First Community Corporation Announces Third Quarter Results and Cash Dividend

LEXINGTON, S.C., Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights

• Fourth consecutive quarter of net income in excess of $1 million
• Cash dividend of $0.06 per common share, which is the 47^th consecutive quarter of cash dividends paid to common shareholders
• Regulatory capital ratios of 10.64% (Tier 1 Leverage) and 18.40% (Total Capital) along with Tangible Common Equity / Tangible Assets (TCE/TA) ratio of 8.23%
• Non-performing assets (NPAs) better than peer with ratio of 1.37%
• Loan portfolio growth in four consecutive quarters results in 6.7% increase during the trailing twelve months
• The cost of total deposits declined an additional 4 basis points from 37 basis points in the second quarter to 33 basis points in the third quarter
• Diversified revenue model shows continued strength as net-interest income and net-interest margin increased to reduce the impact of slowing revenue from the mortgage line of business
• Previous announcement of a merger agreement with Savannah River Financial Corporation
• Previous announcement of expansion with opening of a banking office in downtown Columbia

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030508/FCCOLOGO )

 Today, First Community Corporation (Nasdaq: FCCO), the holding company for First Community Bank, reported net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2013.  Net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2013 was $1.046 million as compared to $881 thousand in the third quarter of 2012.  Diluted earnings per common share were $0.20 for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to $0.19 for the third quarter of 2012. 

Year-to-date 2013 net income available to common shareholders was $3.29 million compared to $2.27 million during the first nine months of 2012.  Diluted earnings per share for year-to-date 2013 were $0.62, as compared to $0.60 from the same time period in 2012.  The increase in the number of shares of common stock outstanding after the capital raise completed in the third quarter of 2012 should be noted in making these comparisons. 

Earlier in the third quarter, the company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which First Community has agreed to acquire Savannah River Financial Corporation in a cash and stock transaction with a total current value of approximately $33.6 million or approximately $11.00 per share.  Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will have approximately $775 million in total assets, $635 million in total deposits, and $450 million in total loans.  The transaction will create a 13-office banking company.  The merger agreement has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of each company.  Closing of the transaction, which is expected to occur early in the first quarter of 2014, is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval and approval by the shareholders of both companies. 

"This is a comfortable extension of our company into a contiguous county, and beyond into Augusta.  The Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and the midlands of South Carolina have many economic similarities, and both are experiencing nice momentum in business growth," said First Community President and CEO Michael C. "Mike" Crapps.  "More importantly, we are excited to partner with the Savannah River Banking Company team.  The Board of Directors, CEO Randy Potter, President Jeff Spears, and the entire team have created a successful banking organization, with a commitment to quality that permeates all aspects of their business.  This includes the talent of the staff, their approach to serving their clients, and is evident in the quality of their balance sheet."

Additionally, on October 2, 2013, the company announced plans to expand its footprint with a banking office in downtown Columbia.  The new location at 1213 Lady Street, near Main Street, is expected to open in the spring of 2014 giving the company a highly visible presence in the heart of the city.  The bank's financial planning team, First Community Financial Consultants, will relocate from their Lincoln Street office to the second floor of the new downtown location.  "The downtown area will be a great addition to the First Community family. It's experiencing tremendous growth and the timing was right to bring our unique style of banking to the businesses and residents that call Main Street home," said Mr. Crapps. "We look forward to working with downtown businesses and professionals to meet their financial goals."

Cash Dividend and Capital

As a result of the strong earnings performance and quality of its balance sheet, the company has previously announced this year two increases in its cash dividend.  The Board of Directors has approved a cash dividend at this new elevated level for the third quarter of 2013.  The company will pay a $0.06 per share dividend to holders of the company's common stock.  This dividend is payable November 15, 2013 to shareholders of record as of October 31, 2013.  Mr. Crapps commented, "Our entire board is pleased that our performance enables the company to continue its cash dividend for the 47^th consecutive quarter.  This quarter's payout ratio of 30% is within our targeted payout range that we believe is appropriate for our company at this time."

Each of the regulatory capital ratios (Leverage, Tier I Risk Based and Total Risk Based) exceed the well capitalized minimum levels currently required by regulatory statute.  At September 30, 2013, the company's regulatory capital ratios (Leverage, Tier I Risk Based and Total Risk Based) were 10.64%, 17.29%, and 18.40%, respectively.  This compares to the same ratios as of September 30, 2012 of 10.56%, 17.94%, and 19.88%, respectively.  Additionally, the regulatory capital ratios for the company's wholly owned subsidiary, First Community Bank, were 10.21%, 16.62%, and 17.74% respectively as of September 30, 2013.  Further, the company's ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets indicates a high quality of capital with a ratio of 8.23% as of September 30, 2013. 

On a year over year comparison basis, tangible book value per share decreased $0.23 from $10.10 to $9.87.  This decline results from the decrease in market value of our available-for-sale investment portfolio (AFS portfolio) solely as a result of the increase in interest rates during the period.  It should be noted that excluding this Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), the tangible book value increased $0.53 during this same time period from $9.66 to $10.19.  The company believes its balance sheet as a whole is currently positioned for a rising rate environment.  The change in market value of the AFS portfolio is the only segment of the balance sheet that is reflected in the equity section and as such can result in some volatility in the calculated tangible book value per share as interest rates fluctuate.  The company attempts to manage this volatility by balancing the overall AFS portfolio duration.

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets remained relatively stable, decreasing by $89 thousand to $8.7 million (1.37% of total assets) at the end of the quarter.  This ratio compares favorably with the bank's peer group non-performing assets ratio which the company believes to be in excess of 3.00%. 

Trouble debt restructurings, that are still accruing interest, declined during the quarter to $584 thousand from $593 thousand.  Loans past due 30-89 days decreased to $2.3 million (0.65% of loans) this quarter.   

Net loan charge-offs for the quarter were $245 thousand (0.28% annualized ratio) as compared to the 2012 third quarter total of $161 thousand (0.20% annualized ratio).  The company believes that these levels compare very favorably to its peer group average. 

It is also noteworthy that classified loans decreased significantly in the quarter to $10.8 million from $13.6 million.  The ratio of classified loans plus OREO now stands at 20.92% of total regulatory risk-based capital as of September 30, 2013. 

Balance Sheet

Mr. Crapps commented, "Our success in serving our target market of local business and professional clients is demonstrated in the growth in pure deposits and our loan portfolio.  The momentum in pure deposit growth has continued and during the past twelve months we have increased pure deposits by $58.2 million, which is an increase of 18.6%.  This has positioned us to drive down our cost of deposits by 29 basis points to 0.33% during this same time period.  We are especially pleased to report that we are experiencing a rebound in credit demand and that during the past twelve months the loan portfolio has grown by 6.7% or $21.6 million.  We have now experienced four consecutive quarters of growth in our loan portfolio."

Revenue

Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin

Net interest income was $4.570 million for the third quarter of 2013 which represents a 3.30% increase over the second quarter of 2013.  The net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, was 3.18% for the third quarter of 2013, which represents an increase from 3.11% during the second quarter of 2013.  Mr. Crapps commented, "The increase in our net interest margin is primarily the result of an increased rate environment in the middle to long end of the yield curve.  The benefit to us is a higher interest rate as we re-invest our cash flows and the slowing of prepayments on the mortgage backed securities held in our investment portfolio."

Non-Interest Income

As anticipated, non-interest income decreased during the third quarter, as production in the mortgage banking line of business decreased to $25.4 million in the third quarter of 2013 from $36.6 million in the prior quarter.  This decrease of 30.6% in production combined with a slight decrease in yield (from 3.23% to 3.03%) resulted in a decrease in mortgage fee revenue from $1.183 million to $770 thousand.  Purchase transactions remained relatively stable on a linked quarter basis at $17.5 million (68.9% of total production) with the decline in refinance transactions accounting for the total decrease.  Mr. Crapps commented, "This decrease is not surprising due to the increase in interest rates.  We continue to see good activity in purchase transactions and this line of business remains an important piece of our company."

It is significant to note that the financial planning / investment advisory line of business continues to grow in revenue and in assets under management.  Year-to-date in 2013 revenue is $695 thousand as compared to the 2012 figure of $492 thousand for the comparable year-to-date period.  Assets under management have increased 23.6 % in 2013, from $108 million as of December 31, 2012 to $ 133.5 million as of September 30, 2013.

Mr. Crapps commented further on the revenue model, "We believe that now, more than ever, the strength of our diversified revenue model is evident.  The scenario discussed last quarter is becoming a reality.  The increase in rates slowed total mortgage loan production; and therefore, the contribution to net income from that line of business decreased.  The offset to that was the increase in yields in our investment portfolio as prepayments on mortgage back securities slowed; as well as, the re-investment of cash flows at higher yields in both the loan and investment portfolios.  This served to enhance our net-interest margin and our net-interest income." 

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense was relatively unchanged on a linked quarter basis at $4.957 million.  The company did record $33 thousand in one-time merger expenses related to the above referenced acquisition of Savannah River Financial Corporation.  As previously announced, the merger is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2014.  The more significant remaining one-time merger expenses will be experienced in the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014. 

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 operates eleven banking offices located in Lexington, Richland, Newberry and Kershaw counties in addition to First Community Financial Consultants, a financial planning/investment advisory division and Palmetto South Mortgage, a separate mortgage division. 

Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, such as a downturn in the economy, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate.  Therefore, 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.

SOURCE First Community Corporation