Southern First reports results for third quarter 2021

Southern First Bancshares, Inc., holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three- and nine- month periods ended September 30, 2021.

“The third quarter was a record quarter for Southern First,” stated Art Seaver, the company’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our team generated record loan growth, strong deposit growth, and the highest quarterly net income in our company’s history.”

2021 Third Quarter Highlights
• Net income improved to $14.0 million, compared to $2.2 million for Q3 2020
• Diluted earnings per common share improved to $1.75 per share, compared to $0.28 for Q3 2020
• Loan loss reversal of $6.0 million, compared to provision of $11.1 million for Q3 2020
• Total loans increased 14.9% to $2.4 billion at Q3 2021, compared to $2.1 billion at Q3 2020
• Total deposits increased 11.6% to $2.4 billion at Q3 2021, compared to $2.2 billion at Q3 2020

Net income for the third quarter of 2021 was $14.0 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, a $3.7 million increase from the second quarter of 2021 and an $11.8 million increase from the third quarter of 2020. Net interest income increased $742 thousand for the third quarter of 2021, compared to the second quarter of 2021, and increased $1.5 million, or 7.4%, compared to the third quarter of 2020. While our interest expense has stabilized from previous rate reductions, our interest income continues to be affected by declining loan yield; however, loan growth has offset the negative impact of the lower market rates.

The provision for loan losses was a reversal of $6.0 million for the third quarter compared to a reversal of $1.9 million for the second quarter of 2021 and an expense of $11.1 million for the third quarter of 2020. The $17.1 million decrease in provision expense from the third quarter of 2020 was driven by a reduction in the historical loss percentages of our various loan categories as well as an overall improvement in economic conditions such as unemployment and hotel occupancy rates.

Noninterest income totaled $4.2 million for the third quarter of 2021, a $617 thousand increase from the second quarter of 2021 and a $3.3 million decrease from the third quarter of 2020. As the largest component of our noninterest income, mortgage banking income was the driving factor in the increase in noninterest income from the prior quarter and the decrease from the prior year. While loan origination volume increased during the third quarter, volume remains significantly lower than the prior year, due in part to fewer refinance transactions.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2021 increased $544 thousand compared with the second quarter of 2021 and decreased $144 thousand compared with the third quarter of 2020. The variances from the prior quarter and prior year were driven primarily by an increase in compensation and benefits expense and occupancy costs, partially offset by a reduction in mortgage production costs.

Our effective tax rate was 23.7% for the third quarter of 2021, 22.3% for the second quarter of 2021, and 24.5% for the third quarter of 2020. The changes in the effective tax rate from the prior quarter and prior year relate primarily to the impact of stock options in each respective quarter.

Net interest income was $22.2 million for the third quarter of 2021, a $742 thousand increase from the second quarter of 2021, resulting primarily from a $754 thousand increase in interest income on a tax-equivalent basis. The increase in interest income was driven by an increase of $145.4 million in average interest-earning assets during the third quarter of 2021 with $111.2 million of the increase in average loan balances. In addition, average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $82.6 million and interest expense increased by $13 thousand during the same period. In comparison to the third quarter of 2020, net interest income increased $1.5 million resulting primarily from lower deposit costs, partially offset by lower yields on interest-earning assets. Our net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.38% for the third quarter of 2021, a 12-basis point decrease from 3.50% for the second quarter of 2021 and a 14 basis point decrease from 3.52% for the third quarter of 2020. Compression in yield on our interest-earning assets resulted in the lower net interest margin for the third quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2020.

Total nonperforming assets increased by $6.7 million to $13.9 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to the second quarter of 2021, and by $3.4 million from the third quarter of 2020. Nonperforming assets represented 0.50% of total assets at September 30, 2021, compared to 0.27% and 0.42% at June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. The increase in nonperforming assets during the third quarter of 2021 was driven by one relationship made up of two commercial and one consumer real estate loans totaling $9.0 million. The Bank is currently in negotiations with a third-party to sell the two commercial notes. We do not believe that this increase is systemic or indicative of the credit quality of our remaining portfolio. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans was 259.95% at September 30, 2021, compared to 619.47% at June 30, 2021 and 482.43% at September 30, 2020. During the third quarter of 2021, our classified asset ratio increased to 14.90% from 13.36% as of June 30, 2021 as a result of the one large relationship that was downgraded during the quarter. In addition, the classified asset ratio remains elevated from the third quarter of 2020 due to the $26.2 million of hotel loans that we downgraded to substandard during the first quarter of 2021. We remain cautious and believe that the hospitality and tourism industry is still at risk for credit loss due to reduced business and recreational travel related to the current pandemic. We continue to monitor the industry as well as the financial condition of our clients.

On September 30, 2021, the allowance for loan losses was $36.1 million, or 1.51% of total loans, compared to $41.9 million, or 1.86% of total loans, at June 30, 2021 and $42.2 million, or 2.03% of total loans, at September 30, 2020. For the third quarter of 2021, there were net recoveries of $163 thousand, or (0.03%) annualized, compared to net recoveries of $313 thousand, or (0.06%), annualized, for the second quarter of 2021. Net charge-offs were $483 thousand for the third quarter of 2020. Despite the increase in nonperforming assets and loans 30 days or more past due, there was a negative provision for loan losses of $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to a negative provision of $1.9 million for the second quarter of 2021 and an $11.1 million provision for the third quarter of 2020. The negative provision for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was driven by a reduction in the historical loss percentages of our various loan categories combined with an overall improvement in economic conditions such as unemployment and hotel occupancy rates.

ABOUT SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES

Southern First Bancshares, Inc., Greenville, South Carolina is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of South Carolina. The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Southern First Bank has been providing financial services since 1999 and now operates in 12 locations in the Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston markets of South Carolina as well as the Charlotte, Triangle and Triad regions of North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia. Southern First Bancshares has consolidated assets of approximately $2.8 billion and its common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SFST.” More information can be found at www.southernfirst.com.