FBK - FB Financial Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2022 and Annual Results

Reports Q4 Diluted EPS of $0.81, Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.85, Annualized Q4 Deposit Growth of 33.7%

FB Financial Corporation (the “Company”) (NYSE: FBK), parent company of FirstBank, reported net income of $38.1 million, or $0.81 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $0.68 in the previous quarter and $1.02 in the fourth quarter of last year. Adjusted net income was $40.0 million, or $0.85 per diluted common share, compared to $0.68 in the previous quarter and $0.89 in the fourth quarter of last year.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company reported net income of $124.6 million, or $2.64 per diluted common share, compared to $190.3 million, or $3.97 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2021. Adjusted diluted earnings per common share were $2.91 and $3.78 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company's book value per common share as of December 31, 2022, was $28.36 and the tangible book value ("TBV") per common share was $22.90.

The Company grew deposits to $10.9 billion (33.7% annualized), loans held for investment to $9.30 billion (8.42% annualized), total assets to $12.8 billion (19.1% annualized) and adjusted tangible book value per common share to $26.53 (10.6% annualized) during the fourth quarter of 2022 from the previous quarter. Net interest margin ("NIM") was 3.78% for the fourth quarter and Mortgage contributed a pre-tax loss of $4.2 million for the quarter compared to a pre-tax loss of $3.7 million in the previous quarter.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher T. Holmes stated, “The Company performed well in our priority areas of liquidity, credit and capital, with strong performance metrics in each of those areas. Beyond those priorities, we were able to grow the Company with robust increases in deposits, loans and total assets. Our deposit growth of 33.7% annualized was the highlight of the quarter. As we head into 2023, we have positioned the Company for a tightening money supply, slower economic growth and intensifying competition."

Balance Sheet and Net Interest Margin

The Company reported loan balances (HFI) of $9.30 billion at the end of the fourth quarter, an increase of $193.2 million, or 8.42% annualized, from the end of the previous quarter. This loan growth during the quarter of $193.2 million was after the Company sold $125.7 million in participations to other banks as part of its balance sheet management strategy. The contractual yield on loans increased to 5.45% in the fourth quarter of 2022 from 4.79% in the previous quarter.

Total deposits increased by $849.8 million in the fourth quarter to $10.9 billion. The increase in total deposits was driven by a focused initiative to increase deposits from new and existing customers. The Company's total cost of deposits increased during the quarter from the prior quarter by 68 basis points to 1.20%, and the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased to 1.67%. Noninterest-bearing deposits decreased to $2.68 billion during the quarter. The Company paid down higher cost Federal Home Loan Bank advances by $365.0 million at an average interest rate of 3.89% during the quarter.

The Company’s net interest income decreased on a tax equivalent basis to $111.3 million in the fourth quarter from $112.1 million in the prior quarter. The decrease was related to higher interest expense on deposits and a $2.42 million decrease in loan fees from the prior quarter. The Company's NIM was 3.78% for the fourth quarter, compared to 3.93% for the third quarter. The NIM decreased due to lower loan fees, higher cost of funds, and a lower ratio of loans to deposits as the Company shifted to an enhanced balance sheet liquidity profile.

Holmes continued, "Maintaining optionality in the Company's liquidity profile positions us well for additional balance sheet growth and maximizing profitability in future quarters."

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income was $17.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $22.6 million for the prior quarter and $53.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Banking noninterest income was $8.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $10.3 million for the prior quarter and $21.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Net changes in fair value in commercial loans held for sale during the fourth quarter of 2022 resulted in a loss, related to a single national syndicated credit, included in noninterest income of $2.6 million compared to a loss of $0.4 million in the prior quarter and a gain of $9.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Mortgage banking income decreased to $9.1 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $12.4 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $31.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The Mortgage segment had a pre-tax net loss of $4.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to a pre-tax net loss of $3.7 million during the previous quarter and a pre-tax contribution of $0.7 million for the fourth quarter of last year. Interest rate lock commitment volume totaled $281.7 million in the fourth quarter compared to $408.9 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $1.48 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Chief Financial Officer, Michael Mettee noted, “Mortgage originations were expected to slow during the quarter due to normal seasonality, and results continue to be negatively impacted by volatile interest rates and the challenging housing market. The Mortgage segment continues to make adjustments to achieve sustainable operational profitability."

Expense Management

Noninterest expenses were $80.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $81.8 million for the prior quarter and $90.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Banking segment noninterest expense was $66.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $65.9 million for the third quarter of 2022 and $60.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2021.

Mortgage segment noninterest expense was $13.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $16.0 million for the previous quarter and $30.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2021.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company's core efficiency ratio was 61.0%, compared to 60.7% in the previous quarter and 67.0% for the fourth quarter of the prior year. The Banking segment core efficiency ratio for the fourth quarter was 54.7% versus the previous quarter of 53.8% and 57.5% in the fourth quarter of the previous year.

Mettee noted, “The Company's overall efficiency ratio was relatively stable for the quarter and the Banking segment moved slightly higher due to a modestly higher expense load and lower loan fees impacting top line revenue.”

Credit Quality

The Company recorded a net reversal in provisions for credit losses of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The negative provision expense was the net of a provision expense of $0.2 million related to loans held for investment and a negative provision expense of $0.6 million related to unfunded loan commitments. Unfunded construction loan commitments reduced by $57.7 million during the fourth quarter leading to the smaller allowance for credit losses ("ACL") and negative provision expense related to these unfunded commitments. The Company maintains an ACL of $134.2 million as of December 31, 2022, representing 1.44% of loans HFI.

The Company experienced net charge offs of $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, or 0.02% of average loans HFI, compared to net charge-offs to average loans HFI of 0.00% in the prior quarter. For the year-ended December 31, 2022, the Company experienced net charge-offs of $1.8 million, or 0.02% of average loans HFI, compared to 0.08% for the year-ended December 31, 2021.

The Company's nonperforming loans as a percent of loans HFI were 0.49% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 0.47% at the end of the previous quarter and 0.62% at the end of the fourth quarter of the previous year. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets at the end of the fourth quarter were 0.68% compared to 0.62% as of the prior quarter-end. A single relationship from the commercial loans HFS portfolio from a previous acquisition contributed 7 bps of the increase in nonperforming assets in the fourth quarter.

Holmes commented, “Our loan portfolio continues to exhibit strong credit quality metrics. We had minimal charge-offs in the quarter, which is consistent with our results for the year, and our balance sheet is positioned for potential economic headwinds in 2023.”

Capital Strength

“We remain in a position of capital strength with a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 11.0% and tangible common equity to tangible assets of 8.50%. The Company is well positioned to deploy capital as opportunities arise,” commented Holmes.

Summary

Holmes summarized, "The fourth quarter results demonstrated our ability to raise customer deposits in a challenging environment. The growth resulted in net interest margin contraction, but positions the Company well as we move into 2023. We remain positioned for a range of economic outcomes by concentrating on liquidity, credit and capital in the near term. A focused discipline on these priorities will serve our customers, associates, communities, and shareholders well during the coming year."

WEBCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

FB Financial Corporation will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial results on January 17, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. (Central Time). To listen to the call, participants should dial 1-877-883-0383 (confirmation code 9684791) approximately 10 minutes prior to the call. A telephonic replay will be available approximately two hours after the call through January 24, 2023, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 and entering confirmation code 3581055.

A live online broadcast of the Company’s quarterly conference call will be available online at https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=hqRQfmWF . An online replay will be available on the Company’s website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for 12 months.

ABOUT FB FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FB Financial Corporation (NYSE: FBK) is a financial holding company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. FB Financial Corporation operates through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, FirstBank with 82 full-service bank branches across Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and North Georgia, and mortgage offices across the Southeast. FirstBank has approximately $12.8 billion in total assets.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EARNINGS PRESENTATION

Investors are encouraged to review this Earnings Release in conjunction with the Supplemental Financial Information and Earnings Presentation posted on the Company’s website, which can be found at https://investors.firstbankonline.com . This Earnings Release, the Supplemental Financial Information and the Earnings Presentation are also included with a Current Report on Form 8-K that the Company furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on January 17, 2023.

BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS

The Company has included its business segment financial tables as part of the Supplemental Financial Information, which is available in connection with this Earnings Release. A detailed discussion of historical business segment results is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2021.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Earnings Release that are not historical in nature may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future plans, results, strategies, and expectations, including expectations around changing economic markets. These statements can generally be identified by the use of the words and phrases “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “goal,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target,” “aim,” “predict,” “continue,” “seek,” “project,” and other variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon management's current expectations, estimates, and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond the Company’s control. The inclusion of these forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that such expectations, estimates, and projections will be achieved. Accordingly, the Company cautions shareholders and investors that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, (1) current and future economic conditions, including the effects of inflation, interest rate fluctuations, changes in the economy or global supply chain, supply-demand imbalances affecting local real estate prices, and high unemployment rates in the local or regional economies in which the Company operates and/or the US economy generally, (2) changes in government interest rate policies and its impact on the Company’s business, net interest margin, and mortgage operations, (3) the Company’s ability to effectively manage problem credits, (4) the Company’s ability to identify potential candidates for, consummate, and achieve synergies from, potential future acquisitions, (5) difficulties and delays in integrating acquired businesses or fully realizing costs savings, revenue synergies and other benefits from future and prior acquisitions, (6) the Company’s ability to successfully execute its various business strategies, (7) changes in state and federal legislation, regulations or policies applicable to banks and other financial service providers, including legislative developments, (8) the potential impact of the proposed phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or other changes involving LIBOR, (9) the effectiveness of the Company’s cybersecurity controls and procedures to prevent and mitigate attempted intrusions, (10) the Company's dependence on information technology systems of third party service providers and the risk of systems failures, interruptions, or breaches of security, and (11) the adverse effects of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, including the effect of actions taken to mitigate its impact on individuals or the economy broadly; (12) natural disasters or acts of war or terrorism, (13) international or political instability, including the impacts related to or resulting from Russia’s military action in Ukraine and additional sanctions and export controls, as well as the broader impacts to financial markets and the global macroeconomic and geopolitical environments, and (14) general competitive, economic, political, and market conditions. Further information regarding the Company and factors which could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and in any of the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, shareholders and investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this Earnings Release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict their occurrence or how they will affect the Company.

The Company qualifies all forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

GAAP RECONCILIATION AND USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This Earnings Release contains certain financial measures that are not measures recognized under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and therefore are considered non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures may include, without limitation, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per common share, adjusted and unadjusted pre-tax pre-provision earnings, core revenue, core noninterest expense and core noninterest income, core efficiency ratio (tax equivalent basis), adjusted Banking segment pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, Banking segment core noninterest income, Mortgage segment core noninterest income, Banking segment core noninterest expense, Mortgage segment core noninterest expense, Banking segment core revenue, Mortgage segment core revenue, Banking segment core efficiency ratio (tax equivalent basis), Mortgage segment core efficiency ratio (tax equivalent basis), adjusted return on average assets and equity, and adjusted pre-tax pre-provision return on average assets and equity. Each of these non-GAAP metrics excludes certain income and expense items that the Company’s management considers to be non-core/adjusted in nature. The Company refers to these non-GAAP measures as adjusted (or core) measures. Also, the Company presents tangible assets, tangible common equity, adjusted tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, adjusted tangible book value per common share, tangible common equity to tangible assets, return on average tangible common equity, adjusted return on average tangible common equity, and adjusted pre-tax pre-provision return on average tangible common equity. Each of these non-GAAP metrics excludes the impact of goodwill and other intangibles. Adjusted tangible common equity and adjusted tangible book value also exclude the impact of net accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.

The Company’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in their analysis of the Company’s performance, financial condition and the efficiency of its operations as management believes such measures facilitate period-to-period comparisons and provide meaningful indications of its operating performance as they eliminate both gains and charges that management views as non-recurring or not indicative of operating performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results with prior periods as well as demonstrate the effects of significant non-core gains and charges in the current and prior periods. The Company’s management also believes that investors find these non-GAAP financial measures useful as they assist investors in understanding the Company’s underlying operating performance and in the analysis of ongoing operating trends. In addition, because intangible assets such as goodwill and the other items excluded each vary extensively from company to company, the Company believes that the presentation of this information allows investors to more easily compare the Company’s results to the results of other companies. However, the non-GAAP financial measures discussed herein should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which the Company calculates the non-GAAP financial measures discussed herein may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names. Investors should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial measures with names similar to the non-GAAP financial measures the Company has discussed herein when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures. See the corresponding non-GAAP reconciliation tables below in this Earnings Release for additional discussion and reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.