Peoples Financial Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter And Year-End Results

BILOXI, Miss., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Peoples Financial Corporation (OTCQX Best Market: PFBX), parent of The Peoples Bank, announced earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018. The company reported net income of $102,000 for the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to net income of $1,295,000 for the fourth quarter of 2017. Earnings per weighted average common share for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $0.03 compared to earnings of $0.25 for the fourth quarter 2017. Per share figures are based on weighted average common shares outstanding of 4,973,829 and 5,122,751 for the quarters ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Net income for the full year 2018 was $629,000 as compared to $2,758,000 for 2017. Earnings per weighted average common share for 2018 were $0.13 compared to $0.54 for 2017.  Influencing the company's financial performance in 2018 was a $304,000 increase in writedowns of Other Real Estate and a $274,000 loss from a low-income housing investment. Results in 2017 included a non-recurring tax benefit of $742,000.

"Our financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended 2018 fell short of our goals," said Chevis C. Swetman, chairman and chief executive officer of the holding company and the bank. He further added, "However, we are confident in advancing our financial progress in 2019. "

For the fourth quarter of 2018, the provision for loan losses was $31,000 compared to $31,000 for the same period the prior year. Charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $106,000 compared to $73,000 for the same period the prior year. Other Real Estate ("ORE") as of December 31, 2018 was $8,943,000 compared to $8,232,000 as of December 31, 2017. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.95% as of December 31, 2018 compared to 2.19% as of December 31, 2017.

The company's primary capital ratio was 14.43% at December 31, 2018, compared to 14.34% at December 31, 2017. The company's book value per share was $17.59 and $17.84 at year end 2018 and 2017.

Founded in 1896, with $617 million in assets as of December 31, 2018, The Peoples Bank operates 18 branches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. In addition to offering a comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking services, the bank also operates a trust and investment services department that has provided customers with financial, estate and retirement planning services since 1936. 

The Peoples Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples Financial Corporation, listed on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol PFBX. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.thepeoples.com.  

This news release contains forward-looking statements and reflects industry conditions, company performance and financial results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ from the anticipated results and expectation expressed in such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Peoples Financial Corporation