Simmons First National Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results

PINE BLUFF, Ark., July 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Bob Fehlman, Simmons' Chief Executive Officer, commented on second quarter 2023 results:

Simmons posted net income of $58.3 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.46 for the quarter. Adjusted earnings¹ were $61.1 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share¹ were $0.48. Balance sheet growth was steady, with total loans ending the quarter at $16.8 billion, up 2 percent, and total deposits at $22.5 billion, up slightly, both on a linked quarter basis. 

Our Better Bank Initiative, which is focused on programs designed to optimize operational processes and increase capacity to capitalize on organic growth opportunities, achieved continued success across multiple fronts. During the quarter, we substantially completed our early retirement program, which is expected to result in approximately $5.1 million in annual cost savings. Extensive progress was also completed on other identified opportunities related to process improvements and streamlining or upgrading systems; and, as a result, we are on track to meet or exceed the estimated $15 million in annual cost savings we have identified to date by the end of 2023.

While we continue to navigate the challenging economic environment, like many in our industry we have experienced an increase in funding costs given the rapid rise in interest rates and resulting steps taken to defend our core customer deposit base. Given our strong liquidity and capital positions, our focus on maintaining prudent underwriting standards and our 120-year history, we believe we are in a position to continue to serve our customers and expand market share across our attractive footprint.

Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) (Simmons or Company) today reported net income of $58.3 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $45.6 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $27.5 million in the second quarter of 2022. Diluted earnings per share were $0.46 for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $0.36 in the first quarter of 2023 and $0.21 in the second quarter of 2022. Adjusted earnings¹ for the second quarter of 2023 were $61.1 million, compared to $47.3 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $68.1 million in the second quarter of 2022. A summary of certain items, consisting primarily of merger related costs, branch right-sizing costs and early retirement program costs are described in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" tables below.

Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the second quarter of 2023 totaled $163.2 million, compared to $177.8 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $185.1 million for the second quarter of 2022. Included in net interest income is accretion recognized on assets acquired, which totaled $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2023, $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $9.9 million in the second quarter of 2022. On a linked quarter basis, interest income increased $18.1 million, while interest expense increased $32.7 million reflecting the competitive interest rate environment and resulting pricing measures to defend the core deposit base, continued customer migration to higher rate deposit products and a strategic decision to utilize short-term borrowings to elevate our liquidity position given the macroeconomic environment and the debt ceiling debate. On April 1, 2023, approximately $330.0 million of the Company's outstanding subordinated debt converted from fixed rate to floating rate, resulting in a $2.1 million increase in interest expense during the quarter.

The yield on loans for the second quarter of 2023 was 5.89 percent, compared to 5.67 percent in the first quarter of 2023 and 4.54 percent in the second quarter of 2022. The yield on investment securities for the second quarter of 2023 was 2.91 percent, compared to 2.92 percent in the first quarter of 2023 and 2.08 percent in the second quarter of 2022. Cost of deposits for the second quarter of 2023 was 1.96 percent, compared to 1.58 percent in the first quarter of 2023 and 0.18 percent in the second quarter of 2022. The increase in the cost of deposits reflected the dramatic increase in interest rates, customer migration to higher rate deposit products and increased competition for deposits. The net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the second quarter of 2023 was 2.76 percent, compared to 3.09 percent in the first quarter of 2023 and 3.24 percent in the second quarter of 2022.

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2023 was $45.0 million, compared to $45.8 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $40.2 million in the second quarter of 2022. Included in first quarter 2023 results is a $4.0 million legal reserve recapture associated with previously disclosed legal matters. On a linked quarter and year-over-year basis, most fee-based businesses posted positive gains, led by service charges on deposits accounts, wealth management fees and mortgage lending income, offset in part by a decline in bank owned life insurance. Other noninterest income increased on a year-over year basis, primarily as a result of fair value adjustments associated with certain equity investments and death benefits from bank owned life insurance.

Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2023 was $139.7 million, compared to $143.2 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $156.8 million in the second quarter of 2022. Included in noninterest expense are certain items consisting primarily of merger related costs, branch right sizing costs and early retirement program costs, totaling $3.7 million in the second quarter of 2023, $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $21.2 million in the second quarter of 2022. Excluding these items (which are described in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" tables below), adjusted noninterest expense¹ was $136.0 million in the second quarter of 2023, $140.9 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $135.7 million in the second quarter of 2022. The decrease in adjusted noninterest expense on a linked quarter basis was primarily attributable to successful execution of our Better Bank Initiative as well as a $3.0 million incentive accrual adjustment recorded in the second quarter of 2023.

Loans and Unfunded Loan Commitments
Total loans at the end of the second quarter of 2023 were $16.8 billion, an increase of $279 million, or 2 percent, compared to $16.6 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2023. On a year-over year basis, total loans were up $1.7 billion, or 11 percent. While loan growth has moderated as expected, the increase in total loans on a linked quarter basis was broad-based, both in terms of industry type and geographic market. Unfunded commitments at the end of the second quarter of 2023 were $4.4 million, compared to $4.7 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $4.5 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022. While unfunded commitments are considered a key indicator of future loan growth, the rapid increase in interest rates, coupled with softer economic conditions, have resulted in lower activity in our commercial loan pipeline. Commercial loans approved and ready to close at the end of the second quarter of 2023 totaled $274 million, and the rate on ready to close commercial loans was 7.94 percent, up 62 basis points on a linked quarter basis.

Deposits
Total deposits at the end of the second quarter of 2023 were $22.5 billion, up slightly from the end of the first quarter of 2023, and up $453 million compared to the second quarter of 2022. Noninterest bearing deposits totaled $5.3 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023, compared to $5.5 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $6.1 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022. Interest bearing transaction accounts totaled $10.9 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023, compared to $11.3 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $12.8 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022. Time deposits totaled $6.4 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023, compared to $5.7 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $3.2 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022. The change in mix of deposits, both on a linked quarter and year-over-year basis, reflects continued customer migration into higher rate deposits, principally certificates of deposits, given the rapid rise in interest rates, as well as increased market competition. The loan to deposit ratio ended the second quarter of 2023 at 75 percent, compared to 74 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and 69 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022.

Asset Quality
Total nonperforming loans at the end of the second quarter of 2023 were $72.0 million, compared to $63.7 million at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $63.6 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022. Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.28 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2023, compared to 0.26 percent at the end of both the first quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2022. The increase in nonperforming assets on a linked quarter basis was primarily due to a single, commercial relationship totaling $9.6 million, offset, in part, by a $2.8 million decrease in other nonperforming assets. Shortly after the end of the quarter, an initial payment of $2.9 million was received on the commercial relationship previously noted. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans for the second quarter of 2023 were 4 basis points, compared to 3 basis points in the first quarter of 2023 and 2 basis points in the second quarter of 2022. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans, excluding credit cards, were 1 basis point for the second quarter of 2023.

Provision for credit losses totaled $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared to $33.9 million in the second quarter of 2022. Included in the year ago period was $30.3 million of Day 2 CECL provision recorded in connection with the Company's acquisition of Spirt of Texas Bancshares, Inc. The allowance for credit losses on loans at the end of the second quarter of 2023 was $210.0 million compared to $206.6 million at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $212.6 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans at the end of the second quarter of 2023 was 1.25 percent, unchanged on a linked quarter basis. The nonperforming loan coverage ratio ended the quarter at 292 percent, compared to 324 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and 334 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022. The reserve for unfunded commitments totaled $36.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2023, compared to $41.9 million at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $25.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022. The decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments on a linked quarter basis was primarily due to a decline in unfunded commitments resulting from customers utilizing lines of credit. 

Capital
Total common stockholders' equity at the end of the second quarter of 2023 was $3.4 billion, compared to $3.3 billion at the end of both the first quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2022. Book value per share at the end of the second quarter of 2023 was $26.59, compared to $26.24 at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $25.31 at the end of the second quarter of 2022. Tangible book value per share¹ was $15.17 at the end of the second quarter of 2023, compared to $14.88 per share at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and $14.07 at the end of the second quarter of 2022. Stockholders' equity to total assets at June 30, 2023, was 12.0 percent, compared to 12.1 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and unchanged from the levels reported at the end of the second quarter of 2022. Tangible common equity to tangible assets¹ was 7.2 percent at June 30, 2023, compared to 7.3 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2023 and 7.0 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022. All of Simmons' regulatory capital ratios continue to significantly exceed "well capitalized" guidelines.

Share Repurchase Program
During the second quarter of 2023, Simmons repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of its Class A common stock at an average price of $17.75 under its 2022 stock repurchase program (2022 Program). Remaining authorization under the 2022 Program as of June 30, 2023, was approximately $60 million. Market conditions and our capital needs will drive the decision regarding future stock repurchases; the timing, pricing and amount of any repurchases under the 2022 Program will be determined by Simmons' management at its discretion; and the 2022 Program does not obligate Simmons to repurchase any common stock and may be modified, discontinued or suspended at any time without prior notice.

Conference Call
Management will conduct a live conference call to review this information beginning at 9:00 a.m. Central Time today, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Interested persons can listen to this call by dialing toll-free 1-844-481-2779 (North America only) and asking for the Simmons First National Corporation conference call, conference ID 10180510. In addition, the call will be available live or in recorded version on Simmons' website at simmonsbank.com for at least 60 days following the date of the call.

Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) is a Mid-South based financial holding company that has paid cash dividends to its shareholders for 114 consecutive years. Its principal subsidiary, Simmons Bank, operates 231 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Founded in 1903, Simmons Bank offers comprehensive financial solutions delivered with a client-centric approach. In 2023, Simmons Bank was recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Midsize Employers and among the World's Best Banks for the fourth consecutive year. In 2022, Simmons Bank was named to Forbes' list of "America's Best Banks" for the second consecutive year. Additional information about Simmons Bank can be found on our website at simmonsbank.com, by following @Simmons_Bank on Twitter or by visiting our newsroom.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in their analysis of the Company's performance. These measures adjust GAAP performance measures to, among other things, include the tax benefit associated with revenue items that are tax-exempt, as well as exclude from net income (including on a per share diluted basis), pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, net charge-offs, income available to common shareholders, non-interest income, and non-interest expense certain income and expense items attributable to, for example, merger activity (primarily including merger-related expenses and Day 2 CECL provisions), gains and/or losses on sale of branches, net branch right-sizing initiatives, loss on redemption of trust preferred securities and gain on sale of intellectual property. In addition, the Company also presents certain figures based on tangible common stockholders' equity, tangible assets and tangible book value, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company further presents certain figures that are exclusive of the impact of PPP loans, deposits and/or loans acquired through acquisitions, mortgage warehouse loans, and/or energy loans, or gains and/or losses on the sale of securities. The Company's management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they, among other things, present the results of the Company's ongoing operations without the effect of mergers or other items not central to the Company's ongoing business, as well as normalize for tax effects, the effects of the PPP, and certain other effects. Management, therefore, believes presentations of these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company's ongoing businesses, and management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to assess the performance of the Company's ongoing businesses as related to prior financial periods. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the tables of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may not be based on historical facts and should be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements made in Mr. Fehlman's quote, may be identified by reference to future periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "believe," "budget," "expect," "foresee," "anticipate," "intend," "indicate," "target," "estimate," "plan," "project," "continue," "contemplate," "positions," "prospects," "predict," or "potential," by future conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "might" or "may," or by variations of such words or by similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to Simmons' future growth, business strategies, lending capacity and lending activity, loan demand, revenue, assets, asset quality, profitability, dividends, net interest margin, non-interest revenue, share repurchase program, acquisition strategy, digital banking initiatives, the Company's ability to recruit and retain key employees, the estimated cost savings associated with the Company's Better Bank Initiative, the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, and future economic conditions and interest rates. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release, and Simmons undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this news release. By nature, forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and involve inherent risk and uncertainties. Various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions, changes in credit quality, changes in interest rates and related governmental policies, changes in loan demand, changes in deposit flows, changes in real estate values, changes in the assumptions used in making the forward-looking statements, changes in the securities markets generally or the price of Simmons' common stock specifically, and changes in information technology affecting the financial industry; changes in customer behaviors, including consumer spending, borrowing, and saving habits; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on, among other things, the Company's operations, liquidity, and credit quality; general economic and market conditions; market disruptions including pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises, war and other military conflicts (including the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine) or other major events, or the prospect of these events; the soundness of other financial institutions and indirect exposure related to the closings of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank and their impact on the broader market through other customers, suppliers and partners (or that the conditions which resulted in the liquidity concerns with SVB, Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank may also adversely impact, directly or indirectly, other financial institutions and market participants with which the Company has commercial or deposit relationships);  increased inflation; the loss of key employees; increased competition in the markets in which the Company operates; increased unemployment; labor shortages; claims, damages, and fines related to litigation or government actions; changes in accounting principles relating to loan loss recognition (current expected credit losses); the Company's ability to manage and successfully integrate its mergers and acquisitions and to fully realize cost savings and other benefits associated with those transactions; cyber threats, attacks or events; reliance on third parties for key services; government legislation; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Additional information on factors that might affect the Company's financial results is included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023, and other reports that the Company has filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), all of which are available from the SEC on its website, www.sec.gov. In addition, there can be no guarantee that the board of directors (Board) of Simmons will approve a quarterly dividend in future quarters, and the timing, payment, and amount of future dividends (if any) is subject to, among other things, the discretion of the Board and may differ significantly from past dividends.