Simmons First National Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2022 Earnings of $80.6 million, Earnings Per Diluted Share of $0.63

Positive operating leverage driven by strong total revenue and adjusted pre-provision net revenue growth

PINE BLUFF, Ark., Oct. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

George A. Makris, Jr., Simmons' Chairman and CEO, commented on the third quarter

Our financial performance in the quarter demonstrates the diversity of our franchise and our ability to navigate the current economic environment. Total revenue growth was strong and well balanced, increasing 5 percent from the previous quarter. Noninterest expense was well contained, decreasing 11 percent on a reported basis and 1 percent on an adjusted basis. As a result of the positive operating leverage we generated in the quarter, pre-provision net revenue was the highest in our history and we delivered a return on equity of 10 percent and a ROTE of 18 percent.

As we enter the final quarter of the year with positive momentum, we also recognize the backdrop of economic uncertainty that persists. Inflation levels remain elevated and market expectations are that interest rates will continue to rise, which will most likely have an impact on future economic growth and activity. As such, we are intently focused on targeted balance sheet growth that optimizes capital, prudently managing spreads, and maintaining disciplined loan and deposit pricing strategies. We believe our conservative credit culture and emphasis on effective risk management has served, and will continue to serve, us well during periods of economic unrest.

Importantly, the unwavering commitment of our associates provides us with pride and confidence in the future. It is through their efforts that we will be well-positioned to continue our tradition of prospering in competitive markets and challenging times.

Comparisons reflect 3Q22 vs 2Q22

• Diluted EPS of $0.63 and adjusted diluted EPS (1) of $0.64
  
  
• Revenue increased 5%, fueled by a 5% increase in net interest income and a 7% increase in noninterest income
  
  
• Noninterest expense decreased 11%. Excluding merger related costs and certain other items, adjusted noninterest expense (1) decreased 1%
  
  
• Positive operating leverage drives 13% increase in adjusted pre-provision net revenue and 308 bp improvement in efficiency ratio
  
  
• Solid balance sheet growth led by a 3% increase in total loans while total deposits increased 1%
  
  
• Asset quality metrics remain at historically low-levels and reflect conservative credit culture and strategic decision in 2019 to de-risk certain elements of acquired loan portfolios
  
  
• $45 million of common stock repurchased during the 3Q22

Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) (Simmons or Company) today reported net income of $80.6 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $27.5 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $80.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. Diluted earnings per share were $0.63 for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $0.21 in the second quarter of 2022 and $0.74 in the third quarter of 2021. As shown in the table below, certain items, consisting primarily of merger-related expenses and branch right sizing costs, totaled $1.7 million (after-tax) in the third quarter of 2022. In the second quarter of 2022, certain items as shown in the table below totaled $39.4 million (after-tax) and included Day 2 accounting provision required for loans and unfunded commitments acquired in connection with an acquisition. Certain items for the third quarter of 2021 as shown in the table below totaled $(1.2) million (after-tax). Excluding these items, adjusted diluted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ were $0.64 for the third quarter of 2022, $0.52 for the second quarter of 2022 and $0.73 for the third quarter of 2021.   

Total revenue for the third quarter of 2022 was $236.6 million, up 5 percent compared to the second quarter of 2022, and up 22 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021. Pre-provision net revenue⁽¹⁾ totaled $97.7 million during the third quarter of 2022, compared to $68.6 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $74.2 million in the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue⁽¹⁾ totaled $100.0 million in the third quarter of 2022, up 13 percent from second quarter 2022 levels and 38 percent from third quarter 2021 levels. As a result of the positive operating leverage delivered in the quarter, the efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾ for the third quarter of 2022 was 54.41 percent, an improvement of 308 basis points from second quarter 2022 levels and 369 basis points from third quarter 2021 levels.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2022 totaled $193.6 million, up 5 percent compared to the second quarter of 2022, and up 33 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021. Included in net interest income is accretion recognized on assets acquired, which totaled $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2022, $9.9 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $4.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. Also included in net interest income is income from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2022, $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $9.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. The increase in net interest income on a linked quarter basis was driven by a $25.8 million increase in interest income, reflecting higher average loan balances (up $843 million), increased interest income from the securities portfolio and the benefit of higher interest rates. These items more than offset the $17.3 million increase in interest expense that also reflects higher interest rates, as well as a shift in consumer sentiment given the attractiveness of higher yielding time deposits in the current interest rate environment.

The yield on loans for the third quarter of 2022 was 4.86 percent, compared to 4.54 percent in the second quarter of 2022 and 4.76 percent in the third quarter of 2021. The yield on investment securities for the third quarter of 2022 was 2.29 percent, compared to 2.08 percent in the second quarter of 2022 and 1.77 percent in the third quarter of 2021. Cost of deposits for the third quarter of 2022 were 47 basis points, compared to 18 basis points in the second quarter of 2022 and 20 basis points in the third quarter of 2021.  Net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the third quarter of 2022 was 3.34 percent, compared to 3.24 percent in the second quarter of 2022 and 2.85 percent in the third quarter of 2021. While PPP loan interest income had no impact on the net interest margin in the third quarter of 2022, it positively impacted the net interest margin by 3 basis points in the second quarter of 2022 and 14 basis points in the third quarter of 2021.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2022 was $43.0 million, compared to $40.2 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $48.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. Gains (losses) on the sales of investment securities totaled $(22) thousand in the third quarter of 2022, $(150) thousand in the second quarter of 2022 and $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2021. The $2.8 million increase in noninterest income on a linked quarter basis was primarily attributable to an increase in wealth management fees (up $1.3 million) and service charges on deposit accounts (up $1.2 million), offset in part by a decline in debit and credit card interchange fees (down $0.5 million).

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2022 was $138.9 million, compared to $156.8 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $114.3 million in the third quarter of 2021. Included in noninterest expense are certain items, primarily comprised of merger related and branch right sizing costs, totaling $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2022, $19.4 million in the second quarter of 2022 and a $1.9 million credit in the third quarter of 2021. Excluding these certain items (which are described in the "Reconciliation of non-GAAP Financial Measures" table below), adjusted noninterest expense⁽¹⁾ was $136.4 million for the third quarter of 2022, $137.4 million in the second quarter of 2022 and $116.2 million in the third quarter of 2021. The decrease in adjusted noninterest expense on a linked quarter basis was primarily due to a decline in salaries and employee benefits (down $2.2 million) and a $1.6 million contribution to the Simmons First Foundation recorded in the second quarter of 2022 that was not repeated in the third quarter, reflecting a portion of paper statement fees collected as part of an effort to encourage customers to enroll in eStatements. These decreases were offset in part by increases in occupancy expense (up $0.8 million) and deposit insurance (up $0.5 million). The decrease in noninterest expense, coupled with the growth in revenue, resulted in an efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾ of 54.41 percent during the third quarter of 2022, down 308 basis points from second quarter 2022 levels.

Total loans at the end of the third quarter of 2022 were $15.6 billion, up $497 million, or 3 percent, compared to $15.1 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022. Loan growth was widespread throughout our geographic markets, and each of our core banking units posted positive loan growth on a linked quarter basis, including Metro Banking (+2 percent), Community Banking (+3 percent) and Corporate Banking (+9 percent). At the same time, growth was generally broad-based by loan type and more than offset continued market-driven weakness in mortgage warehouse lending. Commercial loan line utilization rates have remained relatively stable and below pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, loan growth was weighted toward the latter half of the quarter as period-end loans exceeded average total loans of $15.3 billion for the third quarter of 2022.

Unfunded commitments increased for the sixth consecutive quarter to $5.1 billion, up $665 million or 15 percent on a linked quarter basis. At the same time, activity within our commercial loan pipeline slowed, as expected, given the impact of the rapidly rising interest rates, and our emphasis on maintaining prudent underwriting standards and pricing discipline. Commercial loans approved and ready to close at the end of the third quarter of 2022 totaled $552 million and the rate on ready to close commercial loans was 5.84 percent, up 139 basis points from the rate on ready to close commercial loans at the end of the second quarter of 2022.

Total deposits at the end of the third quarter of 2022 were $22.1 billion, compared to $22.0 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and $18.1 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Noninterest bearing deposits totaled $6.2 billion, up 3 percent from second quarter 2022, and represent 28.1 percent of total deposits, compared to 27.5 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022. Interest bearing deposits (checking, savings and money market accounts) totaled $12.1 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to $12.8 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022. The decline in interest bearing deposits was offset by an increase in time deposits, which totaled $3.8 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to $3.2 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022. The change in mix of deposits on a linked quarter basis was primarily attributable to the attractiveness of higher rate deposits, principally certificates of deposits, given the rapid increase in interest rates that has occurred during 2022. The loan to deposit ratio ended the third quarter of 2022 at 70 percent, compared to 69 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and 60 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2021.  

While the quality of our loan portfolio remains strong, and credit quality metrics remain at historical lows, we continue to carefully monitor our various geographies and segments for signs of stress or weakness. Total nonperforming loans at the end of the third quarter of 2022 were $57.8 million, down $5.8 million compared to $63.6 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and down $1.6 million compared to $59.4 million at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.23 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to 0.26 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and 0.31 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Loan charge-offs were offset by recoveries in the quarter, resulting in a net charge-off ratio of less than 1 basis point, compared to 2 basis points in the second quarter of 2022 and 17 basis points in the third quarter of 2021.

During the third quarter of 2022, provision for credit losses was $0.1 million, compared to $33.9 million in the second quarter of 2022 and provision recapture of $19.9 million in the third quarter of 2021. The allowance for credit losses on loans at the end of the third quarter of 2022 was $197.6 million, compared to $212.6 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and $202.5 million at the end of the third quarter of 2021. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans ended the quarter at 1.27 percent, compared to 1.41 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and 1.87 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2021. The nonperforming loan coverage ratio ended the quarter at 342 percent, compared to 334 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and 341 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2021. The reserve for unfunded commitments totaled $41.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to $25.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2021 and $22.4 million at the end of the third quarter of 2021.

Total common stockholders' equity at the end of the third quarter of 2022 was $3.2 billion, compared to $3.3 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and $3.0 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2021. The decrease in common stockholders' equity on a linked quarter basis reflected an increase in retained earnings, offset by the return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases and the payment of a cash dividend, and an increase in unrealized losses associated with investment securities classified as available-for-sale. Book value per share at the end of the third quarter of 2022 was $24.87, compared to $25.31 at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and $28.42 at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Tangible book value per share⁽¹⁾ was $13.51 at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to $14.07 at the end of the second quarter of 2022 and $17.39 at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Stockholders' equity to total assets at September 30, 2022, was 11.7 percent, and tangible common equity to tangible assets⁽¹⁾ was 6.7 percent. All of Simmons' regulatory capital ratios continue to significantly exceed "well-capitalized" guidelines.

Simmons has a strong record of returning excess capital to shareholders through a strategic combination of cash dividends and share repurchases. As announced on October 20, 2022, as a result of Simmons' strong capital position and ability to organically generate capital, the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on Simmons' Class A common stock of $0.19 per share, which is payable on January 3, 2023, to shareholders of record as of December 15, 2022. The cash dividend represents an increase of $0.01 per share, or 6 percent, from the dividend paid for the same time period last year. The annual cash dividend rate of $0.76 for 2022 represents a ten-year compound annual growth rate of 7 percent, and 2022 represents the 113th consecutive year that Simmons has paid cash dividends. According to research performed by Dividend Power, Simmons is one of only 23 U.S. publicly traded companies that have paid dividends for 100+ uninterrupted years.

During the third quarter of 2022, Simmons repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares of its Class A common stock at an average price of $23.91 under its 2022 stock repurchase program that was announced in January 2022 (2022 Program). Under the 2022 Program, Simmons is authorized to repurchase up to $175,000,000 of its issued and outstanding Class A common stock. Market conditions and our capital needs will drive the decisions 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.

Management will conduct a live conference call to review this information beginning at 9:00 a.m. Central Time today, Tuesday, October 25, 2022. Interested persons can listen to this call by dialing toll-free 1-877-270-2148 (North America only) and asking for the Simmons First National Corporation conference call, conference ID 10171429. In addition, the call will be available live or in recorded version on the Simmons' website at simmonsbank.com for at least 60 days following the date of the call.

Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) is a Mid-South based financial holding company that has paid cash dividends to its shareholders for 113 consecutive years. Its principal subsidiary, Simmons Bank, operates 230 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 2022, Simmons Bank was named to Forbes list of "America's Best Banks" for the second consecutive year and was named to Forbes list of "World's Best Banks" for the third 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.

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  merger activity (primarily including merger-related expenses), 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 the Spirit acquisition, 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.

Certain statements in this news 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. Makris's quotes, 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 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, credit quality, interest rates and related governmental policies, loan demand, deposit flows, real estate values, the assumptions used in making the forward-looking statements, the securities markets generally or the price of Simmons' common stock specifically, and information technology affecting the financial industry; the effect of steps the Company takes and has taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the heightened impact it has on many of the risks described herein; 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; 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, 2021, 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.