FBK - FB Financial Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results

Reports Q2 Diluted EPS of $0.75, Adjusted Diluted EPS* of $0.77

FB Financial Corporation (the “Company”) (NYSE: FBK), parent company of FirstBank, reported net income of $35.3 million, or $0.75 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $0.78 in the previous quarter and $0.41 in the second quarter of last year. Adjusted net income* was $36.0 million, or $0.77 per diluted common share, compared to $0.76 in the previous quarter and $0.64 in the second quarter of last year.

The Company’s deposits were $10.87 billion at June 30, 2023 compared to $11.18 billion at March 31, 2023 and $10.54 billion at June 30, 2022. The quarter-over-quarter decrease related to a reduction in public funds of $462.6 million. Loans held for investment ("HFI") were $9.33 billion at the end of the quarter compared to $9.37 billion at the end of the previous quarter and $8.62 billion at the end of the same quarter last year. The decline relative to the previous quarter was primarily driven by construction and non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan balances declining by $118.1 million. The Company grew book value to $29.64 and grew adjusted tangible book value* to $27.72, or 9.84% annualized from the first quarter. Net interest margin ("NIM") was 3.40% for the second quarter of 2023 compared to 3.51% and 3.52% in the prior quarter and the second quarter of 2022, respectively.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher T. Holmes stated, "We boosted our balance sheet strength during the quarter so the Company is prepared regardless of whether the future brings challenges or opportunities. We continued reducing our exposure to public funds, enhancing our already diversified and granular deposit portfolio. We also reduced our exposure to commercial real estate, further strengthening our well-balanced loan portfolio. Additionally, our strong capital base and ample reserve for credit losses give us optionality in allocating capital and increasing returns as we move into the second half of 2023 and look forward to 2024."

Balance Sheet and Net Interest Margin

The Company reported loans HFI of $9.33 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of $40.0 million from the end of the prior quarter. The contraction was led by declines in construction and non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans of $118.1 million, or 13.0% annualized, which was partially offset by growth in commercial and multifamily loans. The contractual yield on loans increased to 6.16% for the second quarter of 2023 from 5.90% for the previous quarter.

Total deposits decreased by $310.7 million in the second quarter to $10.87 billion. The decrease in total deposits was due to a decrease in public funds of $462.6 million, much of which was seasonal. The Company's total cost of deposits increased to 2.38% during the quarter, and the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased to 3.06%. Noninterest-bearing deposits ("NIBs") decreased to $2.40 billion at the end of the quarter compared to $2.49 billion at the end of first quarter of 2023.

The Company’s net interest income on a tax equivalent basis decreased to $102.4 million in the second quarter of 2023 from $104.5 million in the prior quarter. The decrease was primarily related to higher cost of deposits which resulted in an increase in interest expense on deposits of $12.4 million over the prior quarter. Lower loan balances also impacted net interest income and ultimately the NIM, which decreased to 3.40% for the second quarter of 2023 from 3.51% from the previous quarter.

Holmes continued, "We continue to manage down credit exposure in our construction and commercial real estate portfolios while also continuing to meet the needs of our relationship customers in these segments. NIBs were flat in the second half of the quarter, as we saw less rebalancing of deposits seeking higher interest rates. As expected, we saw a decline in public funds of $462.6 million compared to the prior quarter-end, which was primarily seasonal. We also consciously reduced our public funds exposure during the quarter as we position the liability side of the balance sheet for future growth and optimal earnings."

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income was $23.8 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $23.3 million and $33.2 million for the first quarter of 2023 and second quarter of 2022, respectively.

Mortgage banking income remained relatively stable with the previous quarter, as the Company recognized income of $12.2 million in the second quarter and $12.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. Interest rate lock commitment volume during the second quarter of 2023 totaled $403.0 million compared to $375.0 million in the previous quarter.

Chief Financial Officer, Michael Mettee noted, “Noninterest income was flat during the quarter with higher interest rates continuing to suppress mortgage origination volume. The Mortgage division continues to adjust the business as necessary and recorded a small operational profit in the months of May and June of the second quarter."

Expense Management

Noninterest expense was $81.3 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $80.4 million for the prior quarter and $97.0 million for the second quarter of 2022. Core noninterest expense* was $79.9 million, which excludes $1.4 million of severance expense for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $80.4 million for the prior quarter and $84.5 million for the second quarter of 2022, which excludes $12.5 million of mortgage restructuring expense. Core banking segment noninterest expense* was $66.7 million for the quarter, compared to $68.4 million in the prior quarter, or a 2.48% decline. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company's core efficiency ratio* was 63.5%, compared to 63.3% in the previous quarter and 61.1% in the second quarter of 2022.

Mettee noted, “Expense management is a focus of the Company as we face continued revenue headwinds from the net interest margin and mortgage environments. Our core expense run rate was less in the second quarter than the first, and we anticipate additional reductions in the second half of 2023.”

Credit Quality

The Company had a provision expense of $2.6 million related to loans HFI; however, it also recorded a provision reversal of $3.7 million on unfunded loan commitments, resulting in a net provision release of $1.1 million for the quarter. Notably, the Company reduced unfunded loan commitments in the construction and land development category by $197.2 million from the previous quarter's unfunded commitments of $1.34 billion. At the end of the second quarter, the Company had an allowance for credit losses on loans HFI of $140.7 million, representing 1.51% of loans HFI compared to $138.8 million, or 1.48% as of March 31, 2023.

The Company experienced net charge-offs of $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2023, representing annualized net charge-offs of 0.03% of average loans HFI compared to 0.02% in the first quarter of 2023 and 0.09% in the second quarter of 2022.

The Company's nonperforming loans HFI as a percentage of total loans HFI improved to 0.47% as of the end of the second quarter of 2023 compared to 0.49% as of the previous quarter-end and 0.51% as of the end of the second quarter of 2022. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets improved to 0.59% as of the end of the second quarter of 2023 compared to 0.61% at the end of the prior quarter and 0.46% as of the end of the second quarter of 2022.

Holmes commented, “The credit metrics continue to be favorable, with our annualized net charge-offs remaining relatively flat quarter over quarter and down year over year. Despite the benign current credit environment, the economic outlook remains uncertain, which led to an increase in our allowance for credit losses to loans held for investment during the quarter. The release in provision related to unfunded commitments as a result of reducing our off-balance sheet construction exposure over the last year as we actively improve our credit risk profile."

Capital Strength

Holmes continued, “We continued to build our capital base with solid earnings and a lower balance sheet risk profile. The capital build came even with the headwind of an increase in the unrealized loss from our investment portfolio, which increased from the previous quarter due to the rising interest rate environment. Our ability to maintain a capital buffer and grow tangible common equity provides multiple deployment options in the future.”

Summary

Holmes finalized, "The second quarter showed the results of many of the liquidity, capital and credit actions the Company has focused on during the past year. We have been working to de-risk the balance sheet while building capital and increasing our optionality for improving returns to shareholders. Through these efforts the Company will be well positioned to take advantage of the inevitable future opportunities."

WEBCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

FB Financial Corporation will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial results on July 18, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. (Central Time). To listen to the call, participants should dial 1-877-883-0383 (confirmation code 4892051) approximately 10 minutes prior to the call. A telephonic replay will be available approximately two hours after the call through July 25, 2023, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 and entering confirmation code 8986628.

A live online broadcast of the Company’s quarterly conference call will be available online at https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=IrvtUpsN . 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.

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*Non-GAAP financial measure; See "Use of non-GAAP Financial Measures" and Non-GAAP reconciliations herein. ¹

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 $12.89 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 July 17, 2023.

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) any continuation of the recent turmoil in the banking industry, including the associated impact to the Company and other financial institutions of any regulatory changes or other mitigation efforts taken by government agencies in response, (4) increased competition for deposits, (5) the Company’s ability to effectively manage problem credits, (6) any deterioration in commercial real estate market fundamentals, (7) the Company’s ability to identify potential candidates for, consummate, and achieve synergies from, potential future acquisitions, (8) the Company’s ability to successfully execute its various business strategies, (9) changes in state and federal legislation, regulations or policies applicable to banks and other financial service providers, including legislative developments, (10) the potential impact of the phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or other changes involving LIBOR, (11) the effectiveness of the Company’s cybersecurity controls and procedures to prevent and mitigate attempted intrusions, (12) 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 (13) the impact of natural disasters, pandemics, and/or acts of war or terrorism, (14) 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 (15) 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, 2022, 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 return on average assets and equity, and adjusted pre-tax pre-provision return on average assets. 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, on-balance sheet liquidity to tangible assets, return on average tangible common equity, and adjusted 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.

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.