First US Bancshares, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Earnings

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Highlights:

First US Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FUSB) (the "Company"), the parent company of First US Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income of $1.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 ("4Q2024"), compared to $2.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 ("3Q2024") and $2.3 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 ("4Q2023"). For the year ended December 31, 2024, net income totaled $8.2 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, compared to $8.5 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The table below summarizes selected financial data for each of the periods presented.

CEO Commentary

"While 2024 was a challenging year from a loan growth standpoint, we were able to maintain diluted earnings per share at a level consistent with the previous year," stated James F. House, President and CEO of the Company. "In the fourth quarter, we saw an uptick in loan growth throughout our lending platforms, and we continued to enhance yield on our investment portfolio through opportunistic purchases. As we start 2025, our team continues to focus on opportunities to grow earning assets and reduce funding costs in a manner consistent with the changing interest rate environment," continued Mr. House.                                           

Financial Results

Loans and Leases – The table below summarizes loan balances by portfolio category as of the end of each of the most recent five quarters.

Total loan volume increased by $19.7 million, or 2.5%, in 4Q2024, driven primarily by growth in construction, consumer indirect, and commercial real estate (secured by non-farm, non-residential property) lending. For the year ended December 31, 2024, total loans increased by $1.2 million, or 0.2%.  Total loan volume averaged $818.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $795.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. 

Net Interest Income and Margin – Net interest income decreased by $0.4 million comparing 4Q2024 to both 3Q2024 and 4Q2023. Net interest margin totaled 3.41% for 4Q2024, compared to 3.60% for 3Q2024 and 3.67% for 4Q2023. The decrease in net interest income and margin in 4Q2024 compared to 3Q2024 was primarily driven by reductions in the federal funds rate and market interest rates. From September 2024 through December 2024, the federal funds rate was reduced by 100 basis points and similar reductions occurred on certain market interest rates that are used to price the Company's variable rate loans. Amid these interest rate reductions, the Company's earning assets repriced more quickly than its interest-bearing liabilities. Comparing 4Q2024 to 4Q2023, net interest income and margin decreased primarily due to the higher cost of interest-bearing liabilities in 2024 relative to 2023. While total funding costs decreased by seven basis points during 4Q2024, compared to 3Q2024, they remained 30 basis points higher than 4Q2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, net interest income totaled $36.1 million, compared to $37.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Net interest margin totaled 3.59% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 3.87% for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Deposits – Total deposits decreased by $8.6 million, or 0.9%, during 4Q2024, primarily due to the payoff of $10.0 million in callable wholesale brokered time deposits during the quarter. The brokered time deposits were paid off in an effort to reduce the Company's interest expense over time, while increasing reliance on core deposits. Core deposits, which exclude time deposits of $250 thousand or more and all wholesale brokered deposits, totaled $837.7 million, or 86.1% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024, compared to $833.5 million, or 85.0% of total deposits, as of September 30, 2024, and $819.5 million, or 86.2% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2023.                                                    

Deployment of Funds – As of December 31, 2024, the Company held cash, federal funds sold and securities purchased under reverse repurchase agreements totaling $52.9 million, or 4.8% of total assets, compared to $59.8 million, or 5.6% of total assets, as of December 31, 2023. Investment securities, including both the available-for-sale and held-to-maturity portfolios, totaled $168.6 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $136.7 million as of December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company invested $58.0 million in taxable U.S. agency-sponsored bonds, resulting in improved yields in the investment portfolio. Of this amount, $30.5 million was purchased in 4Q2024. As of December 31, 2024, the expected average life of securities in the investment portfolio was 3.6 years, compared to 3.9 years as of December 31, 2023.      

Provision for Credit Losses – During 4Q2024, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $0.5 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $0.2 million in 3Q2024 and a recovery of credit losses of $0.4 million during 4Q2023. The provision for credit losses taken in 4Q2024 resulted primarily from loan growth during the quarter, as well as an increase in the allowance for credit losses ("ACL") on individually evaluated loans and adjustments in economic forecasts that impact the calculation of the ACL on loans and leases. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the provision for credit losses totaled $0.6 million, compared to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.  As of December 31, 2024, the Company's ACL on loans and leases as a percentage of total loans was 1.24%, compared to 1.28% as of December 31, 2023.       

Asset Quality – Nonperforming assets, including loans in non-accrual status and other real estate owned ("OREO"), totaled $5.4 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $3.0 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase in nonperforming assets during 2024 resulted primarily from one loan that was foreclosed and moved into OREO and another loan that moved into non-accrual status during 2024. As a percentage of total assets, nonperforming assets totaled 0.50% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 0.28% as of December 31, 2023. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans totaled 0.14% during both the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Non-interest Income – Non-interest income totaled $1.0 million in 4Q2024, compared to $0.9 million in both 3Q2024 and 4Q2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, non-interest income totaled $3.6 million, compared to $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Non-interest Expense – Non-interest expense totaled $6.9 million in 4Q2024, compared to $7.0 million in 3Q2024, and $7.4 million in 4Q2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, non-interest expense totaled $28.4 million, compared to $29.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The expense reduction comparing both 4Q2024 and full-year 2024 to the corresponding periods of 2023 resulted primarily from decreases in salaries and benefits and other expense categories. Salaries and benefits expense decreased during 2024 primarily due to lower staff levels resulting from strategic initiatives implemented by the Company in prior years. In addition, other expenses were lower during 2024 compared to 2023, primarily due to the recovery of check fraud losses and reduced collection expenses. The reductions in non-interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2024 were partially offset by increased occupancy and equipment expenses. 

Shareholders' Equity – As of December 31, 2024, shareholders' equity totaled $98.6 million, or 8.96% of total assets, compared to $90.6 million, or 8.44% of total assets, as of December 31, 2023. The increase in shareholders' equity during the year ended December 31, 2024 resulted primarily from earnings, net of dividends paid and repurchases of shares of the Company's common stock. In addition, shareholders' equity was positively impacted during 2024 by reductions in the Company's accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting from changes in market interest rates, as well as the maturity of lower yielding investment securities. The Company's ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets was 8.33% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 7.79% as of December 31, 2023.  

Cash Dividend – The Company increased its cash dividend to $0.07 per share on its common stock in 4Q2024, compared to $0.05 per share during each previous quarter of 2024 and 2023.  For the year ended December 31, 2024, cash dividends totaled $0.22 per share, compared to $0.20 per share for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Share Repurchases – During 4Q2024, the Company completed the repurchase of 40,000 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $12.68 per share. The repurchases were completed under the Company's previously announced share repurchase program which was expanded in 4Q2024 to authorize the purchase of 600,000 additional shares. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repurchased a total of 146,500 shares at a weighted average price of $11.22 per share. As of December 31, 2024, 912,813 shares remained available for repurchase under the program.

Regulatory Capital – During 4Q2024, the Bank continued to maintain capital ratios at higher levels than required to be considered a "well-capitalized" institution under applicable banking regulations. As of December 31, 2024, the Bank's common equity Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios were each 11.31%, its total capital ratio was 12.47%, and its Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.50%.

Liquidity – As of December 31, 2024, the Company continued to maintain funding capacity sufficient to provide adequate liquidity for loan growth, capital expenditures and ongoing operations. The Company benefits from a strong core deposit base, a liquid investment securities portfolio and access to funding from a variety of sources, including federal funds lines with other banking institutions, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances, the discount window of the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), and brokered deposits.

Banking Center Growth – As part of the Company's overall growth strategy, during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company opened a new banking center in the Bearden area of Knoxville, Tennessee that replaced the Bank's previously existing Knoxville-Bearden location. In addition, the Company commenced renovation of a banking center office in Daphne, Alabama that was purchased from another financial institution. This location is expected to serve as the Bank's initial deposit gathering facility in the Daphne/Mobile area, and it is anticipated that the location will open to the public in 2025.

About First US Bancshares, Inc.

First US Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") is a bank holding company that operates banking offices in Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia through First US Bank (the "Bank"). The Company files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Copies of its filings may be obtained through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or at www.firstusbank.com. More information about the Company and the Bank may be obtained at www.firstusbank.com. The Company's stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "FUSB."

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined by federal securities laws. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements following the date of this press release, except as required by law. In addition, the Company, through its senior management, may make from time to time forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of the Company's senior management based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.

Certain factors that could affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements and cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements are identified in the public filings made by the Company with the SEC, and forward-looking statements contained in this press release or in other public statements of the Company or its senior management should be considered in light of those factors. Such factors may include risk related to the Company's credit, including that if loan losses are greater than anticipated; the increased lending risks associated with commercial real estate lending; liquidity risks; the impact of national and local market conditions on the Company's business and operations; the rate of growth (or lack thereof) in the economy generally and in the Company's service areas; strong competition in the banking industry; the impact of changes in interest rates and monetary policy on the Company's performance and financial condition; the impact of technological changes in the banking and financial service industries and potential information system failures; cybersecurity and data privacy threats; the costs of complying with extensive governmental regulation; the impact of changing accounting standards and tax laws on the Company's allowance for credit losses and financial results; the possibility that acquisitions may not produce anticipated results and result in unforeseen integration difficulties; and other risk factors described from time to time in the Company's public filings, including, but not limited to, the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Relative to the Company's dividend policy, the payment of cash dividends is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be determined in light of then-current conditions, including the Company's earnings,  leverage, operations, financial conditions, capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. In the future, the Board of Directors may change the Company's dividend policy, including the frequency or amount of any dividend, in light of then-existing conditions.