Primis Financial Corp. Reports Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations for the Third Quarter of 2022

Adoption of Stock Repurchase Program

Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.10 Per Share

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Primis Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: FRST) ("Primis" or the "Company"), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Primis Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income from continuing operations of $5.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, compared to $5.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 and $6.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.  Earnings per share ("EPS") from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $0.21 on a basic and $0.20 on diluted basis, compared to $0.20 on a basic and diluted basis for the three months ended June 30, 2022.  

Net income from continuing operations adjusted for nonrecurring income and expenses⁽¹⁾ was $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 versus $6.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Operating earnings per share from continuing operations⁽¹⁾ adjusted for branch closure expenses were $0.22 on a basic and $0.21 on a diluted basis for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $0.25 on a basic and $0.24 on a diluted basis for the three months ended June 30, 2022.

Net income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $14.7 million, compared to $23.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Earnings per share from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $0.60 on a basic and $0.59 on a diluted basis, compared to $0.96 basic and $0.95 diluted for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

• Pre-tax pre-provision return on average assets from continuing operations⁽¹⁾ was 1.16% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, versus 0.83% for the three months ended June 30, 2022. 
• Pre-tax pre-provision operating return on average assets from continuing operations⁽¹⁾ was 1.20% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, up from 1.00% for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Excluding the loss in the mortgage group related to acquiring two substantial teams, this ratio would have been 1.30% for the third quarter, representing a material increase in core profitability. 
• Total deposits grew an annualized 3.8% compared to the linked-quarter illustrating successful strategies that can outrun the industry's tightening liquidity position. 
• Deposit mix continued to improve with non-interest bearing checking deposits of $687.3 million, representing 25.4% of total deposits at September 30, 2022, compared to 19.1% at September 30, 2021. 
• Total revenue of $33.0 million in the current quarter of 2022, up 29.4% from the same period in 2021.
• Tangible common equity to tangible assets and leverage ratio of 8.73% and 9.96%, respectively, are 114 basis points and 15 basis points higher than peers⁽²⁾, respectively, at September 30, 2022.
• Loans held for investment grew at an annualized rate of 22.6% for the nine months of 2022 or 27.5% net of a decline in Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loan balances.  Loans held for investment grew at an annualized rate of 18.0% compared to the linked-quarter net of a decline in PPP balances.
• Net interest margin of 3.57% in the third quarter of 2022 was up substantially from 2.87% in the same period last year and up 24 basis points from 3.33% in the second quarter of 2022. 
• Margin improvements driven by industry low deposit beta of 4% through the cycle.
• Positive move in loan yields to 4.51%, excluding PPP, in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 4.35% in the same quarter of 2021.
• Allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.17% at September 30, 2022, compared to 1.15% at June 30, 2022.  Allowance for credit losses to total loans (excluding PPP balances and loans held for sale) was 1.17% at September 30, 2022, compared to 1.16% at June 30, 2022. 

The Company reported strong earning asset growth rates and a robust net interest margin for the third quarter of 2022. Speaking about the Company's performance, Mr. Zember, President and CEO of the Company, said, "We made significant headway on several strategies this quarter that is very encouraging.  First, our margin benefitted from an industry low deposit beta and a nice move in earning asset yields.  Secondly, we capitalized on the chaos in the national mortgage scene and recruited two teams with annual production of approximately $700 million.  And lastly, we introduced the digital bank into our existing markets, combining it with our unique V1BE delivery service and an interchange cash back feature that averages about 5% of the account balance.  The functionality and innovative features position us very favorably in the industry where liquidity is becoming a real limiter in growth and profitability."

The Company's operating return on average assets from continuing operations⁽¹⁾ for the quarter was 0.64%, compared to 0.72% for the same period in 2021.  Mr. Zember commented on the Company's progress with operating ratios and said, "I believe our pathway to higher operating returns is right around the corner.  Our mortgage results center on signing bonuses for two substantial teams.  I know the payback is very fast on these investments, and we will combine that with full run rates on staff reductions and restructures, branch closings, renegotiation of our core system contract and more normal levels of fraud expenses.  With our trends and momentum on revenue, these expense containment strategies will produce the higher returns that we expect in the coming quarters."

Net interest income increased 18.3% to $27.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 from $23.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021.  The Company's reported net interest margin for the third quarter of 2022 was 3.57%, compared to 2.87% in the third quarter of 2021.  Net interest income, excluding the effect of PPP fees, was $27.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $20.0 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $7.4 million, or 36.7%.  Also excluding the effects of PPP, the Company's net interest margin expanded to 3.58% in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 2.66% in the same quarter of 2021. 

The Company's loan growth over the past several quarters and the improved asset mix has been the driver of positive movements in both margins and net interest income.  Loans held for investment represented 87.5% of total average interest earning assets in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 71.4% in the same quarter of 2021.  Yield on loans for the third quarter of 2022 was 4.50%, compared to 4.53% in the third quarter of 2021.  Loan yields in the third quarter, excluding the effect of PPP, were 4.51%, up 16 basis points from 4.35% in the same quarter of 2021. 

Total cost of funds in the third quarter of 2022 was 0.71%, up from 0.60% in the same quarter of 2021.  Total demand deposits and total non-time deposits at the end of the third quarter of 2022 were 25.4% and 86.6%, respectively, compared 19.1% and 86.6%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2021.

During the three months ended September 30, 2022, Primis had non-interest income of $5.6 million, compared to $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, with a large driver of the increase due to revenues from Primis Mortgage.  The Company closed $63.0 million in loans in the quarter with gain on sale revenue of $2.2 million versus $0.6 in the second quarter which included only one month of mortgage operations.

Non-interest expense was $23.8 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $20.4 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $16.6 million for the third quarter of 2021. The non-interest expense adjusted for branch closure costs and unfunded commitment reserve impacts were $23.1 million for the third quarter of 2022, $19.3 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $17.0 million for third quarter of 2021. A significant driver of the increased non-interest expenses were $2.4 million of higher expenses related to Primis Mortgage versus the second quarter of 2022. Other notable drivers of the increase include reduction in deferred costs in the quarter due to lower commercial loan volumes, increase in marketing and advertising tied to the digital bank launch and V1BE adoption campaigns, increase in legal fees for initiatives and increase in fraud related expenses.

The Company's operating efficiency ratio from continuing operations⁽¹⁾ in the third quarter of 2022 was 70.9% compared to 70.2% in the second quarter of 2022.  The Bank consolidated two branch locations in the third quarter of 2022.   Additionally, management successfully renegotiated the Bank's core processing contract in the third quarter and expects savings of approximately $0.5 million quarterly beginning in the fourth quarter of 2022.  Combined with operating performance improvements at the Company's lines of business and other efficiency improvements, management believes the operating efficiency ratio should moderate to below 65% by year end.

Loans held for investment increased to $2.74 billion at September 30, 2022, compared to $2.34 billion at December 31, 2021.  Loans held for investment grew at an annualized rate of 22.6% for the nine months of 2022 or 27.5%, net of a decline in PPP balances.  The Company believes loan growth will continue at a similar pace for the rest of the year.

Nonperforming assets, excluding portions guaranteed by the SBA, were $37.2 million at September 30, 2022 compared to $19.9 million at June 30, 2022, while loans rated substandard or doubtful increased to $47.3 million in the third quarter of 2022 from $27.1 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022.  These increases were driven largely by one relationship that was criticized in the second quarter and was subsequently downgraded further in the third quarter and placed on nonaccrual.  The primary businesses in the relationship are multiple assisted living facilities.   Recent appraisals have been completed with no impairment required at this time.      

The allowance for credit losses was $32.0 million at September 30, 2022, up $1.8 million from $30.2 million at June 30, 2022.  The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.9 million compared to $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2022.  The increase in provision from the second quarter was due to loan growth in the quarter of approximately $0.8 million, weakness in the economic forecasts used to model expected losses of approximately $1.7 million and a net addition to specific reserves for a nonaccrual loan that required impairment of approximately $0.4 million.  As a percentage of loans, excluding PPP balances, the allowance increased marginally to 1.17% at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to 1.16% at the end of the second quarter of 2022.    The Company recorded $1.1 million in net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2022 compared to net recoveries of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2022.  Net charge-offs in the third quarter were primarily tied to one relationship that was resolved in the quarter and for which specific reserves had been established in previous periods.

Total deposits increased to $2.71 billion at September 30, 2022 from $2.68 billion at June 30, 2022 and decreased compared to $2.76 billion at December 31, 2021.  Non-interest bearing demand deposits now represent 25.4% of total deposits and time deposits represent only 13.4% of total deposits at September 30, 2022.  Non-interest bearing balances increased 5.2% compared to the linked-quarter to $687.3 million.  Time deposits increased 10.3% compared to the linked-quarter to $363.0 million as the Bank extended funding maturities in the face of rising rates.  While newly launched, the Bank's new digital banking offering is expected to be a key contributor to funding in the near future.

The table below highlights revenue and expenses directly attributable to the Company's various business lines.  Net interest income in the table below also includes an assumed cost of funds given to each business line for illustrative purposes, with offsetting benefit to net interest income included in the bank column.  The bank column includes all activities not captured in the business lines, including parent company activities.

Panacea continues to expand its nationally-recognized brand and now has 14 national and state association partnerships.  The division has banking relationships with approximately 2,600 doctor households across all 50 states. Panacea finished the third quarter of 2022 with approximately $201.9 million in outstanding loans, an increase of $59.2 million, or 41.5%, from June 30, 2022. At the end of the third quarter, Panacea's loan portfolio was 50% commercial, 26% consumer and 24% student loan refinance.  As highlighted above, Panacea increased its profitability in 3Q22 on a funded basis by 108% from second quarter levels and expects significant continued improvements in the fourth quarter and throughout 2023.  

The Company's strategy with Panacea centers heavily on making it a very effective deposit player with its target customers consisting of medical professionals.  In 2023, the Company will transition the medical fintech onto its digital platform and offer these professionals a digital deposit opportunity that should be more progressive and effective.

The Life Premium Finance ("LPF") division, launched in late 2021, ended the third quarter of 2022 with outstanding balances, net of deferred fees, of $129.0 million, compared to $99.7 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022.  The Life Premium Finance division is already showing a healthy level of profitability (including assumed cost of funds) with a loan portfolio that is predominantly variable rate based (one year renewals) and cash secured.

As previously discussed, the Company took advantage of market disruption to expand Primis Mortgage with high quality producers in order to build production capacity for 2023.  As a result, Primis Mortgage reduced return on assets by approximately 7 bps in the third quarter with expectations for meaningful contributions to profitability next year.

Book value per share as of September 30, 2022 was $15.89, a decrease of $0.28 since June 30, 2022.  Tangible book value per share⁽¹⁾ at the end of the third quarter of 2022 was $11.54, a decrease of $0.23 since June 30, 2022.  Shareholders' equity was $391.8 million, or 11.7% of total assets, at September 30, 2022.  Tangible common equity⁽¹⁾ at September 30, 2022 was $283.7 million, or 8.73% of tangible assets⁽¹⁾.  Equity balances decreased from June 30, 2022 to September 30, 2022 because of an additional $9.5 million of unrealized losses on the Company's available-for-sale securities portfolio due to continued increases in market interest rates during the quarter.  The Company has the wherewithal to hold these securities until maturity or recovery of the value and does not anticipate realizing any losses on the investments.

Additionally, the Board of Directors announced and declared a dividend of $0.10 per share payable on November 28, 2022 to shareholders of record on November 14, 2022.  This is Primis' forty-fourth consecutive quarterly dividend.  

On October 3, 2022, Infinex Financial Services was acquired by Advisor Group for a mix of cash and contingent consideration.  Primis was an investor in Infinex through an investment in a predecessor company.  As a result of the acquisition, Primis expects to record a pre-tax gain of $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

On October 27, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a stock repurchase program, under which the Company may repurchase up to 739,500 shares of its common stock, or approximately 3% of its outstanding shares, over a one year period. Repurchases under this program may be made from time to time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or such other manners as will comply with applicable laws and regulations. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities. The stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares and there is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased by the Company. The stock repurchase program may be suspended, modified or terminated by the Company at any time and for any reason, without prior notice.

As of September 30, 2022, Primis had $3.36 billion in total assets, $2.74 billion in total loans and $2.71 billion in total deposits. Primis Bank provides a range of financial services to individuals and small- and medium-sized businesses through thirty-two full-service branches in Virginia and Maryland and provides services to customers through certain online and mobile applications.

The Company's management will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter results on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (ET). A live Webcast of the conference call is available at the following website: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/554050747.  Participants may also call 1-888-330-3573 and ask for the Primis Financial Corp. call.  A replay of the teleconference will be available for 7 days by calling 1-800-770-2030 and providing Replay Access Code 4440924.

Statements included in this press release include non-GAAP financial measures and should be read along with the accompanying tables. Primis uses non-GAAP financial measures to analyze its performance. The measures entitled net income from continuing operations adjusted for nonrecurring income and expenses; pre-tax pre-provision operating earnings from continuing operations; operating return on average assets from continuing operations; pre-tax pre-provision operating return on average assets from continuing operations; operating return on average equity from continuing operations; operating return on average tangible equity from continuing operations; operating efficiency ratio from continuing operations; operating earnings per share from continuing operations – basic; operating earnings per share from continuing operations – diluted; tangible book value per share; tangible common equity; tangible common equity to tangible assets; and net interest margin excluding PPP loans are not measures recognized under GAAP and therefore are considered non-GAAP financial measures. We use the term "operating" to describe a financial measure that excludes income or expense considered to be non-recurring in nature.  Items identified as non-operating are those that, when excluded from a reported financial measure, provide management or the reader with a measure that may be more indicative of forward-looking trends in our business.  A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures is provided in the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP items table.

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional useful information about Primis that allows management and investors to evaluate the ongoing operating results, financial strength and performance of Primis and provide meaningful comparison to its peers. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider Primis' performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of Primis.  Non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized and, therefore, it may not be possible to compare these measures with other companies that present measures having the same or similar names.

Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

This press release and certain of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such statements can generally be identified by such words as "may," "plan," "contemplate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "continue," "expect," "project," "predict," "estimate," "could," "should," "would," "will," and other similar words or expressions of the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for the Company's future business and financial performance and/or the performance of the banking industry and economy in general. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our expectations regarding our future operating and financial performance, including our outlook and long-term goals for future growth and new offerings and services; our expectations regarding net interest margin; expectations on our growth strategy, expense management, capital management and future profitability; expectations on credit quality and performance; statements regarding the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related variants on our business and financial results and conditions; and the assumptions underlying our expectations.

Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the information known to, and current beliefs and expectations of, the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company's ability to implement its various strategic and growth initiatives, including its recently established Panacea Financial and Life Premium Finance Divisions, new digital bank and V1BE fulfillment service and recent acquisition of SeaTrust Mortgage Company; competitive pressures among financial institutions increasing significantly; changes in applicable laws, rules, or regulations, including changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies or practices; changes in management's plans for the future; credit risk associated with our lending activities; changes in interest rates, inflation, loan demand, real estate values, or competition, as well as labor shortages and supply chain disruptions; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; adverse results from current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions, including as a result of the Company's participation in and execution of government programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic; the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's assets, business, cash flows, financial condition, liquidity, prospects and results of operations; potential increases in the provision for credit losses; and other general competitive, economic, political, and market factors, including those affecting our business, operations, pricing, products, or services.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. These forward-looking statements are based upon information presently known to the Company's management and are inherently subjective, uncertain and subject to change due to any number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risks and other factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, under the captions "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors," and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.