Edward Robinson McGraw
Analyst · KBW. Please go ahead
Thank you, John. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our second quarter 2015 conference call. We are pleased with our second quarter financial results which were highlighted by 16.37% annualized linked quarter non-acquired loan growth and strong revenue growth driven from our mortgage operations. Net income for the second quarter of '15 was $15.4 million or basic and diluted EPS of $0.49 and $0.48 respectively, as compared to $14.9 million or basic and diluted EPS of $0.47 for the second quarter of '14. During the second quarter of 2015, we incurred merger expenses of approximately $1.5 million or 906,000 on an after tax basis, which equated to $0.03 of diluted EPS, which were related to the – our Heritage merger which we did complete on July the 1st. Focusing on profitability for the quarter, our reported diluted earnings per share was $0.48. Excluding merger expenses related to the Heritage merger, operating EPS was actually $0.51 which was a record quarter, excluding quarters which we recognized one time gains associated with our acquisitions. For the second quarter of '15, our return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.06% and 8.42%, which includes the aforementioned merger expenses. Excluding merger expenses, our ROA and ROE were 1.12% and 8.92% respectively. This marks the fifth consecutive quarter that we've achieved greater than 1% return on assets. Total assets as of June 30, '15, were approximately $5.90 billion, as compared to $5.81 billion at year end. Total loans, including loans acquired in either the First M&F merger or the FDIC-assisted transactions, which we referred to collectively as acquired loans, we’re approximately $4.04 billion at June 30, '15, as compared to $3.95 billion on a linked quarter basis, and $3.99 billion at year end. Excluding acquired loans, loans grew at an annualized rate of 16.37% to $3.41 billion on a linked quarter basis, and grew 8.67% on an annualized basis from Q4, '14. Breaking down loan growth on an annualized basis as compared to year end, our Alabama market grew loans by 3%, our Mississippi market increased loans by 15.4% and our Tennessee market grew loans by 3.6%. In Georgia, we grew loans by 17.5%. Looking ahead, our loan pipelines and opportunities for growth throughout all our markets project more pronounced loan growth for the remainder of ’15. Total deposits were $4.89 billion at June 30, '15, as compared to $4.84 billion at year end. Our cost of funds was 40 basis points for the second quarter of '15, as compared to 48 basis points for the same quarter in '14. The decrease in cost of funds is a result of time deposit repricing and our continued improvement in our funding mix. In regards to our funding mix, non-interest-bearing deposits averaged approximately 20% of average total deposits for the second quarter of '15, as compared to approximately 18% for the second quarter of '14. At June 30, '15, our Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 9.90%, our Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 12.52%, and our total risk-based capital ratio was 13.54%. Our common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 10.44% and our tangible common equity ratio stands at 7.78% at quarter end. In all capital ratio categories our regulatory capital ratios continue to be in excess of the regulatory minimums required to be classified as well-capitalized. Net interest income was $51.7 million for the second quarter of '15, as compared to approximately $52.2 million for the second quarter of '14. Net interest margin was 4.17% compared to 4.24% for the second quarter of '14. Additional interest income recognized in connection with the acceleration of pay downs and payoffs from acquired loans was $3.6 million in the second quarter of '15, compared to $3.5 million for the same quarter of '14. This additional interest income increased margin in both quarters by 28 basis points. Non-interest income increased 17.70% to $22.9 million for the second quarter, as compared to $19.5 million for the second quarter of '14. The increase in non-interest income was primarily attributable to the growth in the company's mortgage operations. Non-interest expense was $51.2 million for the quarter, as compared to approximately $49.4 million for the second quarter of '14. In addition to our merger expenses, the increase in non-interest expense was primarily attributable to an increase in salary and employee benefits due to higher levels of commissions paid in our mortgage banking division. At June 30, '15, non-performing loans, which were loans 90 days or more past due and non-accrual loans were $44.3 million, and OREO was $27.1 million. Our non-performing loans and OREO that were acquired either through the First M&F merger or in connection with FDIC-assisted transactions which we collectively refer to as acquired non-performing assets were $23.1 million and $12.1 million respectively at June 30, '15. Since the acquired non-performing assets were recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition or subject to loss-share agreements with the FDIC, which significantly mitigates our actual losses, the remaining information in this discussion on non-performing loans, OREO and the related asset quality ratios, excludes these acquired non-performing assets. Our non-performing loans were $21.2 million at June 30, '15, as compared to $20.2 million at year end. The increase in NPLs was due to $2.8 million matured loan that was carried as 90 days past due at June 30, '15, but was paid off in full subsequent to the quarter end. Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans were flat at 62 basis points as of June 30, '15 compared to year end. Excluding the aforementioned NPL that was paid off after quarter end, NPL as a percentage of loans were 57 basis points. Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 16 basis points for the quarter, as compared to 23 basis points for the second quarter of '14. We recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.2 million for the second quarter, as compared to $1.5 million for the second quarter of '14. The allowance for loan losses totaled $41.9 million or 1.23% of total loans at June 30, '15, as compared to $42.3 million or 1.29% at year end. Our coverage ratio or allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans was 197.95% as of quarter end, as compared to 209.49% at year end. Loans 30 to 89 days past due as a percentage of total loans were 19 basis points at June 30, as compared to 32 basis points at year end. OREO was approximately $15 million at quarter end, as compared to $17 million at year end. OREO under contract to sell at quarter end was $1.4 million. We continue to see many opportunities on the horizon, specifically strong commercial loan pipelines which support our annual loan growth goals and a robust mortgage loan pipeline, both of which should drive continued revenue growth. As of July 1, we have approximately $7.77 billion in total assets with 171 banking, mortgage, wealth management, investment, insurance offices throughout the five southeastern states of Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Looking forward, and with the addition of the Heritage team, its customers and operations were going to continue to be well positioned to accelerate profitability and earnings growth, which in turn, we believe will generate more shareholder value. Now Casey, I'll turn it back over to you for any questions.