SFNC Simmons First National Corporation

PINE BLUFF, Ark., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Bob Fehlman, Simmons' Chief Executive Officer, commented on third quarter 2023 results:

Simmons reported net income of $47.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.37 for the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted earnings¹ were $48.8 million and adjusted earnings per share¹ were $0.39. While the current economic and interest rate environment continues to pose challenges to the financial services industry, we remain resolute on serving our customers' financial needs while diligently focusing on maintaining strong asset quality, capital and liquidity positions.

Our results also reflect our efforts aimed at optimizing our balance sheet and our Better Bank Initiative. On a year-over-year basis, average loans were up 9 percent and average deposits were up 3 percent as we continued to reinvest cash flows from our securities portfolio to fund loan growth and reduce wholesale borrowings. With respect to our Better Bank Initiative, we were able to achieve all of the original $15 million of annual cost savings we previously estimated one quarter sooner than anticipated. 

Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) (Simmons or Company) today reported net income of $47.2 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $58.3 million for the second quarter of 2023 and $80.6 million for the third quarter of 2022. Diluted earnings per share were $0.37 for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $0.46 in the second quarter of 2023 and $0.63 in the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted earnings¹ for the third quarter of 2023 were $48.8 million, compared to $61.1 million for the second quarter of 2023 and $82.3 million in the third quarter of 2022. A summary of certain items, consisting primarily of merger related costs, branch right-sizing costs and early retirement program costs, are described in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" tables below.

Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 totaled $153.4 million, compared to $163.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $193.6 million for the third quarter of 2022. Included in net interest income is accretion recognized on assets acquired, which totaled $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2023, $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2022. On a linked quarter basis, interest income increased $13.1 million and interest expense increased $22.9 million. While the higher interest rate environment positively impacted interest income, the corresponding increase in interest expense was driven by an increase in deposit costs, continued customer migration to higher rate deposit products and pricing measures instituted to defend market share, offset in part by a decrease in other wholesale borrowings costs, primarily Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

The yield on loans on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis for the third quarter of 2023 was 6.08 percent, compared to 5.89 percent in the second quarter of 2023 and 4.86 percent in the third quarter of 2022. The yield on investment securities on an FTE basis for the third quarter of 2023 was 3.08 percent, compared to 2.91 percent in the second quarter of 2023 and 2.29 percent in the third quarter of 2022. Cost of deposits for the third quarter of 2023 was 2.37 percent, compared to 1.96 percent in the second quarter of 2023 and 0.47 percent in the third quarter of 2022. The net interest margin on an FTE basis for the third quarter of 2023 was 2.61 percent, compared to 2.76 percent in the second quarter of 2023 and 3.34 percent in the third quarter of 2022.

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2023 was $42.8 million, compared to $45.0 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $43.0 million in the third quarter of 2022. The decline in service charges on deposits accounts, both on a linked quarter and a year-over-year basis, was primarily due to certain insufficient funds fee structure changes for consumer deposit accounts that were implemented during the third quarter of 2023. The decrease in other income on a linked quarter basis was primarily due to the positive impact of fair value adjustments associated with certain equity investments recorded in the second quarter of 2023.

Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2023 was $132.0 million, compared to $139.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $138.9 million in the third quarter of 2022. Included in noninterest expense are certain items consisting primarily of early retirement program, branch right sizing and merger related costs, totaling $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2023, $3.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2022. Excluding these items (which are described in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" tables below), adjusted noninterest expense¹ was $129.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, $136.0 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $136.4 million in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in noninterest expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and employee benefits. The decrease in adjusted noninterest expense on a linked quarter basis was primarily attributable to a $5.3 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits, reflecting the successful execution of programs as part of our Better Bank Initiative, as well as a $4.0 million accrual adjustment recorded in the third quarter of 2023 related to incentive plans.

Loans and Unfunded Loan Commitments
Total loans at the end of the third quarter of 2023 were $16.8 billion, up $1.2 billion, or 7 percent, compared to $15.6 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Total loans on a linked quarter basis were relatively unchanged, reflecting moderating demand and increased payoff activity in the quarter, as well as our focus on maintaining disciplined pricing and conservative underwriting standards given the current economic environment. Unfunded commitments at the end of the third quarter of 2023 were $4.0 billion, compared to $4.4 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $5.1 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Conversely, during the third quarter of 2023 our commercial loan pipeline saw increased activity compared to the second quarter of 2023. Commercial loans approved and ready to close at the end of the third quarter of 2023 were $433 million compared to $274 million at the end of the second quarter of 2023, and the rate on ready to close commercial loans was 8.43 percent, up 49 basis points on a linked quarter basis. 

Deposits
Total deposits at the end of the third quarter of 2023 were $22.2 billion, compared to $22.5 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $22.1 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022. While the overall level of deposits has been relatively stable, the change in mix of deposits, both on a linked quarter and year-over-year basis, reflected continued customer migration into higher rate deposits, principally certificates of deposit, given the rapid rise in interest rates, as well as increased market competition. Noninterest bearing deposits totaled $5.0 billion, compared to $5.3 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $6.2 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Interest bearing transaction accounts (including savings accounts) totaled $10.6 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared to $10.9 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $12.1 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Time deposits totaled $6.7 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared to $6.4 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $3.8 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022.   

Asset Quality
Total nonperforming loans at the end of the third quarter of 2023 were $81.9 million, compared to $72.0 million at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $57.8 million at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.32 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared to 0.28 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and 0.23 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2022. The increase in nonperforming assets on a linked quarter basis reflected a commercial credit totaling approximately $8.0 million that was classified as nonperforming during the third quarter, offset in part by payoffs received on previously identified nonaccrual commercial and agricultural loans. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans for the third quarter of 2023 were 28 basis points, compared to 4 basis points for the second quarter of 2023 and less than 1 basis point in the third quarter of 2022. The increase in net charge-offs was primarily due to a $9.6 million charge-off on a nursing/extended care related credit following a comprehensive review of this portfolio during the quarter. This charge-off accounted for 23 basis points of the 28 basis points of total net charge-offs recorded in the third quarter of 2023.

Provision for credit losses totaled $7.7 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $0.1 million in both the second quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2022. The increase in provision for credit losses on a sequential and year-over-year basis reflected portfolio activity and changes in macroeconomic variables. The allowance for credit losses at the end of the third quarter of 2023 was $218.5 million, compared to $210.0 million at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $197.6 million at the end of the third quarter of 2022. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans at the end of the third quarter of 2023 was 1.30 percent, compared to 1.25 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and 1.27 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2022. The nonperforming loan coverage ratio ended the quarter at 267 percent, compared to 292 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and 342 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2022. The reserve for unfunded commitments totaled $25.6 million at the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared to $36.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $41.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments reflects a lower level of unfunded commitments as customers continue to utilize available lines of credit.

Capital
Total common stockholders' equity at the end of the third quarter of 2023 was $3.3 billion, compared to $3.4 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $3.2 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Book value per share at the end of the third quarter of 2023 was $26.26, compared to $26.59 at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $24.87 at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Tangible book value per share¹ was $14.77 at the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared to $15.17 at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $13.51 at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Stockholders' equity as a percentage of total assets at September 30, 2023, was 11.9 percent, compared to 12.0 percent at June 30, 2023, and 11.7 percent at September 30, 2022. Tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets¹ was 7.1 percent at September 30, 2023, compared to 7.2 percent at June 30, 2023, and 6.7 percent at September 30, 2022. Simmons maintained a strong regulatory capital position, with all regulatory capital ratios continuing to significantly exceed "well capitalized" guidelines.

Share Repurchase Program
During the third quarter of 2023, Simmons repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of its Class A common stock at an average price of $17.69 under its 2022 stock repurchase program (2022 Program). Remaining authorization under the 2022 Program as of September 30, 2023, was approximately $40 million. Market conditions and our capital needs (among other things) will drive decisions regarding future stock repurchases, if any; the timing, pricing and amount of any repurchases under the 2022 Program will be determined by Simmons' management at its discretion; and the 2022 Program does not obligate Simmons to repurchase any common stock and may be modified, discontinued or suspended at any time without prior notice.

Conference Call
Management will conduct a live conference call to review this information beginning at 9:00 a.m. Central Time today, Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Interested persons can listen to this call by dialing toll-free 1-844-481-2779 (North America only) and asking for the Simmons First National Corporation conference call, conference ID 10182813. In addition, the call will be available live or in recorded version on Simmons' website at simmonsbank.com for at least 60 days following the date of the call.

Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) is a Mid-South based financial holding company that has paid cash dividends to its shareholders for 114 consecutive years. Its principal subsidiary, Simmons Bank, operates 232 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Founded in 1903, Simmons Bank offers comprehensive financial solutions delivered with a client-centric approach. In 2023, Simmons Bank was recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Midsize Employers and among the World's Best Banks for the fourth consecutive year. In 2022, Simmons Bank was named to Forbes' list of "America's Best Banks" for the second consecutive year. Additional information about Simmons Bank can be found on our website at simmonsbank.com, by following @Simmons_Bank on X (formerly Twitter) or by visiting our newsroom.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in their analysis of the Company's performance. These measures adjust GAAP performance measures to, among other things, include the tax benefit associated with revenue items that are tax-exempt, as well as exclude from net income (including on a per share diluted basis), pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, net charge-offs, income available to common shareholders, non-interest income, and non-interest expense certain income and expense items attributable to, for example, merger activity (primarily including merger-related expenses and Day 2 CECL provisions), gains and/or losses on sale of branches, net branch right-sizing initiatives, loss on redemption of trust preferred securities and gain on sale of intellectual property. In addition, the Company also presents certain figures based on tangible common stockholders' equity, tangible assets and tangible book value, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company further presents certain figures that are exclusive of the impact of PPP loans, deposits and/or loans acquired through acquisitions, mortgage warehouse loans, and/or energy loans, or gains and/or losses on the sale of securities. The Company's management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they, among other things, present the results of the Company's ongoing operations without the effect of mergers or other items not central to the Company's ongoing business, as well as normalize for tax effects, the effects of the PPP, and certain other effects. Management, therefore, believes presentations of these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company's ongoing businesses, and management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to assess the performance of the Company's ongoing businesses as related to prior financial periods. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the tables of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may not be based on historical facts and should be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements made in Mr. Fehlman's quote, may be identified by reference to future periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "believe," "budget," "expect," "foresee," "anticipate," "intend," "indicate," "target," "estimate," "plan," "project," "continue," "contemplate," "positions," "prospects," "predict," or "potential," by future conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "might" or "may," or by variations of such words or by similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to Simmons' future growth, business strategies, lending capacity and lending activity, loan demand, revenue, assets, asset quality, profitability, dividends, net interest margin, non-interest revenue, share repurchase program, acquisition strategy, digital banking initiatives, the Company's ability to recruit and retain key employees, the estimated cost savings associated with the Company's Better Bank Initiative, the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, and future economic conditions and interest rates. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and Simmons undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release. By nature, forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and involve inherent risk and uncertainties. Various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions, changes in credit quality, changes in interest rates and related governmental policies, changes in loan demand, changes in deposit flows, changes in real estate values, changes in the assumptions used in making the forward-looking statements, changes in the securities markets generally or the price of Simmons' common stock specifically, and changes in information technology affecting the financial industry; changes in customer behaviors, including consumer spending, borrowing, and saving habits; general economic and market conditions; market disruptions including pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises, war and other military conflicts (including the ongoing military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas) or other major events, or the prospect of these events; the soundness of other financial institutions and indirect exposure related to the closings of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank and their impact on the broader market through other customers, suppliers and partners (or that the conditions which resulted in the liquidity concerns with SVB, Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank may also adversely impact, directly or indirectly, other financial institutions and market participants with which the Company has commercial or deposit relationships);  increased inflation; the loss of key employees; increased competition in the markets in which the Company operates; increased unemployment; labor shortages; claims, damages, and fines related to litigation or government actions; changes in accounting principles relating to loan loss recognition (current expected credit losses); the Company's ability to manage and successfully integrate its mergers and acquisitions and to fully realize cost savings and other benefits associated with those transactions; cyber threats, attacks or events; reliance on third parties for key services; government legislation; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Additional information on factors that might affect the Company's financial results is included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023, and other reports that the Company has filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), all of which are available from the SEC on its website, www.sec.gov. In addition, there can be no guarantee that the board of directors (Board) of Simmons will approve a quarterly dividend in future quarters, and the timing, payment, and amount of future dividends (if any) is subject to, among other things, the discretion of the Board and may differ significantly from past dividends.