First Banks, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2005 Earnings.ST. LOUIS -- First Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :FBNKM) (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :FBSPrA) ("First Banks" or the "Company") reported net income for the year ended December December: see month. 31, 2005 of $96.9 million, compared to $82.9 million for 2004, an increase of 16.9%. The Company's return on average stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity The portion of the balance sheet that includes capital received from investors in exchange for stock (paid-in capital), donated capital, and retained earnings. This is equal to total assets minus liabilities, preferred stock and intangible assets. and average assets for the year ended December 31, 2005 were 15.11% and 1.10%, respectively, compared to 14.44% and 1.10% for 2004. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, the Company reported net income of $20.4 million, compared to $18.9 million for the comparable period in 2004. Return on average stockholders' equity and average assets for the fourth quarter of 2005 were 11.94% and 0.89%, respectively, compared to 12.55% and 0.93% for the comparable period in 2004. Allen Al·len , Edgar 1892-1943. American anatomist who is noted for his studies of hormones and for the discovery (1923) of estrogen. H. Blake, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Banks, said, "The Company has strengthened its earnings while simultaneously focusing on growing our banking franchise, both through internal growth and acquisitions of banks in our target markets." Mr. Blake added, "On October October: see month. 31, 2005, we expanded our footprint The amount of geographic space covered by an object. A computer footprint is the desk or floor surface it occupies. A satellite's footprint is the earth area covered by its downlink. See form factor. 1. in the Chicago metropolitan area “Chicagoland” redirects here. For for the racing venue, see Chicagoland Speedway. The Chicago metropolitan area is the metropolitan area associated with the city of Chicago in the United States. with the acquisition of Northway Northway may refer to:
Total assets increased $437.5 million to $9.17 billion at December 31, 2005, compared to $8.73 billion at December 31, 2004. The overall increase in total assets was the result of both internal growth and our 2005 acquisitions. The increase reflects an $882.8 million increase in loans, net of unearned discount, primarily funded by an increase in deposits of $389.9 million and a reduction of investment securities of $472.6 million. Additionally, the Company repaid $59.3 million of its subordinated debentures subordinated debenture An unsecured bond with a claim to assets that is subordinate to all existing and future debt. Thus, in the event that the issuer encounters financial difficulties and must be liquidated, all other claims must be satisfied before through the redemption of the First Preferred Capital Trust II trust preferred securities on September 30, 2005. This was partially funded by the proceeds of a $100.0 million term loan under the Company's amended a·mend v. a·mend·ed, a·mend·ing, a·mends v.tr. 1. To change for the better; improve: amended the earlier proposal so as to make it more comprehensive. 2. secured credit agreement completed in August 2005. The 2005 acquisitions of Northway State Bank, International Bank of California The Bank of California was founded in San Francisco, California on July 5, 1864 by William Chapman Ralston. It was the first commercial bank in the Western United States, the second-richest bank in the nation, and considered instrumental in developing the American Old West. and FBA FBA Federal Bar Association FBA Functional Behavior Assessment FBA Fibre Box Association (North America) FBA Forms Based Authentication (Microsoft Outlook Web Access) FBA Florida Bicycle Association Bancorp, Inc. provided total assets of $50.4 million, $151.6 million and $73.3 million, respectively, on their respective acquisition dates. The acquisitions, in aggregate, provided increases in total assets, loans, net of unearned discount, and total deposits of $275.3 million, $209.6 million and $233.0 million, respectively, on their respective acquisition dates. Net interest income experienced continued growth, increasing to $87.1 million and $325.7 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, respectively, from $74.1 million and $300.0 million for the comparable periods in 2004. Average earning assets Earning Assets Any income-earning asset owned by a company. Notes: These assets are generally interest-bearing accounts, bonds, and securities available for sale. See also: Asset, Asset Valuation, Earnings, Net Interest Margin were $8.42 billion and $8.15 billion for the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, respectively, compared to $7.43 billion and $6.91 billion for the comparable periods in 2004, reflecting increases of 13.3% and 18.0%, respectively. Net interest margin was 4.12% and 4.01% for the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, respectively, compared to 3.99% and 4.36% for the comparable periods in 2004. The increase in interest income during 2005 is primarily attributable to the increase in interest-earning assets provided by the Company's 2004 and 2005 acquisitions, internal loan growth coupled with higher interest rates on loans, and higher-yielding investment securities. However, the Company's net interest income was adversely affected by a decline in earnings on the interest rate swap Interest Rate Swap A deal between banks or companies where borrowers switch floating-rate loans for fixed rate loans in another country. These can be either the same or different currencies. agreements that were entered into in conjunction with its interest rate risk management program to mitigate mit·i·gate v. To moderate in force or intensity. mit  i·ga tion n. the effects of decreasing interest rates. These derivative derivative: see calculus. derivative In mathematics, a fundamental concept of differential calculus representing the instantaneous rate of change of a function. financial instruments reduced net interest income by $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2005, in comparison to improving net interest income by $5.4 million for the comparable period in 2004. Furthermore, these derivative financial instruments increased net interest income by $2.2 million and $50.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Additionally, interest expense increased as a result of higher interest rates on deposits and a redistribution re·dis·tri·bu·tion n. 1. The act or process of redistributing. 2. An economic theory or policy that advocates reducing inequalities in the distribution of wealth. of deposit balances toward higher-yielding products, increased levels of borrowings coupled with increased rates on such borrowings, including a $100.0 million term loan, and the issuance of $61.9 million of subordinated debentures late in 2004, partially offset by the redemption of $59.3 million of 10.24% subordinated debentures on September 30, 2005. Nonperforming assets Nonperforming asset An asset that is not effectively producing income, such as an overdue loan. nonperforming asset An asset that produces no income. were $98.9 million at December 31, 2005, compared to $70.6 million at September 30, 2005 and $89.8 million at December 31, 2004. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest decreased $23.1 million to $5.6 million at December 31, 2005, compared to $28.7 million at December 31, 2004. Nonperforming loans were 1.38% of loans, net of unearned discount, at December 31, 2005, compared to 1.02% at September 30, 2005 and 1.40% at December 31, 2004. While the Company showed a 21.4% improvement in the level of nonperforming assets during the first nine months of 2005 as a result of the sale of certain acquired nonperforming loans, strengthening of certain loans, and loan payoffs and/or external refinancing Refinancing An extension and/or increase in amount of existing debt. of various credits, the level of nonperforming assets increased $28.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2005. This increase primarily resulted from further deterioration de·te·ri·o·ra·tion n. The process or condition of becoming worse. of a few large relationships in the Midwest region, including a single relationship of approximately $14.9 million that was acquired in the purchase of CIB Bank CIB Bank is the fourth-biggest commercial bank in Hungary, and is to be merged with Inter-Európa Bank. This follows the 2007 merger of their respective Italian parent companies, Banca Intesa and Sanpaolo IMI to form Intesa Sanpaolo. . Nonperforming loans associated with the acquisition of CIB Bank, which continue to represent a significant portion of total nonperforming assets, were $55.0 million at December 31, 2005, compared to $32.8 million at September 30, 2005 and $50.5 million at December 31, 2004. Additionally, at December 31, 2005, the Company recognized $7.6 million of loan charge-offs in conjunction with the transfer of approximately $59.7 million of nonperforming loans to its held for sale portfolio, which included several relationships that deteriorated during the fourth quarter of 2005 as previously discussed. The allowance for loan losses was $135.3 million at December 31, 2005, compared to $150.7 million at December 31, 2004. The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $4.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and a negative provision for loan losses of $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, in comparison to a provision for loan losses of $2.5 million and $25.8 million recorded for the three months and year ended December 31, 2004, respectively. The provision for loan losses of $4.0 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005 resulted from further deterioration of a few large credit relationships in the Midwest region during the quarter and partially offset the negative provision for loan losses of $8.0 million recorded for the first nine months of 2005 as a result of an improvement in nonperforming loans from December 31, 2004 to September 30, 2005, as previously discussed. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 139.73% at December 31, 2005, compared to 175.65% at December 31, 2004. Net loan charge-offs were $8.6 million and $13.4 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, respectively, compared to $6.1 million and $24.8 million for the comparable periods in 2004. Net loan charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2005 included $7.6 million of charge-offs associated with the $59.7 million of loans transferred to the held for sale portfolio at December 31, 2005, as previously discussed. Noninterest income was $23.3 million and $94.7 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, respectively, compared to $20.8 million and $83.5 million for the comparable periods in 2004. The increase in 2005 reflects increases in gains on loans sold and held for sale, investment management fees associated with the Company's institutional money management subsidiary, service charges on deposit accounts, customer service fees related to higher deposit balances, and increases in gains, net of losses, on the sale of certain assets, primarily related to the commercial leasing portfolio. The Company's termination of a $50.0 million term repurchase agreement Repurchase agreement An agreement with a commitment by the seller (dealer) to buy a security back from the purchaser (customer) at a specified price at a designated future date. and the related sale of certain investment securities associated with repurchase agreements in the fourth quarter of 2005 resulted in a $2.9 million loss on the sale of available-for-sale securities. The increase in noninterest income also reflects the recognition of recoveries of certain loans that had been charged-off prior to the date of acquisition by First Banks, the reversal of a specific reserve upon the cancellation of a letter of credit, partially offset by the recognition of an impairment Impairment 1. A reduction in a company's stated capital. 2. The total capital that is less than the par value of the company's capital stock. Notes: 1. This is usually reduced because of poorly estimated losses or gains. 2. charge on the Company's small business lending servicing assets. Noninterest expense was $75.3 million and $276.3 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, respectively, compared to $63.1 million and $229.5 million for the comparable periods in 2004. The Company's efficiency ratio was 68.21% and 65.72% for the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, respectively, compared to 66.44% and 59.84% for the comparable periods in 2004. The increase in noninterest expense and the efficiency ratio for 2005 was attributable to increased expense levels resulting from the 2004 and 2005 acquisitions, which added a total of 27 branch offices, the addition of five de novo branch offices in 2004 and 2005, significant charitable contributions charitable contribution n. in taxation, a contribution to an organization which is officially created for charitable, religious, educational, scientific, artistic, literary, or other good works. expense, and increases in salaries and employee benefits expense. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense primarily resulted from the impact of recent acquisitions and costs associated with employing and retaining qualified personnel, including enhanced incentive compensation and employee benefit plans. The Company contributed $4.0 million to certain charitable foundations during the fourth quarter of 2005 and $1.5 million to a St. Louis urban revitalization re·vi·tal·ize tr.v. re·vi·tal·ized, re·vi·tal·iz·ing, re·vi·tal·iz·es To impart new life or vigor to: plans to revitalize inner-city neighborhoods; tried to revitalize a flagging economy. development project during the second quarter of 2005. The increase in noninterest expense was also attributable to increased information technology fees resulting from the Company's system conversions of recent acquisitions and continued enhancement of technological equipment, networks and communication channels, and expenditures and losses, net of gains, on other real estate, which increased primarily as a result of a gain recorded in the first quarter of 2004 on the sale of a foreclosed residential and recreational development property. First Banks had assets of $9.17 billion at December 31, 2005 and currently operates 179 branch banking offices in Missouri Missouri, state, United States Missouri (mĭz  r`ē, –ə), one of the midwestern states of the United States. , Illinois Illinois, river, United StatesIllinois, river, 273 mi (439 km) long, formed by the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers, NE Ill., and flowing SW to the Mississippi at Grafton, Ill. It is an important commercial and recreational waterway. , California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). and Texas. This press release contains forward-looking statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about First Banks' plans, objectives, estimates or projections with respect to our future financial condition, expected or anticipated revenues with respect to our results of operations and our business, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of First Banks' management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: increased competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; and the risk of new and changing regulation. Additional factors which may cause First Banks' results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements may be found in First Banks' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. , as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available at the SEC's internet site (http://www.sec.gov). The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of the press release, and First Banks does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
FIRST BANKS, INC.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Selected Operating Data
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------- -------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Interest income $ 136,723 102,609 493,940 394,782
Interest expense 49,588 28,461 168,259 94,767
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net interest income 87,135 74,148 325,681 300,015
Provision for loan losses 4,000 2,500 (4,000) 25,750
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net interest income
after provision for
loan losses 83,135 71,648 329,681 274,265
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Noninterest income 23,304 20,841 94,743 83,486
Noninterest expense 75,329 63,107 276,296 229,505
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before provision
for income taxes and
minority interest in
loss of subsidiary 31,110 29,382 148,128 128,246
Provision for income taxes 10,941 10,494 52,509 45,338
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before minority
interest in loss of
subsidiary 20,169 18,888 95,619 82,908
Minority interest in loss of
subsidiary (251) -- (1,287) --
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 20,420 18,888 96,906 82,908
========= ========= ========= =========
Basic earnings per common
share $ 851.91 787.25 4,062.36 3,470.80
========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted earnings per common
share $ 846.12 780.71 4,007.46 3,421.58
========= ========= ========= =========
Selected Financial Data
December 31, December 31,
2005 2004
----------- ------------
Total assets $ 9,170,333 8,732,841
Investment securities 1,340,783 1,813,349
Loans, net of unearned discount 7,020,771 6,137,968
Allowance for loan losses 135,330 150,707
Deposits 7,541,831 7,151,970
Other borrowings 539,174 594,750
Note payable 100,000 15,000
Subordinated debentures 215,461 273,300
Stockholders' equity 678,938 600,893
Nonperforming assets 98,873 89,830
Selected Financial Ratios
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------- --------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Return on average assets 0.89% 0.93% 1.10% 1.10%
Return on average equity 11.94 12.55 15.11 14.44
Net interest margin 4.12 3.99 4.01 4.36
Efficiency ratio 68.21 66.44 65.72 59.84
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