Net Income Rises 11% to $5 Million

Adjusted Net Income Increases 15%

First Farmers and Merchants Corporation (OTC Pink: FFMH), the holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, today announced double digit growth in net income for the second quarter of 2023, compared with 2022.

Key highlights of First Farmers’ results for the second quarter of 2023 include:

• Net income rose 11.0% to $5.0 million from $4.5 million for the second quarter of 2022. Net income per common share increased 12.8% to $1.19 from $1.05 for the year-earlier quarter. Net income increased 25.6% from $4.0 million, or $0.94, per common share, reported in the first quarter of 2023;
• Adjusted net income, which excludes special items, rose 15.4% to $5.1 million, or $1.21 per common share, compared with $4.5 million, or $1.03 per common share, for the second quarter of 2022. Second quarter adjusted net income increased 16.6% from $4.4 million, or $1.03 per common share, reported in the first quarter of 2023 (see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section);
• Net interest income increased 3.5% to $12.1 million from $11.7 million for the second quarter of 2022 but was down 0.9% from $12.2 million for the first quarter of 2023;
• Total deposits were $1.658 billion at the end of the second quarter 2023 and were down $119 million from the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to the withdrawal of $113 million from a single municipal customer;
• Insured deposits rose $30 million to $1.161 billion. Uninsured deposits not covered by FDIC insurance were $220 million, or 13.3% of total deposits for the second quarter of 2023;
• Efficiency improved to 58.04% from 62.94% for the second quarter of 2022 and 64.05% for the first quarter of 2023;
• Provision credit for credit losses was $260,000 compared with provision credit for loan and lease losses of $320,000 for the second quarter of 2022 and $0 for the first quarter of 2023; and
• Total nonperforming assets dropped to $803,000, or 0.04% of total assets, from $1.6 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $873,000 for the first quarter of 2023.

Commenting on the results, Brian K. Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Farmers, said, “First Farmers’ net income accelerated in the second quarter and benefited from higher net interest income, the continuation of disciplined expense controls and improved asset quality. This quarter marked the highest quarterly net income in two years. In addition, our efficiency ratio improved to 58% in the second quarter and reached levels we haven't achieved in 10 years.

“We remain positive about our outlook for the second half of 2023 but expect earnings growth to moderate in the third and fourth quarters of this year due to the expected impact higher interest rates and competition for deposits will have on our net interest income. Our loan pipeline remains active from organic volume. We expect new loans to contribute to our net interest margin while maintaining our high credit standards.

“We increased our cash dividend to shareholders and increased the level of stock repurchases last quarter. Although these actions led to a slight reduction in our book value per share, our capital base remains very strong and our regulatory capital positions continue to improve. We believe we are positioned well for the current economic and banking environment by managing our loan risk, maintaining excess liquidity and protecting our core deposit base,” continued Williams.

Robert E. Krimmel, Chief Financial Officer, added, “Our operating results continue to benefit from the trend in lower expenses and improved efficiency in our operations. This was our sixth consecutive quarterly decrease in noninterest expenses. We also reported a 3.5% increase in net interest income even though interest costs have increased substantially since last year. We expect a slower pace in net interest income growth for the second half of 2023 due to the higher interest rate environment, increased competition for deposits, and our strategy to defend our core deposit base.

“Our deposit base remained stable during the second quarter except for the exit of one municipal account. We continue to reduce our municipal deposit balances to improve our core operating metrics of return on assets, non-interest income generated per asset, and our net interest margin. Our total insured deposits were up $30 million during the quarter, reflecting our success in maintaining our core customer accounts. Our investment strategy is focused on reducing our investment portfolio to increase liquidity and fund new loan opportunities. We made progress during the quarter with a 5.2% decrease in securities representing 41% of total assets, the lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2020.

“With the planned roll out of our new loan operating system during the third quarter, we expect cost savings and efficiency gains from the new digital platform and improved delivery of loan services to our customers. We plan for continued investments in our operating software and online presence to enhance our delivery of services and to leverage future operating efficiencies.”

Second Quarter 2023 Results of Operations

Net income increased to $5.0 million, up $501,000, or 11.0% from the second quarter of 2022, and net income per share improved 12.8% to $1.19 for the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The improvement in earnings was due to growth in net-interest income of $404,000, a decrease in non-interest expense of $394,000, and provision credit for credit losses of $260,000, offset in part by a reduction in non-interest income of $398,000 compared to the second quarter of 2022.

Adjusted net income, which excludes special items, rose 15.4% to $5.1 million, up $686,000 from the second quarter of 2022. The growth in net-interest income was driven by an increase in interest and fees on loans of $3.0 million supported by growth in net loan balances of $23 million, offset in part by elevated deposit costs that were up $2.4 million compared to the second quarter of 2022. The reduction in non-interest expense was related to lower salaries and employee benefits expense of $340,000 while adjusted non-interest income declined because of reduced demand for mortgage banking activities of $138,000 compared to the second quarter of 2022.

Net income for the second quarter of 2023 was up from the sequential first quarter by $1 million, or 25.6%. The increase in earnings was due primarily to a decrease in noninterest expense of $690,000, increase in non-interest income of $508,000 and a provision credit for credit losses of $260,000, offset in part by a decrease in net interest income of $115,000 compared to the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in non-interest expenses was driven by salaries and employee benefits expense of $385,000 and net occupancy expense of $276,000 compared to the sequential quarter. The growth in non-interest income was due to a reduction in loss on equity securities of $351,000 and improvement in service fees on deposit accounts of $110,000 compared with the first quarter of 2023. Net-interest income came under pressure with deposit costs outpacing interest income growth from loans, offset in part by a reduction in interest on other borrowings compared to the sequential quarter.

For the second quarter of 2023, the balance of securities available-for-sale declined $41 million from the sequential first quarter. Securities available-for-sale amortized cost decreased $35 million and was used to reduce securities pledged against municipal balances while the unrealized loss adjustment for securities available-for-sale increased by $6 million for the quarter as bond prices declined driven by higher long-term market interest rates compared to the sequential quarter. The balance of securities available-for-sale amortized cost decreased $141 million from the second quarter of 2022 with the decrease used to fund the liquidity needs of the Company.

For the second quarter of 2023, outstanding loan balances decreased $7 million, or 0.8%, from the sequential quarter to $965 million but increased $23 million, or 2.5%, from the second quarter of 2022. Total deposits decreased $119 million, or 6.7%, from the sequential first quarter to $1.658 billion, and decreased $223 million, or 11.9%, from the second quarter of 2022. The decline in total deposits during the second quarter of 2023 was due primarily to one municipal customer that decided to move its banking relationship to a regional bank. The municipal customer withdrew $113 million during the quarter which accounted for 95.0% of the decline in deposit balances from the sequential quarter. Excluding the balance withdrawal from the municipal customer, total deposit balances declined only $6 million, or less than one tenth of one percent. Total shareholders’ equity decreased $2 million due to stock repurchases and cash dividends paid to shareholders. The reduction in the unrealized loss adjustment to the available-for-sale securities portfolio was offset by net income for the second quarter of 2023.

Six Months Results

Net income available to common shareholders was $9.1 million for the first six months of 2023, up 10.1% compared with $8.2 million in the first six months of 2022. Net income per share improved 11.6% to $2.13 for the first six months of 2023 compared with $1.91 for the same period in 2022. The increase in earnings was driven by growth in net interest income of $1.5 million and a reduction in non-interest expenses of $1.1 million, offset in part by a decrease in non-interest income of $1.1 million compared to the same period in 2022.

Adjusted net income was $9.5 million for the first six months of 2023, up 15.1% compared with $8.3 million in the first six months of 2022. The increase in adjusted net income benefited from a 6.6% increase in net interest income to $24.6 million supported by growth in the net interest margin of 21 basis points and loan balances of $23 million compared to the first six months of 2022.

Non-interest expenses declined 3.8% in the first six months of 2023 to $19.4 million compared with the same period in 2022. The decrease in non-interest expenses was due mostly to lower salaries and employee benefits and data processing expenses, offset by higher software support experienced during the period. Adjusted non-interest income declined because of lower revenue from mortgage banking activities of $365,000 and service fees on deposit accounts of $122,000 compared to the first six months of 2022.

Asset Quality

Asset quality improved in the second quarter of 2023 with only $803,000 in nonperforming assets that totaled 0.04% of total assets, down from $873,000 or 0.05% of total assets from the sequential quarter of 2023 and down from $1.6 million, or 0.08% of total assets, from the second quarter of 2022. Net recoveries to average loans were 0.00% for the second quarter of 2023 compared with net recoveries of 0.00% for the sequential quarter and net recoveries of 0.02% for the second quarter of 2022. A provision credit of $260,000 was recorded to provision for credit losses during the second quarter of 2023. The allowance for credit losses for loans represented 0.85% of total loans outstanding for the second quarter of 2023 compared with 0.87% for the sequential quarter and 1.00% for the second quarter of 2022. The allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments represented 0.19% of total unfunded commitments for the second quarter of 2023 compared with 0.19% for the sequential quarter. The allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities represented 0.06% of total HTM securities for the second quarter of 2023 compared with 0.06% for the sequential quarter.

Capital Management Initiatives

During the second quarter of 2023, First Farmers repurchased 42,540 shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market or using privately negotiated transactions at an average price of $27.11 per share with prices ranging from $19.03 to $32.00 per share in accordance with the Company’s stock repurchase program. Authorization to repurchase approximately 144,460 shares remains under the current program, which is set to expire in December 2023, unless extended or otherwise completed.

About First Farmers and Merchants Corporation and First Farmers and Merchants Bank

First Farmers and Merchants Corporation is the holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, a community bank serving the Middle Tennessee area through 22 offices in seven Middle Tennessee counties. As of June 30, 2023, First Farmers reported total assets of approximately $1.9 billion, total shareholders’ equity of approximately $108 million, and administered trust assets of $5.7 billion. For more information about First Farmers, visit us on the Web at www.myfirstfarmers.com under “Investor Relations.”

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” that represent First Farmers’ expectations or beliefs concerning future events and often use words or phrases such as “opportunities,” “prospects,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “intends” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements contained herein represent the current expectations, plans or forecast of First Farmers’ and are about matters that are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on them, whether included in this news release or made elsewhere from time to time by First Farmers or on its behalf. First Farmers disclaims any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Statements included in this press release include non-GAAP financial measures and should be read along with the accompanying tables, which provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures. First Farmers management uses non-GAAP financial measures, including: (i) adjusted net income and (ii) adjusted basic earnings per share, in its analysis of the Company’s performance. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the following from net income: securities losses, gain on sale of premises and equipment, one-time digital conversion fees, and the income tax effect of adjustments. Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures provide additional useful information that allows readers to evaluate the ongoing performance of the Company.

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