The First Bancshares - 10-Q quarterly report FY

U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

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INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A SHELL COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN RULE 12B-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT): YES o NO x

ITEM NO. 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ Amounts in Thousands)

 

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

NOTE B — SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION

At September 30, 2010, the Company had approximately $504.7 million in assets, $336.1 million in loans,$397.7 million in deposits, and $57.2 million in stockholders' equity.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company reported a net income of $1,807,000 ($1,579,000 applicable to common stockholders).

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company declared and paid a special dividend of $.05 and a quarterly dividend of $.025 for a total dividend of $.075 per common share.

In the second quarter of 2010, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $.025 per common share.

In the third quarter of 2010, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $.05 per common share.

No dividend was paid on common shares during 2009.

 

 

NOTE C – PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT

On February 6, 2009, as part of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s (“Treasury”) Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”), the Company received a $5.0 million equity investment by issuing 5 thousand shares of Series A, no par value preferred stock to the Treasury pursuant to a Letter Agreement and Securities Purchase Agreement that was previously disclosed by the Company.  The Company also issued a warrant to the Treasury allowing it to purchase 54,705 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $13.71.  The warrant can be exercised immediately and has a term of 10 years.

The non-voting Series A preferred shares issued, with a liquidation preference of $1 thousand per share, will pay a cumulative cash dividend quarterly at 5% per annum during the first five years the preferred shares are outstanding, resetting to 9% thereafter if not redeemed.  The CPP also includes certain restrictions on dividend payments of the Company’s lower ranking equity and the ability to purchase its outstanding common shares.

The Company allocated the proceeds received from the Treasury, net of transaction costs, on a pro rata basis to the Series A preferred stock and the warrant based on their relative fair values.  The Company assigned $.3 million and $4.7 million to the warrant and the Series A preferred stock, respectively.  The resulting discount on the Series A preferred stock is being accreted up to the $5.0 million liquidation amount over the five year expected life of the Series A preferred stock.

On September 29, 2010, and pursuant to the terms of the letter agreement between the Company and the United States Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”), the Company closed a transaction whereby Treasury exchanged its 5,000 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series UST, (The “CPP Preferred Shares”) for 5,000 shares of a new series of preferred stock designated Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series CD (the “CDCI Preferred Shares”).  On the same day, and pursuant to the terms of the letter agreement between the Company and Treasury, the Company issued an additional 12,123 CDCI Preferred Shares to Treasury for a purchase price of $12,123,000.  As a result of the CDCI Transactions, the Company is no longer participating in the TARP Capital Purchase Program being administered by Treasury and is now participating in Treasury’s TARP Community Development Capital Initiative (the “CDCI”).  The terms of the CDCI Transactions are more fully set forth in the Exchange Letter Agreement and the Purchase Letter Agreement.

The Letter Agreement, pursuant to which the Preferred Shares were exchanged, contains limitations on the payment of dividends on the common stock to no more than 100% of the aggregate per share dividend and distributions for the immediate prior fiscal year (dividends of $0.15 per share were declared and paid in 2010) and on the Company’s ability to repurchase its common stock, and continues to subject the Company to certain of the executive compensation limitations included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA), as previously disclosed by the Company.

The most significant difference in terms between the CDCI Preferred Shares and the CPP Preferred Shares is the dividend rate applicable to each.  The CPP Preferred Shares entitled the holder to an annual dividend of 5% of the liquidation value of the shares, payable quarterly in arrears; by contrast, the CDCI Preferred Shares entitle the holder to an annual dividend of 2% of the liquidation value of the shares, payable quarterly in arrears.  Other differences in terms between the CDCI Preferred Shares and the CPP Preferred Shares, including, without limitation, the restrictions on common stock dividends and on redemption of common stock and other securities exist.  The terms of the CDCI Preferred Shares are more fully set forth in the Articles of Amendment creating the CDCI Preferred Shares, which Articles of Amendment were filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State on September 27, 2010.

 

 

As a condition to participation in the CDCI, the Company was required to obtain certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (a “CDFI”) from Treasury’s Community Development Financial Fund.  On September 28, 2010, the Company was notified that its application for CDFI certification had been approved.  In order to become certified and maintain its certification as a CDFI, the Company is required to meet the CDFI eligibility requirements set forth in 12 C.F.R. 1805.201(b).

NOTE D — EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

 

 

 

 

 

The Company granted 12,353 shares in restricted stock in the third quarter of 2010.

NOTE E — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table discloses Comprehensive Income for the periods reported in

the Consolidated Statements of Income:

(In thousands)

 

 

NOTE F — FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Company groups its financial assets measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheets.

The fair value of available-for-sale securities is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

The following table presents the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fell as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

The following is a reconciliation of activity for assets measured at fair value based on significant unobservable (non-market) information.

 

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheets, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Loans for which it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest due according to contractual terms are measured for impairment in accordance with the provisions of applicable authoritative guidance. Allowable methods for estimating fair value include using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans or, where a loan is determined not to be collateral dependent, using the discounted cash flow method.

If the impaired loan is identified as collateral dependent, then the fair value method of measuring the amount of impairment is utilized. This method requires obtaining a current independent appraisal of the collateral and applying a discount factor to the value. If the impaired loan is determined not to be collateral dependent, then the discounted cash flow method is used. This method requires the impaired loan to be recorded at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. The effective interest rate of a loan is the contractual interest rate adjusted for any net deferred loan fees or costs, or premium or discount existing at origination or acquisition of the loan. Impaired loans are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other real estate owned acquired through loan foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis. The adjustment at the time of foreclosure is recorded through the allowance for loan losses. Due to the subjective nature of establishing the fair value, the actual fair value of the other real estate owned or foreclosed asset could differ from the original estimate. If it is determined the fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through non-interest expense. Operating costs associated with the assets are also recorded as non-interest expense. Gains and losses on the disposition of other real estate owned and foreclosed assets are netted and posted to other non-interest expense. Other real estate owned measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2010, amounted to $4.6 million.

The following table presents the fair value measurement of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fell at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents – For such short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Investment in securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity – The fair value measurement for securities available-for-sale was discussed earlier.  The same measurement approach was used for securities held-to-maturity.

Loans – The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

Deposits – The fair values of demand deposits are, as required by authoritative guidance, equal to the carrying value of such deposits.  Demand deposits include noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts, and money market demand accounts.  The fair value of variable rate term deposits, those repricing within six months or less, approximates the carrying value of these deposits.  Discounted cash flows have been used to value fixed rate term deposits and variable rate term deposits repricing after six months.  The discount rate used is based on interest rates currently being offered on comparable deposits as to amount and term.

Short-Term Borrowings – The carrying value of any federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings approximates their fair values.

FHLB and Other Borrowings – The fair value of the fixed rate borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flows, based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.  The carrying amount of any variable rate borrowing approximates its fair value.

Subordinated Debentures – The subordinated debentures bear interest at a variable rate and the carrying value approximates the fair value.

Off-Balance Sheet Instruments – Fair values of off-balance sheet financial instruments are based on fees charged to enter into similar agreements.  However, commitments to extend credit do not represent a significant value until such commitments are funded or closed.  Management has determined that these instruments do not have a distinguishable fair value and no fair value has been assigned.

 

NOTE G — LOANS

Loans typically provide higher yields than the other types of earning assets, and thus one of the Company's goals is for loans to be the largest category of the Company's earning assets.  At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, loans accounted for 72.4% and 72.2% of earning assets. The Company controls and mitigates the inherent credit and liquidity risks through the composition of its loan portfolio.

The following table shows the composition of the loan portfolio by category:

 

In the context of this discussion, a "real estate mortgage loan" is defined as any loan, other than a loan for construction purposes, secured by real estate, regardless of the purpose of the loan.  The Company follows the common practice of financial institutions in the Company’s market area of obtaining a security interest in real estate whenever possible, in addition to any other available collateral.  This collateral is taken to reinforce the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan and tends to increase the magnitude of the real estate loan portfolio component.  Generally, the Company limits its loan-to-value ratio to comply with regulatory guidelines. Management attempts to maintain a conservative philosophy regarding its underwriting guidelines and believes it will reduce the risk elements of its loan portfolio through strategies that diversify the lending mix.

Loans held for sale consist of mortgage loans originated by the Bank and sold into the secondary market.  Commitments from investors to purchase the loans are obtained upon origination.

 

 

The following tables represent how the allowance for loan losses is allocated to a particular loan type as well as the percentage of the category to total loans at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010.

 

The following table represents the Company’s impaired loans at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010.  This table excludes performing troubled debt restructurings.

 

NOTE H — SECURITIES

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with authoritative guidance. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.  However, considerable judgment is necessarily required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value.  Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange.  The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

 

 

A summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities at September 30, 2010, follows:

NOTE I — ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The Company has developed policies and procedures for evaluating the overall quality of its credit portfolio and the timely identification of potential problem loans.  Management’s judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance is based upon a number of assumptions which it believes to be reasonable, but which may not prove to be accurate, particularly given the Company’s short operating history and rapid growth.  Thus, there can be no assurance that charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses or that additional increases in the loan loss allowance will not be required.

The Company’s allowance consists of two parts. The first part is determined in accordance with authoritative guidance regarding contingencies. The Company’s determination of this part of the allowance is based upon quantitative and qualitative factors. A loan loss history based upon the three year quarterly moving average is utilized in determining the appropriate allowance. Historical loss factors are determined by graded and ungraded loans by loan type. These historical loss factors are applied to the loans by loan type to determine an indicated allowance. The loss factors of peer groups are considered in the determination of the allowance and are used to assist in the establishment of a long-term loss history for areas in which this data is unavailable and incorporated into the qualitative factors to be considered. The historical loss factors may also be modified based upon other qualitative factors including but not limited to local and national economic conditions, trends of delinquent loans, changes in lending policies and underwriting standards, concentrations, and management’s knowledge of the loan portfolio. These factors require judgment upon the part of management and are based upon state and national economic reports received from various institutions and agencies including the Federal Reserve Bank, United States Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, meetings with the Company’s loan officers and loan committee, and data and guidance received or obtained from the Company’s regulatory authorities.

 

 

The second part of the allowance is determined in accordance with authoritative guidance regarding loan impairment. Impaired loans are determined based upon a review by internal loan review and senior loan officers. Impaired loans are loans for which the Bank does not expect to receive contractual interest and/or principal by the due date. A specific allowance is assigned to each loan determined to be impaired based upon the value of the loan’s underlying collateral. Appraisals are used by management to determine the value of the collateral.

The sum of the two parts constitutes management’s best estimate of an appropriate allowance for loan losses. When the estimated allowance is determined, it is presented to the Company’s audit committee for review and approval on a quarterly basis.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.  Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.  Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis.  Impaired loans not deemed collateral dependent are analyzed according to the ultimate repayment source, whether that is cash flow from the borrower, guarantor or some other source of repayment.  Impaired loans are deemed collateral dependent if in the Company’s opinion the ultimate source of repayment will be generated from the liquidation of collateral.

The Company discontinues accrual of interest on loans when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that  a borrower’s financial condition is such that the collection of interest is doubtful.  Generally, the Company will place a delinquent loan in nonaccrual status when the loan becomes 90 days or more past due.  At the time a loan is placed in nonaccrual status, all interest which has been accrued on the loan but remains unpaid is reversed and deducted from earnings as a reduction of reported interest income.  No additional interest is accrued on the loan balance until the collection of both principal and interest becomes reasonably certain.

NOTE J – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events have been evaluated by management through the date the financial statements were issued.

NOTE K – RECLASSIFICATION

Certain amounts in the 2009 financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform to the current period financial statement presentation.

 

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The First represents the primary asset of the Company.  The First reported total assets of $503.8 million at September 30, 2010, compared to $476.6 million at December 31, 2009.  Loans increased $17.3 million, or 5.4%, during the first nine months of 2010.  Deposits at September 30, 2010, totaled $409.8 million compared to $384.0 million at December 31, 2009. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2010, The First reported net income of $2.1 million compared to $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

At September 30, 2010, The First had loans past due as follows:

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

On June 30, 2006, The Company issued $4,124,000 of floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures to The First Bancshares Statutory Trust 2 in which the Company owns all of the common equity.  The debentures are the sole asset of the Trust.  The Trust issued $4,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities (TPSs) to investors.  The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the Trust’s obligations under the preferred securities.  The preferred securities are redeemable by the Company in 2011, or earlier in the event the deduction of related interest for federal income taxes is prohibited, treatment as Tier 1 capital is no longer permitted, or certain other contingencies arise.  The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2036.  Interest on the preferred securities is the three month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.65% and is payable quarterly.  The terms of the subordinated debentures are identical to those of the preferred securities.   On July 27, 2007, The Company issued $6,186,000 of floating rate junior subordinated deferrable  interest debentures to The First Bancshares Statutory Trust 3 in which the Company owns all of the common equity.  The debentures are the sole asset of Trust 3.  The Trust issued $6,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities (TPSs) to investors.  The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the Trust’s obligations under the preferred securities.  The preferred securities are redeemable by the Company in 2012, or earlier in the event the deduction of related interest for federal income taxes is prohibited, treatment as Tier 1 capital is no longer permitted, or certain other contingencies arise.  The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2037.  Interest on the preferred securities is the three month LIBOR plus 1.40% and is payable quarterly.  The terms of the subordinated debentures are identical to those of the preferred securities.   In accordance with the authoritative guidance, the trusts are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – QUARTERLY

The Company had a consolidated net income of $622,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared with consolidated net income of $770,000 for the same period last year.

Net interest income increased to $4.2 million from $3.6 million for the three months ended  September 30, 2010, or an increase of 17.0% as compared to the same period in 2009.  Earning assets through September 30, 2010, increased $10.9 million, or 2.4% and interest-bearing liabilities decreased $8.5 million or 2.1% when compared to June 30, 2010.

Non interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2010, was $1,054,000 compared to $1,131,000 for the same period in 2009, reflecting a decrease of $77,000 or 6.8%.  An increase of $200,000 in impairment losses to the Company’s trust preferred securities attributed to the decrease.  Included in noninterest income is service charges on deposit accounts, which for the three months ended September 30, 2010, totaled $600,000 compared to $640,000 for the same period in 2009.

Non interest expense increased by $318,000 or 8.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2010, when compared with the same period in 2009.  Increases in expenses related to Other Real Estate and FDIC assessments accounted for this increase.

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – YEAR TO DATE

The Company had a consolidated net income of $1,807,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with consolidated net income of $1,142,000 for the same period last year.

Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased to $11.3 million from $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, or an increase of 19.2% as compared to the same period in 2009.  Earning assets through September 30, 2010, increased $10.8 million, or 2.4% and interest-bearing liabilities  increased $3.8 million when compared to September 30, 2009.

for loan losses based on this evaluation.

Noninterest expenses increased by $363,000 or 3.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, when compared with the same period in 2009.  Increases in expenses related to Other Real Estate and FDIC assessments accounted for this increase.

ITEM NO. 3.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of September 30, 2010, (the “Evaluation Date”), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

There have been no changes, significant or otherwise, in our internal controls over financial reporting  that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

ITEM NO. 4.  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (ASC Subtopic 820-10). This guidance requires additional disclosures concerning transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy and activity in Level 3 measurements. ASU No. 2010-06 also clarifies existing disclosure requirements regarding the level of disaggregation and inputs and valuation techniques. ASU No. 2010-06 is generally effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2010-06 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Please refer to Note F of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures related to the Company’s fair value measurements.

On January 1, 2010, ASU No. 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing, Topic 860: Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets” became effective.  This ASU removed the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity from generally accepted accounting principles and changed the requirements for derecognizing financial assets.  Upon adoption of the ASU, the Company had no change in its balance sheet or required capital since the Company has not used off-balance sheet financing.

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” This guidance will require companies to provide additional disclosures relating to the credit quality of their financing receivables and the credit reserves held against them, including the aging of past-due receivables, credit quality indicators, and modifications of financing receivables. For public companies, the disclosure requirements as of the end of a reporting period are effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosure requirements for activity occurring during a reporting period are effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the possible effects of this guidance on its financial statement disclosures.

 

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On October 8, 2007 The First Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") and its     subsidiary, The First, A National Banking Association (the "Bank") were formally named as defendants and served with a First Amended Complaint in litigation styled Nick D. Welch v. Oak Grove Land Company, Inc., Fred McMurry, David E. Johnson, J. Douglas Seidenburg, The First, a National Banking Association, The First Bancshares, Inc., and John Does 1 through 10, Civil Action No. 2006-236-CV4, pending in the Circuit Court of Jones County, Mississippi, Second Judicial District (the "First Amended Complaint").

The allegations by Welch against the Company and the Bank include counts of 1) Intentional Misrepresentation and Omission; 2) Negligent Misrepresentation and/or Omission; 3) Breach of Fiduciary Duty; 4) Breach of Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing; and 5) Civil Conspiracy.  The First Amended   Complaint served by Welch on October 8, 2007 added the Company and the Bank as defendants in this ongoing litigation.  The Plaintiff seeks damages from all the defendants, including $2,957,385.00, annual dividends for the year 2006 in the amount of $.30 per share, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees and costs, and is more fully described in Form 8-K filed by the Company on October 10, 2007.  The Company and the Bank both deny any liability to Welch, and they intend to defend vigorously against this lawsuit.

 

 

The Defendants removed the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Hattiesburg Division, on March 12, 2008 based upon the Court's federal question jurisdiction.  On April 11, 2008, the Plaintiff filed a Motion to Remand the case to the Circuit Court of Jones County, Mississippi.  The Motion to Remand was granted, and the case is currently pending in the Circuit Court of Jones County, Mississippi, Second Judicial District. The case has been set for trial on February 7, 2011 in the Circuit Court of Jones County, Mississippi.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes in the Company’s risk factors since December 31, 2009.  Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The First Bancshares, Inc., filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2010.

 

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITY AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not Applicable

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 4.  REMOVED AND RESERVED

 

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable

 

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

(a)  Exhibits