Renasant Corporation Announces 2011 Third Quarter Earnings

TUPELO, Miss., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Renasant Corporation (NASDAQ: RNST) (the "Company") today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2011. Net income for the third quarter of 2011 was $6,532,000 as compared to $5,757,000 for the second quarter of 2011. Basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") were $0.26 during the third quarter of 2011 as compared to basic and diluted EPS of $0.23 for the second quarter of 2011.

"We're pleased to have experienced a successful 2011 third quarter and believe expansion activities completed during the quarter will further enhance our performance," commented Renasant Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, E. Robinson McGraw. "Highlights for the third quarter include loan growth, a linked quarter increase in net income, capital ratios, and net interest margin along with three de novo market entrances and the completion of our acquisition of RBC USA's Birmingham-based trust unit."

For the third quarter of 2010, the Company's net income was $19,551,000 and both its basic and diluted EPS were $0.81. The Company's third quarter 2010 net income and EPS included a bargain purchase gain of $42,211,000 from the Company's FDIC-assisted acquisition in 2010. This gain was partially offset by acquisition expenses of $1,955,000 and a prepayment penalty of $2,785,000 from the early extinguishment of debt.

Net interest income was $32,864,000 for the third quarter of 2011, which represents a slight increase from the second quarter of 2011 and a 21.19% increase from the third quarter of 2010. Net interest margin increased to 3.92% for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to 3.76% for the second quarter of 2011 and 3.12% for the third quarter of 2010.

"As planned, we have steadily improved net interest margin over the past 4 quarters. This improvement in net interest margin continues to be driven by our strategic efforts to restructure our funding mix and deploy cash into higher yielding alternatives," stated McGraw.

The Company's noninterest income continues to be derived primarily from multiple lines of recurring income which include but are not limited to wealth management, treasury management, insurance and mortgage lending along with income from deposit and loan products. Noninterest income was $19,613,000 for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to $13,334,000 for the second quarter of 2011 and $54,534,000 for the third quarter of 2010. Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2011 included a gain of $5,041,000 from the sale of securities, while noninterest income for the same period in 2010 included the aforementioned bargain purchase gain of $42,211,000 related to the Crescent Bank & Trust transaction.

Noninterest expense was $38,129,000 for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to $32,555,000 for the second quarter of 2011 and $39,571,000 for the third quarter of 2010. The increase in noninterest expense on a linked quarter basis was primarily due to costs associated with other real estate owned ("OREO"). The additional salary and employee benefits due to new hires in connection with our entrance into the markets of Starkville, Mississippi, and Montgomery and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and the costs associated with our acquisition of RBC USA's Birmingham-based trust unit also contributed to this increase.

At September 30, 2011, the Company's Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 9.48%, its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 13.63%, and its total risk-based capital ratio was 14.89%. The Company's tangible common equity ratio was 7.47%. During the third quarter of 2011, all of the Company's capital ratios increased from December 31, 2010 and, in all regulatory capital ratios, the Company continues to be in excess of regulatory minimums required to be classified as "well-capitalized."

Total assets at September 30, 2011 were approximately $4.136 billion, down 2.88% from June 30, 2011 and 3.74% from December 31, 2010. Total deposits were $3.342 billion at September 30, 2011 compared to $3.477 billion at June 30, 2011 and $3.468 billion at December 31, 2010. The Company continues to focus on changing its deposit mix as evidenced by noninterest-bearing deposits representing 14.75% of total deposits as compared to 10.63% at December 31, 2010. Resulting from this focus, the Company's cost of funds was 0.99% for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to 1.17% for the second quarter of 2011 and 1.75% for the third quarter of 2010.

Total loans were approximately $2.565 billion at September 30, 2011 as compared to $2.563 billion at June 30, 2011 and $2.525 billion at December 31, 2010. Loans not covered under FDIC loss-share agreements were $2.205 billion at September 30, 2011 as compared to $2.185 billion at June 30, 2011 and $2.191 billion at December 31, 2010.

"Our loan growth during the third quarter of 2011 is reflective of our continued focus on taking advantage of business opportunities. This loan growth was achieved primarily from our existing branch network prior to our third quarter expansions. Looking ahead, we anticipate additional loan growth from our de novo markets as well as continued loan growth from our existing branch network," said McGraw.

The loans and OREO acquired in the Company's FDIC-assisted transactions are recorded at fair value which includes an estimated impairment. Furthermore, the loss-share agreements with the FDIC, as well as adjustments to the balances of these acquired assets to record them at fair value, mitigate the impact of further losses on these assets. Nonperforming loans and OREO covered under loss-share agreements totaled $96,648,000 and $44,021,000, respectively, at September 30, 2011. The remaining information in this release on nonperforming loans, other real estate owned and the related asset quality ratios excludes the assets covered under loss-share agreements.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $5,500,000 for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to $5,350,000 for the second quarter of 2011 and $11,500,000 for the third quarter of 2010. Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.70% for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to 0.82% for the second quarter of 2011 and 1.18% for the third quarter of 2010. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans was 2.20% at September 30, 2011 as compared to 2.18% at June 30, 2011 and 2.07% at December 31, 2010.

The Company's nonperforming loans were $49,037,000 at September 30, 2011 as compared to $51,977,000 at June 30, 2011 and $53,858,000 at December 31, 2010. Loans 30 to 89 days past due as a percentage of total loans were 0.75% at September 30, 2011 as compared to 0.80% at June 30, 2011 and 0.98% at December 31, 2010.

OREO was $72,765,000 at September 30, 2011 as compared to $68,384,000 at June 30, 2011 and $71,833,000 at December 31, 2010. During the third quarter of 2011, the Company sold approximately $4,125,000 in OREO, and an additional $4,937,000 in OREO under contract is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2011.

"Our credit quality metrics continue to improve as we work problem assets through the resolution process. Our nonperforming loans and past due loans continued to decline during the third quarter of 2011. This decline, along with our efforts to build reserves, resulted in our highest coverage ratio since the second quarter of 2008," mentioned McGraw.

The Company announced three de novo banking expansions during the third quarter of 2011. On July 1, the Company announced its entrance into the Montgomery, Alabama banking market. On July 26, the Company announced its entrance into the Golden Triangle market of Starkville, which is home to Mississippi State University. Finally, on August 23, the Company announced its entrance into the Alabama market of Tuscaloosa, home of the University of Alabama. All of these new market entrances were built around the addition of experienced and successful bankers to the Company. In addition to these new markets, during the third quarter of 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of RBC Bank (USA)'s Birmingham-based $680 million asset trust division.

"During the third quarter we took advantage of several opportunities to expand our reach within our current footprint. We believe these new market entrances, coupled with the experienced banking talent that has joined Renasant, will enhance our already strong presence in Mississippi and Alabama," stated McGraw. "Moving into the fourth quarter, we believe our basic banking metrics are positive and we anticipate a strong finish for 2011."

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:

A live audio webcast of a conference call with analysts will be available beginning at 10:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.

The webcast can be accessed through Renasant's investor relations website at www.renasant.com or https://services.choruscall.com/links/rnst111019.html. To access the conference via telephone, dial 1-877-317-6789 in the United States and request the Renasant Corporation Third Quarter 2011 Earnings Webcast and Conference Call. International participants should dial 1-412-317-6789 to access the conference call.

The webcast will be archived on www.renasant.com beginning one hour after the call and will remain accessible for one year. Replays can also be accessed via telephone by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the United States and entering conference number 10005613 or by dialing 1-412-317-0088 internationally and entering the conference number. Telephone replay access is available until 9:00 AM EDT on October 19, 2012.

ABOUT RENASANT CORPORATION:

Renasant Corporation, a 107-year-old financial services institution, is the parent of Renasant Bank and Renasant Insurance. Renasant has assets of approximately $4.1 billion and operates over 75 banking, mortgage, financial services and insurance offices in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

NOTE TO INVESTORS:

This news release may contain, or incorporate by reference, statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward looking statements usually include words such as "expects," "projects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "strategy," "plan," "potential," "possible" and other similar expressions.

Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include significant fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, economic recession, significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment, significant underperformance in our portfolio of outstanding loans, and competition in our markets. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time.