a quarterly cash dividend of $12.50 per share on its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, payable on February 15, 2013 to preferred shareholders of record as of February 5, 2013.  First Financial also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per common share, payable on February 22, 2013 to shareholders of record as of February 8, 2013.

Conference Call

R. Wayne Hall, president and CEO, and Blaise B. Bettendorf, EVP and CFO, will review the quarter’s results in a conference call at 9:00 am (ET), January 25, 2013.  The live audio webcast is available on First Financial’s website at www.firstfinancialholdings.com and will be available for 90 days.
 
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About First Financial

First Financial Holdings, Inc. (“First Financial”, NASDAQ: FFCH) is a Charleston, South Carolina financial services provider with $3.2 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2012.  First Financial offers integrated financial solutions, including personal, business, and wealth management services.  First Federal Bank (“First Federal”), which was founded in 1934 and is the primary subsidiary of First Financial, serves individuals and businesses throughout coastal South Carolina, Florence, and Greenville, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina.  First Financial subsidiaries include: First Federal; First Southeast Investor Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer; and First Southeast 401(k) Fiduciaries, Inc., a registered investment advisor.  First Federal is the largest financial institution headquartered in the Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan area and the third largest financial institution headquartered in South Carolina, based on asset size.  Additional information about First Financial is available at www.firstfinancialholdings.com.

Discontinued Operations Financial Statement Presentation

As a result of First Financial’s sales of its insurance agency subsidiary, First Southeast Insurance Services, Inc., which was completed on June 1, 2011, and its managing general insurance agency subsidiary, Kimbrell Insurance Group, Inc., which was completed on September 30, 2011, the financial condition, operating results, and the gain or loss on the sales, net of transaction costs and taxes, for these subsidiaries have been segregated from the financial condition and operating results of First Financial’s continuing operations throughout this release and, as such, are presented as discontinued operations.  While all prior periods have been revised retrospectively to align with this treatment, these changes do not affect First Financial’s reported consolidated financial condition or operating results for any of the prior periods.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

In addition to results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release includes non-GAAP financial measures such as the efficiency ratio, the tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio, tangible common book value per share, and pre-tax pre-provision earnings.  First Financial believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional information that is useful to investors in understanding its underlying performance, business, and performance trends and such measures help facilitate performance comparisons with others in the banking industry as well as period-to-period comparisons.  Non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied, and are not audited.  Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious to their use of such measures.  To mitigate these limitations, First Financial has procedures in place to ensure that these measures are calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and to ensure that its performance is properly reflected to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons.  Although management believes the above non-GAAP financial measures enhance investors’ understanding of First Financial’s business and performance, these non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for GAAP basis financial measures.

Please refer to the Selected Financial Information table and the Non-GAAP Reconciliation table later in this release for additional information.
 
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Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements that include terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook,” or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” or “could” constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements regarding First Financial’s future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond First Financial’s control or are subject to change.  No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the general business environment; general economic conditions nationally and in the States of North and South Carolina; interest rates; the North and South Carolina real estate markets; the demand for mortgage loans; the credit risk of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of delinquent and nonperforming loans and charge-offs; changes in First Federal’s allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses that may be affected by deterioration in the housing and real estate markets; results of examinations by banking regulators, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, require First Federal to increase its allowance for loan losses, write-down assets, change First Federal’s regulatory capital position or affect its ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits, which could adversely affect liquidity and earnings; First Financial’s ability to control operating costs and expenses; First Financial’s ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel acquired or may in the future acquire into its operations and its ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto; competitive conditions between banks and non-bank financial services providers; and regulatory changes, including new or revised rules and regulations implemented pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  Other risks are also detailed in First Financial’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect First Financial’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.  There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations.  While First Financial believes that the forward-looking statements in this release are reasonable, the reader should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.  In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made.  First Financial does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 
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FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
 
                               
   
For the Quarters Ended
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
December 31,
2012
   
September 30,
2012
   
June 30,
2012
   
March 31,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
Average for the Quarter
                             
Total assets
  $ 3,216,018     $ 3,283,512     $ 3,339,705     $ 3,151,385     $ 3,153,286  
Investment securities
    283,929       291,223       443,181       490,356       469,925  
Loans
    2,602,812       2,673,438       2,619,409       2,420,000       2,428,743  
Allowance for loan losses
    45,997       48,329       50,547       52,282       54,178  
Deposits
    2,594,112       2,664,207       2,596,642       2,228,613       2,272,035  
Borrowings
    282,122       294,796       428,505       609,665       565,114  
Shareholders' equity
    296,851       290,047       285,672       277,390       279,066  
                                         
Performance Metrics
                                       
Return on average assets
    1.06 %     0.81 %     1.51 %     0.22 %     1.98 %
Return on average shareholders' equity
    11.43       9.20       17.62       2.51       22.32  
Net interest margin (FTE)1
    4.69       4.35       4.08       3.84       3.91  
Net interest margin, adjusted (non-GAAP)2
    4.15       4.29       4.08       3.84       3.91  
Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)
    67.69       69.19       66.05       68.87       70.12  
Pre-tax pre-provision earnings (non-GAAP)
  $ 16,566     $ 14,716     $ 24,993     $ 12,725     $ 32,783  
                                         
Capital Ratios
                                       
Equity to assets
    9.32 %     9.01 %     8.69 %     8.84 %     8.81 %
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)
    7.07       6.77       6.47       6.70       6.67  
Book value per common share
  $ 14.20     $ 13.77     $ 13.45     $ 12.89     $ 12.84  
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)
    13.71       13.25       12.91       12.75       12.69  
Dividends paid per common share, authorized
    0.05       0.05       0.05       0.05       0.05  
Common shares outstanding, end of period (000s)
    16,527       16,527       16,527       16,527       16,527  
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio3
    10.54 %     10.12 %     9.79 %     10.22 %        
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio3
    14.89       14.42       13.89       14.81          
Total risk-based capital ratio3
    16.16       15.70       15.16       16.08          
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (bank only)4
    9.97       9.47       9.06       9.00       8.92 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (bank only)4
    14.10       13.50       12.86       13.05       12.35  
Total risk-based capital ratio (bank only)4
    15.37       14.78       14.13       14.32       13.61  
                                         
Asset Quality Metrics
                                       
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans
    1.77 %     1.80 %     1.85 %     2.16 %     2.24 %
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans
    89.30       94.53       97.72       101.75       112.19  
Nonperforming loans as a percent of loans
    1.98       1.90       1.90       2.12       2.00  
Nonperforming assets as a percent of loans and other
  repossessed assets acquired
    2.70       2.72       2.94       3.02       2.83  
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets
    2.11       2.18       2.36       2.28       2.17  
Net loans charged-off as a percent of average loans (annualized)
    0.99       1.07       1.04       1.60       1.39  
Net loans charged-off
  $ 6,333     $ 6,981     $ 6,673     $ 9,493     $ 8,254  
                                         
Asset Quality Metrics Excluding Covered Loans
                                       
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-covered loans
    1.94 %     1.99 %     2.06 %     2.28 %     2.39 %
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-covered
  nonperforming loans
    108.10       118.82       123.61       148.22       177.35  
Nonperforming loans as a percent of non-covered loans
    1.81       1.67       1.67       1.54       1.34  
Nonperforming assets as a percent of non-covered loans and
  other repossessed assets acquired
    2.18       1.97       2.01       2.00       1.91  
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets
    1.53       1.42       1.45       1.42       1.37  
                                         
1 Net interest margin is presented on an annual basis, includes taxable equivalent adjustments to interest income and is based on a federal tax rate of 35%.
2 See Non-GAAP Reconciliation table for details.
3 The quarter ended March 31, 2012 represented the first period holding company ratios for First Financial were required to be filed with the Federal Reserve Bank included within FR Y-9C, Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank Holding Companies. The capital ratios presented above for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 at the holding company are considered preliminary until the regulatory report is filed with the Federal Reserve Bank.
4 Capital ratios beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2012 for First Federal Bank are based on reporting requirements for financial institutions filing FFIEC 041, FDIC Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (the "Call Report"). Prior period ratios are reported based on superseded regulatory requirements previously issued by the Office of Thrift Supervision.
 
 
Page 8

 
                                           
FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
 
                                           
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
December 31,
2012
   
September 30,
2012
   
June 30,
2012
   
March 31,
2012
   
December 31,
 2011
   
December 31,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
                                           
INTEREST INCOME
                                         
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 38,927     $ 37,104     $ 35,643     $ 32,476     $ 33,460     $ 144,150     $ 136,629  
Interest and dividends on investments
    2,519       2,771       3,538       3,867       3,859       12,695       17,551  
Other
    103       139       162       16       293       420       1,646  
Total interest income
    41,549       40,014       39,343       36,359       37,612       157,265       155,826  
INTEREST EXPENSE
                                                       
Interest on deposits
    3,388       3,747       3,981       3,951       4,554       15,067       22,685  
Interest on borrowed money
    3,072       3,070       3,649       4,156       4,159       13,947       16,474  
Total interest expense
    6,460       6,817       7,630       8,107       8,713       29,014       39,159  
NET INTEREST INCOME
    35,089       33,197       31,713       28,252       28,899       128,251       116,667  
Provision for loan losses
    4,161       4,533       4,697       6,745       7,445       20,136       106,863  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    30,928       28,664       27,016       21,507       21,454       108,115       9,804  
NONINTEREST INCOME
                                                       
Service charges on deposit accounts
    7,900       7,772       7,558       7,302       7,099       30,532       27,658  
Mortgage and other loan income
    5,987       4,061       4,372       3,435       2,681       17,855       8,599  
Trust and plan administration
    1,219       1,117       1,078       1,081       1,192       4,495       4,753  
Brokerage fees
    810       655       875       664       532       3,004       2,443  
Other
    1,062       754       699       769       650       3,284       2,642  
Other-than-temporary impairment on securities
    (144 )     (145 )     (145 )     (69 )     (180 )     (503 )     (525 )
Gain on acquisition
    (661 )     ---       14,550       ---       ---       13,889       ---  
Gain on sale or call of securities
    ---       334       3,543       ---       ---       3,877       1,419  
Gain on sold loan pool, net
    ---       ---       ---       ---       20,796       ---       22,696  
Total noninterest income
    16,173       14,548       32,530       13,182       32,770       76,433       69,685  
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
                                                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    16,020       15,621       15,212       15,142       14,511       61,995       61,952  
Occupancy costs
    2,214       2,333       2,933       2,267       2,144       9,747       8,656  
Furniture and equipment
    2,033       2,132       1,893       1,809       1,870       7,867       7,188  
Other real estate owned, net
    18       1,030       134       530       1,541       1,712       5,324  
FDIC insurance and regulatory fees
    646       693       761       994       830       3,094       3,740  
Professional services
    1,838       1,980       1,875       1,465       1,042       7,158       5,203  
Advertising and marketing
    714       964       966       652       789       3,296       3,454  
Other loan expense
    2,283       1,620       1,283       1,351       1,043       6,537       4,057  
Intangible amortization
    512       512       368       90       90       1,482       334  
FDIC indemnification impairment
    3,423       563       ---       ---       ---       3,986       ---  
Other expense
    5,656       5,581       5,300       4,409       5,026       20,946       16,681  
FHLB prepayment termination charge
    ---       ---       8,525       ---       ---       8,525       ---  
Goodwill impairment
    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       630  
Total noninterest expense
    35,357       33,029       39,250       28,709       28,886       136,345       117,219  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
    11,744       10,183       20,296       5,980       25,338       48,203       (37,730 )
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations
    3,921       3,516       7,712       4,241       9,766       19,390       (14,542 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    7,823       6,667       12,584       1,739       15,572       28,813       (23,188 )
 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       (3,594 )
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 7,823     $ 6,667     $ 12,584     $ 1,739     $ 15,572     $ 28,813     $ (26,782 )
Preferred stock dividends
    812       813       812       813       813       3,250       3,250  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    163       160       158       156       153       637       600  
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON  SHAREHOLDERS
  $ 6,848     $ 5,694     $ 11,614     $ 770     $ 14,606     $ 24,926     $ (30,632 )
                                                         
Net income (loss) per common share from continuing operations
                                 
Basic
  $ 0.41     $ 0.34     $ 0.70     $ 0.05     $ 0.88     $ 1.51     $ (1.64 )
Diluted
    0.41       0.34       0.70       0.05       0.88       1.51       (1.64 )
                                                         
Net loss per common share from discontinued operations
                                 
Basic
  $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ (0.22 )
Diluted
    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       (0.22 )
                                                         
Net income (loss) per common share
                                                 
Basic
  $ 0.41     $ 0.34     $ 0.70     $ 0.05     $ 0.88     $ 1.51     $ (1.85 )
Diluted
    0.41       0.34       0.70       0.05       0.88       1.51       (1.85 )
                                                         
Average common shares outstanding
                                                 
Basic
    16,527       16,527       16,527       16,527       16,527       16,527       16,527  
Diluted
    16,531       16,529       16,528       16,528       16,527       16,529       16,527  
 
 
Page 9

 
 
 
                                                     
FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS (Unaudited)
                                                       
   
For the Quarters Ended
                   
(dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2012
   
September 30, 2012
   
Change in
 
   
Average
Balance
 
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Basis
Points
Earning assets
                                                     
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
  $ 32,711     $ 13       0.17 %   $ 19,130     $ 7       0.15 %   $ 13,581     $ 6       2  
Investment securities1
    283,929       2,519       3.78       291,223       2,771       4.06       (7,294 )     (252 )     (28 )
Loans2
    2,602,812       38,927       5.96   3   2,673,438       37,104       5.53   3   (70,626 )     1,823       43  
FDIC indemnification asset
    75,530       90       0.47       77,641       132       0.68       (2,111 )     (42 )     (21 )
Total earning assets
    2,994,982       41,549       5.55   3   3,061,432       40,014       5.23   3   (66,450 )     1,535       32  
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                                                       
Deposits
    2,205,336       3,388       0.61       2,292,106       3,747       0.65       (86,770 )     (359 )     (4 )
Borrowings
    282,122       3,072       4.33       294,796       3,070       4.15       (12,674 )     2       18  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    2,487,458       6,460       1.03       2,586,902       6,817       1.05       (99,444 )     (357 )     (2 )
                                                                         
Net interest income
          $ 35,089                     $ 33,197                     $ 1,892          
                                                                         
Net interest margin
                    4.69 % 3                   4.35 % 3                   34  
 
 
1   Interest income used in the average rate calculation includes the tax equivalent adjustments of $168 thousand and $184 thousand for the quarters ended December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, respectively, calculated based on a federal tax rate of 35%.
2  Average loans include loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans.  Loan fees, which are not material for any of the periods, have been included in loan interest income for the rate calculation.
3   See Non-GAAP Reconciliation for impact of improved performance of Cape Fear loan pool on net interest margin.
 
 
                                                       
   
For the Twelve Months Ended
                   
(dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
   
Change in
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Basis
Points
 
Earning Assets
                                                     
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
  $ 17,674     $ 41       0.23 %   $ 10,808     $ 20       0.19 %   $ 6,866     $ 21       4  
Investment securities1
    376,684       12,695       3.57       459,573       17,551       3.95       (82,889 )     (4,856 )     (38 )
Loans2
    2,579,225       144,150       5.59   3   2,510,604       136,629       5.44       68,621       7,521       15  
FDIC indemnification asset
    67,987       379       0.56       58,969       1,626       2.76       9,018       (1,247 )     (220 )
Total Earning Assets
    3,041,570       157,265       5.20   3   3,039,954       155,826       5.15       1,616       1,439       5  
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                                                       
Deposits
    2,174,451       15,067       0.69       2,081,813       22,685       1.09       92,638       (7,618 )     (40 )
Borrowings
    403,142       13,947       3.46       577,439       16,474       2.85       (174,297 )     (2,527 )     61  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    2,577,593       29,014       1.13       2,659,252       39,159       1.47       (81,659 )     (10,145 )     (34 )
                                                                         
Net interest income
          $ 128,251                     $ 116,667                     $ 11,584          
                                                                         
Net interest margin3
                    4.24 % 3                   3.86 %                     38  
 
 
1   Interest income used in the average rate calculation includes the tax equivalent adjustment of $759 thousand, and $593 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012, and 2011, respectively, calculated based on a federal tax rate of 35%.
2  Average loans include loans held for sale and  nonaccrual loans.  Loan fees, which are not material for any of the periods, have been included in loan interest income for the rate calculation.
3   See Non-GAAP Reconciliation for impact of improved performance of Cape Fear loan pool on net interest margin.
 

 
Page 10

 
                               
                               
FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
 
                               
(in thousands)
 
December 31,
2012
   
September 30,
2012
   
June 30,
2012
   
March 31,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
                               
ASSETS
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 60,290     $ 50,749     $ 62,831     $ 57,645     $ 61,400  
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
    57,161       35,668       7,270       5,879       15,275  
  Total cash and cash equivalents
    117,451       86,417       70,101       63,524       76,675  
Investment securities
                                       
Securities available for sale, at fair value
    253,798       236,048       244,059       442,531       404,550  
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
    15,555       17,331       20,014       19,835       20,486  
Nonmarketable securities
    20,914       23,254       29,327       37,965       32,694  
  Total investment securities
    290,267       276,633       293,400       500,331       457,730  
Loans
                                       
Residential
    1,031,533       1,080,406       1,099,474       1,029,176       1,032,134  
Commercial
    681,119       721,587       758,604       606,468       618,070  
Consumer
    782,672       772,376       774,405       719,923       735,253  
  Total loans
    2,495,324       2,574,369       2,632,483       2,355,567       2,385,457  
Less:  Allowance for loan losses
    44,179       46,351       48,799       50,776       53,524  
  Net loans
    2,451,145       2,528,018       2,583,684       2,304,791       2,331,933  
Loans held for sale
    55,201       53,761       72,402       52,339       48,303  
FDIC indemnification asset, net
    80,268       75,017       77,311       46,272       51,021  
Premises and equipment, net
    85,378       83,916       85,285       83,146       82,907  
Bank owned life insurance
    50,624       50,241       10,000       ---       ---  
Other intangible assets, net
    8,025       8,478       8,931       2,310       2,401  
Other assets
    77,199       83,006       103,060       92,825       95,994  
Total assets
  $ 3,215,558     $ 3,245,487     $ 3,304,174     $ 3,145,538     $ 3,146,964  
                                         
LIABILITIES
                                       
Deposits
                                       
Noninterest-bearing checking
  $ 388,259     $ 382,077     $ 359,352     $ 307,750     $ 279,310  
Interest-bearing checking
    511,647       507,262       502,731       435,320       429,907  
    Savings and money market
    743,970       730,365       731,428       563,344       522,496  
    Retail time deposits
    845,391       869,544       934,245       753,481       791,544  
Wholesale time deposits
    106,066       127,509       175,446       204,594       215,941  
  Total deposits
    2,595,333       2,616,757       2,703,202       2,264,489       2,239,198  
Advances from FHLB
    233,000       253,000       233,000       533,000       561,000  
Long-term debt
    47,204       47,204       47,204       47,204       47,204  
Other liabilities
    40,380       36,026       33,504       22,802       22,384  
Total liabilities
    2,915,917       2,952,987       3,016,910       2,867,495       2,869,786  
                                         
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                       
Preferred stock
    1       1       1       1       1  
Common stock
    215       215       215       215       215  
Additional paid-in capital
    196,819       196,612       196,409       196,204       196,002  
Treasury stock, at cost
    (103,563 )     (103,563 )     (103,563 )     (103,563 )     (103,563 )
Retained earnings
    208,853       202,832       198,100       187,311       187,367  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (2,684 )     (3,597 )     (3,898 )     (2,125 )     (2,844 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    299,641       292,500       287,264       278,043       277,178  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 3,215,558     $ 3,245,487     $ 3,304,174     $ 3,145,538     $ 3,146,964  
 
 
 
Page 11

 
   
                                                         
FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
DELINQUENT LOANS
 
                                                             
   
December 31, 2012
   
September 30, 2012
   
June 30, 2012
   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
(30-89 days past due)
(dollars in thousands)
    $    
% of
Portfolio
      $    
% of
Portfolio
      $    
% of
Portfolio
      $    
% of
Portfolio
      $    
% of
Portfolio
 
Residential loans
                                                                     
  Residential 1-4 family
  $ 2,800       0.29 %   $ 2,361       0.23 %   $ 1,244       0.12 %   $ 1,889       0.19 %   $ 2,986       0.31 %
  Residential land
    47       0.09       157       0.30       475       0.85       123       0.30       561       1.35  
     Total residential loans
    2,847       0.28       2,518       0.23       1,719       0.16       2,012       0.20       3,547       0.34  
                                                                                 
Commercial loans
                                                                               
  Commercial business
    847       0.72       582       0.46       903       0.84       1,677       1.90       908       1.08  
  Commercial real estate
    3,492       0.71       2,397       0.46       3,014       0.54       3,065       0.69       3,514       0.77  
  Commercial construction
    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---  
  Commercial land
    1,573       2.24       318       0.43       675       0.87       2,271       4.15       1,185       1.94  
Total commercial loans
    5,912       0.87       3,297       0.46       4,592       0.61       7,013       1.16       5,607       0.91  
                                                                                 
Consumer loans
                                                                               
  Home equity
    4,414       1.15       2,204       0.58       2,017       0.52       3,315       0.95       4,525       1.27  
  Manufactured housing
    3,241       1.16       2,506       0.90       1,835       0.66       1,502       0.54       3,267       1.19  
  Marine
    284       0.37       227       0.33       300       0.50       358       0.71       597       1.14  
  Other consumer
    384       0.91       742       1.64       626       1.26       445       0.97       831       1.66  
Total consumer  loans
    8,323       1.06       5,679       0.74       4,778       0.62       5,620       0.78       9,220       1.25  
Total delinquent loans
  $ 17,082       0.68 %   $ 11,494       0.45 %   $ 11,089       0.42 %   $ 14,645       0.62 %   $ 18,374       0.77 %
 
 
   
                                                         
FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
 
                                                             
   
December 31, 2012
   
September 30, 2012
   
June 30, 2012
   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
    $    
% of 
Portfolio
      $    
% of
Portfolio
      $    
% of
Portfolio
      $    
% of
Portfolio
      $    
% of
Portfolio
 
Residential loans
                                                                     
  Residential 1-4 family
  $ 7,137       0.75 %   $ 10,881       1.08 %   $ 10,460       1.02 %   $ 6,649       0.68 %   $ 4,977       0.51 %
  Residential land
    785       1.49       1,558       2.96       1,423       2.54       1,398       3.43       1,448       3.48  
     Total residential loans
    7,922       0.77       12,439       1.15       11,883       1.08       8,047       0.78       6,425       0.62  
                                                                                 
Commercial loans
                                                                               
  Commercial business
    1,460       1.23       1,407       1.12       1,198       1.11       1,931       2.19       3,666       4.37  
  Commercial real estate
    18,386       3.74       15,853       3.05       15,918       2.87       18,474       4.13       17,127       3.75  
  Commercial construction
    247       23.21       247       13.71       261       1.52       261       1.60       605       3.67  
  Commercial land
    4,058       5.79       2,990       4.02       4,577       5.87       5,240       9.56       5,232       8.54  
Total commercial loans
    24,151       3.55       20,497       2.84       21,954       2.89       25,906       4.27       26,630       4.31  
                                                                                 
Consumer loans
                                                                               
  Home equity
    10,049       2.61       10,145       2.67       10,636       2.74       9,779       2.81       8,192       2.29  
  Manufactured housing
    3,355       1.20       2,221       0.80       2,197       0.79       2,648       0.96       3,461       1.26  
  Marine
    139       0.18       90       0.13       29       0.05       63       0.12       246       0.47  
  Other consumer
    275       0.65       228       0.50       306       0.62       131       0.29       224       0.45  
Total consumer  loans
    13,818       1.77       12,684       1.64       13,168       1.70       12,621       1.75       12,123       1.65  
    Total nonaccrual loans
    45,891       1.84       45,620       1.77       47,005       1.79       46,574       1.98       45,178       1.89  
Loans 90+ days still accruing
    43               74               75               51               121          
Restructured loans, still accruing
    3,536               3,340               2,857               3,276               2,411          
Total nonperforming loans
    49,470       1.98 %     49,034       1.90 %     49,937       1.90 %     49,901       2.12 %     47,710       2.00 %
Nonperforming loans held for sale
    ---               ---               ---               ---               ---          
Other repossessed assets acquired
    18,338               21,579               28,191               21,818               20,487          
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 67,808             $ 70,613             $ 78,128             $ 71,719             $ 68,197          
 

 
Page 12

 
   
                                                             
FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
NET CHARGE-OFFS
 
                                                             
   
December 31, 2012
   
September 30, 2012
   
June 30, 2012
   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
    $    
% of
Portfolio*
      $    
% of
Portfolio*
      $    
% of
Portfolio*
      $    
% of
Portfolio*
      $    
% of
Portfolio*
 
Residential loans
                                                                     
  Residential 1-4 family
  $ 2,756       1.10 %   $ 294       0.12 %   $ 1,070       0.42 %   $ 507       0.21 %   $ 391       0.16 %
  Residential land
    257       1.89       403       2.91       78       0.59       701       6.75       532       5.31  
     Total residential loans
    3,013       1.13       697       0.26       1,148       0.42       1,208       0.47       923       0.37  
                                                                                 
Commercial loans
                                                                               
  Commercial business
    126       0.42       924       3.22       334       1.34       825       3.60       640       3.22  
  Commercial real estate
    588       0.46       1,994       1.47       714       0.54       1,462       1.30       1,417       1.22  
  Commercial construction
    (1 )     (0.41 )     11       0.56       (2 )     (0.05 )     (2 )     (0.05 )     (3 )     (0.07 )
  Commercial land
    89       0.48       1,037       5.43       723       4.00       1,439       9.87       804       4.94  
Total commercial loans
    802       0.46       3,966       2.14       1,769       0.99       3,724       2.41       2,858       1.83  
                                                                                 
Consumer loans
                                                                               
  Home equity
    1,343       1.44       1,125       1.17       2,580       2.71       2,264       2.57       2,955       3.26  
  Manufactured housing
    899       1.29       778       1.12       666       0.97       1,467       2.13       845       1.23  
  Marine
    (19 )     (0.11 )     146       0.88       82       0.60       361       2.83       142       1.05  
  Other consumer
    295       2.51       269       2.22       428       3.48       469       3.90       531       4.09  
Total consumer  loans
    2,518       1.31       2,318       1.20       3,756       1.98       4,561       2.51       4,473       2.41  
Total net charge-offs
  $ 6,333       0.99 %   $ 6,981       1.07 %   $ 6,673       1.04 %   $ 9,493       1.60 %   $ 8,254       1.39 %
 
 
  *Represents an annualized rate
 
Page 13

 
                               
FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (Unaudited)
 
                               
   
As of and for the Quarters Ended
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
December 31,
2012
   
September 30,
2012
   
June 30,
2012
   
March 31,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
Efficiency Ratio from Continuing Operations
                             
Net interest income (A)
  $ 35,089     $ 33,197     $ 31,713     $ 28,252     $ 28,899  
Taxable equivalent adjustment (B)
    168       184       226       182       145  
Noninterest income (C)
    16,173       14,548       32,530       13,182       32,770  
Gain on acquisition (D)
    (661 )     ---       14,550       ---       ---  
Net securities gains (losses) (E)
    (144 )     189       3,398       (69 )     (180 )
Gain on sold loan pool, net (F)
    ---       ---       ---       ---       20,796  
Noninterest expense (G)
    35,357       33,029       39,250       28,709       28,886  
FHLB prepayment termination charge (H)
    ---       ---       8,525       ---       ---  
Efficiency Ratio: (G-H)/(A+B+C-D-E-F) (non-GAAP)
    67.69 %     69.19 %     66.05 %     68.87 %     70.12 %
                                         
Tangible Assets and Tangible Common Equity
                                       
Total assets
  $ 3,215,558     $ 3,245,487     $ 3,304,174     $ 3,145,538     $ 3,146,964  
Other intangible assets, net
    (8,025 )     (8,478 )     (8,931 )     (2,310 )     (2,401 )
  Tangible assets (non-GAAP)
  $ 3,207,533     $ 3,237,009     $ 3,295,243     $ 3,143,228     $ 3,144,563  
                                         
Total shareholders' equity
  $ 299,641     $ 292,500     $ 287,264     $ 278,043     $ 277,178  
Preferred stock
    (65,000 )     (65,000 )     (65,000 )     (65,000 )     (65,000 )
Other intangible assets, net
    (8,025 )     (8,478 )     (8,931 )     (2,310 )     (2,401 )
  Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)
  $ 226,616     $ 219,022     $ 213,333     $ 210,733     $ 209,777  
                                         
Shares outstanding, end of period (000s)
    16,527       16,527       16,527       16,527       16,527  
                                         
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)
    7.07 %     6.77 %     6.47 %     6.70 %     6.67 %
Book value per common share
  $ 14.20     $ 13.77     $ 13.45     $ 12.89     $ 12.84  
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)
    13.71       13.25       12.91       12.75       12.69  
                                         
Pre-tax Pre-provision Earnings from
Continuing Operations
                                 
Income before income taxes
  $ 11,744     $ 10,183     $ 20,296     $ 5,980     $ 25,338  
Provision for loan losses
    4,161       4,533       4,697       6,745       7,445  
  Pre-tax pre-provision earnings (non-GAAP)
  $ 15,905     $ 14,716     $ 24,993     $ 12,725     $ 32,783  
                                         
Impact of Improved Performance of Cape Fear Loan Pool
                                 
Net interest income
  $ 35,089     $ 33,197     $ 31,713     $ 28,252     $ 28,899  
Tax equivalent adjustment
    168       184       226       182       145  
  Net interest income on taxable equivalent basis (A)
    35,257       33,381       31,939       28,434       29,044  
Incremental loan accretion
    (472 )     (472 )     ---       ---       ---  
Interest income recognized on cash received in excess of initial investment
    (3,576 )     ---       ---       ---       ---  
  Net interest income, adjusted (non-GAAP) (B)
  $ 31,209     $ 32,909     $ 31,939     $ 28,434     $ 29,044  
                                         
Average earning assets (C)
  $ 2,994,982     $ 3,061,432     $ 3,142,597     $ 2,967,614     $ 2,959,580  
Net interest margin (A)/(C)
    4.69 %     4.35       4.08       3.84       3.91  
Net interest margin, adjusted (B)/(C) (non-GAAP)
    4.15 %     4.29       4.08       3.84       3.91  
                                         
 
Contact
First Financial Holdings, Inc.
Blaise B. Bettendorf
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(843) 529-5931 or (843) 529-5456
investorrelations@firstfinancialholdings.com
bbettendorf@firstfinancialholdings.com

Page 14