BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFBS), today announced earnings and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Third Quarter 2019 Highlights:Deposits increased 17%, annualized, on a linked quarter basis and 19% year-over-year, respectivelyLoans increased 10% year-over-yearDiluted EPS was $0.69 for the third quarter of 2019 compared to $0.64 for the third quarter of 2018Efficiency ratio of 33.44% through the first nine months of 2019DETAILED FINANCIALSServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. reported net income and net income available to common stockholders of $37.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared to net income and net income available to common stockholders of $34.6 million for the same quarter in 2018. Basic and diluted earnings per common share were $0.70 and $0.69, respectively, for the third quarter of 2019, compared to $0.65 and $0.64, respectively, for the third quarter of 2018.Annualized return on average assets was 1.67% and annualized return on average common stockholders’ equity was 18.69% for the third quarter of 2019, compared to 1.87% and 20.42%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2018.Net interest income was $73.0 million for the third quarter of 2019, compared to $70.1 million for the second quarter of 2019 and $66.9 million for the third quarter of 2018. The net interest margin in the third quarter of 2019 was 3.36% compared to 3.44% in the second quarter of 2019 and 3.77% in the third quarter of 2018. Linked quarter decreases in average rates paid on deposits in excess of decreases in loan yields drove a favorable rate change and increases in average balances in loans and equity drove favorable volume change. Increases in average balances in interest-bearing deposits in excess of increases in average balances in loans drove an unfavorable mix change as this excess was invested in lower yielding interest-bearing balances with other banks.Average loans for the third quarter of 2019 were $6.96 billion, an increase of $172.2 million, or 10% annualized, over average loans of $6.79 billion for the second quarter of 2019, and an increase of $727.9 million, or 12%, over average loans of $6.23 billion for the third quarter of 2018.Average total deposits for the third quarter of 2019 were $7.58 billion, an increase of $399.0 million, or 22% annualized, over average total deposits of $7.18 billion for the second quarter of 2019, and an increase of $1.25 billion, or 20%, over average total deposits of $6.33 billion for the third quarter of 2018.Non-performing assets to total assets were 0.52% for the third quarter of 2019, an increase of 9 basis points compared to 0.43% for the second quarter of 2019 and an increase of 25 basis points compared to 0.27% for the third quarter of 2018.  Net charge-offs to average loans were 0.49%, a 27 basis point increase compared to 0.22% for the second quarter of 2019 and an increase of 24 basis points compared to 0.25% for the third quarter of 2018. We recorded a $7.0 million provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2019 compared to $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2019 and $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2018. We recognized a $7.4 million close-out payment resulting from the termination of a state-operated loan guarantee program during the third quarter of 2019. The allowance for loan loss as a percentage of total loans was 1.10% at September 30, 2019, an increase of eight basis points compared to 1.02% at June 30, 2019 and an increase of five basis points compared to 1.05% as of September 30, 2018. In management’s opinion, the allowance is adequate and was determined by consistent application of ServisFirst Bank’s methodology for calculating its allowance for loan losses.Non-interest income for the third quarter of 2019 increased $1.1 million, or 23%, to $6.2 million from $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2018. Deposit service charges increased $140,000 in the third quarter of 2019, or 9%, compared to the third quarter of 2018. The number of transaction deposit accounts increased approximately 11% from September 30, 2018 to September 30, 2019. Mortgage banking revenue increased $544,000, or 69%, from the third quarter of 2018 to the third quarter of 2019. Mortgage loan originations increased approximately 64% during the third quarter of 2019 when compared to the same quarter in 2018. Credit card revenue increased $454,000, or 32%, to $1.9 million during the third quarter of 2019, compared to $1.4 million during the third quarter of 2018. The number of accounts increased approximately 35% and the aggregate amount of sales on all accounts increased 41% during the third quarter of 2019. Other income for the third quarter of 2019 increased $159,000, or 54%, to $453,000 from $294,000 in the third quarter of 2018.Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2019 increased $2.5 million, or 11%, to $25.2 million from $22.6 million in the third quarter of 2018, and decreased $861,000, or 3%, on a linked quarter basis. During the third quarter of 2019 we recognized a credit in the amount of $1.7 million to our FDIC and other regulatory assessments expense as a result of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) Small Bank Assessment Credit. This credit is discussed further below in “GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Salary and benefit expense for the third quarter of 2019 increased $2.4 million, or 19%, to $15.5 million from $13.1 million in the third quarter of 2018, and increased $1.2 million, or 8%, on a linked quarter basis. The number of FTE employees increased from 456 at September 30, 2018 to 506 at September 30, 2019, or 11%. Equipment and occupancy expense increased $194,000, or 9%, to $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2019, from $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2018, and increased $100,000 on a linked-quarter basis. Professional services expense increased $34,000, or 4%, to $887,000 in the third quarter of 2019, from $853,000 in the third quarter of 2018, and decreased $304,000, or 26%, from $1.2 million on a linked-quarter basis. FDIC and other regulatory assessments decreased $971,000 to a credit amount of $296,000 in the third quarter of 2019, from $675,000 in the third quarter of 2018. As mentioned above, we recognized an assessment credit during the third quarter of 2019. Expenses associated with other real estate owned decreased $211,000, or 73%, to $78,000 in the third quarter of 2019, from $289,000 in the third quarter of 2018. We had one write-down of a commercial warehouse building in 2018. Other operating expenses for the third quarter of 2019 increased $1.1 million, or 19%, to $6.6 million from $5.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, and decreased $306,000, or 4%, on a linked-quarter basis. Increases in data processing and Federal Reserve Bank service charges contributed to this increase in other operating expenses for the year-over-year comparison. Decreases in business development expenses contributed to the decrease in the linked-quarter comparison. The efficiency ratio was 31.76% during the third quarter of 2019 compared to 31.45% during the third quarter of 2018 and compared to 34.30% during the second quarter of 2019.Income tax expense increased $1.4 million, or 17%, to $9.5 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared to $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2018. Our effective tax rate was 20.20% for the third quarter of 2019 compared to 19.03% for the third quarter of 2018. We recognized a reduction in provision for income taxes resulting from excess tax benefits from the exercise and vesting of stock options and restricted stock during the third quarters of 2019 and 2018 of $231,000 and $539,000, respectively.GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresDuring the third quarter of 2019 we recorded a $1.7 million credit to our FDIC and other regulatory assessments expense as a result of the FDIC’s Small Bank Assessment Credit. Financial measures included in this press release that are presented adjusted for this credit are net income, net income available to common stockholders, diluted earnings per share, return on average assets and return on average common stockholders’ equity. Each of these five financial measures excludes the impact of this item, net of tax, attributable to the FDIC Small Bank Assessment Credit and are all considered non-GAAP financial measures. This press release also contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including tangible common stockholders’ equity, total tangible assets, tangible book value per share and tangible common equity to total tangible assets, each of which excludes goodwill and core deposit intangibles associated with our acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. in January 2015. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors that is supplementary to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP; however, we acknowledge that these non-GAAP financial measures have a number of limitations. As such, you should not view these disclosures as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, and they are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that other companies, including those in our industry, use. The following reconciliation tables provide a more detailed analysis of the non-GAAP financial measures as of and for the comparative periods presented in this press release.  Dollars are in thousands, except share and per share data.About ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company based in Birmingham, Alabama. Through its subsidiary ServisFirst Bank, ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. provides business and personal financial services from locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile and Dothan, Alabama, Pensacola, Sarasota and Tampa Bay, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of its filings may be obtained through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or at www.servisfirstbancshares.com.Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements concerning future operations, results or performance, are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “might” and similar expressions often signify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. cautions that such forward-looking statements, wherever they occur in this press release or in other statements attributable to ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc., are necessarily estimates reflecting the judgment of ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.’s senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors that could affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements, including: general economic conditions, especially in the credit markets and in the Southeast; the performance of the capital markets; changes in interest rates, yield curves and interest rate spread relationships; changes in accounting and tax principles, policies or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulatory requirements; changes in our loan portfolio and the deposit base; possible changes in laws and regulations and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including, but not limited to, economic stimulus initiatives; the cost and other effects of legal and administrative cases and similar contingencies; possible changes in the creditworthiness of customers and the possible impairment of the collectability of loans and the value of collateral; the effect of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornados, in our geographic markets; and increased competition from both banks and non-bank financial institutions. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other SEC filings. If one or more of the factors affecting our forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained herein. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements that are made from time to time.More information about ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. may be obtained over the Internet at www.servisfirstbancshares.com or by calling (205) 949-0302.Contact: ServisFirst Bank
Davis Mange (205) 949-3420
[email protected]





 

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