8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 29, 2023

FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Check the appropriate box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registeredCommon Stock, $1 par valueFGBIThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLCDepositary Shares (each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 6.75% Series A Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative perpetual preferred stock)FGBIPThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Item 8.01 Other Events

On September 29, 2023, First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. released a letter to Shareholders.

The letter is enclosed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. The information in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 Letter to Shareholders dated September 29, 2023.

Forward Looking Statements

This letter contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact which represent our current judgement about possible future events. We believe these judgements are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors, many of which are described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Document

EXHIBIT 99.1

September 29, 2023

First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholders,

With this letter you are receiving your 121st consecutive quarterly cash dividend. That makes 30 years.

In the third quarter of 2023, First Guaranty has continued its growth. Assets grew to approximately $3,370,000,000 powered by continued growth of the loan portfolio. Deposits also continued to grow.

Earnings continued to be impacted by higher interest expense. That interest expense was higher in the third quarter of 2023 due to one time expenses and fees as we put into place borrowings made to ensure that we had the liquidity and capital needed to continue our growth.

On the plus side, we have been systematically increasing the yields on new loans that have been placed and yields on loans which have come up for renewal. We have reached the point where, going forward, loan income should be outpacing interest expense and net income should begin to rebound.

We look forward to the fourth quarter of 2023 and to the continued growth and profitability of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. Dear Shareholders,

Sincerely,

Alton B. Lewis

President/CEO

Forward Looking Statements

This letter contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact which represent our current judgement about possible future events. We believe these judgements are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors, many of which are described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements.