8-K

FIRST FINANCIAL CORP /IN/ (THFF)

8-K 2021-02-02 For: 2021-02-02
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Added on April 04, 2026

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 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) February 2, 2021

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number: 0-16759

Indiana 35-1546989
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
One First Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, IN 47807
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(812) 238-6000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

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

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

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

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.125 per share THFF The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

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. ☐

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 2, 2021, the Registrant issued a press release reporting its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020. A copy of the press release is being furnished as an exhibit to this report and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The foregoing information, including the information contained in the press release, is being furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In addition, this information shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of the Registrant’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

The exhibit to this report is as follows:

Exhibit Number
99.1 Press Release, February 2, 2021 issued by First Financial Corporation

SIGNATURES

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

First Financial Corporation
Dated  February 2, 2021
/s/Rodger A. McHargue
Rodger A. McHargue
Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Document

News Release

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION

One First Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, Indiana 47807 (812) 238-6000

First Financial Corporation Reports 2020 Results

Terre Haute, Indiana, February 2, 2021 – First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) today announced results for the three months ending December 31, 2020:

For the quarter:

•Net income was $15.7 million compared to $14.4 million for the same period of 2019;

•Diluted net income per common share of $1.15 compared to $1.05 for the same period of 2019; and

•Return on average assets was 1.39% compared to 1.42% for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

The Corporation further reported results for the twelve months ending December 31, 2020:

•Net income was $53.8 million compared to $48.9 million for the same period of 2019;

•Diluted net income per common share of $3.93 compared to $3.80 for the same period of 2019; and

•Return on average assets was 1.25% compared to 1.42% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

“Despite the headwinds of the global pandemic and the varied restrictions of the four states in which we do business, we were able to deliver our third consecutive year of record earnings” said Norman L. Lowery, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud that during the fourth quarter we were able to assist many of our clients who participated in the Paycheck Protection Program apply for and receive forgiveness of the loans which have enabled them to keep their employees working and doors open.”

Average Total Loans

Average total loans for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $2.68 billion versus $2.66 billion for the comparable period in 2019, an increase of $18.0 million or 0.68%.

Total Loans Outstanding

Total loans outstanding decreased $46.0 million, from $2.66 billion as of December 31, 2019 to $2.61 billion as of December 31, 2020.

"On December 27, 2020 a second stimulus bill was signed into law providing an additional $285 billion in the form of PPP loans. We look forward to continuing to assist our clients whose businesses have suffered the brunt of the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic to help them realize the benefits of this program.”

Average Total Deposits

Average total deposits for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, were $3.74 billion versus $3.28 billion as of December 31, 2019, an increase of $461 million or 14.06%.

Total Deposits

Total deposits were $3.76 billion as of December 31, 2020, compared to $3.28 billion as of December 31, 2019, an increase of $481 million or 14.67%. On a linked quarter basis, total deposits increased $151.6 million from $3.60 billion for the quarter ending September 30, 2020.

Book Value Per Share

Book Value per share was $44.03 at December 31, 2020, compared to $40.58 at December 31, 2019 a 9.28% increase.

Shareholder Equity

Shareholder equity at December 31, 2020, was $597.0 million compared to $557.6 million on December 31, 2019. During the quarter the Corporation repurchased 195,042 shares of its common stock.

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Asset Ratio

The Corporation’s tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio was 11.40% at December 31, 2020, compared to 11.91% at December 31, 2019.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $37.6 million, compared to $38.5 million reported for the same period of 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by the 150 basis point interest rate reduction by the Federal Reserve in response to the pandemic.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, was 4.11% compared to the 4.37% reported at December 31, 2019.

Nonperforming Loans

Nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2020, were $21.9 million versus $15.3 million as of December 31, 2019. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.84% as of December 31, 2020, versus 0.58% as of December 31, 2019.

Loan Loss Provision

In 2019 provision was calculated using the incurred loss basis. In the fourth quarter 2020, provision was calculated using the expected loss basis. The provision for loan losses for the three months ended December 31 2020, was $448 thousand compared to the $1.50 million provision for the fourth quarter of 2019.

Net Charge-Offs

Net charge-offs were $416 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $1.4 million in the same period of 2019.

Allowance for Credit Losses

In March 2020 due to the uncertainty surrounding the global pandemic and as provided by the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act the Corporation elected to delay the implementation of the Current Expected Credit Loss accounting standard. On December 31, 2020 the

Corporation adopted ASU 2016-13 (topic 326), “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” commonly referenced as the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model. CECL was retrospectively adopted on January 1, 2020. Upon adoption, the Corporation recognized a $20.0 million increase in its allowance for credit losses, which includes $6.1 million in the remaining loan fair value marks on prior acquisitions and $1.0 million in its reserve for unfunded commitments. These one-time increases, net of tax, were $10.4 million and recorded as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings.

The Corporation’s allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2020, was $47.1 million compared to $19.9 million as of December 31, 2019. The variance is directly related to the adoption of CECL. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.80% as of December 31, 2020, compared to 0.75% as of December 31, 2019. For the quarter ended December 31, 2019 and the first three quarters of 2020, provision for loan loss was calculated using the incurred loss model.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $12.9 and $11.3 million, respectively. During the quarter, the Corporation sold its merchant card processing portfolio and recorded a $1.0 million gain on the sale. The company has entered into an agent relationship to continue to provide these services to our customers.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2020, was $31.2 million compared to $29.8 million in 2019.

Efficiency Ratio

The Corporation’s efficiency ratio was 60.60% for the quarter ending December 31, 2020, versus 58.43% for the same period in 2019.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2020, was $3.1 million versus $4.2 million for the same period in 2019. The effective tax rate for 2020 was 17.84% compared to 19.95% for 2019.

“Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, First Financial has continued to meet the financial needs of our customers,” Lowery stated. “I am very proud of our associates' and of their unwavering commitment to serve our customers in these challenging times.”

About First Financial Corporation

First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) is the holding company for First Financial Bank N.A. and The Morris Plan Company of Terre Haute, Inc. First Financial Bank N.A. is the fifth oldest national bank in the United States, operating 81 banking centers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. The Morris Plan Company of Terre Haute, Inc. is a state industrial chartered financial institution operating one office in Terre Haute, Indiana. Additional information is available at www.first-online.bank.

Investor Contact:

Rodger A. McHargue

Chief Financial Officer

P: 812-238-6334

E: rmchargue@first-online.com

Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, September 30, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2020 2020 2019 2020 2019
END OF PERIOD BALANCES
Assets $ 4,557,544 $ 4,389,996 $ 4,023,250 $ 4,557,544 $ 4,023,250
Deposits $ 3,755,945 $ 3,604,353 $ 3,275,357 $ 3,755,945 $ 3,275,357
Loans, including net deferred loan costs $ 2,610,294 $ 2,753,493 $ 2,656,390 $ 2,610,294 $ 2,656,390
Allowance for Credit Losses $ 47,052 $ 26,960 $ 19,943 $ 47,052 $ 19,943
Total Equity $ 596,992 $ 607,095 $ 557,608 $ 596,992 $ 557,608
Tangible Common Equity (a) $ 509,428 $ 519,098 $ 468,373 $ 509,428 $ 468,373
AVERAGE BALANCES
Total Assets $ 4,532,078 $ 4,379,798 $ 4,041,287 $ 4,312,919 $ 3,439,793
Earning Assets $ 3,736,217 $ 3,776,803 $ 3,662,390 $ 3,714,794 $ 3,197,855
Investments $ 1,058,925 $ 1,008,303 $ 1,000,488 $ 1,011,324 $ 924,513
Loans $ 2,676,041 $ 2,768,003 $ 2,658,582 $ 2,702,225 $ 2,270,313
Total Deposits $ 3,741,155 $ 3,592,633 $ 3,279,859 $ 3,532,736 $ 2,797,330
Interest-Bearing Deposits $ 3,005,337 $ 2,887,575 $ 3,072,566 $ 2,872,725 $ 2,504,885
Interest-Bearing Liabilities $ 98,922 $ 108,236 $ 118,605 $ 108,948 $ 85,704
Total Equity $ 610,879 $ 603,067 $ 575,908 $ 593,791 $ 497,329
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Net Interest Income $ 37,570 $ 36,531 $ 38,475 $ 146,346 $ 131,652
Net Interest Income Fully Tax Equivalent (b) $ 38,606 $ 37,612 $ 39,594 $ 150,590 $ 135,770
Provision for Loan Losses $ 448 $ 4,425 $ 1,500 $ 10,528 $ 4,700
Non-interest Income $ 12,866 $ 11,739 $ 11,327 $ 42,476 $ 38,452
Non-interest Expense $ 31,191 $ 27,130 $ 29,754 $ 112,758 $ 104,348
Net Income $ 15,739 $ 14,000 $ 14,364 $ 53,844 $ 48,872
PER SHARE DATA
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share $ 1.15 $ 1.02 $ 1.05 $ 3.93 $ 3.80
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share $ 0.53 $ $ 0.52 $ 1.05 $ 1.04
Book Value Per Common Share $ 44.03 $ 44.27 $ 40.58 $ 44.03 $ 40.58
Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (c) $ 37.64 $ 37.56 $ 35.46 $ 37.57 $ 34.08
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding 13,695 13,715 13,726 13,716 12,865

(a) Tangible common equity is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate tangible common equity by excluding goodwill and other intangible assets from shareholder's equity.

(b) Net interest income fully tax equivalent is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate net interest income fully tax equivalent by adding back the tax equivalent factor of tax exempt income to net interest income. We calculate the tax equivalent factor of tax exempt income by dividing tax exempt income by the net of tax rate of 75%.

(c) Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate the factor by dividing average tangible common equity by average shares outstanding. We calculate average tangible common equity by excluding average intangible assets from average shareholder's equity.

Key Ratios Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, September 30, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2020 2020 2019 2020 2019
Return on average assets 1.39 % 1.28 % 1.42 % 1.25 % 1.42 %
Return on average common shareholder's equity 10.31 % 9.29 % 9.98 % 9.07 % 9.83 %
Efficiency ratio 60.60 % 54.97 % 58.43 % 58.40 % 59.89 %
Average equity to average assets 13.48 % 13.77 % 14.25 % 13.77 % 14.46 %
Net interest margin (a) 4.11 % 3.99 % 4.37 % 4.05 % 4.25 %
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases 0.05 % 0.11 % 0.20 % 0.13 % 0.23 %
Loan and lease loss reserve to loans and leases 1.80 % 0.98 % 0.75 % 1.80 % 0.75 %
Loan and lease loss reserve to nonperforming loans 214.88 % 113.89 % 130.01 % 214.88 % 130.01 %
Nonperforming loans to loans and leases 0.84 % 0.86 % 0.58 % 0.84 % 0.58 %
Tier 1 leverage 11.24 % 11.81 % 12.04 % 11.24 % 12.04 %
Risk-based capital - Tier 1 16.11 % 15.70 % 15.51 % 16.11 % 15.51 %

(a) Net interest margin is calculated on a tax equivalent basis.

Asset Quality Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, September 30, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2020 2020 2019 2020 2019
Accruing loans and leases past due 30-89 days $ 17,309 $ 13,490 $ 24,040 $ 17,309 $ 24,040
Accruing loans and leases past due 90 days or more $ 2,324 $ 2,948 $ 1,610 $ 2,324 $ 1,610
Nonaccrual loans and leases $ 15,367 $ 16,628 $ 9,535 $ 15,367 $ 9,535
Total troubled debt restructuring $ 4,206 $ 4,097 $ 4,194 $ 4,206 $ 4,194
Other real estate owned $ 1,012 $ 3,577 $ 3,625 $ 1,012 $ 3,625
Nonperforming loans and other real estate owned $ 22,909 $ 27,138 $ 18,964 $ 22,909 $ 18,964
Total nonperforming assets $ 26,045 $ 30,174 $ 22,583 $ 26,045 $ 22,583
Gross charge-offs $ 1,954 $ 1,998 $ 3,456 $ 8,396 $ 10,673
Recoveries $ 1,538 $ 1,248 $ 2,100 $ 4,917 $ 5,480
Net charge-offs/(recoveries) $ 416 $ 750 $ 1,356 $ 3,479 $ 5,193

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

December 31,<br>2019
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks 657,470 $ 127,426
Federal funds sold 7,500
Securities available-for-sale 926,717
Loans:
Commercial 1,584,447
Residential 682,077
Consumer 386,006
2,652,530
(Less) plus:
Net deferred loan costs 3,860
Allowance for credit losses (19,943)
2,636,447
Restricted stock 15,394
Accrued interest receivable 18,523
Premises and equipment, net 62,576
Bank-owned life insurance 94,251
Goodwill 78,592
Other intangible assets 10,643
Other real estate owned 3,625
Other assets 41,556
TOTAL ASSETS 4,557,544 $ 4,023,250
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing 732,694 $ 547,189
Interest-bearing:
Certificates of deposit exceeding the FDIC insurance limits 126,738
Other interest-bearing deposits 2,601,430
3,275,357
Short-term borrowings 80,119
Other liabilities 79,193
TOTAL LIABILITIES 3,465,642
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, .125 stated value per share;
Authorized shares-40,000,000
Issued shares-16,075,154 in 2020 and 16,055,466 in 2019
Outstanding shares-13,558,511 in 2020 and 13,741,825 in 2019 2,005
Additional paid-in capital 139,694
Retained earnings 492,055
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (7,501)
Less: Treasury shares at cost-2,516,643 in 2020 and 2,313,641 in 2019 (68,645)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 557,608
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 4,557,544 $ 4,023,250

All values are in US Dollars.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
(unaudited)
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans, including related fees $ 137,241 $ 124,788 $ 100,541
Securities:
Taxable 13,625 15,191 16,942
Tax-exempt 7,952 7,674 7,455
Other 1,667 1,468 1,286
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME 160,485 149,121 126,224
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits 12,801 15,711 9,032
Short-term borrowings 568 1,105 501
Other borrowings 770 653 112
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE 14,139 17,469 9,645
NET INTEREST INCOME 146,346 131,652 116,579
Provision for loan losses 10,528 4,700 5,768
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
FOR LOAN LOSSES 135,818 126,952 110,811
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Trust and financial services 5,423 5,036 5,286
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts 10,256 11,795 11,733
Other service charges and fees 15,644 14,012 13,012
Securities gains (losses), net 233 44 2
Gain on sales of mortgage loans 6,626 2,573 1,829
Other 4,294 4,992 6,344
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME 42,476 38,452 38,206
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits 61,931 54,827 50,658
Occupancy expense 8,202 7,600 7,030
Equipment expense 10,568 8,244 6,827
FDIC Expense 316 693 929
Other 31,741 32,984 25,845
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE 112,758 104,348 91,289
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 65,536 61,056 57,728
Provision for income taxes 11,692 12,184 11,145
NET INCOME 53,844 48,872 46,583
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of reclassifications and taxes 19,269 20,998 (8,363)
Change in funded status of post retirement benefits, net of taxes (2,004) (5,045) (387)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 71,109 $ 64,825 $ 37,833
PER SHARE DATA
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share $ 3.93 $ 3.80 $ 3.80
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) 13,716 12,865 12,256