First Community Corporation Announces Record Earnings, Third Quarter Results and Cash Dividend

LEXINGTON, S.C., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights for Third Quarter of 2021

• Net income of $4.748 million, an increase of 79.0% year-over-year and 34.0% linked quarter.
• Pre-tax pre-provision earnings of $6.115 million, up 41.8% year-over year and 32.0% linked quarter.
• Diluted EPS of $0.63 per common share for the quarter and $1.53 year-to-date through September 30, 2021.
• Total loans, excluding Paycheck Protection Program or PPP loans, increased during the third quarter by $41.3 million, an annualized growth rate of 19.9%.
• Pure deposit growth, including customer cash management, during the third quarter of $44.7 million, an annualized growth rate of 14.6%.
• Investment advisory line of business revenue of $1.040 million, an increase of 54.8% year-over-year and 8.7% linked quarter.
• Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis including PPP loans of 3.47%, excluding PPP loans 3.08%
• Strong credit quality metrics with non-performing assets (NPAs) ratio of 0.10%, past due ratio of 0.03% and net loan recovery excluding overdrafts of $354 thousand during the third quarter, with a year-to-date net recovery of $259 thousand.
• Cash dividend of $0.12 per common share, which is the 79^th consecutive quarter of cash dividends paid to common shareholders.

Today, First Community Corporation (Nasdaq:  FCCO), the holding company for First Community Bank, reported net income for the third quarter of 2021 of $4.748 million as compared to $2.652 million in the third quarter of 2020, an increase of 79.0%.  Diluted earnings per common share were $0.63 for the third quarter of 2021 as compared to $0.35 for the third quarter of 2020. On a linked quarter basis, net income increased 34.0% from $3.543 million in the second quarter of 2021 and diluted earnings per common share increased from $0.47.  Pre-tax pre-provision earnings or PTPPE in the third quarter of 2021 were $6.115 million compared to third quarter of 2020 PTPPE of $4.312 million and second quarter 2021 PTPPE of $4.632 million, an increase of 41.8% and 32.0% respectively. 

Year-to-date through September 30, 2021 net income was $11.546 million compared to $6.663 million during the first nine months of 2020.  Diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2021 were $1.53, compared to $0.89 during the same time period in 2020.    Year-to-date through September 30, 2021 PTPPE were $15.070 million compared to $11.618 million during the first nine months of 2020, an increase of 29.7%. 

Cash Dividend and Capital

The Board of Directors approved a cash dividend for the third quarter of 2021.  The company will pay a $0.12 per share dividend to holders of the company's common stock.  This dividend is payable November 16, 2021 to shareholders of record as of November 2, 2021.  Mike Crapps, First Community President and CEO, commented, "Our entire board is pleased that our performance enables the company to continue its cash dividend for the 79^th consecutive quarter." 

On April 12, 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 375,000 shares of its common stock, which represents approximately 5% of the Company's 7,540,332 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2021.   Under the repurchase plan, the Company may repurchase shares from time to time.  No share repurchases have been made under the plan as of September 30, 2021.  Mr. Crapps noted, "This approved share repurchase plan provides us with some flexibility in managing capital going forward."    

Each of the regulatory capital ratios for the bank exceed the well capitalized minimum levels currently required by regulatory statute.  At September 30, 2021, the bank's regulatory capital ratios (Leverage, Tier I Risk Based and Total Risk Based) were 8.56%, 13.58%, and 14.74%, respectively.  This compares to the same ratios as of September 30, 2020 of 8.95%, 12.96%, and 14.08%, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, the bank's Common Equity Tier I ratio was 13.58% compared to 12.96% at September 30, 2020.   Further, the company's Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets ratio was 8.00% as of September 30, 2021 compared to 8.60% as of September 30, 2020.

Asset Quality / Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses 

Asset quality metrics remained extremely strong as of September 30, 2021.  The non-performing assets ratio for the third quarter was 0.10% of total assets and a total past due ratio of 0.03%.  Net loan recoveries excluding overdrafts for the quarter were $354 thousand and the year-to-date through September 30, 2021 net recovery was $259 thousand.  The ratio of classified loans plus OREO now stands at 6.5% of total bank regulatory risk-based capital as of September 30, 2021.  The one large loan relationship previously discussed as negatively impacting these metrics was resolved during the quarter. 

Balance Sheet                   

Total loans, excluding PPP loans, increased during the third quarter by $41.3 million which is an annualized growth rate of 19.9%.  Non-PPP loan growth during the third quarter was the result of increased production and manageable levels of payoffs on a linked quarter basis.  Commercial loan production was $70.5 million during the third quarter of 2021 compared to $61.1 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $46.1 million in the third quarter of 2020. 

As of September 30, 2021, the bank had remaining $9.1 million in PPP loans and an additional $1.8 million in a related credit facility on the balance sheet.  Mr. Crapps noted, "As a community bank committed to the success of local businesses, we were pleased to be able to support our customers with access to the PPP funding.  We are now working with our customers through the SBA forgiveness process with $38.1 million forgiven in the third quarter of this year.  By year end, we expect the remaining PPP loan portfolio on our balance sheet to be immaterial." 

Total deposits were $1.334 billion at September 30, 2021 compared to $1.290 billion at June 30, 2021.  Pure deposits, which are defined as total deposits less certificates of deposits, increased $45.4 million or 3.9% to $1.208 billion at September 30, 2021 from $1.162 billion at June 30, 2021.  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are related to customer cash management accounts or business sweep accounts, were $59.8 million at September 30, 2021, down slightly from $60.5 million at June 30, 2021.  Costs of deposits decreased on a linked quarter basis to 0.12% in the third quarter of 2021 from 0.14% in the second quarter of the year.  Cost of funds also decreased on a linked quarter basis to 0.15% in the third quarter of 2021 from 0.17% in the second quarter of the year.  Mr. Crapps commented, "A strength of our bank has been and continues to be our low-cost deposit base.  During 2021, we have continued to grow pure deposits while at the same time working to reduce our cost of deposits." 

Revenue

Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin

Net interest income increased $1.364 million or 12.3% to $12.456 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to second quarter net interest income of $11.092 million.  Year-over-year, net interest income increased $2.280 million or 22.4% from $10.176 million in the third quarter of 2020.  Third quarter net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, was 3.47% compared to net interest margin of 3.20% in the second quarter.  Third quarter net interest margin, excluding PPP loans, on a tax equivalent basis, was 3.08% compared to 3.11% in the second quarter.   During the third quarter of 2021, the bank benefitted from $1.561 million in accretion of net deferred PPP loan fees due to the previously referenced reduction in PPP loans.  Additionally, primarily due to the resolution of the previously mentioned loan relationship, the bank collected interest income of approximately $140 thousand this quarter.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income increased 13.7% on a linked quarter basis, to $3.564 million in the third quarter of 2021 from $3.418 million in the second quarter.  In the third quarter, the bank benefitted from other non-recurring non-interest income of $47 thousand from the collection of a summary judgment related to a loan charged off at a bank, which the company subsequently acquired.  Year-over-year, non-interest income, adjusted for securities gains and losses and other non-recurring income, increased 2.2% from $3.440 million in the third quarter of 2020. 

Revenues in the mortgage line of business were basically flat on a linked quarter basis at $1.147 million in the third quarter compared to $1.143 million in the second quarter of the year and down 18.2% year-over-year.  Mortgage loan production decreased 4.5 % on a linked quarter and 43.3% year-over-year largely due to a large decrease in the number of refinance loans.   Improvements in the gain-on-sale margin helped offset the lower production volume. 

Revenue in the investment advisory line of business increased 54.8% year-over-year and 8.7% on a linked quarter with $1.040 million in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $672 thousand in the third quarter of 2020 and $957 thousand in the second quarter of 2021.  Assets under management (AUM), were $588.6 million at September 30, 2021 up from $577.5 million at June 30, 2021 and $501.0 million at December 31,2020.  Mr. Crapps commented, "Our strategy of multiple revenue streams continues to serve us well as we focus our efforts to accelerate growth in these lines of business.  We are pleased with the activity and momentum in each of our business units." 

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense was $9.905 million in the third quarter of 2021, up just $27 thousand over the second quarter of 2021.  As expected, Other expense, which was higher in the second quarter of the year due to some non-recurring expenses including legal fees associated with a loan relationship, was down $299 thousand on a linked quarter basis.  During the third quarter, the bank received reimbursement of $153 thousand of these legal fees paid in the second quarter due to the resolution of the loan relationship.  Salaries and benefits expense increased $446 thousand on a linked quarter basis, with nearly all of the increase attributable to two items, increased incentive plan accruals related to higher performance and results year-to-date and a lower credit for deferred loan costs in the third quarter.  Marketing and public relations expense decreased $173 thousand due to a lighter media schedule during the summer months.  FDIC insurance expense increased $43 thousand due to a higher assessment base and a higher assessment rate related to a decrease in the bank's leverage ratio due to an increase in assets.  

About First Community Corporation

First Community Corporation stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "FCCO" and is the holding company for First Community Bank, a local community bank based in the Midlands of South Carolina.  First Community Bank is a full-service commercial bank offering deposit and loan products and series, residential mortgage lending and financial planning/investment advisory services for businesses and consumers.  First Community serves customers in the Midlands, Aiken, and Greenville, South Carolina markets as well as Augusta, Georgia.  For more information, visit www.firstcommunitysc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release and certain statements by our management may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans, goals, projections and expectations, and are thus prospective. Forward looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate", "expects", "intends", "believes", "may", "likely", "will" or other statements that indicate future periods.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and other factors, include, among others, the following: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly and have an effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; (2) the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations may be different than expected including, but not limited to, due to the negative impacts and disruptions resulting from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, on the economies and communities we serve, which has had and may continue to have an adverse impact on our business, operations, and performance, and could continue to have a negative impact on our credit portfolio, share price, borrowers, and on the economy as a whole both domestically and globally; (3) the rate of delinquencies and amounts of charge-offs, the level of allowance for loan loss, the rates of loan growth, or adverse changes in asset quality in our loan portfolio, which may result in increased credit risk-related losses and expenses; (4) changes in legislation, regulation, policies or administrative practices, whether by judicial, governmental, or legislative action, (5) adverse conditions in the stock market, the public debt markets and other capital markets (including changes in interest rate conditions) could have a negative impact on the company; (6) technology and cybersecurity risks, including potential business disruptions, reputational risks, and financial losses, associated with potential attacks on or failures by our computer systems and computer systems of our vendors and other third parties; and (7) risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, or in any of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC since the end of the fiscal year covered by our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are available at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).

Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. We can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by our company or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by our company will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

The tables below provide a reconciliation of non–GAAP measures to GAAP for the periods indicated:

Certain financial information presented above is determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP financial measures include "Tangible book value per common share," "Tangible common shareholders' equity to tangible assets," "Return on average tangible common equity," "Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings," "Net interest margin excluding PPP Loans," "Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis excluding PPP Loans," "Non-PPP Loans and Related Credit Facilities," and "Non-PPP Loans."

• "Tangible book value per common share" is defined as total equity reduced by recorded intangible assets divided by total common shares outstanding.
• "Tangible common shareholders' equity to tangible assets" is defined as total common equity reduced by recorded intangible assets divided by total assets reduced by recorded intangible assets.
• "Return on average tangible common equity" is defined as net income on an annualized basis divided by average total equity reduced by average recorded intangible assets.
• "Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings" is defined as net interest income plus non-interest income, reduced by non-interest expense.
• "Net interest margin excluding PPP Loans" is defined as annualized net interest income less annualized interest income on PPP Loans divided by average earning assets less the average balance of PPP Loans.
• "Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis excluding PPP Loans" is defined as annualized net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis less annualized interest income on PPP Loans divided by average earning assets less the average balance of PPP Loans.
• "Non-PPP Loans and Related Credit Facilities" is defined as Total Loans less PPP Related Credit Facilities and PPP Loans.
• "Non-PPP Loans" is defined as Total Loans less PPP Loans.
• "Non-PPP Loans and Related Credit Facilities Growth - Dollars" is calculated by taking the difference between two time periods compared for Total Loans less PPP Loans and PPP Related Credit Facilities. "Non-PPP Loans and Related Credit Facilities – Annualized Growth Rate" is calculated by (i) dividing "Non-PPP Loans and Related Credit Facilities Loan Growth - Dollars" by the number of days between the two time periods compared (ii) times the number of days in the year (iii) divided by the prior time period Non-PPP Loans and Related Credit Facilities balance.
• "Non-PPP Loans Growth - Dollars" is calculated by taking the difference between two time periods compared for Total Loans less PPP Loans. "Non-PPP Loans – Annualized Growth Rate" is calculated by (i) dividing "Non-PPP Loans Loan Growth - Dollars" by the number of days between the two time periods compared (ii) times the number of days in the year (iii) divided by the prior time period Non-PPP Loans balance.

Our management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful because they enhance the ability of investors and management to evaluate and compare our operating results from period-to-period in a meaningful manner. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company's results as reported under GAAP.

SOURCE First Community Corporation

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