First Bank Announces Third Quarter of 2023 Net Loss of $1.3 Million driven by one-time costs associated with Malvern Bancorp acquisition

First Bank Announces Third Quarter of 2023 Net Loss of $1.3 Million driven by one-time costs associated with Malvern Bancorp acquisition

GlobeNewswire

Published

Quarterly results reflect the successful completion of Malvern Bancorp merger, total assets exceed $3.5 billion, improved geographic diversification and projected earnings profile

HAMILTON, N.J., Oct. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Bank (Nasdaq Global Market: FRBA) (the Bank) today announced its third quarter 2023 financial results with a net loss of $1.3 million, or a loss of $0.05 per diluted share, and losses on average assets, equity, and tangible equity^i of 0.14%, 1.43%, and 1.66%, respectively. Excluding merger-related expenses and other one-time expenses, First Bank’s third quarter 2023 adjusted diluted earnings per share^ii were $0.42, adjusted return on average assets^ii was 1.13% and adjusted return on average tangible equity^ii was 13.23%.Compared to the same period of last year, the Bank's adjusted net income and adjusted returns on assets, equity, and tangible equity were lower, reflecting broader industry headwinds, primarily due to increased funding costs. However, the Malvern Bank acquisition will provide opportunities for stronger earnings and profitability metrics going forward.

*Third Quarter 2023 Performance Highlights:*

· Completion of the Malvern Bancorp (Malvern) acquisition on July 17, 2023. At the acquisition date, Malvern contributed approximately $953.8 million in total assets, $727.7 million in loans and $671.9 million in deposits, after acquisition accounting adjustments.
· Total loans were $3.02 billion at September 30, 2023, marking a 24.0% increase from the end of the linked quarter at June 30, 2023.
· Total deposits ended the quarter at $2.97 billion at September 30, 2023, a 23.6% increase from the end of the linked quarter at June 30, 2023.
· Improvement in net interest margin and adjusted profitability metrics, primarily due to the benefits of the Malvern acquisition.
· Sales of certain loans and investments acquired from Malvern during the current quarter with net proceeds of approximately $165.5 million allowed for the reduction of $130.0 million in higher cost FHLB advances.Patrick L. Ryan, President and CEO of First Bank, reflected on the quarterly results, stating, “We are excited about the successful closing of the Malvern acquisition. The transaction has expanded our presence in Southeastern Pennsylvania, creating critical mass in one of the most attractive markets in the Northeast. The acquisition also provided an opportunity to reshape the combined balance sheet and should drive significant earnings growth heading into 2024. We continue to operate in a difficult rate environment which continues to impact our margin. The combination of the rate environment, merger-related costs and the continued ramp up of new business units and information technology investments led to a net loss during the third quarter. Those strategic investments, combined with the Malvern acquisition, position us for strong financial results despite this difficult operating environment. During the third quarter our adjusted return on average assets improved 14 basis points from the second quarter to 1.13% and we believe our earnings performance can continue to improve as we realize the full impact of cost savings from the acquisition.”

Mr. Ryan added that, “I am pleased that we were able to reshape our balance sheet by executing some strategic asset sales during the third quarter that allowed us to reduce our reliance on higher cost deposits and borrowings which should positively impact our margin, efficiency ratio, and return on capital in the fourth quarter and beyond.”

Mr. Ryan concluded that, “I continue to be excited about the opportunities that lie ahead of us. The completion of the Malvern acquisition and the reshaping of our balance sheet during the quarter has allowed us to optimize our liquidity and interest rate risk positions while also enhancing future earnings potential. The current rate environment will continue to be a challenge but the Malvern acquisition, coupled with our strong team of bankers, should lead to a leaner and highly efficient company.”

*Malvern Acquisition*

First Bank acquired Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Malvern Bank, National Association on July 17, 2023. The combined stock and cash transaction was valued at approximately $129.7 million and expanded First Bank’s footprint in the highly affluent and desirable Mainline Philadelphia market. After acquisition accounting adjustments, at the time of the acquisition, First Bank added $953.8 million in assets, $92.0 million in investments, $727.7 million in loans, $671.9 million in deposits, $130.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances, and $25.5 million in subordinated debt, and the acquisition resulted in $26.3 million in goodwill. The Malvern acquisition led to a 15% dilution in our tangible book value per share^iii from June 30, 2023 to September 30, 2023, however, the primary cause of the dilution was interest rate-related fair value adjustments. These fair value adjustments will accrete back through income and should lead to earnings per share accretion moving forward. Because the dilution was driven by interest rate adjustments, First Bank anticipates that the dilution will be earned back as loans and securities come to maturity.

*Income Statement*

In the third quarter of 2023, the Bank’s net interest income increased to $28.6 million, representing an increase of $4.0 million, or 16.4%, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $19.4 million in interest income on loans which outpaced the $15.7 million increase in interest expense on deposits in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022.

The Bank’s tax equivalent net interest margin in the third quarter of 2023 decreased by 61 basis points to 3.36% compared to the prior year quarter but increased by 8 basis points from the second quarter of 2023. The decrease from the prior year quarter was primarily driven by the increase in deposit costs, which was partially offset by an increase in average loan yields. The increase in the margin from the second quarter of 2023 was primarily due to the impact of the Malvern acquisition. The repositioning of the balance sheet, primarily through the aforementioned asset sales, coupled with a full quarter of accretion income from the Malvern fair value adjustments will have a positive impact on the margin moving forward, however, the inverted yield curve and deposit pricing pressures may negate some of the positive impact.

The Bank's provision for credit losses was $6.7 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $216,000 in the same period of the previous year and $496,000 in the preceding quarter of 2023. The increase in provision for credit losses during the current quarter was primarily due to a $5.5 million credit loss recorded to establish the allowance for credit losses on the acquired Malvern loan portfolio.

In the third quarter of 2023, non-interest income was $193,000, compared to $944,000 during the same period in 2022 and $1.1 million during the second quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to losses on the sale of investments and loans of $527,000 and $704,000, respectively, which are net against non-interest income on the income statement. The losses were primarily related to the aforementioned sale of Malvern investments and residential loans.

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2023 was $23.5 million, an increase of $11.7 million, or 100.1%, compared to $11.7 million for the prior year quarter. The higher non-interest expense was largely due to the $7.0 million in merger-related expenses recorded during the third quarter of 2023. Merger-related expenses primarily included severance costs, data processing system termination and conversion costs, investment banker fees and legal and other professional fees. The increase was also due to salaries and employee benefits increasing $2.4 million, or 35.6%, and to a lesser extent, a $438,000 increase in occupancy and equipment expense, a $343,000 increase in regulatory fees, a $233,000 increase in data processing costs, and an increase of $997,000 in other expense. The increases were primarily due to the new employees and locations from the Malvern acquisition.

On a linked quarter basis, third quarter 2023 non-interest expense of $23.5 million increased $9.7 million, or 70.5%, compared to $13.8 million for the second quarter of 2023. The increase was also primarily attributable to an increase in merger-related expenses and, to a lesser extent, increased salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, data processing and other expense. These increases were also primarily due to the Malvern acquisition.

The Bank recorded an income tax benefit of $78,000 for the third quarter of 2023 compared to a $2.2 million tax expense for the second quarter of 2023. The year to date effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 25.50% compared to 24.21% for the first nine months of 2022. Income tax expense in 2023 was impacted by a $506,000 tax expense recorded due to the revaluation of the Bank’s deferred tax assets, primarily due to the impact on state taxes from the Malvern acquisition. Excluding this expense, the effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2023 would have been 22.49%. The lower adjusted effective tax rate is primarily due to the impact of the Malvern acquisition on state income tax expense.

*Balance Sheet*

The Bank reported total assets of $3.56 billion as of September 30, 2023, an increase of $684.0 million, or 23.8%, from $2.87 billion at June 30, 2023. The Bank’s assets grew $825.5 million, or 30.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The Bank's increase in loans during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 were $584.1 million and $683.0 million, respectively. Excluding the $626.3 million in loans acquired from Malvern at September 30, 2023, which is net of loan sales and pay-downs since the acquisition, net loan growth was $56.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to a decline of $42.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decline during the current quarter was primarily due to the Bank being more selective as it relates to new relationships, as well as more active loan repayments on the part of a few existing customers due to increasing interest rates.

As of September 30, 2023, the Bank's total deposits were $2.97 billion, an increase of $673.5 million, or 29.4%, from $2.29 billion at December 31, 2022. Excluding the $671.9 million in deposits acquired from Malvern, deposit balances increased $1.6 million for the first nine months of 2023 but declined by $104.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decline during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to the Bank allowing some higher cost brokered and non-core funding to leave the Bank, but the overall industry wide deposit declines and competitive pricing pressures are also impacting our total deposit levels.

As of September 30, 2023, the Bank's stockholders' equity totaled $361.0 million, an increase of $71.5 million, or 24.7%, compared to $289.6 million at December 31, 2022 and an increase of $66.9 million compared to June 30, 2023 primarily due to the equity issued in the Malvern acquisition.

As of September 30, 2023, the Bank continued to exceed all regulatory capital requirements to be considered well-capitalized with a Tier 1 Leverage ratio of 8.92%, a Tier 1 Risk-Based capital ratio of 9.00%, a Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio of 9.00%, and a Total Risk-Based capital ratio of 11.54%. The tangible stockholders' equity to tangible assets ratio^iv was 8.72% as of September 30, 2023. All of the Bank’s capital ratios declined during the quarter due to the Malvern acquisition, however, all capital ratios remain above well-capitalized minimums. In addition, the Bank anticipates that the earnings accretion from the Malvern acquisition will contribute to enhanced capital ratios in future periods.

*Asset Quality*

First Bank's asset quality metrics for the third quarter of 2023 remained favorable with nonperforming loans, excluding $17.2 million of purchase credit deteriorated (PCD) loans, decreasing slightly from $8.0 million at June 30, 2023, to $7.0 million at September 30, 2023. Nonperforming loans, excluding PCD loans, as a percentage of total loans were 0.23% at September 30, 2023, compared to 0.33% at June 30, 2023. The Bank recorded net charge-offs of $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2023 compared to net recoveries of $109,000 in the second quarter of 2023 and net charge-offs of $705,000 in the in the third quarter of 2022. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of total loans increased to 1.42% at September 30, 2023 compared to 1.25% at June 30, 2023, primarily due to the impact of the allowance for credit losses on the acquired Malvern loan portfolio. The allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2023 included $6.0 million in reserves on the Bank’s PCD loans.

*Liquidity and Borrowings *

The Bank maintained a strong liquidity position in the third quarter of 2023. Total cash and cash equivalents declined slightly by $2.1 million during the third quarter to $180.2 million at September 30, 2023. The Bank utilized asset sales to allow some higher cost deposits to run-off and paid off a significant amount of borrowings during the third quarter of 2023. The reduction in outstanding borrowings has also increased the Bank’s available borrowing capacity. The Bank’s current liquidity position coupled with the balance sheet flexibility gained after the Malvern Bancorp acquisition provides the Bank with a strong liquidity base and a diverse source of funding options.

Overall, the Bank has a capital, liquidity, and asset quality position, which provides a solid foundation to navigate future challenges that may arise. The Bank is committed to managing risk prudently while pursuing growth opportunities and delivering value to its shareholders.

*Cash Dividend Declared*

On October 17, 2023, the Bank’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share to common stockholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2023, payable on November 24, 2023.

*Conference Call and Earnings Release Supplement *

Additional details on the quarterly results and the Bank are included in the attached earnings release supplement: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/3e846bda-0f73-493b-bc6c-c5c63f65f218 

First Bank will host its earnings call on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. The direct dial toll free number for the live call is 1-888-330-3273 and the access code is 7660423. For those unable to participate in the call, a replay will be available by dialing 1-800-770-2030 (access code 7660423) from one hour after the end of the conference call until January 25, 2024. Replay information will also be available on First Bank’s website at www.firstbanknj.com under the “About Us” tab. Click on “Investor Relations” to access the replay of the conference call.

*About First Bank*

First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 26 full-service branches in Cinnaminson, Delanco, Denville, Ewing, Fairfield, Flemington (2), Hamilton, Lawrence, Monroe, Morristown, Pennington, Randolph, Somerset and Williamstown, New Jersey; and Coventry, Devon, Doylestown, Glenn Mills, Lionville, Malvern, Paoli, Trevose, Warminster and West Chester, Pennsylvania; and Palm Beach, Florida. With $3.56 billion in assets as of September 30, 2023, First Bank offers a full range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses throughout the New York City to Philadelphia corridor. First Bank's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FRBA.”

*Forward-Looking Statements *

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, either express or implied, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information regarding First Bank’s future financial performance, business and growth strategy, projected plans and objectives, and related transactions, integration of acquired businesses, ability to recognize anticipated operational efficiencies, and other projections based on macroeconomic and industry trends, which are inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact economic trends, and any such variations may be material. Such forward-looking statements are based on various facts and derived utilizing important assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about First Bank, any of which may change over time and some of which may be beyond First Bank’s control. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. Further, certain factors that could affect our future results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: whether First Bank can: successfully implement its growth strategy, including identifying acquisition targets and consummating suitable acquisitions, integrate acquired entities and realize anticipated efficiencies, sustain its internal growth rate, and provide competitive products and services that appeal to its customers and target markets; difficult market conditions and unfavorable economic trends in the United States generally, and particularly in the market areas in which First Bank operates and in which its loans are concentrated, including the effects of declines in housing market values; the effects of the recent turmoil in the banking industry (including the failures of two financial institutions in early 2023); the impact of disease pandemics, including COVID-19, on First Bank, its operations and its customers and employees; an increase in unemployment levels and slowdowns in economic growth; First Bank's level of nonperforming assets and the costs associated with resolving any problem loans including litigation and other costs; changes in market interest rates may increase funding costs and reduce earning asset yields thus reducing margin; the impact of changes in interest rates and the credit quality and strength of underlying collateral and the effect of such changes on the market value of First Bank's investment securities portfolio; the extensive federal and state regulation, supervision and examination governing almost every aspect of First Bank's operations, including changes in regulations affecting financial institutions and expenses associated with complying with such regulations; uncertainties in tax estimates and valuations, including due to changes in state and federal tax law; First Bank's ability to comply with applicable capital and liquidity requirements, including First Bank’s ability to generate liquidity internally or raise capital on favorable terms, including continued access to the debt and equity capital markets; and possible changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations and other activities of governments, agencies, and similar organizations. For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in First Bank’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and any updates to those risk factors set forth in First Bank’s proxy statement, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if First Bank’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what First Bank anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and First Bank does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this communication are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that First Bank or persons acting on First Bank’s behalf may issue.

________________________________

^i Return on average tangible equity is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing net income by average tangible equity (average equity minus average goodwill and other intangible assets). For a reconciliation of this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, along with the other non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in this press release, to their comparable U.S. GAAP measures, see the financial reconciliations at the end of this press release.

^ii Adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted return on average assets and adjusted return on average tangible equity are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures and are calculated by dividing net income adjusted for certain merger-related expenses and other one-time gains or expenses by diluted weighted average shares, average assets and average tangible equity, respectively. For a reconciliation of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, along with the other non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in this press release, to their comparable U.S. GAAP measures, see the financial reconciliations at the end of this press release.

^iii Tangible book value per share is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing tangible equity (equity minus goodwill and other intangible assets) by common shares outstanding. For a reconciliation of this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, along with the other non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in this press release, to their comparable U.S. GAAP measures, see the financial reconciliations at the end of this press release.

^iv Tangible stockholders' equity to tangible assets ratio is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing tangible equity (equity minus goodwill and other intangible assets) by tangible assets (total assets minus goodwill and other intangible assets). For a reconciliation of this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, along with the other non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in this press release, to their comparable U.S. GAAP measures, see the financial reconciliations at the end of this press release.

*CONTACT: *Andrew Hibshman, Chief Financial Officer
(609) 643-0058, andrew.hibshman@firstbanknj.com 
*FIRST BANK*
*CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION*
*(in thousands, except for share data, unaudited)*   *September 30, 2023*   *December 31, 2022*
*Assets*        
Cash and due from banks   $ 23,440     $ 17,577  
Restricted cash     20,460       13,580  
Interest bearing deposits with banks     136,310       94,759  
Cash and cash equivalents     180,210       125,916  
Interest bearing time deposits with banks     498       1,293  
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value     87,728       98,956  
Investment securities held to maturity, net of allowance for        
credit losses of $227 at September 30, 2023 (fair value of $38,548 at        
September 30, 2023 and $42,465 at December 31, 2022)     45,198       47,193  
Restricted investment in bank stocks     8,106       6,214  
Other investments     10,346       8,372  
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs     3,020,778       2,337,814  
Less: Allowance for credit losses     42,880       25,474  
Net loans     2,977,898       2,312,340  
Premises and equipment, net     21,414       10,550  
Other real estate owned, net     -       -  
Accrued interest receivable     14,778       8,164  
Bank-owned life insurance     85,845       58,107  
Goodwill     44,166       17,826  
Other intangible assets, net     11,388       1,579  
Deferred income taxes, net     23,861       13,155  
Other assets     46,990       23,275  
Total assets   $ 3,558,426     $ 2,732,940          
*Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity*        
Liabilities:        
Non-interest bearing deposits   $ 493,703     $ 503,856  
Interest bearing deposits     2,473,752       1,790,096  
Total deposits     2,967,455       2,293,952  
Borrowings     133,142       90,932  
Subordinated debentures     55,263       29,731  
Accrued interest payable     3,223       1,218  
Other liabilities     38,306       27,545  
Total liabilities     3,197,389       2,443,378  
Stockholders' Equity:        
Preferred stock, par value $2 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized;        
no shares issued and outstanding     -       -  
Common stock, par value $5 per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 27,107,983        
shares issued and 24,926,919 shares outstanding at September 30, 2023 and        
21,082,819 shares issued and 19,451,755 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022     134,362       104,512  
Additional paid-in capital     122,416       80,695  
Retained earnings     133,680       127,532  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (8,043 )     (7,334 )
Treasury stock, 2,181,064 shares at September 30, 2023 and 1,631,064 shares at        
December 31, 2022     (21,378 )     (15,843 )
Total stockholders' equity     361,037       289,562  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 3,558,426     $ 2,732,940  

*FIRST BANK*
*CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME*
*(in thousands, except for share data, unaudited)*                   *Three Months Ended*   *Nine Months Ended*   *September 30,*   *September 30,*     *2023*       *2022*       *2023*       *2022*  
*Interest and Dividend Income*                
Investment securities—taxable   $ 1,151     $ 788     $ 3,128     $ 2,053  
Investment securities—tax-exempt     86       39       158       109  
Interest bearing deposits with banks,                
Federal funds sold and other     2,593       498       6,029       888  
Loans, including fees     46,088       26,673       111,536       72,697  
Total interest and dividend income     49,918       27,998       120,851       75,747                  
*Interest Expense*                
Deposits     18,470       2,737       40,574       5,008  
Borrowings     1,914       258       4,939       796  
Subordinated debentures     940       440       1,821       1,321  
Total interest expense     21,324       3,435       47,334       7,125  
Net interest income     28,594       24,563       73,517       68,622  
Credit loss expense     6,650       216       8,237       2,156  
Net interest income after credit loss expense     21,944       24,347       65,280       66,466                  
*Non-Interest Income*                
Service fees on deposit accounts     280       236       741       731  
Loan fees     152       (33 )     259       314  
Income from bank-owned life insurance     544       369       1,291       1,112  
Losses on sale of investment securities, net     (527 )     -       (734 )     -  
Losses on sale of loans, net     (704 )     2       (393 )     292  
Gains on recovery of acquired loans     24       122       95       456  
Other non-interest income     424       248       1,026       769  
Total non-interest income     193       944       2,285       3,674                  
*Non-Interest Expense*                
Salaries and employee benefits     9,326       6,880       25,320       20,122  
Occupancy and equipment     1,915       1,477       5,107       4,282  
Legal fees     270       188       671       502  
Other professional fees     631       619       1,880       1,998  
Regulatory fees     595       252       1,345       678  
Directors' fees     224       172       631       570  
Data processing     907       674       2,206       1,859  
Marketing and advertising     220       164       693       505  
Travel and entertainment     140       91       519       290  
Insurance     272       187       624       538  
Other real estate owned expense, net     -       72       38       269  
Merger-related expenses     7,028       -       7,710       -  
Other expense     1,958       961       4,020       2,655  
Total non-interest expense     23,486       11,737       50,764       34,268  
*Income Before Income Taxes*     (1,349 )     13,554       16,801       35,872  
Income tax expense     (78 )     3,348       4,284       8,685  
*Net Income*   $ (1,271 )   $ 10,206     $ 12,517     $ 27,187                  
Basic earnings per common share   $ (0.05 )   $ 0.52     $ 0.60     $ 1.39  
Diluted earnings per common share   $ (0.05 )   $ 0.52     $ 0.59     $ 1.38  
Cash dividends per common share   $ 0.06     $ 0.06     $ 0.18     $ 0.18                  
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding     23,902,478       19,451,189       20,928,847       19,523,069  
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding     23,902,478       19,668,133       21,057,655       19,742,399  

*FIRST BANK*
*AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS WITH INTEREST AND AVERAGE RATES*
*(dollars in thousands, unaudited)*                           *Three Months Ended Sepember 30,*     *2023*       *2022*     *Average*       *Average**
*   *Average*       *Average*   *Balance*   *Interest*   *Rate *(5)   *Balance*   *Interest*   *Rate *(5)
*Interest earning assets*                        
Investment securities (1) (2)   $ 169,244     $ 1,255     2.94 %   $ 145,783     $ 835     2.27 %
Loans (3)     3,003,703       46,088     6.09 %     2,224,829       26,673     4.76 %
Interest bearing deposits with banks,                        
Federal funds sold and other     182,128       2,395     5.22 %     74,493       406     2.16 %
Restricted investment in bank stocks     10,284       196     7.56 %     5,248       72     5.44 %
Other investments     9,162       2     0.09 %     8,223       20     0.96 %
*Total interest earning assets *(2)     3,374,521       49,936     5.87 %     2,458,576       28,006     4.52 %
Allowance for loan losses     (41,216 )             (25,283 )        
Non-interest earning assets     232,045               142,449          
*Total assets*   $ 3,565,350             $ 2,575,742                                  
*Interest bearing liabilities*                        
Interest bearing demand deposits   $ 674,417     $ 4,038     2.38 %   $ 338,639     $ 397     0.47 %
Money market deposits     952,042       8,386     3.49 %     713,594       1,458     0.81 %
Savings deposits     174,412       490     1.11 %     182,771       228     0.49 %
Time deposits     655,288       5,556     3.36 %     350,859       654     0.74 %
Total interest bearing deposits     2,456,159       18,470     2.98 %     1,585,863       2,737     0.68 %
Borrowings     163,746       1,914     4.64 %     64,330       258     1.59 %
Subordinated debentures     51,101       940     7.36 %     29,685       440     5.93 %
*Total interest bearing liabilities*     2,671,006       21,324     3.17 %     1,679,878       3,435     0.81 %
Non-interest bearing deposits     507,866               590,421          
Other liabilities     33,106               25,350          
Stockholders' equity     353,372               280,093          
*Total liabilities and stockholders' equity*   $ 3,565,350             $ 2,575,742          
Net interest income/interest rate spread (2)         28,612     2.70 %         24,571     3.71 %
Net interest margin (2) (4)           3.36 %           3.97 %
Tax equivalent adjustment (2)         (18 )             (8 )    
Net interest income       $ 28,594             $ 24,563                              
(1) Average balance of investment securities available for sale is based on amortized cost.
(2) Interest and average rates are presented on a tax equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%.
(3) Average balances of loans include loans on nonaccrual status.
(4) Net interest income divided by average total interest earning assets.
(5) Annualized.

*FIRST BANK AND SUBSIDIARIES*
*AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS WITH INTEREST AND AVERAGE RATES*
*(dollars in thousands, unaudited)*                           *Nine Months Ended September 30,*     *2023*       *2022*     *Average*       *Average**
*   *Average*       *Average*   *Balance*   *Interest*   *Rate *(5)   *Balance*   *Interest*   *Rate *(5)
*Interest earning assets*                        
Investment securities (1) (2)   $ 155,128     $ 3,319     2.86 %   $ 140,452     $ 2,185     2.08 %
Loans (3)     2,590,409       111,536     5.76 %     2,179,357       72,697     4.46 %
Interest bearing deposits with banks,                        
Federal funds sold and other     143,922       5,403     5.02 %     101,101       627     0.83 %
Restricted investment in bank stocks     9,327       454     6.51 %     5,428       200     4.93 %
Other investments     8,902       172     2.58 %     8,129       61     1.00 %
*Total interest earning assets *(2)     2,907,688       120,884     5.56 %     2,434,467       75,770     4.16 %
Allowance for loan losses     (33,664 )             (24,608 )        
Non-interest earning assets     174,246               145,989          
*Total assets*   $ 3,048,270             $ 2,555,848                                  
*Interest bearing liabilities*                        
Interest bearing demand deposits   $ 445,318     $ 6,492     1.95 %   $ 322,353     $ 595     0.25 %
Money market deposits     840,688       20,177     3.21 %     719,028       2,548     0.47 %
Savings deposits     155,370       1,202     1.03 %     184,767       572     0.41 %
Time deposits     586,827       12,703     2.89 %     340,822       1,293     0.51 %
Total interest bearing deposits     2,028,203       40,574     0.21 %     1,566,970       5,008     0.43 %
Borrowings     149,042       4,939     4.43 %     69,571       796     1.53 %
Subordinated debentures     36,949       1,821     6.57 %     29,659       1,321     5.94 %
*Total interest bearing liabilities*     2,214,194       47,334     2.86 %     1,666,200       7,125     0.57 %
Non-interest bearing deposits     490,211               593,638          
Other liabilities     29,939               21,284          
Stockholders' equity     313,926               274,726          
*Total liabilities and stockholders' equity*   $ 3,048,270             $ 2,555,848          
Net interest income/interest rate spread (2)         73,550     2.70 %         68,645     3.59 %
Net interest margin (2) (4)           3.38 %           3.77 %
Tax equivalent adjustment (2)         (33 )             (23 )    
Net interest income       $ 73,517             $ 68,622                              
(1) Average balance of investment securities available for sale is based on amortized cost.
(2) Interest and average rates are presented on a tax equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%.
(3) Average balances of loans include loans on nonaccrual status.
(4) Net interest income divided by average total interest earning assets.
(5) Annualized.

*FIRST BANK*
*QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS*
*(in thousands, except for share and employee data, unaudited)*                           *As of or For the Quarter Ended*     *9/30/2023*   *6/30/2023*   *3/31/2023*   *12/31/2022*   *9/30/2022*
*EARNINGS*                     Net interest income   $ 28,594     $ 22,128     $ 22,795     $ 23,751     $ 24,563   Credit loss expense / Provision for loan losses     6,650       496       1,091       716       216   Non-interest income     193       1,128       964       1,446       944   Non-interest expense     23,486       13,775       13,503       12,465       11,737   Income tax expense     (78 )     2,186       2,176       2,916       3,348   Net income     (1,271 )     6,799       6,989       9,100       10,206                        
*PERFORMANCE RATIOS*                     Return on average assets (1)     (0.14 %)     0.97 %     1.03 %     1.35 %     1.57 % Adjusted return on average assets (1) (2)     1.13 %     0.99 %     1.11 %     1.40 %     1.57 % Return on average equity (1)     (1.43 %)     9.23 %     9.70 %     12.61 %     14.46 % Adjusted return on average equity (1) (2)     11.38 %     9.46 %     10.43 %     13.11 %     14.46 % Return on average tangible equity (1) (2)     (1.66 %)     9.87 %     10.39 %     13.53 %     15.55 % Adjusted return on average tangible equity (1) (2)     13.23 %     10.13 %     11.17 %     14.07 %     15.55 % Net interest margin (1) (3)     3.36 %     3.28 %     3.52 %     3.69 %     3.97 % Total cost of deposits (1)     2.47 %     2.19 %     1.69 %     1.21 %     0.50 % Efficiency ratio (2)     54.71 %     58.28 %     54.42 %     47.68 %     46.01 %                      
*SHARE DATA*                     Common shares outstanding     24,926,919       19,041,343       19,569,334       19,451,755       19,447,206   Basic earnings per share   $ (0.05 )   $ 0.35     $ 0.36     $ 0.47     $ 0.52   Diluted earnings per share     (0.05 )     0.35       0.36       0.46       0.52   Adjusted diluted earnings per share (2)     0.42       0.36       0.38       0.48       0.52   Book value per share     14.48       15.45       15.03       14.89       14.44   Tangible book value per share (2)     12.26       14.44       14.05       13.89       13.43                        
*MARKET DATA*                     Market value per share   $ 10.78     $ 10.38     $ 10.10     $ 13.76     $ 13.67   Market value / Tangible book value     87.96 %     71.91 %     71.90 %     99.07 %     101.80 % Market capitalization   $ 268,712     $ 197,649     $ 197,650     $ 267,656     $ 265,843                        
*CAPITAL & LIQUIDITY*                     Stockholders' equity / assets     10.15 %     10.23 %     10.44 %     10.60 %     10.64 % Tangible stockholders' equity / tangible assets (2)     8.72 %     9.63 %     9.83 %     9.96 %     9.97 % Loans / deposits     101.80 %     101.53 %     106.73 %     101.91 %     103.34 %                      
*ASSET QUALITY*                     Net charge-offs (recoveries)   $ 1,122     $ (109 )   $ 315     $ (213 )   $ 705   Nonperforming loans     24,158       8,023       7,820       6,250       5,107   Nonperforming assets     24,158       8,023       7,820       6,250       5,400   Net charge offs (recoveries) / average loans (1)     0.15 %     (0.02 %)     0.05 %     (0.04 %)     0.13 % Nonperforming loans / total loans     0.80 %     0.33 %     0.33 %     0.27 %     0.23 % Nonperforming assets / total assets     0.68 %     0.28 %     0.28 %     0.23 %     0.20 % Allowance for credit losses on loans / total loans     1.42 %     1.25 %     1.25 %     1.09 %     1.08 % Allowance for credit losses on loans / nonperforming loans     177.50 %     379.55 %     382.26 %     407.58 %     480.61 %                      
*OTHER DATA*                     Total assets   $ 3,558,426     $ 2,874,425     $ 2,816,897     $ 2,732,940     $ 2,638,060   Total loans     3,020,778       2,436,708       2,392,583       2,337,814       2,263,377   Total deposits     2,967,455       2,399,900       2,241,804       2,293,952       2,190,192   Total stockholders' equity     361,037       294,161       294,221       289,562       280,749   Number of full-time equivalent employees (4)     286       261       252       238       228                        
(1) Annualized.
(2) Non-U.S. GAAP financial measure that we believe provides management and investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance and condition. See accompanying table, "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures," for calculation and reconciliation.
(3) Tax equivalent using a federal income tax rate of 21%.
(4) Includes 5 and 8 full-time equivalent seasonal interns as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.                                             Average assets     3,565,350       2,825,213       2,745,235       2,680,807       2,575,742   Average loans     3,003,703       2,397,121       2,363,365       2,277,238       2,224,829   Average stockholders' equity     353,372       295,560       292,174       286,283       280,093  

*FIRST BANK*
*QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS*
*(dollars in thousands, unaudited)*                       *As of the Quarter Ended*   *9/30/2023*   *6/30/2023*   *3/31/2023*   *12/31/2022*   *9/30/2022*
*LOAN COMPOSITION*                    
Commercial and industrial   $ 478,120     $ 419,836     $ 394,734     $ 354,203     $ 323,984  
Commercial real estate:                    
Owner-occupied     607,888       560,878       539,112       533,426       517,448  
Investor     1,269,134       965,339       958,574       951,115       942,151  
Construction and development     168,192       136,615       143,955       142,876       126,206  
Multi-family     275,825       223,784       220,101       215,990       214,819  
Total commercial real estate     2,321,039       1,886,616       1,861,742       1,843,407       1,800,624  
Residential real estate:                    
Residential mortgage and first lien home equity loans     158,487       91,260       94,060       93,847       96,194  
Home equity–second lien loans and revolving lines of credit     46,239       29,983       29,316       33,551       31,670  
Total residential real estate     204,726       121,243       123,376       127,398       127,864  
Consumer and other     20,208       12,514       16,413       16,318       14,654  
Total loans prior to deferred loan fees and costs     3,024,093       2,440,209       2,396,265       2,341,326       2,267,126  
Net deferred loan fees and costs     (3,315 )     (3,501 )     (3,682 )     (3,512 )     (3,749 )
Total loans   $ 3,020,778     $ 2,436,708     $ 2,392,583     $ 2,337,814     $ 2,263,377                      
*LOAN MIX*                    
Commercial and industrial     15.8 %     17.2 %     16.5 %     15.2 %     14.3 %
Commercial real estate:                    
Owner-occupied     20.1 %     23.0 %     22.5 %     22.8 %     22.9 %
Investor     42.0 %     39.6 %     40.1 %     40.7 %     41.6 %
Construction and development     5.6 %     5.6 %     6.0 %     6.1 %     5.6 %
Multi-family     9.1 %     9.2 %     9.2 %     9.2 %     9.5 %
Total commercial real estate     76.8 %     77.4 %     77.8 %     78.8 %     79.6 %
Residential real estate:                    
Residential mortgage and first lien home equity loans     5.3 %     3.8 %     3.9 %     4.0 %     4.3 %
Home equity–second lien loans and revolving lines of credit     1.5 %     1.2 %     1.2 %     1.4 %     1.4 %
Total residential real estate     6.8 %     5.0 %     5.1 %     5.4 %     5.7 %
Consumer and other     0.7 %     0.5 %     0.7 %     0.7 %     0.6 %
Net deferred loan fees and costs     (0.1 %)     (0.1 %)     (0.1 %)     (0.1 %)     (0.2 %)
Total loans     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

*FIRST BANK*
*QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS*
*(dollars in thousands, unaudited)*                       *As of the Quarter Ended*   *9/30/2023*   *6/30/2023*   *3/31/2023*   *12/31/2022*   *9/30/2022*
*DEPOSIT COMPOSITION*                    
Non-interest bearing demand deposits   $ 493,703     $ 476,733     $ 463,926     $ 503,856     $ 584,025  
Interest bearing demand deposits     623,338       376,948       310,140       322,944       343,042  
Money market and savings deposits     1,228,832       979,524       914,063       935,311       860,577  
Time deposits     621,582       566,695       553,675       531,841       402,549  
Total Deposits   $ 2,967,455     $ 2,399,900     $ 2,241,804     $ 2,293,952     $ 2,190,193                      
*DEPOSIT MIX*                    
Non-interest bearing demand deposits     16.6 %     19.9 %     20.7 %     22.0 %     26.7 %
Interest bearing demand deposits     24.5 %     15.7 %     13.8 %     14.1 %     15.7 %
Money market and savings deposits     37.9 %     40.8 %     40.8 %     40.8 %     39.3 %
Time deposits     21.0 %     23.6 %     24.7 %     23.1 %     18.3 %
Total Deposits     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

*FIRST BANK*
*NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES*
*(in thousands, except for share data, unaudited)*                       *As of or For the Quarter Ended*   *9/30/2023*   *6/30/2023*   *3/31/2023*   *12/31/2022*   *9/30/2022*
*Return on Average Tangible Equity*                    
Net income (numerator)   $ (1,271 )   $ 6,799     $ 6,989     $ 9,100     $ 10,206                      
Average stockholders' equity   $ 353,372     $ 295,560     $ 292,174     $ 286,283     $ 280,093  
Less: Average Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     49,491       19,324       19,379       19,533       19,669  
Average Tangible stockholders' equity (denominator)   $ 303,881     $ 276,236     $ 272,795     $ 266,750     $ 260,424                      
Return on Average Tangible equity (1)     -1.66 %     9.87 %     10.39 %     13.53 %     15.55 %                    
*Tangible Book Value Per Share*                    
Stockholders' equity   $ 361,037     $ 294,161     $ 294,221     $ 289,562     $ 280,749  
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     55,554       19,289       19,322       19,405       19,599  
Tangible stockholders' equity (numerator)   $ 305,483     $ 274,872     $ 274,899     $ 270,157     $ 261,150                      
Common shares outstanding (denominator)     24,926,919       19,041,343       19,569,334       19,451,755       19,447,206                      
Tangible book value per share   $ 12.26     $ 14.44     $ 14.05     $ 13.89     $ 13.43                      
*Tangible Equity / Assets*                    
Stockholders' equity   $ 361,037     $ 294,161     $ 294,221     $ 289,562     $ 280,749  
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     55,554       19,289       19,322       19,405       19,599  
Tangible stockholders' equity (numerator)   $ 305,483     $ 274,872     $ 274,899     $ 270,157     $ 261,150                      
Total assets   $ 3,558,426     $ 2,874,425     $ 2,816,897     $ 2,732,940     $ 2,638,060  
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     55,554       19,289       19,322       19,405       19,599  
Tangible total assets (denominator)   $ 3,502,872     $ 2,855,136     $ 2,797,575     $ 2,713,535     $ 2,618,461                      
Tangible stockholders' equity / tangible assets     8.72 %     9.63 %     9.83 %     9.96 %     9.97 %                    
*Efficiency Ratio*                    
Non-interest expense   $ 23,486     $ 13,775     $ 13,503     $ 12,465     $ 11,737  
Less: Merger-related expenses     7,028       221       461       452       -  
Adjusted non-interest expense (numerator)   $ 16,458     $ 13,554     $ 13,042     $ 12,013     $ 11,737                      
Net interest income   $ 28,594     $ 22,128     $ 22,795     $ 23,751     $ 24,563  
Non-interest income     193       1,128       964       1,446       944  
Total revenue     28,787       23,256       23,759       25,197       25,507  
Add: Losses on sale of investment securities, net     527       -       207       -       -  
Add: Losses on sale of acquired loans     771                  
Adjusted total revenue (denominator)   $ 30,085     $ 23,256     $ 23,966     $ 25,197     $ 25,507                      
Efficiency ratio     54.71 %     58.28 %     54.42 %     47.68 %     46.01 %                    
(1) Annualized.                    

*FIRST BANK*
*NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES*
*(dollars in thousands, except for share data, unaudited)*                       *For the Quarter Ended*   *9/30/2023*   *6/30/2023*   *3/31/2023*   *12/31/2022*   *9/30/2022*                    
*Adjusted diluted earnings per share,*                    
*Adjusted return on average assets, and*                    
*Adjusted return on average equity*                                        
Net income   $ (1,271 )   $ 6,799     $ 6,989     $ 9,100     $ 10,206  
Add: Merger-related expenses ^(1)     5,552       175       364       357       -  
Add: Credit loss expense on acquired loan portfolio ^(1)     4,323       -       -       -       -  
Add: Losses on sale of acquired loans, net ^(1)     609       -       -       -       -  
Add: Losses on sale of investment securities, net ^(1)     416       -       164       -       -  
Add: Impact of tax rate change     506       -       -       -       -  
Adjusted net income   $ 10,135     $ 6,974     $ 7,517     $ 9,457     $ 10,206                      
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding     24,029,910       19,434,522       19,667,194       19,649,282       19,668,133  
Average assets   $ 3,565,350     $ 2,825,213     $ 2,745,235     $ 2,680,807     $ 2,575,742  
Average equity   $ 353,372     $ 295,560     $ 292,174     $ 286,283     $ 280,093  
Average Tangible Equity   $ 303,881     $ 276,236     $ 272,795     $ 266,750     $ 260,424                      
Adjusted diluted earnings per share   $ 0.42     $ 0.36     $ 0.38     $ 0.48     $ 0.52  
Adjusted return on average assets ^(2)     1.13 %     0.99 %     1.11 %     1.40 %     1.57 %
Adjusted return on average equity ^(2)     11.38 %     9.46 %     10.43 %     13.11 %     14.46 %
Adjusted return on average tangible equity ^(2)     13.23 %     10.13 %     11.17 %     14.07 %     15.55 %                    
(1) Items are tax-effected using a federal income tax rate of 21%.
(2) Annualized.

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