Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K - FIRST BANKS, INCfbi8k012513.htm




Exhibit 99


FIRST BANKS, INC.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

NEWS RELEASE

Contacts:
Terrance M. McCarthy
Lisa K. Vansickle
 
President and
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
 
First Banks, Inc.
First Banks, Inc.
 
(314) 854-4600
(314) 854-4600
 
Traded:
NYSE
Symbol:
FBSPrA – (First Preferred Capital Trust IV, an affiliated trust of First Banks, Inc.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

First Banks, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 
St. Louis, Missouri, January 25, 2013.  First Banks, Inc. (the “Company”), the holding company of First Bank, today announced earnings of $3.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012 as compared to a net loss of $15.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded earnings of $26.3 million as compared to a net loss of $41.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. First Bank recorded earnings of $7.4 million and $41.7 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, as compared to net losses of $12.3 million and $28.3 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011, respectively.
 
Terrance M. McCarthy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said, “We are very pleased to report our fourth consecutive quarter of earnings in addition to a full year of profitability. The quarterly and annual earnings performance is a direct result of our ability to significantly improve asset quality in the fourth quarter and over the course of 2012. We expect to continue to improve earnings, asset quality and capital levels in 2013.”
 
Key Points for the Quarter:
 
 
·
The Company did not record a provision for loan losses for the fourth quarter of 2012, primarily as a result of the decrease in nonaccrual and potential problem loans. The Company reduced its overall level of nonperforming assets by $40.1 million, or 16.6%, during the fourth quarter of 2012 and $148.3 million, or 42.3%, during the year. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company sold $47.7 million of special mention, potential problem and nonaccrual loans resulting in a net charge-off of $13.3 million. As a result of this loan sale and other actions, the Company has reduced its ratio of nonaccrual loans to total loans to 3.75% at December 31, 2012 from 6.71% at December 31, 2011 while maintaining an allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans and total loans at 83.37% and 3.13%, respectively. Certain asset quality metrics as of or for the quarterly periods are summarized in the following table:

     
December 31,
   
September 30,
   
 December 31,
 
     
2012
   
2012
   
2011
 
     
(dollars expressed in thousands)
 
                           
 
Provision for loan losses                                                                           
 
$
     
     
17,000
 
 
Nonaccrual loans                                                                           
   
109,872
     
131,595
     
220,251
 
 
Performing troubled debt restructurings                                                                           
   
128,917
     
118,909
     
126,442
 
 
Other real estate and repossessed assets                                                                           
   
91,995
     
110,353
     
129,896
 
 
Potential problem loans                                                                           
   
116,092
     
183,703
     
233,471
 
 
Net loan charge-offs                                                                           
   
22,600
     
6,025
     
37,014
 
                           
 
Ratio of:
                       
 
Nonaccrual loans to loans
   
3.75
%
   
4.27
     
6.71
 
 
Nonperforming assets to total assets
   
3.10
     
3.71
     
5.30
 
 
Allowance for loan losses to loans
   
3.13
     
3.71
     
4.19
 
 
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans
   
83.37
     
86.78
     
62.52
 

 
 

 



 
·
The Company executed a Purchase and Assumption Agreement to sell eight branches in the Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida market area to HomeBanc National Association, headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida. This transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2013. The Company also announced plans to close three other branch offices in Florida and consolidate two branch locations in Illinois and two branch locations in California. The Company believes these transactions have the potential to improve core earnings performance during 2013 and future years.
 
 
·
Increased First Bank’s regulatory capital ratios, reflecting continued and consistent improvement in each of the regulatory capital ratios, including an increase in First Bank’s Total Capital Ratio to 17.18% at December 31, 2012, from 16.40% at September 30, 2012 and 14.98% at December 31, 2011. Regulatory capital ratios for First Bank and First Banks, Inc. are summarized in the following table:
 

     
December 31,
 
 September 30,
 
December 31,
 
     
2012
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
First Bank:
               
 
Total Capital Ratio                                                                           
   
17.18
%
 
16.40
%
 
14.98
%
 
 
Tier 1 Ratio                                                                           
   
15.92
   
15.13
   
13.70
   
 
Leverage Ratio                                                                           
   
9.13
   
8.96
   
8.19
   
                         
 
First Banks, Inc.:
                     
 
Total Capital Ratio                                                                           
   
2.57
   
2.57
   
1.88
   
 
Tier 1 Ratio                                                                           
   
1.28
   
1.29
   
0.94
   
 
Leverage Ratio                                                                           
   
0.73
   
0.76
   
0.56
   
 
Net Interest Income:
 
Net interest income was $41.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, in comparison to $43.0 million for the third quarter of 2012 and $45.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2011.
 
The net interest margin was 2.68% for the fourth quarter of 2012, in comparison to 2.79% for the third quarter of 2012 and 2.89% for the fourth quarter of 2011. The net interest margin continues to be negatively impacted by the change in the mix of our interest-earning assets, which have shifted from loans to cash and cash equivalents and investment securities, and a decrease in the average yield on loans and investment securities due to the historically low interest rate environment, partially offset by a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits resulting from the continued change in the mix of our deposits from time deposits and money market deposits to demand and savings deposits, and the continued re-pricing of money market relationships and certificates of deposit to current market interest rates upon maturity. Yields on interest-earning assets and costs of interest-bearing liabilities are summarized in the following table:
 

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2012
 
2012
 
2011
 
                 
Average yield on loans                                                                                   
   
4.51
%
 
4.62
%
 
4.83
%
 
Average yield on investment securities                                                                                   
   
1.97
   
2.10
   
2.17
   
Average yield on interest-earning assets                                                                                   
   
3.14
   
3.28
   
3.49
   
Average cost of interest-bearing deposits                                                                                   
   
0.30
   
0.34
   
0.52
   
Average cost of interest-bearing liabilities                                                                                   
   
0.59
   
0.63
   
0.75
   
                       
Provision for Loan Losses:
 
The provision for loan losses was zero for the third and fourth quarters of 2012, in comparison to $17.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. The decrease in the provision for loan losses for the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, was primarily attributable to the decrease in nonaccrual and potential problem loans, in addition to lower net charge-offs, which were $22.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 (including net charge-offs of $13.3 million associated with the sale of approximately $47.7 million of loans), $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2012 and $37.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2011.
 
Nonaccrual loans decreased $21.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2012 to $109.9 million at December 31, 2012 compared to $131.6 million at September 30, 2012 and $220.3 million at December 31, 2011, representing a decrease of $110.4 million, or 50.1%, in nonaccrual loans during 2012.
 

 
 

 

Noninterest Income:
 
Noninterest income was $16.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, in comparison to $16.8 million for the third quarter of 2012 and $16.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2011.
 
The gain on sale of residential mortgage loans was $2.6 million, $4.3 million and $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, the third quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2011, respectively, primarily reflecting an increase in loan origination volume in our mortgage division during 2012.
 
Net losses associated with changes in the fair value of mortgage and SBA servicing rights were $867,000, $2.4 million and $913,000 for the fourth quarter of 2012, the third quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2011, respectively, primarily reflecting changes in mortgage interest rates and the related changes in estimated prepayment speeds during these time periods.
 
Noninterest Expense:
 
Noninterest expense was $54.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $51.2 million for the third quarter of 2012 and $61.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. The decrease in noninterest expense as compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 is primarily reflective of a lower level of expenses related to nonperforming assets and potential problem loans and the implementation of certain measures intended to improve efficiency in conjunction with the restructuring of the Company to a smaller footprint.
 
Write-downs and expenses on other real estate properties and repossessed assets were $7.5 million, $2.9 million and $10.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, the third quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2011, respectively, and primarily reflects continued write-downs on certain other real estate properties primarily resulting from a decline in fair value upon periodic re-appraising of the properties.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a write-down of $2.3 million due to a fair value adjustment on the Bank-owned premises and equipment associated with eight branches in Bradenton, Palmetto and Longboat Key, Florida. These branches were previously reported as discontinued operations but were reclassified to continuing operations during the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of the change in the Company’s intent to now hold and invest in these branches.
 
Provision for Income Taxes:
 
The Company recorded a benefit for income taxes of $217,000 for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to a benefit for income taxes of $138,000 for the third quarter of 2012 and a provision for income taxes of $803,000 for the fourth quarter of 2011. The Company presently maintains a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets.
 
Investment Securities:
 
Investment securities were $2.68 billion at December 31, 2012 compared to $2.76 billion at September 30, 2012 and $2.47 billion at December 31, 2011. The Company continues to maintain significant on-balance sheet liquidity to support the sale and closure of branches in addition to future loan growth opportunities.
 
Loans:
 
Loans, net of deferred loan fees, were $2.93 billion at December 31, 2012 compared to $3.08 billion at September 30, 2012 and $3.28 billion at December 31, 2011. The decrease in loans of $149.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2012 reflects the sale of approximately $47.7 million of special mention, potential problem and nonaccrual loans during the fourth quarter of 2012 in addition to loan runoff, primarily in problem loans and loans in markets the Company previously exited. The Company is continuing to focus on loan growth initiatives to offset the impact of the decrease in nonaccrual, potential problem and other loan relationships in future periods.
 
The Company’s loan-to-deposit ratio was 51.89% at December 31, 2012, as compared to 54.44% at September 30, 2012 and 56.65% at December 31, 2011.
 

 
 

 

Deposits:
 
Deposits were $5.65 billion at December 31, 2012, in comparison to $5.66 billion at September 30, 2012 and $5.80 billion at December 31, 2011. Certificates of deposit and money market and savings deposits declined $67.4 million and $34.6 million, respectively, and demand deposits increased $92.2 million, during the fourth quarter of 2012.
 
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
 
(dollars expressed in thousands, except per share data)
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
SELECTED OPERATING DATA

   
Three Months Ended
   
Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                               
Interest income
 
$
 
48,080
     
50,536
     
55,429
     
202,565
     
234,191
 
Interest expense
   
6,954
     
7,536
     
9,533
     
31,060
     
46,960
 
Net interest income
   
41,126
     
43,000
     
45,896
     
171,505
     
187,231
 
Provision for loan losses
   
     
     
17,000
     
2,000
     
69,000
 
Net interest income after provision
for loan losses
   
41,126
     
43,000
     
28,896
     
169,505
     
118,231
 
Noninterest income
   
16,631
     
16,800
     
16,006
     
66,686
     
63,302
 
Noninterest expense
   
54,643
     
51,249
     
61,398
     
210,349
     
236,287
 
Income (loss) before (benefit) provision
for income taxes
   
3,114
     
8,551
     
(16,496
)
   
25,842
     
(54,754
)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
   
(217
)
   
(138
)
   
803
     
(139
)
   
(10,654
)
Net income (loss)
   
3,331
     
8,689
     
(17,299
)
   
25,981
     
(44,100
)
Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest in
subsidiary
   
(68
)
   
216
     
(1,420
)
   
(297
)
   
(2,950
)
Net income (loss) attributable to
First Banks, Inc.
 
$
3,399
     
8,473
     
(15,879
)
   
26,278
     
(41,150
)
                                         
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per
common share
 
$
(97.67
)
   
119.48
     
(901.04
)
   
162.22
     
(2,642.46
)

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   
December 31,
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2012
   
2011
 
                   
Total assets
 
$
6,509,126
     
6,513,127
     
6,608,913
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
519,985
     
291,022
     
474,158
 
Investment securities
   
2,675,280
     
2,764,283
     
2,470,704
 
Loans, net of deferred loan fees
   
2,930,747
     
3,080,431
     
3,284,279
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
91,602
     
114,202
     
137,710
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets
   
125,967
     
125,967
     
125,967
 
Deposits
   
5,648,499
     
5,658,302
     
5,797,704
 
Other borrowings
   
26,025
     
28,558
     
51,182
 
Subordinated debentures
   
354,133
     
354,114
     
354,057
 
Stockholders’ equity
   
299,959
     
299,035
     
263,671
 
Nonperforming assets
   
201,867
     
241,948
     
350,147
 

SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS

   
Three Months Ended
   
Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                               
Net interest margin
   
2.68
%
   
2.79
%
   
2.89
%
   
2.79
%
   
2.86
%
Yield on loans
   
4.51
     
4.62
     
4.83
     
4.67
     
4.85
 
Cost of interest-bearing deposits
   
0.30
     
0.34
     
0.52
     
0.37
     
0.67
 
Loan-to-deposit ratio
   
51.89
     
54.44
     
56.65
     
51.89
     
56.65
 

 
 

 

About First Banks, Inc.
 
The Company had assets of $6.51 billion at December 31, 2012 and currently operates 146 branch banking offices in California, Florida, Illinois and Missouri. Through its subsidiary bank, First Bank, the Company offers a broad range of financial products and services to consumers, businesses and other institutions. Visit the Company on the web at www.firstbanks.com.

# # #

Financial Disclosures
The financial disclosures presented in this press release reflect numeric disclosures prior to the categorical reclassifications for Discontinued Operations. The Discontinued Operations reclassifications and related disclosures may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and available at the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov), and such disclosures will also be presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 upon filing with the SEC in March 2013.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s plans, objectives, estimates or projections with respect to our future financial condition and earnings including the ability of the Company to remain profitable, expected or anticipated revenues with respect to our results of operations and our business, expected improvement in our net interest income and margin, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: deterioration in the Company’s loan portfolio, increased competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships, revenues and net interest margin; changes in interest rates and overall economic conditions; and the risk of new and changing regulation. Additional factors which may cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s internet site. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of the press release, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.