UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_________________________
FORM
(Mark one)
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED
For the transition period from _______to_______
Commission file number
SERVISFIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of exchange on which registered |
| | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.
| Class | Outstanding as of April 29, 2024 |
| Common stock, $.001 par value |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
24 | |
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ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
| (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | (1) | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Cash and due from banks | $ | $ | ||||||
| Interest-bearing balances due from depository institutions | ||||||||
| Federal funds sold | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value | ||||||||
| Held-to-maturity debt securities (fair value of $ and $, respectively) | ||||||||
| Restricted equity securities | ||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale | ||||||||
| Loans | ||||||||
| Less allowance for credit losses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Loans, net | ||||||||
| Premises and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Accrued interest and dividends receivable | ||||||||
| Deferred tax asset, net | ||||||||
| Other real estate owned and repossessed assets | ||||||||
| Bank owned life insurance contracts | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing demand | $ | $ | ||||||
| Interest-bearing | ||||||||
| Total deposits | ||||||||
| Federal funds purchased | ||||||||
| Other borrowings | ||||||||
| Accrued interest and dividends payable | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, par value $ per share; authorized and undesignated at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Common stock, par value $ per share; shares authorized: shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024; and shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity attributable to ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. | ||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | ||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | $ | ||||||
(1) Derived from audited financial statements.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME |
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| (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
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| (Unaudited) |
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| Three Months Ended March 31, |
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| 2024 |
2023 |
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| Interest income: |
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| Interest and fees on loans |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Taxable securities |
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| Nontaxable securities |
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| Federal funds sold |
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| Other interest and dividends |
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| Total interest income |
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| Interest expense: |
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| Deposits |
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| Borrowed funds |
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| Total interest expense |
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| Net interest income |
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| Provision for credit losses |
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| Net interest income after provision for credit losses |
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| Noninterest income: |
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| Service charges on deposit accounts |
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| Mortgage banking |
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| Credit card income |
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| Bank-owned life insurance income |
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| Other operating income |
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| Total noninterest income |
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| Noninterest expense: |
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| Salaries and employee benefits |
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| Equipment and occupancy |
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| Third party processing and other services |
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| Professional services |
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| FDIC and other regulatory assessments |
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| Other real estate owned |
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| Other operating expense |
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| Total noninterest expense |
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| Income before income taxes |
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| Provision for income taxes |
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| Net income |
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| Dividends on preferred stock |
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| Net income available to common stockholders |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Basic earnings per common share |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share |
$ | $ | ||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | ||||||||
| Unrealized net holding gains (losses) arising during period from securities available-for-sale, net of $ and $() for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively | ( | ) | ||||||
| Amortization of net unrealized gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax of $() and $() for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | ( | ) | ||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | ||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Preferred | Common | Paid-in | Retained | Comprehensive | Noncontrolling | Stockholders' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Stock | Stock | Capital | Earnings | Income (Loss) | Interest | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common dividends declared, $ per share | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends on nonvested restricted stock recognized as compensation expense | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue restricted shares pursuant to stock incentives, net of forfeitures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| shares of common stock withheld in net settlement upon exercise of stock options | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common dividends declared, $ per share | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue restricted shares pursuant to stock incentives, net of forfeitures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| shares of common stock withheld in net settlement upon exercise of stock options | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
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| (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
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| Three Months Ended March 31, |
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| 2024 |
2023 |
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| OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
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| Net income |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations |
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| Deferred benefit tax |
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| Provision for credit losses |
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| Depreciation |
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| Accretion on acquired loans |
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| Amortization of investments in tax credit partnerships |
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| Net (accretion) amortization of debt securities available-for-sale |
( |
) | ||||||
| Increase in accrued interest and dividends receivable |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense |
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| (Decrease) Increase in accrued interest and dividends payable |
( |
) | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale |
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| Originations of mortgage loans held for sale |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Net gain on sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets |
( |
) | ||||||
| Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance contracts |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Net change in other assets, liabilities, and other operating activities |
( |
) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
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| INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES |
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| Purchases of debt securities available-for-sale |
( |
) | ||||||
| Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of debt securities available-for-sale |
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| Purchases of debt securities held-to-maturity |
( |
) | ||||||
| Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of debt securities held-to-maturity |
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| Purchases of restricted equity securities |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of restricted equity securities |
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| Investment in tax credit partnerships and SBIC |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| (Increase) decrease in loans |
( |
) | ||||||
| Purchases of premises and equipment |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets |
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| Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
( |
) | ||||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
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| Net decrease in non-interest-bearing deposits |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Net (decrease) increase in interest-bearing deposits |
( |
) | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased |
( |
) | ||||||
| FHLB advances |
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| Repayment of FHLB advances |
( |
) | ||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
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| Taxes paid in net settlement of tax obligation upon exercise of stock options |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Dividends paid on common stock |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
( |
) | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
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| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | $ | ||||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE |
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| Cash paid for: |
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| Interest |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Income taxes |
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| NONCASH TRANSACTIONS |
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| Other real estate acquired in settlement of loans |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Dividends on nonvested restricted stock reclassified as compensation expense |
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| Dividends declared |
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See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2024
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 - GENERAL
The accompanying consolidated financial statements in this report have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Regulation S-X and the instructions for Form 10-Q, and have not been audited. These consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position and the consolidated results of operations for the interim periods have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal nature. The consolidated results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) may achieve for future interim periods or the entire year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
NOTE 2 - CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash on hand, cash items in process of collection, amounts due from banks, and federal funds sold are included in cash and cash equivalents.
NOTE 3 - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options. The difference in earnings per share under the two-class method was not significant for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| (In Thousands, Except Shares and Per Share Data) | ||||||||
| Earnings per common share | ||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | $ | ||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | $ | ||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Dilutive effects of assumed conversions and exercise of stock options and warrants | ||||||||
| Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | $ | ||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 4 - SECURITIES
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:
| Gross | Gross | |||||||||||||||
| Amortized | Unrealized | Unrealized | Market | |||||||||||||
| Cost | Gain | Loss | Value | |||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Debt Securities Available-for-Sale | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| Debt Securities Held-to-Maturity | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt Securities Available-for-Sale | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| Debt Securities Held-to-Maturity | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities of mortgage-backed securities since the mortgages underlying the securities may be called or prepaid with or without penalty. Therefore, these securities are not included in the maturity categories along with the other categories of debt securities.
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Market Value | Amortized Cost | Market Value | |||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities available-for-sale | ||||||||||||||||
| Due within one year | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Due from one to five years | ||||||||||||||||
| Due from five to ten years | ||||||||||||||||
| Due after ten years | ||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Debt securities held-to-maturity | ||||||||||||||||
| Due within one year | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Due from one to five years | ||||||||||||||||
| Due from five to ten years | ||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
All mortgage-backed securities are with government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) such as Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Bank, and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
Restricted equity securities are comprised entirely of restricted investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock for membership requirements.
The carrying value of investment securities pledged to secure public funds on deposit and for other purposes as required by law was $
The following table identifies, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s investment securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 or more months.
| Less Than Twelve Months | Twelve Months or More | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Gross | Gross | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized | Unrealized | Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | Fair Value | Losses | Fair Value | Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Securities available-for-sale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Government Agency Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||
| Debt Securities held-to-maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Securities available-for-sale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||
| Debt Securities held-to-maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Securities | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||
At March 31, 2024 and 2023,
NOTE 5 – LOANS
The loan portfolio is classified based on the underlying collateral utilized to secure each loan for financial reporting purposes. This classification is consistent with the Quarterly Report of Condition and Income filed by ServisFirst Bank with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Commercial, financial and agricultural - Includes loans to business enterprises issued for commercial, industrial, agricultural production and/or other professional purposes. These loans are generally secured by equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable of the borrower and repayment is primarily dependent on business cash flows.
Real estate – construction – Includes loans secured by real estate to finance land development or the construction of industrial, commercial or residential buildings. Repayment is dependent upon the completion and eventual sale, refinance or operation of the related real estate project.
Owner-occupied commercial real estate mortgage – Includes loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential properties for which the primary source of repayment is the cash flow from the ongoing operations conducted by the party that owns the property.
1-4 family real estate mortgage – Includes loans secured by residential properties, including home equity lines of credit. Repayment is primarily dependent on the personal cash flow of the borrower.
Other real estate mortgage – Includes loans secured by nonowner-occupied properties, including office buildings, industrial buildings, warehouses, retail buildings, multifamily residential properties and farmland. Repayment is primarily dependent on income generated from the underlying collateral.
Consumer – Includes loans to individuals not secured by real estate. Repayment is dependent upon the personal cash flow of the borrower.
The following table details the Company’s loans at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| (Dollars In Thousands) | ||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | ||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: | ||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||
| Subtotal: Real estate - mortgage | ||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||
| Total Loans | ||||||||
| Less: Allowance for credit losses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net Loans | $ | $ | ||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | % | % | ||||||
| Real estate - construction | % | % | ||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: | ||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | % | % | ||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | % | % | ||||||
| Other mortgage | % | % | ||||||
| Subtotal: Real estate - mortgage | % | % | ||||||
| Consumer | % | % | ||||||
| Total Loans | % | % | ||||||
The credit quality of the loan portfolio is summarized no less frequently than quarterly using categories similar to the standard asset classification system used by the federal banking agencies. The following table presents credit quality indicators for the credit loss portfolio segments and classes. These categories are utilized to develop the associated allowance for credit losses using historical losses adjusted for current economic conditions defined as follows:
| ● | Pass – loans which are well protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor (or obligors, if any) or by the fair value, less cost to acquire and sell, of any underlying collateral. |
| ● | Special Mention – loans with potential weakness that may, if not reversed or corrected, weaken the credit or inadequately protect the Company’s position at some future date. These loans are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant an adverse classification. |
| ● | Substandard – loans that exhibit well-defined weakness or weaknesses that presently jeopardize debt repayment. These loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the weaknesses are not corrected. |
| ● | Doubtful – loans that have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified substandard, plus the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values highly questionable and improbable. |
The table below presents loan balances classified by credit quality indicator, loan type and based on year of origination as of March 31, 2024:
| March 31, 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Prior | Revolving | Revolving lines of credit converted to term loans | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Real estate - construction | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Owner-occupied commercial | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total 1-4 family mortgage | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Other mortgage | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Consumer | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans by credit quality indicator, loan type and based on year of origination as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Prior | Revolving | Revolving lines of credit converted to term loans | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Real estate - construction | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Owner-occupied commercial | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total 1-4 family mortgage | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Other mortgage | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Consumer | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard - accruing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard -Non-accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current-period gross write-offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans by performance status as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| March 31, 2024 | Performing | Nonperforming | Total | |||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: | ||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||||||
| Total real estate - mortgage | ||||||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | Performing | Nonperforming | Total | |||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: | ||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||||||
| Total real estate - mortgage | ||||||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Loans by past due status as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| March 31, 2024 | Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Past | Total | Nonaccrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30-59 Days | 60-89 Days | 90+ Days | Due | Nonaccrual | Current | Total Loans | With No ACL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total real estate - mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Past | Total | Nonaccrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30-59 Days | 60-89 Days | 90+ Days | Due | Nonaccrual | Current | Total Loans | With No ACL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total real estate - mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Under the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) methodology, the ACL is measured on a collective basis for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. For loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with the collectively evaluated pools, evaluations are performed on an individual basis. For all loan segments collectively evaluated, losses are predicted over a period of time determined to be reasonable and supportable, and at the end of the reasonable and supportable forecast period losses are reverted to long-term historical averages. The estimated loan losses for all loan segments are adjusted for changes in qualitative factors not inherently considered in the quantitative analyses.
The Company uses the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method to estimate ACL for all loan pools except for commercial revolving lines of credit and credit cards. For all loan pools utilizing the DCF method, the Company utilizes and forecasts national unemployment rate as a loss driver. The Company also utilizes and forecasts GDP growth as a second loss driver for its agricultural and consumer loan pools. Consistent forecasts of the loss drivers are used across the loan segments. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company utilized a reasonable and supportable forecast period of twelve months followed by a six-month straight-line reversion to long term averages. The Company leveraged economic projections from reputable and independent sources to inform its loss driver forecasts. The Company expects national unemployment to rise and national GDP growth rate to decline compared to the December 31, 2023 forecast.
The Company uses a loss-rate method to estimate expected credit losses for its commercial revolving lines of credit and credit card pools. The commercial revolving lines of credit pool incorporates a probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) modeling approach. This approach involves estimating the pool average life and then using historical correlations of default and loss experience over time to calculate the lifetime PD and LGD. These two inputs are then applied to the outstanding pool balance. The credit card pool incorporates a remaining life modeling approach, which utilizes an attrition-based method to estimate the remaining life of the pool. A quarterly average loss rate is then calculated using the Company’s historical loss data. The model reduces the pool balance quarterly on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the pool. The quarterly loss rate is multiplied by the outstanding balance at each period-end resulting in an estimated loss for each quarter. The sum of estimated loss for all quarters is the total calculated reserve for the pool. Management has also applied the loss-rate method to commercial and industrial (“C&I”) lines of credit and to credit cards due to their generally short-term nature. An expected loss ratio is applied based on internal and peer historical losses.
Each loan pool is adjusted for qualitative factors not inherently considered in the quantitative analyses. The qualitative adjustments either increase or decrease the quantitative model estimation. The Company considers factors that are relevant within the qualitative framework, which include the following: lending policy, changes in nature and volume of loans, staff experience, changes in volume and trends of problem loans, concentration risk, trends in underlying collateral values, external factors, quality of loan review system and other economic conditions.
Inherent risks in the loan portfolio will differ based on type of loan. Specific risk characteristics by loan portfolio segment are listed below:
Commercial and industrial loans include risks associated with borrower’s cash flow, debt service coverage and management’s expertise. These loans are subject to the risk that the Company may have difficulty converting collateral to a liquid asset if necessary, as well as risks associated with degree of specialization, mobility and general collectability in a default situation. These commercial loans may be subject to many different types of risks, including fraud, bankruptcy, economic downturn, deteriorated or non-existent collateral, and changes in interest rates.
Real estate construction loans include risks associated with the borrower’s credit-worthiness, contractor’s qualifications, borrower and contractor performance, and the overall risk and complexity of the proposed project. Construction lending is also subject to risks associated with sub-market dynamics, including population, employment trends and household income. During times of economic stress, this type of loan has typically had a greater degree of risk than other loan types.
Real estate mortgage loans consist of loans secured by commercial and residential real estate. Commercial real estate lending is dependent upon successful management, marketing and expense supervision necessary to maintain the property. Repayment of these loans may be adversely affected by conditions in the real estate market or the general economy. Also, commercial real estate loans typically involve relatively large loan balances to a single borrower. Residential real estate lending risks are generally less significant than those of other loans. Real estate lending risks include fluctuations in the value of real estate, bankruptcies, economic downturns and customer financial problems.
Consumer loans carry a moderate degree of risk compared to other loans. They are generally more risky than traditional residential real estate loans but less risky than commercial loans. Risk of default is usually determined by the well-being of the local economies. During times of economic stress, there is usually some level of job loss both nationally and locally, which directly affects the ability of the consumer to repay debt.
The following table presents changes in the ACL, segregated by loan type, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.
| Commercial, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| financial and | Real estate - | Real estate - | ||||||||||||||||||
| agricultural | construction | mortgage | Consumer | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Recoveries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Recoveries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
We maintain an ACL on unfunded commercial lending commitments and letters of credit to provide for the risk of loss inherent in these arrangements. The ACL is computed using a methodology similar to that used to determine the ACL for loans, modified to take into account the probability of a drawdown on the commitment. The ACL on unfunded loan commitments is classified as a liability account on the Consolidated Balance Sheets within other liabilities, while the corresponding provision for these credit losses is recorded as a component of other expense. The ACL on unfunded commitments was $
Loans that no longer share similar risk characteristics with collectively evaluated pools are estimated on an individual basis. A loan is considered collateral-dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. The following table summarizes collateral-dependent gross loans held for investment by collateral type as follows:
| Accounts | ACL | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | Real Estate | Receivable | Equipment | Other | Total | Allocation | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total real estate - mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts | ACL | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | Real Estate | Receivable | Equipment | Other | Total | Allocation | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total real estate - mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
The table below details the amortized cost basis at the end of the reporting period for loans made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Payment Deferral | ||||||||||||||||
| Term | and Term | Percentage of | ||||||||||||||
| Extensions | Extensions | Total | Total Loans | |||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | % | |||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | % | |||||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Payment Deferral | ||||||||||||||||
| Term | and Term | Percentage of | ||||||||||||||
| Extensions | Extensions | Total | Total Loans | |||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | % | |||||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other mortgage | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the financial impacts of loan modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | ||||||||
| Total Payment | ||||||||
| Term Extensions | Deferral | |||||||
| (In months) | (In Thousands) | |||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | |||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Total Payment | ||||||||
| Term Extensions | Deferral | |||||||
| (In months) | (In Thousands) | |||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural | $ | |||||||
| Real estate - construction | ||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial | ||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage | ||||||||
| Other mortgage | ||||||||
No loans modified on or after March 31, 2023, were past due greater than 30 days or on non-accrual as of March 31, 2024.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company did not have any loans made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified during the first quarter of 2024 that subsequently defaulted. For purposes of this disclosure, default is defined as 90 days past due and still accruing or placement on nonaccrual status.
NOTE 6 – LEASES
The Company leases space under non-cancelable operating leases for several of its banking offices and certain office equipment. The leases have remaining terms up to
Maturities of operating lease liabilities are as follows:
| March 31, 2024 | ||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||
| 2024 (remaining) | $ | |||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 | ||||
| 2028 | ||||
| thereafter | ||||
| Total lease payments | ||||
| Less: imputed interest | ( | ) | ||
| Present value of operating lease liabilities | $ | |||
As of March 31, 2024, the weighted average remaining term of operating leases was
Operating cash flows related to leases were $
Lease costs during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Operating lease cost | $ | $ | ||||||
| Variable lease cost | ||||||||
| Sublease income | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net lease cost | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 7 - EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS
Stock Incentive Plan
At March 31, 2024, the Company had a stock incentive plan as described below. The compensation cost that has been charged to earnings for the plan was approximately $
The Company’s 2009 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of up to
The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option award using a Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. Expected volatilities are based on the Company’s trading price history. The expected term for options granted is based on the short-cut method and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
There were
The following table summarizes stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Weighted | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted | Average | |||||||||||||||
| Average | Remaining | |||||||||||||||
| Exercise | Contractual | Aggregate | ||||||||||||||
| Shares | Price | Term (years) | Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024: | ||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding January 1, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Exercisable March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | ||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Exercisable March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2024, there was $
Restricted Stock and Performance Shares
The Company periodically grants restricted stock awards that vest upon time-based service conditions. Dividend payments are made during the vesting period. The value of restricted stock is determined to be the current value of the Company’s stock, and this total value will be recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. As of March 31, 2024, there was $
The Company periodically grants performance shares that give plan participants the opportunity to earn between
| Restricted Stock | Performance Shares | |||||||||||||||
| Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024: | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-vested at January 1, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||
| Additional performance share attainment | ||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Non-vested at March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-vested at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Non-vested at March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVES
The Company periodically enters into derivative contracts to manage exposures to movements in interest rates. The Company purchased an interest rate cap in May of 2020 to limit exposures to increases in interest rates. The interest rate cap was not designated as a hedging instrument but rather as a stand-alone derivative. The interest rate cap had an original term of
The Company has entered into forward loan sale commitments with secondary market investors to deliver loans on a “best efforts delivery” basis, which do not meet the definition of a derivative instrument. When a rate is committed to a borrower, it is based on the best price that day and locked with the investor for the customer for a 30-day period. In the event the loan is not delivered to the investor, the Company has no risk or exposure with the investor. The interest rate lock commitments related to loans that are originated for later sale are classified as derivatives. The fair values of the Company’s agreements with investors and rate lock commitments to customers as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were not material.
NOTE 9 – RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2023-02, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method. These amendments allow entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. The ASU responds to stakeholder feedback that the proportional amortization method provides investors and other allocators of capital with a better understanding of the returns from investments that are made primarily for the purpose of receiving income tax credits and other income tax benefits.
The amendments in this update permit reporting entities to elect to account for certain tax equity investments, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits are received, using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the income tax benefits in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). To qualify for the proportional amortization method, all of the following conditions must be met: (i) It is probable that the income tax credits allocated to the tax equity investor will be available; (ii) The tax equity investor does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the underlying project; (iii) Substantially all of the projected benefits are from income tax credits and other income tax benefits. Projected benefits included income tax credits, other income tax benefits, and other non-income tax -related benefits. The projected benefits are determined on a discounted basis, using a discount rate that is consistent with the cash flow assumptions used by the tax equity investor in making its decision to invest in the project; (iv) The tax equity investor's projected yield based solely on the cash flows from the income tax credits and other income tax benefits is positive; and (v) The tax equity investor is a limited liability investor in the limited liability entity for both legal and tax purposes, and the tax equity investor's liability is limited to its capital investment. An accounting policy election is allowed to apply the proportional amortization method on a tax-credit-program-by-tax-credit-program basis rather than electing to apply the proportional amortization method at the reporting entity level or to individual investments. The amendments in this update require specific disclosures that must be applied to all investments that generate income tax credits and other income tax benefits from a tax credit program for which the entity has elected to apply the proportional amortization method. The amendments require that a reporting entity disclose certain information in annual and interim reporting periods that enable investors to understand the following information about its investments that generate income tax credits and other income tax benefits from a tax credit program including: (i) The nature of its tax equity investments; and (ii) The effect of its tax equity investments and related income tax credits and other income tax benefits on its financial position and results of operations.
This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has determined that its equity investments in New Markets Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits qualify for the proportional amortization method and has made the election to apply the proportional amortization method for these types of tax credits. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2024 using the modified retrospective method of adoption, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 10 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires enhanced income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information to provide more transparency by requiring (i) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation table and (ii) income taxes paid, net of refunds, to be disaggregated by jurisdiction based on an established threshold. The amendments in this standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the amendments will have the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting—Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This amendment is intended to improve disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments and addresses requests from investors and other decision makers for additional, more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. The amendment applies to all public entities that are required to report segment information in accordance with Topic 280. All public entities will be required to report segment information in accordance with the new guidance starting in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented and segment expense categories should be based on the categories identified at adoption. The Company does not currently expect adoption of the amendment to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 11 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Measurement of fair value under U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value, as of the measurement date, into three broad levels, which are described below:
| Level 1: | Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs. |
| Level 2: | Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data. |
| Level 3: | Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. |
In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and also considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.
Debt Securities. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government securities such as U.S. Treasuries and exchange-traded equity securities. For securities traded in secondary markets for which quoted market prices are not available, the Company generally relies on pricing services provided by independent vendors. Such independent pricing services are to advise the Company on the carrying value of the securities available for sale portfolio. As part of the Company’s procedures, the price provided from the service is evaluated for reasonableness given market changes. When a questionable price exists, the Company investigates further to determine if the price is valid. If needed, other market participants may be utilized to determine the correct fair value. The Company has also reviewed and confirmed its determinations in discussions with the pricing service regarding their methods of price discovery. Securities measured with these techniques are classified within Level 2 of the hierarchy and often involve using quoted market prices for similar securities, pricing models or discounted cash flow calculations using inputs observable in the market where available. Examples include U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, and certain corporate, asset-backed and other securities. In cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, as in the case of certain corporate securities, these securities are classified in Level 3 of the hierarchy.
Derivative instruments. The fair values of derivatives are determined based on a valuation pricing model using readily available observable market parameters such as interest rate curves, adjusted for counterparty credit risk. These measurements are classified as level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.
Loans Individually Evaluated. Loans individually evaluated are measured and reported at fair value when full payment under the loan terms is not probable. Loans individually evaluated are carried at the present value of expected future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate in a discounted cash flow calculation, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. Expected cash flows are based on internal inputs reflecting expected default rates on contractual cash flows. This method of estimating fair value does not incorporate the exit-price concept of fair value described in ASC 820-10 and would generally result in a higher value than the exit-price approach. For loans measured using the estimated fair value of collateral less costs to sell, fair value is generally determined based on appraisals performed by certified and licensed appraisers using inputs such as absorption rates, capitalization rates and market comparables, adjusted for estimated costs to sell. Management modifies the appraised values, if needed, to take into account recent developments in the market or other factors, such as changes in absorption rates or market conditions from the time of valuation, and anticipated sales values considering management’s plans for disposition. Such modifications to the appraised values could result in lower valuations of such collateral. Estimated costs to sell are based on current amounts of disposal costs for similar assets. These measurements are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. Loans individually evaluated are subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustment upon initial recognition or subsequent individually evaluation. A portion of the ACL is allocated to loans individually evaluated if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance. The range of fair value adjustments and weighted average adjustment as of March 31, 2024 was
Other Real Estate Owned. Other real estate assets (“OREO”) acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less selling costs. Any write-downs to fair value at the time of transfer to OREO are charged to the ACL subsequent to foreclosure. Values are derived from appraisals of underlying collateral and discounted cash flow analysis. Appraisals are performed by certified and licensed appraisers. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are updated periodically and assets are marked to current fair value, not to exceed the new cost basis. In the determination of fair value subsequent to foreclosure, management also considers other factors or recent developments, such as changes in absorption rates and market conditions from the time of valuation, and anticipated sales values considering management’s plans for disposition, which could result in adjustment to lower the property value estimates indicated in the appraisals. The range of fair value adjustments and weighted average adjustment as of March 31, 2024 was
There were four residential real estate loans with an aggregate balance of $
Three residential real estate loans for $
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. There were
| Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2024 Using | ||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in | ||||||||||||||||
| Active Markets | Significant Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
| for Identical | Observable Inputs | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
| Assets (Level 1) | (Level 2) | Inputs (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis: | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Available for sale debt securities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt | ||||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale debt securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Total assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2023 Using | ||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in | ||||||||||||||||
| Active Markets | Significant Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
| for Identical | Observable Inputs | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
| Assets (Level 1) | (Level 2) | Inputs (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis: | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Available for sale debt securities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| State and municipal securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt | ||||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale debt securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Total assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. There were
| Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2024 Using | ||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in | ||||||||||||||||
| Active Markets | Significant Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
| for Identical | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
| Assets (Level 1) | Inputs (Level 2) | Inputs (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis: | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Loans individually evaluated | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other real estate owned and repossessed assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Total assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2023 Using | ||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in | ||||||||||||||||
| Active Markets | Significant Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
| for Identical | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
| Assets (Level 1) | Inputs (Level 2) | Inputs (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis: | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Loans individually evaluated | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other real estate owned | ||||||||||||||||
| Total assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
There were
In the case of the debt securities portfolio, the Company monitors the portfolio to ascertain when transfers between levels have been affected. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, there were two transfers out of Level 3 into Level 2.
The table below includes a roll forward of the balance sheet amounts for the period ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 (including the change in fair value) for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy measured at fair value on a recurring basis including changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology:
| For the period ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Available-for-sale Securities | Available-for-sale Securities | |||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||
| Fair value, beginning of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Transfers into Level 3 | ||||||||
| Total realized gains included in income | ||||||||
| Changes in unrealized gains/losses included in other comprehensive income for assets and liabilities still held at period-end | ( | ) | ||||||
| Purchases | ||||||||
| Transfers out of Level 3 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Fair value, end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged in a sale between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Current U.S. GAAP excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its fair value disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Carrying | Carrying | |||||||||||||||
| Amount | Fair Value | Amount | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| Financial Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 Inputs: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Held to maturity U.S. Treasury securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 2 Inputs: | ||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold | ||||||||||||||||
| Held to maturity debt securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale | ||||||||||||||||
| Restricted equity securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 3 Inputs: | ||||||||||||||||
| Held to maturity debt securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Loans, net | ||||||||||||||||
| Financial Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 2 Inputs: | ||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | ||||||||||||||||
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis is designed to provide a better understanding of various factors relating to the results of operations and financial condition of ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, ServisFirst Bank (the “Bank”). This discussion is intended to supplement and highlight information contained in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this document 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 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “might” and similar expressions often signify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions that such forward-looking statements, wherever they occur in this quarterly report or in other statements attributable to the Company, are necessarily estimates reflecting the judgment of the Company’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, but not limited to: 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 as a result of our reclassification as a large financial institution by the FDIC; 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, Federal Reserve policies in connection with continued inflationary pressures and the ability of the U.S. Congress to increase the U.S. statutory debt limit as needed; computer hacking or cyber-attacks resulting in unauthorized access to confidential or proprietary information; substantial, unexpected or prolonged changes in the level or cost of liquidity; 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 nonbank 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. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements that are made from time to time.
Business
We are a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and are headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ServisFirst Bank, an Alabama banking corporation, provides commercial banking services through full-service banking offices located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. We also operate loan production offices in Florida and Tennessee. Through the Bank, we originate commercial, consumer and other loans and accept deposits, provide electronic banking services, such as online and mobile banking, including remote deposit capture, deliver treasury and cash management services and provide correspondent banking services to other financial institutions
Our principal business is to accept deposits from the public and to make loans and other investments. Our principal sources of funds for loans and investments are demand, time, savings, and other deposits. Our principal sources of income are interest and fees collected on loans, interest and dividends collected on other investments and service charges. Our principal expenses are interest paid on savings and other deposits, interest paid on our other borrowings, employee compensation, office expenses and other overhead expenses.
First quarter highlights
| ● |
Diluted earnings per common share of $0.92 for the first quarter of 2024. |
| ● |
Loans grew by 8% annualized for the first quarter of 2024. |
| ● |
Net interest margin increased to 2.66% for the first quarter of 2024 from 2.57% for the fourth quarter of 2023. |
| ● |
Credit quality continues to be strong with non-performing assets to total assets of 0.22%. |
| ● |
Deposits grew 10% year-over-year. |
| ● |
Book value per share of $27.08, up 10% from the first quarter of 2023. |
Overview
As of March 31, 2024, we had consolidated total assets of $15.72 billion, a decrease of $408.0 million, or 2.5%, from $16.13 billion at December 31, 2023. Total loans were $11.88 billion, an increase of $221.9 million, or 1.9%, from $11.66 billion at December 31, 2023. Total deposits were $12.75 billion, a decrease of $522.1 million, or 3.9%, from $13.27 billion at December 31, 2023.
Net income and net income available to common stockholders of $50.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to net income and net income available to common stockholders of $58.0 million for the first quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per common share were both $0.92 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $1.07 and $1.06, respectively, in the corresponding period in 2023. Changes in income and expenses are more fully explained in “Results of Operations” below.
Performance Ratios
The following table presents selected ratios of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023.
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||
| Return on average assets |
1.26 | % | 1.63 | % | ||||
| Return on average stockholders' equity |
13.82 | % | 17.83 | % | ||||
| Dividend payout ratio |
32.74 | % | 26.34 | % | ||||
| Net interest margin (1) |
2.66 | % | 3.15 | % | ||||
| Efficiency ratio (2) |
43.30 | % | 34.60 | % | ||||
| Average stockholders' equity to average total assets |
9.12 | % | 9.16 | % | ||||
| (1) |
Net interest margin is the net yield on interest earning assets and is the difference between the interest yield earned on interest-earning assets and interest rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, divided by average earning assets. |
| (2) |
Efficiency ratio is the result of noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income. |
Financial Condition
Cash and Cash Equivalents
At March 31, 2024, we had $170.6 million in federal funds sold, compared to $100.6 million at December 31, 2023. We also maintain balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, which earn interest. At March 31, 2024, we had $1.19 billion in balances at the Federal Reserve, compared to $1.89 billion at December 31, 2023. We strategically reduced some of our higher-rate non-core deposit liability balances during the first quarter, resulting in lower balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
Investment Securities
Debt securities available-for-sale totaled $1.07 billion at March 31, 2024 and $900.2 million at December 31, 2023. Investment securities held to maturity totaled $867.7 million at March 31, 2024 and $982.7 million at December 31, 2023. We had paydowns of $21.1 million on mortgage-backed securities, and maturities of $138.8 million on U.S. government agencies, mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds, and corporate securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024. We purchased $59.7 million in mortgage-backed securities, and $148.5 million in U.S. Treasury securities during the first three months of 2024. For a tabular presentation of debt securities available for sale and held to maturity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, see “Note 4 – Securities” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The objective of our investment policy is to invest funds not otherwise needed to meet our loan demand to earn the maximum return, yet still maintain sufficient liquidity to meet fluctuations in our loan demand and deposit structure. In doing so, we seek to balance the market and credit risks against the potential investment return, make investments compatible with the pledge requirements of any deposits of public funds, maintain compliance with regulatory investment requirements, and assist certain public entities with their financial needs. The investment committee has full authority over the investment portfolio and makes decisions on purchases and sales of securities. The entire portfolio, along with all investment transactions occurring since the previous board of directors meeting, is reviewed by the board at each monthly meeting. The investment policy allows portfolio holdings to include short-term securities purchased to provide us with needed liquidity and longer-term securities purchased to generate level income for us over periods of interest rate fluctuations.
All investment securities in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2024 continue to perform as scheduled. We have evaluated the securities and have determined that the decline in fair value, relative to its amortized cost, is not due to credit-related factors. In addition, we have the ability to hold these securities within the portfolio until maturity or until the value recovers, and we believe that it is not likely that we will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery. We continue to monitor all of our securities with a high degree of scrutiny. There can be no assurance that we will not conclude in future periods that conditions existing at that time indicate some or all of its securities may be sold or would require a charge to earnings as a provision for credit losses in such periods.
The Company does not invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). As of March 31, 2024, we had $315.1 million of bank holding company subordinated notes. If rated, all such bonds were rated BBB or better by Kroll Bond Rating Agency at the time of our initial investment. All other corporate bonds had a Standard and Poor’s or Moody’s rating of A-1 or better when purchased. The total investment portfolio has a combined average credit rating of AA as of March 31, 2024.
The carrying value of investment securities pledged to secure public funds on deposit and for other purposes as required by law was $1.48 billion and $1.49 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Loans
We had total loans of $11.88 billion, an increase of $221.9 million, or 1.9%, from $11.66 billion at December 31, 2023. Owner occupied commercial real estate loans increased $119.9 million during the quarter, making up over half of total loan growth. Our loan pipeline has expanded and indicates that loan demand is improving in our market areas.
Asset Quality
The Company assesses the adequacy of its ACL at the end of each calendar quarter. The level of ACL is based on the Company’s evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay a loan, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio and other relevant factors. The ACL is increased by a provision for credit losses, which is charged to expense, and reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries. We believe the ACL is adequate to absorb all expected future losses to be recognized over the contractual life of the loans in the portfolio.
Loans with similar risk characteristics are evaluated in pools and, depending on the nature of each identified pool, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow (“DCF”), probability of default / loss given default (“PD/LGD”) or remaining life method. The historical loss experience estimate by pool is then adjusted by forecast factors that are quantitatively related to the Company’s historical credit loss experience, such as national unemployment rates and gross domestic product. Losses are predicted over a period of time determined to be reasonable and supportable, and at the end of the reasonable and supportable period losses are reverted to long term historical averages. The reasonable and supportable period and reversion period are re-evaluated each quarter by the Company and are dependent on the current economic environment among other factors. See “Note 1 – General” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements elsewhere in this report.
The expected credit losses for each loan pool are then adjusted for changes in qualitative factors not inherently considered in the quantitative analyses. The qualitative adjustments either increase or decrease the quantitative model estimation. The Company considers factors that are relevant within the qualitative framework, which include the following: lending policy, changes in nature and volume of loans, staff experience, changes in volume and trends of problem loans, concentration risk, trends in underlying collateral values, external factors, quality of loan review system and other economic conditions.
Expected credit losses for loans that no longer share similar risk characteristics with the collectively evaluated pools are excluded from the collective evaluation and estimated on an individual basis. Individual evaluations are performed for nonaccrual loans, loans rated substandard, and certain modified loans. Specific allocations of the ACL for credit losses are estimated on one of several methods, including the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, observable market value of similar debt or the present value of expected cash flows.
| As of and for the Three Months Ended |
||||||||
| March 31, |
||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
| Total loans outstanding, net of unearned income |
$ | 11,880,696 | $ | 11,629,802 | ||||
| Average loans outstanding, net of unearned income |
$ | 11,740,996 | $ | 11,651,417 | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period |
153,317 | 146,297 | ||||||
| Charge-offs: |
||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural loans |
1,842 | 1,257 | ||||||
| Real estate - construction |
- | - | ||||||
| Real estate - mortgage |
67 | 26 | ||||||
| Consumer loans |
98 | 390 | ||||||
| Total charge-offs |
2,007 | 1,673 | ||||||
| Recoveries: |
||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural loans |
199 | 128 | ||||||
| Real estate - construction |
- | 3 | ||||||
| Real estate - mortgage |
6 | 1 | ||||||
| Consumer loans |
9 | 11 | ||||||
| Total recoveries |
214 | 143 | ||||||
| Net charge-offs |
1,793 | 1,530 | ||||||
| Provision for credit losses |
4,368 | 4,197 | ||||||
| Allowance for credit losses at period end |
$ | 155,892 | $ | 148,965 | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses to period end loans |
1.31 | % | 1.28 | % | ||||
| Net charge-offs to average loans |
0.06 | % | 0.05 | % | ||||
| Percentage |
||||||||
| of loans in |
||||||||
| each |
||||||||
| category to |
||||||||
| March 31, 2024 |
Amount |
total loans |
||||||
| (In Thousands) |
||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural |
$ | 51,022 | 23.85 | % | ||||
| Real estate - construction |
45,689 | 13.02 | % | |||||
| Real estate - mortgage |
57,640 | 62.62 | % | |||||
| Consumer |
1,541 | 0.51 | % | |||||
| Total |
$ | 155,892 | 100.00 | % | ||||
| Percentage |
||||||||
| of loans in |
||||||||
| each |
||||||||
| category to |
||||||||
| December 31, 2023 |
Amount |
total loans |
||||||
| (In Thousands) |
||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural |
$ | 52,121 | 24.22 | % | ||||
| Real estate - construction |
44,658 | 13.03 | % | |||||
| Real estate - mortgage |
55,126 | 62.21 | % | |||||
| Consumer |
1,412 | 0.55 | % | |||||
| Total |
$ | 153,317 | 100.01 | % | ||||
Nonperforming Assets
Total nonperforming loans at March 31, 2024, which include nonaccrual loans and loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing, increased $13.3 million, or 61.8%, to $34.8 million from $21.5 million at December 31, 2023. Of this total, nonaccrual loans of $34.5 million at March 31, 2024 represented a net increase of $15.1 million from nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2023. The increase in non-performing assets to total assets can be attributed to a single relationship that moved to non-accrual status during the first quarter of 2024. This relationship has been closely monitored and is well-collateralized. Excluding credit card accounts, there were no loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing at March 31, 2024, compared to nine loans totaling $1.9 million at December 31, 2023. Loans made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were $18.4 million and $40.9 million, respectively.
OREO and repossessed assets at March 31, 2024 were $490,000, a decrease of $505,000, or 50.8%, from $995,000 at December 31, 2023. The following table summarizes OREO and repossessed asset activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Three months ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| (In thousands) |
||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period |
$ | 995 | $ | 1,208 | ||||
| Transfers from loans and capitalized expenses |
90 | 830 | ||||||
| Proceeds from sales |
(690) | (44 | ) | |||||
| Write-downs / net gain (loss) on sales |
95 | (5 | ) | |||||
| Balance at end of period |
$ | 490 | $ | 1,989 | ||||
The following table summarizes our nonperforming assets at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
|||||||||||||||
| Number of |
Number of |
|||||||||||||||
| Balance |
Loans |
Balance |
Loans |
|||||||||||||
| (Dollar Amounts In Thousands) |
||||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans: |
||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural |
$ | 20,561 | 40 | $ | 7,217 | 35 | ||||||||||
| Real estate - construction |
142 | 2 | 111 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: |
||||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial |
8,741 | 18 | 7,089 | 14 | ||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage |
4,507 | 40 | 4,426 | 41 | ||||||||||||
| Other mortgage |
506 | 2 | 506 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| Total real estate - mortgage |
13,754 | 60 | 12,021 | 57 | ||||||||||||
| Consumer |
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Total Nonaccrual loans: |
$ | 34,457 | 102 | $ | 19,349 | 93 | ||||||||||
| 90+ days past due and accruing: |
||||||||||||||||
| Commercial, financial and agricultural |
$ | 351 | 15 | $ | 170 | 8 | ||||||||||
| Real estate - construction |
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Real estate - mortgage: |
||||||||||||||||
| Owner-occupied commercial |
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| 1-4 family mortgage |
- | - | 1,909 | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Other mortgage |
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Total real estate - mortgage |
- | - | 1,909 | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Consumer |
29 | 11 | 105 | 16 | ||||||||||||
| Total 90+ days past due and accruing: |
$ | 380 | 26 | $ | 2,184 | 33 | ||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Loans: |
$ | 34,837 | 128 | $ | 21,533 | 126 | ||||||||||
| Plus: Other real estate owned and repossessions |
490 | 6 | 995 | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Assets |
$ | 35,327 | 134 | $ | 22,528 | 133 | ||||||||||
| Ratios: |
||||||||||||||||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans |
0.29 | % | 0.18 | % | ||||||||||||
| Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other real estate owned and repossessions |
0.30 | % | 0.19 | % | ||||||||||||
| Nonperforming assets plus restructured accruing loans to total loans plus other real estate owned and repossessions |
0.30 | % | 0.19 | % | ||||||||||||
The balance of nonperforming assets can fluctuate due to changes in economic conditions. We have established a policy to discontinue accruing interest on a loan (i.e., place the loan on nonaccrual status) after it has become 90 days delinquent as to payment of principal or interest, unless the loan is considered to be well-collateralized and is actively in the process of collection. In addition, a loan will be placed on nonaccrual status before it becomes 90 days delinquent unless management believes that the collection of interest is expected. Interest previously accrued but uncollected on such loans is reversed and charged against current income when the receivable is determined to be uncollectible. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized only as received. If we believe that a loan will not be collected in full, we will increase the ACL to reflect management’s estimate of any potential exposure or loss. Generally, payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied directly to principal.
Deposits
We rely on increasing our deposit base to fund loan and other asset growth. Each of our markets is highly competitive. We compete for local deposits by offering attractive products with competitive rates. We expect to have a higher average cost of funds for local deposits than competitor banks due to our lack of an extensive branch network. Our management’s strategy is to offset the higher cost of funding with a lower level of operating expense and firm pricing discipline for loan products. We have promoted electronic banking services by providing them without charge and by offering in-bank customer training. Our total deposits decreased by $522.1 million to $12.75 billion at March 31, 2024 compared to $13.27 billion at December 31, 2023. The decline in our deposits over the last quarter can be partly attributed to our strategic decision to move away from high-cost and non-core deposits. We anticipate long-term sustainable growth in deposits through continued development of market share in our less mature markets and through organic growth in our mature markets.
For amounts and rates of our deposits by category, see the table “Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis on a Fully Taxable-equivalent Basis” under the subheading “Net Interest Income” below.
The following table summarizes balances of our deposits and the percentage of each type to the total at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
| March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
|||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing demand |
$ | 2,627,639 | 20.61 | % | $ | 2,643,101 | 19.91 | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand |
2,064,648 | 16.19 | % | 2,698,430 | 20.33 | % | ||||||||||
| Money market |
6,790,561 | 53.25 | % | 6,669,033 | 50.24 | % | ||||||||||
| Savings |
106,703 | 0.84 | % | 107,227 | 0.81 | % | ||||||||||
| Time deposits, $250,000 and under |
317,374 | 2.49 | % | 424,730 | 3.20 | % | ||||||||||
| Time deposits, over $250,000 |
844,523 | 6.62 | % | 730,990 | 5.51 | % | ||||||||||
| $ | 12,751,448 | 100.00 | % | $ | 13,273,511 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we estimate that we had approximately $8.42 billion and $8.76 billion, respectively, in uninsured deposits, which are the portion of deposit accounts that exceed the FDIC insurance limit. Included in the total uninsured deposits we estimate that we had approximately $592.7 million and $607.3 million, respectively, in uninsured time deposits. These uninsured deposits represent the portion of deposit accounts that exceed FDIC insurance limits. Included in our uninsured deposits as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we estimate that we had approximately $1.97 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, in public funds. While public fund balances that exceed FDIC limits are uninsured deposits, these deposits are collateralized by securities. The uninsured deposit data for 2024 and 2023 reflect the deposit insurance impact of “combined ownership segregation” of escrow and other accounts at an aggregate level but do not reflect an evaluation of all of the account styling distinctions that would determine the availability of deposit insurance to individual accounts based on FDIC regulations.
Borrowings
Our borrowings consist of federal funds purchased and subordinated notes payable. We had $1.35 billion and $1.26 billion at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, in federal funds purchased from correspondent banks that are clients of our correspondent banking unit. The average rate paid on these borrowings was 5.50% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Other borrowings consist of the following:
| ● |
$30.0 million on the Company’s 4.5% Subordinated Notes due November 8, 2027, which were issued in a private placement in November 2017 and pay interest semi-annually. The Notes may be prepaid by the Company; and |
| ● |
$34.75 million of the Company’s 4% Subordinated Notes due October 21, 2030, which were issued in a private placement in October 2020 and pay interest semi-annually. The Notes may not be prepaid by the Company prior to October 21, 2025. |
Liquidity
Liquidity is defined as our ability to generate sufficient cash to fund current loan demand, deposit withdrawals, and other cash demands and disbursement needs, and otherwise to operate on an ongoing basis.
The retention of existing deposits and attraction of new deposit sources through new and existing customers is critical to our liquidity position. If our liquidity was to decline due to a run-off in deposits, we have procedures that provide for certain actions under varying liquidity conditions. These actions include borrowing from existing correspondent banks, selling or participating loans, and curtailing loan commitments and funding. At March 31, 2024, our liquid assets, represented by cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and unpledged available-for-sale securities, totaled $1.91 billion. The Bank had loans pledged to both the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, which provided approximately $2.76 billion and $2.15 billion, respectively, in available funding. The Bank’s policy limits on brokered deposits would allow for up to $3.93 billion in available funding for brokered deposits. Additionally, the Bank had approximately $888.0 million in available unused federal funds lines of credit with regional banks, subject to certain restrictions and collateral requirements, to meet short term funding needs.
Our management meets on a quarterly basis to review sources and uses of funding to determine the appropriate strategy to ensure an appropriate level of liquidity. At the current time, our long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to funds required to support loan originations and commitments and deposit withdrawals. Our regular sources of funding are from the growth of our deposit base, repayment of principal and interest on loans, the sale of loans and the renewal of time deposits. In addition, we have issued debt as described above under “Borrowings” and have various other sources of liquidity as discussed herein. We believe these sources of funding are adequate to meet both our immediate (within the next 12 months) and our longer term anticipated funding needs. However, we may need additional funding if we are able to maintain our current growth rate into the future.
We are subject to general FDIC guidelines that require a minimum level of liquidity. Management believes our liquidity ratios meet or exceed these guidelines.
The following table illustrates, during the periods presented, the mix of our funding sources and the assets in which those funds are invested as a percentage of our average total assets for the period indicated. Average assets totaled $15.96 billion and $14.40 billion for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||
| Sources of Funds: |
||||||||
| Deposits: |
||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing |
15.9 | % | 21.4 | % | ||||
| Interest-bearing |
64.8 | 58.3 | ||||||
| Federal funds purchased |
8.9 | 9.6 | ||||||
| Long term debt and other borrowings |
0.4 | 0.8 | ||||||
| Other liabilities |
0.6 | 0.5 | ||||||
| Equity capital |
9.4 | 9.4 | ||||||
| Total sources |
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
| Uses of Funds: |
||||||||
| Loans |
73.7 | % | 81.0 | % | ||||
| Securities |
12.6 | 12.0 | ||||||
| Interest-bearing balances with banks |
10.6 | 3.5 | ||||||
| Federal funds sold |
0.2 | 0.4 | ||||||
| Other assets |
2.9 | 3.1 | ||||||
| Total uses |
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
Capital Adequacy
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to us at March 31, 2024 was $1.48 billion, or 9.4% of total assets. At December 31, 2023, total stockholders’ equity attributable to us was $1.44 billion, or 8.9% of total assets.
As of March 31, 2024, our most recent notification from the FDIC categorized us as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To remain categorized as well-capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 risk-based, total risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as disclosed in the table below, and not be subject to any written agreement, order, or directive from the FDIC requiring us to maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. Our management believes that we are well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action provisions as of March 31, 2024.
The final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's capital guidelines for U.S. banks (Basel III rules) became effective January 1, 2015, subject to a phase-in period for certain aspects of the new rules. In order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments to executives, under the Basel III rules a covered banking organization is required to maintain a “capital conservation buffer” in addition to its minimum risk-based capital requirements. This buffer is required to consist solely of common equity Tier 1 capital, and the buffer applies to all three risk-based measurements (CET1, Tier 1 capital and total capital). The capital conservation buffer became fully effective on January 1, 2019. As of January 1, 2019, an additional amount of common equity Tier 1 capital equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets is required for compliance with the capital conservation buffer. The ratios for the Company and the Bank are currently sufficient to satisfy the fully phased-in capital conservation buffer.
The following table sets forth (i) the capital ratios required by Basel III and prompt corrective action and (ii) our actual ratios, as of March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023:
| Actual |
For Basel III Capital Adequacy Purposes* | To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount |
Ratio |
Amount |
Ratio |
Amount |
Ratio |
|||||||||||||||||||
| As of March 31, 2024: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CET 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
$ | 1,508,513 | 11.07 | % | $ | 613,067 | 4.50 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,566,428 | 11.50 | % | 613,026 | 4.50 | % | $ | 885,481 | 6.50 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,509,013 | 11.08 | % | 817,422 | 6.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,566,928 | 11.50 | % | 817,368 | 6.00 | % | 1,089,823 | 8.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,718,384 | 12.61 | % | 1,089,896 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,723,562 | 12.65 | % | 1,089,823 | 8.00 | % | 1,362,279 | 10.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,509,013 | 9.44 | % | 639,651 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,566,928 | 9.80 | % | 639,621 | 4.00 | % | 799,527 | 5.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2023: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CET 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
$ | 1,473,885 | 10.91 | % | $ | 607,690 | 4.50 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,535,757 | 11.37 | % | 607,665 | 4.50 | % | $ | 877,738 | 6.50 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,474,385 | 10.92 | % | 810,253 | 6.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,536,257 | 11.38 | % | 810,220 | 6.00 | % | 1,080,293 | 8.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,681,028 | 12.45 | % | 1,080,338 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,690,149 | 12.52 | % | 1,080,293 | 8.00 | % | 1,350,366 | 10.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,474,385 | 9.12 | % | 646,710 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,536,257 | 9.50 | % | 646,675 | 4.00 | % | 808,343 | 5.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| As of March 31, 2023: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CET 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
$ | 1,368,751 | 10.01 | % | $ | 615,176 | 4.50 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,428,371 | 10.45 | % | 615,120 | 4.50 | % | $ | 888,506 | 6.50 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,369,251 | 10.02 | % | 820,235 | 6.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,428,871 | 10.45 | % | 820,160 | 6.00 | % | 1,093,546 | 8.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,578,208 | 11.54 | % | 1,093,647 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,578,411 | 11.55 | % | 1,093,546 | 8.00 | % | 1,366,933 | 10.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
1,369,251 | 9.49 | % | 576,964 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| ServisFirst Bank |
1,428,871 | 9.91 | % | 576,969 | 4.00 | % | 721,211 | 5.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
* this column reflects the minimum capital ratios under Basel III and does not include the 2.5% capital conservation buffer
We are a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. Our principal source of cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends to our stockholders, is dividends the Bank pays to us as the Bank’s sole shareholder. Statutory and regulatory limitations apply to the Bank’s payment of dividends to us as well as to our payment of dividends to our stockholders. The requirement that a bank holding company must serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks also results in the position of the Federal Reserve that a bank holding company should not maintain a level of cash dividends to its stockholders that places undue pressure on the capital of its bank subsidiaries or that can be funded only through additional borrowings or other arrangements that may undermine the bank holding company’s ability to serve as such a source of strength. Our ability to pay dividends is also subject to the provisions of Delaware corporate law.
The Alabama Banking Department also regulates the Bank’s dividend payments. Under Alabama law, a state-chartered bank may not pay a dividend in excess of 90% of its net earnings until the Bank’s surplus is equal to at least 20% of its capital (our Bank’s surplus currently exceeds 20% of its capital). Moreover, our Bank is also required by Alabama law to obtain the prior approval of the Superintendent of Banks (“Superintendent”) for its payment of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year will exceed the total of (i) the Bank’s net earnings (as defined by statute) for that year, plus (ii) its retained net earnings for the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus. In addition, no dividends, withdrawals or transfers may be made from the Bank’s surplus without the prior written approval of the Superintendent.
The Bank’s payment of dividends may also be affected or limited by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines. The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, a depository institution may not pay any dividends if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it already is undercapitalized. Moreover, the federal agencies have issued policy statements that provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings. If, in the opinion of the federal banking regulators, the Bank were engaged in or about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice, the federal banking regulators could require, after notice and a hearing, that the Bank stop or refrain from engaging in the questioned practice.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the normal course of business, we are a party to financial credit arrangements with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial credit arrangements include commitments to extend credit beyond current fundings, credit card arrangements, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees. Those credit arrangements involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement we have in those particular financial credit arrangements. All such credit arrangements bear interest at variable rates and we have no such credit arrangements that bear interest at fixed rates.
Our exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, credit card arrangements and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual or notional amount of those instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance sheet instruments.
As part of our mortgage operations, we originate and sell certain loans to investors in the secondary market. We continue to experience a manageable level of investor repurchase demands. For loans sold, we have an obligation to either repurchase the outstanding principal balance of a loan or make the purchaser whole for the economic benefits of a loan if it is determined that the loans sold were in violation of representations and warranties made by the Bank at the time of the sale. Representations and warranties typically include those made regarding loans that had missing or insufficient file documentation or loans obtained through fraud by borrowers or other third parties such as appraisers.
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk at March 31, 2024 are as follows:
| March 31, 2024 |
||||
| (In Thousands) |
||||
| Commitments to extend credit |
$ | 3,512,011 | ||
| Credit card arrangements |
406,749 | |||
| Standby letters of credit |
122,415 | |||
| $ | 4,041,175 | |||
Commitments to extend credit beyond current funded amounts are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the applicable loan agreement. Such commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed necessary by us upon extension of credit is based on our management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions. All letters of credit are due within one year or less of the original commitment date. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.
Federal funds lines of credit are uncommitted lines issued to downstream correspondent banks for the purpose of providing liquidity to them. The lines are unsecured, and we have no obligation to sell federal funds to the correspondent, nor does the correspondent have any obligation to request or accept purchases of federal funds from us.
Results of Operations
Summary of Net Income
Net income and net income available to common stockholders of $50.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to net income and net income available to common stockholders of $58.0 million for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to a $5.8 million decrease in net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2024 to $102.5 million, compared to $108.3 million during the same period in 2023. The decrease in net interest income was primarily attributable to growth in average deposits, which increased by $1.48 billion. Total non-interest income increased by $2.5 million to $8.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $6.3 million during the same period in 2023. Total non-interest expenses increased by $6.6 million to $46.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $39.7 million during the same period in 2023.
Basic and diluted earnings per common share were both $0.92 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $1.07 and $1.06, respectively, in the corresponding period in 2023. Return on average assets for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 1.26% compared to 1.63% for the corresponding period in 2023, and return on average common stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 13.82% compared to 17.83% for the corresponding period in 2023.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the difference between the income earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities used to support such assets. The major factors that affect net interest income are changes in volumes, the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Our management’s ability to respond to changes in interest rates by effective asset-liability management techniques is critical to maintaining the stability of the net interest margin and the momentum of our primary source of earnings.
Taxable-equivalent net interest income decreased $5.9 million, or 5.4%, to $102.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $108.4 million for the corresponding period in 2023. This decrease was primarily attributable to a $1.48 billion increase in average deposits, or 12.3%, year-over-year. The taxable-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets increased from 5.27% to 5.88% year-over-year. Loan yields were 6.40% during the first quarter of 2024 compared to 6.32% during the fourth quarter of 2023 and 5.70% during the first quarter of 2023. Investment yields were 3.16% during the first quarter of 2024 compared to 3.08% during the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2.54% during the first quarter of 2023. Average interest-bearing deposit rates were 4.04% during the first quarter of 2024, compared to 4.06% during the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2.68% during the first quarter of 2023. Average federal funds purchased rates were 5.50% during first quarter of 2024, compared to 5.49% during the fourth quarter of 2023 and 4.67% during the first quarter of 2023. The net interest margin in the first quarter of 2024 was 2.66% compared to 2.57% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 3.15% in the first quarter of 2023.
The Federal Reserve Bank increased their targeted federal funds rate from 4.75 – 5.00% at March 31, 2023 to its current range as of March 31, 2024 of 5.25 – 5.50%. Our cost of funding has increased as a result of deposit pricing pressures resulting from these rate increases.
The following table shows, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, the average balances of each principal category of our assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, and an analysis of net interest revenue. The accompanying table reflects changes in our net interest margin as a result of changes in the volume and rate of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the same periods. Changes as a result of mix or the number of days in the periods have been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. Both tables are presented on a taxable-equivalent basis where applicable:
| Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On a Fully Taxable-Equivalent Basis |
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| For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except Average Yields and Rates) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest |
Average |
Interest |
Average |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Average |
Earned / |
Yield / |
Average |
Earned / |
Yield / |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Balance |
Paid |
Rate |
Balance |
Paid |
Rate |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans, net of unearned income (1)(2): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable |
$ | 11,723,391 | $ | 186,739 | 6.41 | % | $ | 11,632,439 | $ | 163,576 | 5.70 | % | ||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt (3) |
17,605 | 219 | 5.00 | 18,978 | 157 | 3.36 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans, net of unearned income |
11,740,996 | 186,958 | 6.40 | 11,651,417 | 163,733 | 5.70 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale |
4,770 | 66 | 5.57 | 1,522 | 24 | 6.40 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities: |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable |
2,013,295 | 15,922 | 3.16 | 1,724,523 | 10,939 | 2.54 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt (3) |
1,296 | 11 | 3.40 | 3,781 | 23 | 2.43 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt securities (4) |
2,014,591 | 15,933 | 3.16 | 1,728,304 | 10,962 | 2.54 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold |
37,298 | 541 | 5.83 | 50,526 | 614 | 4.93 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted equity securities |
10,417 | 196 | 7.57 | 9,919 | 188 | 7.69 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing balances with banks |
1,687,977 | 23,007 | 5.48 | 510,021 | 5,873 | 4.67 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets |
$ | 15,496,049 | $ | 226,701 | 5.88 | % | $ | 13,951,709 | $ | 181,394 | 5.27 | % | ||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and due from banks |
98,813 | 106,448 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net fixed assets and equipment |
60,126 | 60,617 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses, accrued interest and other assets |
302,592 | 279,775 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets |
$ | 15,957,580 | $ | 14,398,549 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits |
$ | 2,339,548 | $ | 15,662 | 2.69 | % | $ | 1,675,355 | $ | 5,151 | 1.25 | % | ||||||||||||
| Savings deposits |
106,924 | 468 | 1.76 | 134,671 | 312 | 0.94 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts |
6,761,495 | 75,273 | 4.48 | 5,756,642 | 44,978 | 3.17 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits |
1,164,204 | 12,663 | 4.37 | 850,639 | 5,272 | 2.51 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits |
10,372,171 | 104,066 | 4.04 | 8,417,307 | 55,713 | 2.68 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased |
1,422,828 | 19,462 | 5.50 | 1,389,217 | 16,003 | 4.67 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings |
64,736 | 685 | 4.26 | 114,726 | 1,305 | 4.61 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities |
$ | 11,859,735 | $ | 124,213 | 4.21 | % | $ | 9,921,250 | $ | 73,021 | 2.98 | % | ||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing demand deposits |
2,550,841 | 3,086,774 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities |
91,066 | 72,121 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity |
1,503,240 | 1,358,587 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(47,302 | ) | (40,183 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
$ | 15,957,580 | $ | 14,398,549 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income |
$ | 102,488 | $ | 108,373 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest spread |
1.67 | % | 2.29 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin |
2.66 | % | 3.15 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
Non-accrual loans are included in average loan balances in all periods. Loan fees of $3,655 and $3,263 are included in interest income in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Loan fees include accretion of PPP loan fees. |
| (2) |
Amortization of acquired loan premiums of $49 and $38 is included in interest income in 2024 and 2023, respectively. |
| (3) |
Interest income and yields are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21%. |
| (4) |
Unrealized losses of $(68,162) and $(57,738) are excluded from the yield calculation in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. |
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
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| 2024 Compared to 2023 Increase (Decrease) in Interest Income and Expense Due to Changes in: |
||||||||||||
| Volume |
Rate |
Total |
||||||||||
| (In Thousands) |
||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: |
||||||||||||
| Loans, net of unearned income |
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| Taxable |
$ | 1,381 | $ | 21,782 | $ | 23,163 | ||||||
| Tax-exempt |
(12 | ) | 74 | 62 | ||||||||
| Total loans, net of unearned income |
1,369 | 21,856 | 23,225 | |||||||||
| Mortgages held for sale |
45 | (3 | ) | 42 | ||||||||
| Debt securities: |
||||||||||||
| Taxable |
2,066 | 2,917 | 4,983 | |||||||||
| Tax-exempt |
(19 | ) | 7 | (12 | ) | |||||||
| Total debt securities |
2,047 | 2,924 | 4,971 | |||||||||
| Federal funds sold |
(177 | ) | 104 | (73 | ) | |||||||
| Restricted equity securities |
9 | (3 | ) | 6 | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing balances with banks |
15,934 | 1,200 | 17,134 | |||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets |
19,227 | 26,078 | 45,305 | |||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: |
||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits |
2,678 | 7,833 | 10,511 | |||||||||
| Savings |
(75 | ) | 231 | 156 | ||||||||
| Money market accounts |
9,000 | 21,295 | 30,295 | |||||||||
| Time deposits |
2,457 | 4,934 | 7,391 | |||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits |
14,060 | 34,293 | 48,353 | |||||||||
| Federal funds purchased |
414 | 3,045 | 3,459 | |||||||||
| Other borrowed funds |
(526 | ) | (94 | ) | (620 | ) | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities |
13,948 | 37,244 | 51,192 | |||||||||
| Increase in net interest income |
$ | 5,279 | $ | (11,166 | ) | $ | (5,887 | ) | ||||
Our growth in loans continues to drive favorable volume component change. The rate component was unfavorable as average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 123 basis points while loan yields increased only 70 basis points. An increase in average equity contributed to a favorable volume component, but was partially offset by a decrease in average non-interest-bearing deposits.
Provision for Credit Losses
The provision for credit losses was $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $171,000 from $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The ACL for at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, totaled $155.9 million, $153.3 million, and $149.0 million, or 1.31%, 1.32%, and 1.28% of loans, net of unearned income, respectively. Annualized net credit charge-offs to quarter-to-date average loans were 0.06% for the first quarter of 2024, a basis point increase compared to 0.05% for the first quarter of 2023. Nonperforming loans increased to $34.8 million, or 0.29% of total loans, at March 31, 2024 from $21.5 million, or 0.18%, of total loans at December 31, 2023, and increased compared to $17.8 million, or 0.15% of total loans, at March 31, 2023.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income totaled $8.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $2.5 million compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $216,000, or 11.2%, to $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $1.9 million in the corresponding period in 2023. Mortgage banking revenue increased $236,000, or 53.4%, to $678,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $442,000 in the corresponding period in 2023. Net credit card revenue increased $466,000, or 27.6%, to $2.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income increased $1.6 million, or 99.3%, to $3.2 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. During the first quarter of 2024, we recognized $1.2 million of income attributed to a death benefit related to a former employee in our BOLI program. Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased $36,000, or 5.7%, to $599,000 when compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Merchant service revenue increased $53,000, or 11.7%, to $508,000 for the first quarter of 2024 from $455,000 in the first quarter of 2023.
Changes in our non-interest income, including percentage changes, are detailed in the following table:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
$ change |
% change |
|||||||||||||
| (Dollars In Thousands) |
||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income: |
||||||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts |
$ | 2,150 | $ | 1,934 | $ | 216 | 11.2 | % | ||||||||
| Mortgage banking |
678 | 442 | 236 | 53.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Credit cards |
2,155 | 1,689 | 466 | 27.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Securities gains |
- | - | NM | NM | ||||||||||||
| Increase in cash surrender value life insurance |
3,231 | 1,621 | 1,610 | 99.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Other operating income |
599 | 635 | (36 | ) | (5.7 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total noninterest income |
$ | 8,813 | $ | 6,321 | $ | 2,492 | 39.4 | % | ||||||||
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense totaled $46.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $6.6 million, or 16.7%, compared to $39.7 million for the same period in 2023. Salary and benefit expense increased $3.9 million, or 20.6%, to $23.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $19.1 million for the same period in 2023. The number of FTE employees increased by 32, or 5.6%, to 605 at March 31, 2024 compared to 573 at March 31, 2023, and increased by 14, or 2.4%, from the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in salary and benefit expense from the first quarter of 2023 was largely due to the normalization of incentives and increased salary expenses due to an increase in FTE employees. Incentives increased approximately $2.8 million, and salaries increased approximately $1.0 million from the first quarter of 2023. Equipment and occupancy expense increased $122,000, or 3.6%, to $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2023. Third party processing and other services expense decreased $118,000, or 1.6%, to $7.2 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $7.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. Professional services expense decreased $190,000, or 11.5%, to $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. FDIC and other regulatory assessments increased $2.4 million, or 157.4%, to $3.9 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the FDIC implemented a special assessment to recapitalize the Deposit Insurance Fund resulting in an expense of $7.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. The FDIC recapitalization estimate will be periodically adjusted as the FDIC sells assets, satisfies liabilities, and incurs expenses, which resulted in an additional expense of $1.8 million during the first quarter of 2024. Other operating expenses increased $493,000, or 7.4%, to $7.2 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2023.
Changes in our non-interest expenses, including percentage changes, are detailed in the following table:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
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| 2024 |
2023 |
$ change |
% change |
|||||||||||||
| (Dollars In Thousands) |
||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense: |
||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits |
$ | 22,986 | $ | 19,066 | $ | 3,920 | 20.6 | % | ||||||||
| Equipment and occupancy |
3,557 | 3,435 | 122 | 3.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Third party processing and other services |
7,166 | 7,284 | (118 | ) | (1.6 | )% | ||||||||||
| Professional services |
1,464 | 1,654 | (190 | ) | (11.5 | )% | ||||||||||
| FDIC and other regulatory assessments |
3,905 | 1,517 | 2,388 | 157.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Other real estate owned |
30 | 6 | 24 | 400.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Other operating expense |
7,195 | 6,702 | 493 | 7.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense |
$ | 46,303 | $ | 39,664 | $ | 6,639 | 16.7 | % | ||||||||
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense decreased $2.2 million, or 17.0%, to $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $12.8 million in the first quarter of 2023. Our effective tax rate was 17.5% for the first quarter of 2024 compared to 18.1% for the first quarter of 2023. We recognized an aggregate of $2.2 million in credits during the first quarter of 2024 related to investments in tax credit partnerships, compared to $2.7 million during the first quarter of 2023. 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 first quarters of 2024 and 2023 of $204,000 and $1.1 million, respectively. Our primary permanent differences are related to tax-exempt income on securities, state income tax benefit on real estate investment trust dividends, various qualifying tax credits and change in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance.
We own real estate investment trusts for the purpose of holding and managing participations in residential mortgages and commercial real estate loans originated by the Bank. The trusts are wholly-owned subsidiaries of a trust holding company, which in turn is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. The trusts earn interest income on the loans they hold and incur operating expenses related to their activities. They pay their net earnings, in the form of dividends, to the Bank, which receives a deduction for state income taxes.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting and financial policies of the Company conform to U.S. GAAP and to general practices within the banking industry. To prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and future results could differ. The ACL, valuation of impaired loans and foreclosed real estate, deferred taxes, and fair value of financial instruments are particularly subject to change. Information concerning our accounting policies with respect to these items is available in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Like all financial institutions, we are subject to market risk from changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is inherent in the balance sheet due to the mismatch between the maturities of rate-sensitive assets and rate-sensitive liabilities. If rates are rising, and the level of rate-sensitive liabilities exceeds the level of rate-sensitive assets, the net interest margin will be negatively impacted. Conversely, if rates are falling, and the level of rate-sensitive liabilities is greater than the level of rate-sensitive assets, the impact on the net interest margin will be favorable. Managing interest rate risk is further complicated by the fact that all rates do not change at the same pace; in other words, short-term rates may be rising while longer-term rates remain stable. In addition, different types of rate-sensitive assets and rate-sensitive liabilities react differently to changes in rates.
To manage interest rate risk, we must take a position on the expected future trend of interest rates. Rates may rise, fall or remain the same. Our asset-liability committee (“ALCO”) develops its view of future rate trends and strives to manage rate risk within a targeted range by monitoring economic indicators, examining the views of economists and other experts, and understanding the current risks that our balance sheet is exposed to. Our annual budget reflects the anticipated rate environment for the next 12 months.
The ALCO employs modeling techniques such as net interest income simulations and economic value of equity simulations to determine what amount of the Bank’s net interest income is at risk given different movements in market interest rates. Simulations assume gradual and instantaneous (shocks) movements in market interest rates of up and down 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis points, when practicable. A set of Benchmark and optional scenarios are ran and results are compared to base model results to measure sensitivity to movements in market interest rates. The ALCO establishes limits for the amount of negative change in net interest margin in the first year, second year and two-year cumulative time horizon. Current policy limits for the 100 and 200 basis point shock and ramp scenarios in the first and second year range from -4% to -17%. The ALCO conducts a quarterly analysis of the rate sensitivity position, reviews established limits, and reports its results to our board of directors. As of March 31, 2024, there have been no significant changes to our sensitivity to changes in interest rates since December 31, 2023. We could experience an increase in the cost of funding our balance sheet. In response to increased inflationary pressures the Federal Reserve increased their targeted federal funds rate from 0 – 0.25% to 4.75 – 5.00% since March of 2022. Such rate increases could lead to us further increasing rates on our deposits and short-term borrowings. We could also experience increased pricing competition for our existing loans or future borrower prospects, which could decrease rates earned on our earning assets.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
We conducted an evaluation (the “Evaluation”) of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, as of March 31, 2024. Based upon the Evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2024.
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
From time to time we may be a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management does not believe the Company or the Bank is currently a party to any material legal proceedings except as disclosed in Item 3, “Legal Proceedings”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and there has been no material change in any matter described therein.
Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and are often beyond our control. We have identified a number of these risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which should be taken into consideration when reviewing the information contained in this report. There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| SERVISFIRST BANCSHARES, INC. |
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| Date: May 8, 2024 |
By | /s/ Thomas A. Broughton III |
| Thomas A. Broughton III |
||
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
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| Date: May 8, 2024 |
By | /s/ Kirk P. Pressley |
| Kirk P. Pressley |
||
| Chief Financial Officer |