UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
or
Commission File Number: 0-16471
First Citizens BancShares, Inc
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
(919) 716-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act) Yes x No ¨
Class A Common Stock—$1 Par Value—8,756,778 shares
Class B Common Stock—$1 Par Value—1,677,675 shares
(Number of shares outstanding, by class, as of May 6, 2005)
INDEX
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6.
2
PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(thousands, except share data)
March 31*
2005
2004
Assets
Cash and due from banks
Overnight investments
Investment securities held to maturity
Investment securities available for sale
Loans and leases
Less allowance for loan and lease losses
Net loans and leases
Premises and equipment
Income earned not collected
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing
Interest-bearing
Total deposits
Short-term borrowings
Long-term obligations
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock:
Class A - $1 par value (8,756,778; 8,756,778 and 8,758,670 shares issued, respectively)
Class B - $1 par value (1,677,675 shares issued, respectively, for all periods)
Surplus
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
Consolidated Statements of Income
(thousands, except share and per share data; unaudited)
Interest income
Investment securities:
U. S. Government
State, county and municipal
Other
Total investment securities interest and dividend income
Total interest income
Interest expense
Deposits
Total interest expense
Net interest income
Provision for loan and lease losses
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts
Cardholder and merchant services income
Trust income
Fees from processing services
Commission income
ATM income
Mortgage income
Other service charges and fees
Securities gains
Total noninterest income
Noninterest expense
Salaries and wages
Employee benefits
Occupancy expense
Equipment expense
Total noninterest expense
Income before income taxes
Income taxes
Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of taxes
Unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during period
Less: reclassified adjustment for gains included in net income
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income
Average shares outstanding
Net income per share
4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(thousands,except share data, unaudited)
Balance at December 31, 2003
Unrealized securities gains, net of deferred taxes
Cash dividends
Balance at March 31, 2004
Balance at December 31, 2004
Unrealized securities losses, net of deferred taxes
Balance at March 31, 2005
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangibles
Provision for loan losses
Deferred tax (benefit) expense
Change in current taxes payable
Depreciation
Change in accrued interest payable
Change in income earned not collected
Origination of loans held for sale
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
Gain on loans held for sale
Net amortization of premiums and discounts
Net change in other assets
Net change in other liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net change in loans outstanding
Purchases of investment securities held to maturity
Purchases of investment securities available for sale
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities held to maturity
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available for sale
Net change in overnight investments
Dispositions of premises and equipment
Additions to premises and equipment
Purchase of branch, net of cash acquired
Net cash used by investing activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in time deposits
Net change in demand and other interest-bearing deposits
Net change in short-term borrowings
Cash dividends paid
Net cash provided by financing activities
Change in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
Cash and due from banks at end of period
CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
Interest
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Unrealized securities gains (losses)
6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note A
Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. as of and for each of the periods presented, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the 2004 First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference on Form 10-K. Certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform with statement presentations for 2005. However, the reclassifications have no effect on shareholders’ equity or net income as previously reported.
Note B
Operating Segments
BancShares conducts its banking operations through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB) and IronStone Bank (ISB). Although FCB and ISB offer similar products and services to customers, each entity operates in distinct geographic markets and each entity operates under a separate charter. Additionally, the financial results and trends of ISB reflect the de novo nature of its growth.
FCB is a mature banking institution that operates from a single charter from its branch network in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. ISB began operations in 1997 and currently operates in Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon and Washington under a federal thrift charter.
In the aggregate, FCB and its consolidated subsidiaries, which are integral to its branch operation, and ISB account for more than 90 percent of consolidated assets, revenues and net income. Other includes activities of the parent company, Neuse, Incorporated, a subsidiary that owns real property used in the banking operation and American Guaranty Insurance Corporation, a property insurance company.
The adjustments in the accompanying tables represent the elimination of the impact of certain inter-company transactions. The adjustments to interest income and interest expense neutralize the earnings and cost of inter-company borrowings. The adjustments to noninterest income and noninterest expense reflect the elimination of management fees and other services fees paid by one company to another within BancShares’ consolidated group.
7
Income (loss) before income taxes
Net income (loss)
At March 31, 2005:
Gross loans
Allowance for loan and lease losses
At March 31, 2004:
8
Note C
Employee Benefits
BancShares recognized pension expense totaling $3,735 and $2,703, respectively, in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. Pension expense is included as a component of employee benefits expense.
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of prior service cost
Recognized net actuarial loss
Net periodic benefit cost
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for 2005 is 8.50 percent.
9
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION
Management’s discussion and analysis of earnings and related financial data are presented to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (BancShares). BancShares is a financial holding company with two wholly-owned banking subsidiaries: First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB), a North Carolina-chartered bank, and IronStone Bank (ISB), a federally-chartered thrift institution. FCB operates branches in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. ISB operates in Georgia, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington.
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes presented within this report. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Although certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform to statement presentations for 2005, the reclassifications have no effect on shareholders’ equity or net income as previously reported.
SUMMARY
BancShares’ earnings and cash flows are derived primarily from the commercial banking activities conducted by its banking subsidiaries. These activities include commercial and consumer lending, deposit and cash management products, cardholder, merchant services, wealth management services as well as various other products and services typically incidental to commercial banking. FCB and ISB gather deposits from retail and commercial customers and, along with BancShares and its other non-bank subsidiaries, obtain funding through various non-deposit sources. We invest the liquidity generated from these funding sources in various types of interest-earning assets such as loans, investment securities and overnight investments. We also invest in bank premises, furniture and equipment used in the subsidiaries’ commercial banking business.
Various external factors influence customer demand for our deposit and loan products. During 2004, economic conditions began to show signs of strengthening, and we experienced healthy loan demand that we attribute in part to commercial borrowings that had been deferred pending economic improvement. Interest rate pricing decisions are largely driven by external factors, including actions of the Federal Reserve and competitive pressures exerted by other financial institutions.
The general strength of the economy also influences the quality and collectibility of the loan portfolio, as consumer bankruptcy rates and business debt service levels tend to reflect the general economic cycle. Utilizing various asset–liability management and asset quality tools, we strive to minimize the potentially adverse financial impact of unforeseen and unfavorable economic trends and to take advantage of favorable economic conditions where appropriate.
10
Financial institutions frequently focus their strategic and operating emphasis on maximizing profitability, and therefore measure their relative success by reference to profitability measures such as return on average assets or return on average shareholders’ equity. BancShares’ return on average assets and return on average equity have historically compared unfavorably to the returns of similarly sized financial holding companies. BancShares has historically placed significant emphasis upon asset quality, balance sheet liquidity and capital conservation, even when those priorities may be detrimental to short-term profitability.
Our organization’s strengths and competitive position within the financial services industry suggest that opportunities for significant growth and expansion exist. We operate in diverse and growing geographic markets. We believe that through competitive products and superior customer service, we can increase business volumes and our profitability by attracting customers of larger competitors and customers of banks that have focused on growth through merger transactions. We seek opportunities to increase fee income in areas such as merchant processing, client bank services, factoring, insurance, cash management, wealth management and private banking services. In recent years, we have focused our efforts on customers who own their own businesses, medical and other professionals and individuals who are financially active.
We also focus attention on the risks that can endanger our profitability and growth prospects. These risks generally fall into categories of economic, industry systemic, competitive and regulatory. Due to the lack of control and the potential to result in a material impact upon our financial results, the risk area that is typically of greatest concern is economic. Specific economic risks include recession, rapid movements in interest rates and significant increases in inflation expectations. Compared to our larger competitors, our relatively small asset size and limited capital resources create a level of risk that requires significant and constant management attention.
Detailed information regarding the components of net income and other key financial data over the most recent five quarters is provided in Table 1. Table 4 provides information on net interest income. Table 5 provides information related to asset quality.
Net income. BancShares realized a significant increase in earnings during the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. Consolidated net income during the first quarter of 2005 was $25.0 million, compared to $17.3 million earned during the corresponding period of 2004. The $7.7 million or 44.2 percent increase resulted from higher net interest income and lower provision for loan and lease losses. The first quarter of 2004 included a $2.1 million gain on the sale of real estate and securities gains of $1.9 million. There were no comparable gains recorded during 2005.
Net income per share during the first quarter of 2005 totaled $2.40, compared to $1.66 during the first quarter of 2004, a 44.6 percent increase. Annualized return on average assets was 0.76 percent for the first quarter of 2005 and 0.56 percent for the first quarter of 2004. Annualized return on average equity for the first quarter of 2005 was 9.26 percent compared to 6.72 percent during the first quarter of 2004.
Profitability, liquidity and capital ratios are presented in Table 1 while Table 4 provides information regarding the changes and trends in interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
11
First
Quarter
Third
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
Net interest income-taxable equivalent
SELECTED QUARTERLY AVERAGES
Investment securities
Interest-earning assets
Interest-bearing liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Shares outstanding
SELECTED QUARTER-END BALANCES
PROFITABILITY RATIOS (averages)
Rate of return (annualized) on:
Dividend payout ratio
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RATIOS (averages)
Loans to deposits
Shareholders’ equity to total assets
Time certificates of $100,000 or more to total deposits
PER SHARE OF STOCK
Book value at period end
Tangible book value at period end
12
ISB reported a net loss of $1.2 million during the first quarter of 2005, compared to a net loss of $27,000 during the first quarter of 2004. The first quarter of 2004 included a $2.1 million pretax gain on the sale of a parcel of real estate. Since its inception, ISB has generated a net loss of $27.5 million. Based on plans for further expansion, ISB’s net losses will likely extend into the foreseeable future.
Shareholders’ Equity. BancShares continues to exceed minimum regulatory capital standards, and the banking subsidiaries remain well-capitalized. However, the continued de novo growth has required BancShares to infuse significant amounts of capital into ISB to support its rapidly expanding balance sheet. BancShares infused $5.0 million into ISB during the first quarter of 2005. Through March 31, 2005, BancShares has provided $235.0 million in capital. BancShares’ prospective capacity to provide capital to support the growth and expansion of ISB is dependent upon FCB’s ability to return capital through dividends to BancShares.
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Interest-earning assets include loans, investment securities and overnight investments, all of which reflect varying interest rates based on the risk level and maturity of the underlying asset. Accordingly, riskier investments typically carry a higher interest rate, but expose the investor to potentially higher levels of default. We have historically focused on maintaining high asset quality, which results in a loan portfolio subjected to strenuous underwriting and monitoring procedures. Our investment securities portfolio includes high-quality assets, primarily United States Treasury and government agency securities. Generally, the investment securities portfolio grows and shrinks based on loan and deposit trends. When deposit growth exceeds loan demand, we invest excess funds in the securities portfolio. Conversely, when loan demand exceeds deposit growth, we use proceeds from maturing securities to fund loan demand. Overnight investments are selectively made with other financial institutions that are within our risk tolerance.
During the first quarter of 2005, interest-earning assets averaged $11.93 billion, an increase of $790.3 million or 7.1 percent from the first quarter of 2004. This increase resulted from growth in the loan portfolio and overnight investments, partially offset by reductions in investment securities.
Loans. At March 31, 2005 and 2004, gross loans totaled $9.40 billion and $8.62 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2004, gross loans were $9.35 billion. The $787.8 million or 9.1 percent growth in loans from March 31, 2004 to March 31, 2005 results from growth within BancShares’ commercial mortgage and construction and land development loan portfolios. This growth resulted from strong customer demand primarily during 2004.
Commercial real estate loans totaled $3.38 billion at March 31, 2005, representing 36.0 percent of total gross loans. This represents an increase of $615.2 million or 22.2 percent since March 31, 2004. Demand for commercial real estate loans continues to be strong at both FCB and ISB.
13
(thousands)
Real estate:
Construction and land development
Mortgage:
1-4 family residential
Commercial
Revolving
Total real estate
Commercial and industrial
Consumer
Lease financing
Total loans and leases
Revolving mortgage loans totaled $1.66 billion at March 31, 2005, representing 17.7 percent of total loans outstanding. This component of the loan portfolio increased $15.2 million or 0.9 percent since March 31, 2004. Originations of new lines of credit have declined since the third quarter of 2004 in order to preserve lending capacity for loan secured by mortgages on commercial property, commercial and industrial loans and leases. Management anticipates that, during the second quarter of 2005, we will complete a securitization of approximately $250.0 million in revolving loans secured by real estate.
We continue to focus on customer development within the medical community. At March 31, 2005, 14 percent of our loan portfolio represented loans for office facilities, medical and dental equipment and other needs incidental to the respective area of practice. We do not believe that the focus on medical and dental lending presents inappropriate risk to our portfolio.
During the first quarter of 2005, loans averaged $9.36 billion, an increase of $902.9 million or 10.7 percent from the comparable period of 2004. Our recent growth through ISB has allowed us to mitigate our historic exposure to geographic concentration in North Carolina and Virginia. Although these markets have endured economic instability in the past, we are pleased with the diversification that we are beginning to realize by the growth of ISB. We are aware that, in the absence of rigorous underwriting and monitoring controls, rapid loan growth in new markets may present incremental lending risks. During the expansion of ISB into new markets, we have endeavored to ensure that such controls are functioning effectively. We will continue to place emphasis upon maintaining strong lending standards in new markets.
Improvements in general economic conditions in certain of our markets resulted in healthy loan demand among our business customers during 2004, and management anticipates continued growth in commercial mortgage loans during 2005. All loan projections are subject to change as a result of further economic deterioration or improvement. Loan projections are also dependent on interest rate movements, which are subject to the influence of inflation expectations and Federal Reserve actions.
14
March 31, 2004
Investment securities held to maturity:
U. S. Government:
Within one year
One to five years
Five to ten years
Ten to twenty years
Over twenty years
Total
State, county and municipal:
Total investment securities held to maturity
Investment securities available for sale:
Marketable equity securities
Total investment securities available for sale
Total investment securities
Average maturity assumes callable securities mature on their earliest call date; yields are based on amortized cost; yields related to securities that are exempt from federal and/or state income taxes are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming statutory rates of 35% for federal income tax purposes and 6.9% for state income taxes for all periods.
15
Investment Securities. At March 31, 2005 and 2004, the investment portfolio totaled $2.19 billion and $2.15 billion, respectively. At December 31, 2004, the investment portfolio was $2.13 billion. Table 3 presents detailed information relating to the investment securities portfolio.
Investment securities held to maturity totaled $850.8 million at March 31, 2005, compared to $1.06 billion at March 31, 2004. The $214.0 million reduction in investment securities held to maturity occurred as portions of the liquidity generated from maturing held-to-maturity securities were re-invested in available for sale securities. Securities classified as available for sale enhance the overall liquidity and flexibility of the balance sheet. The average maturity of the held-to-maturity portfolio increased from 10 months at March 31, 2004 to 14 months at March 31, 2005. Securities that are classified as held to maturity reflect BancShares’ ability and positive intent to hold those investments until maturity.
Investment securities available for sale totaled $1.34 billion at March 31, 2005, compared to $1.09 billion at March 31, 2004. The $251.2 million increase from March 31, 2004 enhances balance sheet liquidity. Available-for-sale securities are reported at their aggregate fair value.
Total investment securities averaged $2.07 billion during the first quarter of 2005, compared to $2.34 billion during the first quarter of 2004, a decrease of $268.6 million or 11.5 percent. The reduction in average total investment securities resulted from liquidity needs arising from strong loan demand.
Overnight investments. Overnight investments averaged $499.3 million during the first quarter of 2005, an increase of $156.0 million or 45.5 percent from the first quarter of 2004. The higher balance in overnight investments resulted from liquidity management decisions.
Income on Interest-Earning Assets. Interest income amounted to $148.2 million during the first quarter of 2005, a 19.8 percent increase from the first quarter of 2004. Higher yields and higher average volume caused the increase in interest income in the first quarter of 2005 when compared to the same period of 2004. The taxable-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets for the first quarter of 2005 was 5.04 percent, compared to 4.47 percent for the corresponding period of 2004.
Loan interest income for the first quarter of 2005 was $132.3 million, an increase of $22.7 million or 20.8 percent from the first quarter of 2004, the result of higher average balances and higher yields. For the first quarter, average loans increased $902.9 million or 10.7 percent from 2004 to 2005. The taxable-equivalent yield on the loan portfolio was 5.74 percent during the first quarter of 2005, compared to 5.22 percent during the same period of 2004. The higher loan yields resulted from new loans originated at current market rates and repricing of outstanding variable-rate loans.
Interest income earned on the investment securities portfolio amounted to $12.9 million during the first quarter of 2005 and $13.3 million during the same period of 2004, a decrease of $358,000 or 2.7 percent. This decrease in income is the result of the $268.6 million reduction in average investment securities. Maturing securities not needed to fund loan growth were reinvested in higher-yielding securities. The taxable-equivalent yield increased 24 basis points from 2.29% in the first quarter of 2004 to 2.53% in the first quarter of 2005.
16
Interest income from overnight investments was $3.0 million during the first quarter of 2005, an increase of $2.2 million from the $838,000 earned during the first quarter of 2004, the combined result of a 146 basis point increase in the earned yield and $156.0 million growth in average overnight investments
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Interest-bearing liabilities include our interest-bearing deposits as well as short-term borrowings and long-term obligations. Deposits are our primary funding source, although we also utilize non-deposit borrowings to stabilize our liquidity base and, in some cases, to fulfill commercial customer requirements for cash management services. Certain of our long-term borrowings also provide capital strength under existing guidelines established by the Federal Reserve.
At March 31, 2005 and 2004, interest-bearing liabilities totaled $9.82 billion and $9.33 billion, respectively, compared to $9.64 billion as of December 31, 2004. During the first quarter of 2005, interest-bearing liabilities averaged $9.64 billion, an increase of $430.2 million or 4.7 percent from the first quarter of 2004. This increase primarily resulted from higher levels of time and Checking With Interest deposits.
Deposits At March 31, 2005, total deposits were $11.63 billion, an increase of $833.8 million or 7.7 percent over March 31, 2004. Compared to the December 31, 2004 balance of $11.35 billion, total deposits have increased $278.6 million or 2.5 percent. Deposits at ISB increased by $303.6 million or 32.5 percent from March 31, 2004 to March 31, 2005.
Average interest-bearing deposits were $8.91 billion during the first quarter of 2005, an increase of $423.8 million from the first quarter of 2004. Average time deposits increased $282.6 million or 7.6 percent to $3.99 billion from the first quarter of 2004 to the same period of 2005. Supplementing the growth in time deposits, average Checking With Interest deposits increased $90.2 million or 6.2 percent from the first quarter of 2004 to the same period of 2005. Average savings balances increased $29.2 million or 4.1 percent, while average money market accounts increased $21.8 million or 0.8 percent from first quarter of 2004 to the first quarter of 2005.
We attribute the growth of time deposits to the higher interest rate environment, and expect that time deposits balances will continue to increase as market rates move higher. BancShares continues to offer competitively-priced products in an effort to attract and retain core deposit relationships.
Short-term Borrowings At March 31, 2005, short-term borrowings totaled $465.0 million compared to $447.7 million at December 31, 2004 and $467.9 million at March 31, 2004. For the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, short-term borrowings averaged $445.5 million and $435.6 million, respectively. The growth in short-term borrowings is the result of higher master note borrowings and repurchase agreements, partially offset by a reduction in federal funds purchased.
Expense on Interest-Bearing Liabilities. Interest expense amounted to $42.6 million during the first quarter of 2005, an $11.4 million or 36.3 percent increase from the first quarter of 2004. The higher interest expense was the result of higher rates and higher average volume. The rate on average interest-bearing liabilities was 1.79 percent, a 43 basis point increase in the aggregate blended rate on interest-bearing liabilities as compared to the first quarter of 2004.
17
Total interest-earning assets
Checking With Interest
Savings
Money market accounts
Time deposits
Total interest-bearing deposits
Federal funds purchased
Repurchase agreements
Master notes
Other short-term borrowings
Total interest-bearing liabilities
Interest rate spread
Net interest income and net yield on interest-earning assets
Average loan and lease balances include nonaccrual loans and leases. Yields related to loans, leases and securities exempt from both federal and state income taxes, federal income taxes only, or state income taxes only are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a statutory federal income tax rate of 35% and state income tax rate of 6.90% for each period. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $347 for 2005 and $325 for 2004.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income totaled $105.7 million during the first quarter of 2005, an increase of $13.2 million or 14.3 percent from the first quarter of 2004. The taxable-equivalent net yield on interest-earning assets was 3.60 percent for the first quarter of 2005, compared to the 3.34 percent achieved for the first quarter of 2004. Due to our asset-sensitive position, the increase in market interest rates in the first quarter contributed to the 26 basis point improvement in net yield.
18
As the economy continues to strengthen, inflation concerns could influence the Federal Reserve to continue to increase interest rates. Current interest rates and moderate loan demand should support improvements in net interest income during the remaining quarters of 2005. Further increases in interest rates by the Federal Reserve resulting in a higher prime lending rate should have a positive effect on the interest rate spread due to BancShares’ one-year positive interest rate gap.
A principal objective of BancShares’ asset/liability management function is to manage interest rate risk or the exposure to changes in interest rates. Management maintains portfolios of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities with maturities or repricing characteristics that are intended to protect against extreme interest rate fluctuations, thereby limiting, to the extent possible, the ultimate interest rate exposure. We do not utilize interest rate swaps, floors, collars or other derivative financial instruments to attempt to hedge our interest rate sensitivity and interest rate risk. Management is aware of the potential negative impact that movements in market interest rates may have on net interest income.
ASSET QUALITY
The maintenance of excellent asset quality is one of our primary areas of focus. We have historically dedicated significant resources to ensuring we are prudent in our lending practices. Accordingly, we have focused on asset quality as a key performance measure.
Nonperforming assets. At March 31, 2005, BancShares’ nonperforming assets amounted to $22.9 million or 0.24 percent of gross loans plus foreclosed properties, compared to $23.3 million at December 31, 2004, and $20.2 million at March 31, 2004. Management views these levels of nonperforming assets as evidence of strong asset quality. Management continues to closely monitor nonperforming assets, taking necessary actions to minimize potential exposure.
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. Management continuously analyzes the growth and risk characteristics of the total loan portfolio under current economic conditions in order to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. Such factors as the financial condition of borrowers, fair market value of collateral and other considerations are recognized in estimating probable credit losses.
During the first quarter of 2005, we extracted from the allowance for loan and lease losses the amount established as a liability for unfunded credit commitments. The liability for unfunded credit commitments, which is reported as a component of other liabilities for all periods presented, relates to outstanding commitments under commercial future advance loans, Capital Lines, EquityLines, credit cards and other lines of credit.
19
(thousands, except ratios)
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Net charge-offs
Allowance for credit losses at end of period
Allowance for credit losses includes:
Liability for unfunded credit commitments
Historical Statistics
Average loans and leases
Loans and leases at period-end
Risk Elements
Nonaccrual loans and leases
Other real estate
Total nonperforming assets
Accruing loans and leases 90 days or more past due
Ratios
Net charge-offs (annualized) to average total loans and leases
Percent of total loans and leases at period-end:
Reserve for unfunded commitments
Allowance for loan and lease losses plus reserve for unfunded commitments
Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other real estate
At March 31, 2005, the allowance for loan losses amounted to $125.7 million compared to $123.9 million at December 31, 2004, and $114.7 million at March 31, 2004.
On a combined basis, the allowance for loan and lease losses and the liability for unfunded credit commitments totals $132.7 million at March 31, 2005 or 1.41 percent of total loans and leases. This compares to 1.40 percent at December 31, 2004 and 1.42 percent at March 31, 2004.
20
The provision for loan losses charged to operations during the first quarter of 2005 was $5.3 million, compared to $7.8 million during the first quarter of 2004. The $2.5 million decrease in the provision for loan loss during 2005 resulted from lower net charge offs and moderately slower loan growth. Net charge-offs during the first quarter of 2005 were $3.5 million compared to $5.2 million during the first quarter of 2004. Much of the reduction in net charge-offs resulted from a $1.6 million increase in recoveries. On an annualized basis, net charge-offs represent 0.15 percent of average loans outstanding during the first quarter of 2005 compared to 0.25 percent of average loans outstanding in the first quarter of 2004. Table 5 provides details concerning the allowance and provision for loan losses over the past five quarters.
Management considers the established allowance adequate to absorb estimated probable losses that relate to loans outstanding at March 31, 2005, although future additions may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions and other factors. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for loan and lease losses. Such agencies may require the recognition of adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.
NONINTEREST INCOME
The growth of noninterest income is essential to our ability to sustain adequate levels of profitability. The primary sources of noninterest income are service charges on deposit accounts, cardholder and merchant services income, various types of commission-based income including the sale of investments by our broker-dealer subsidiaries, fees from processing services for client banks, mortgage income and various types of revenues derived from wealth management services.
During the first three months of 2005, noninterest income was $61.2 million, compared to $61.5 million during the same period of 2004. The $320,000 or 0.5 percent decrease was primarily due to reductions in securities gains, service charges on deposit accounts and mortgage income. Offsetting these reductions were improved cardholder and merchant services income, other service charges and fees, and fees from processing services.
During the first quarter of 2004, sales of available-for-sale investment securities generated a net gain of $1.9 million. There were no securities transactions in the first quarter of 2005.
Service charges on deposit accounts generated $18.7 million and $19.4 million for the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively. The $678,000 or 3.5 percent decrease was primarily due to lower commercial service charges, the result of higher interest rates, which reduce service charge income earned on commercial analysis accounts. Growth in bad check and overdraft charges partially offset the reduction in service charges due in part to higher rates adopted during the second quarter of 2004.
Mortgage income was $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2005 and $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2004. This decrease resulted from significantly lower mortgage origination activity during 2005. Management anticipates that mortgage origination activity during 2005 will lag behind that achieved in 2004, resulting in a continuing reduction in mortgage income.
Offsetting these reductions in noninterest income, cardholder and merchant services income increased $2.1 million or 15.0 percent to $16.3 million during the first quarter. This increase resulted from higher merchant discount income due to higher transaction volume, and higher interchange income, the result of growth in cardholder transaction volume.
Other service charges and fees increased $754,000 during the first quarter of 2005, primarily due to new fees we began collecting in late 2004. Fees from processing services totaled $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2005 and $5.9 million in the first quarter of 2004. The $364,000 or 6.2 percent increase was primarily the result of growth in the number of transactions processed for client banks.
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Trust income improved $178,000 or 4.1 percent to $4.5 million during the first quarter of 2005 due to new sales activity and favorable results from accounts that generate fees based on asset values. Within commission income, which decreased $291,000 or 4.4 percent, income from broker-dealer activities declined $545,000 as a result of weaker sales volume. Income generated by insurance agency activities and factoring improved when compared to 2004.
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
The primary components of noninterest expense are salaries and related employee benefit costs, occupancy costs related to branch offices and support facilities, and equipment costs related to branch offices and technology.
Noninterest expense equaled $121.3 million for the first three months of 2005, a 2.1 percent increase over the $118.9 million recorded during the same period of 2004. As a result of its continued expansion, ISB’s noninterest expense increased from $11.2 million for the first quarter of 2004 to $15.5 million in 2005, a $4.3 million or 39.0 percent increase.
Salaries and wages increased $659,000 during 2005 when compared to the same period of 2004. Due to a continuing workforce expansion, salary costs at ISB increased $1.4 million from the first quarter of 2004 to the same period of 2005. Employee benefits expense totaled $12.5 million for the first three months of 2005, a decrease of $55,000. This 0.4 percent decrease was the net result of lower employee health insurance costs and higher pension expense.
Occupancy expense was $11.4 million during the first quarter of 2005 and $11.3 million during the first quarter of 2004. The $108,000 or 1.0 percent increase resulted from higher rent expense and other occupancy costs arising from ISB’s continued branch expansion.
Equipment expense decreased $143,000 to $12.5 million for the first quarter of 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004. Much of the 1.1 percent decrease in equipment expense is related to lower hardware depreciation.
Other expenses increased $1.9 million or 6.0 percent from the first quarter of 2004 to the first quarter of 2005. This increase includes a $731,000 increase in card processing costs and smaller increases among other operating expenses. An additional unfavorable variance resulted from the absence of a $2.1 million gain recognized on the sale of ISB property during the first quarter of 2004. The first quarter of 2005 included reductions in telecommunications, legal, insurance claims expense and postage.
INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense amounted to $15.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $9.9 million during the same period of 2004. The 53.2 percent increase in income tax expense
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was primarily the result of higher pre-tax income. The effective tax rates for these periods were 37.8 percent and 36.4 percent, respectively. BancShares continually monitors and evaluates the potential impact of current events on the estimates used to establish income tax expenses and income tax liabilities. On a periodic basis, we evaluate our income tax positions based on current tax law, positions taken by various tax auditors within the jurisdictions that BancShares is required to file income tax returns as well as potential or pending audits or assessments by such tax auditors.
LIQUIDITY
BancShares has historically maintained a strong focus on liquidity, and our deposit base represents our primary liquidity source. Through our deposit pricing strategies, we have the ability to stimulate or curtail deposit growth. BancShares also maintains additional sources for borrowed funds through federal funds lines of credit and other borrowing facilities. At March 31, 2005, BancShares had access to $475.0 million in unfunded borrowings through its correspondent bank network.
Once we have satisfied our loan demand, residual liquidity is invested in overnight and longer-term investment products. Investment securities available for sale provide immediate liquidity as needed. In addition, investment securities held to maturity provide an ongoing liquidity source based on the scheduled maturity dates of the securities.
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY
BancShares continues to exceed all minimum regulatory capital requirements, and the banking subsidiaries remain well-capitalized. At March 31, 2005 and 2004, the leverage capital ratios of BancShares were 9.39 percent and 9.42 percent, respectively, surpassing the minimum level of 3 percent. As a percentage of risk-adjusted assets, BancShares’ Tier 1 capital ratios were 12.15 percent at March 31, 2005 and 12.61 percent at March 31, 2004. The minimum ratio allowed is 4 percent of risk-adjusted assets. The total risk-adjusted capital ratios were 13.49 percent at March 31, 2005 and 13.96 percent as of March 31, 2004. The minimum total capital ratio is 8 percent. BancShares and its subsidiary banks exceed the capital standards established by their respective regulatory agencies.
SEGMENT REPORTING
BancShares conducts its banking operations through its two banking subsidiaries, FCB and ISB. Although FCB and ISB offer similar products and services to customers, each entity operates in distinct geographic markets and has separate management groups. We monitor growth and financial results in these institutions separately and, within each institution, by geographic segregation.
Although FCB has grown through acquisition in certain of its markets, throughout its history much of its expansion has been accomplished on a de novo basis. However, because of FCB’s size, market share and maturity as well as the current modest expansion of its branch network, the costs associated with de novo branching are not material to FCB’s financial performance. Since it first opened in 1997, ISB has followed a
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similar business model for growth and expansion. Yet, due to the magnitude of the number of immature branch offices that have yet to attain sufficient size for profitability, the financial results and trends of ISB are significantly affected by its current and continuing growth. Each new market ISB enters creates additional operating costs that are typically not fully offset by operating revenues until the third year after initial opening. ISB’s rapid growth in new markets in recent years has continued to adversely impact its financial performance.
IronStone Bank. At March 31, 2005, ISB operated 48 branches in Florida, Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington. ISB continues to focus on markets with favorable growth prospects. Our business model for these new markets has two pivotal requirements. First, we are recruiting and hiring experienced bankers who are established in the markets we are entering and who are focused on strong asset quality and delivering high quality customer service. Second, we are occupying attractive and accessible branch facilities. Both of these are costly goals, but we believe that they are critical to establishing a solid foundation for future success in these new markets.
ISB’s total assets increased from $1.25 billion at March 31, 2004 to $1.59 billion at March 31, 2005, an increase of $338.7 million or 27.0 percent. Net interest income increased $3.4 million or 31.7 percent during the first quarter of 2005, the result of balance sheet growth and an improved net yield on interest-earning assets.
The provision for loan and lease losses increased $923,000 during the first quarter of 2005 due to allowances needed for current loan growth. Net charge-offs increased from $99,000 in the first quarter of 2004 to $272,000 in the first quarter of 2005. On an annualized basis, the ratio of current quarter net charge-offs to average loans outstanding equaled 0.08 percent.
ISB’s noninterest income increased slightly during 2005, as growth in factoring commissions and cardholder and merchant services income was offset by reduced service charge and mortgage income.
Noninterest expense increased $4.3 million or 39.0 percent during the first quarter of 2005, versus the same period of 2004. The continuing expansion resulted in a $1.4 million or 27.9 percent increase in salary expense, a $398,000 or 36.1 percent increase in employee benefits expense, a $100,000 or 4.0 percent increase in occupancy expense and a $59,000 or 6.5 percent increase in equipment expense. The rapid pace of noninterest expense growth is likely to continue through 2005 as we continue to open new ISB facilities.
Other expense was $15.5 million during the first quarter of 2005 compared to $11.2 million during the first quarter of 2004. The $4.3 million increase includes the impact of a $2.1 million gain recognized on the sale of property during the first quarter of 2004. The rest of the increase resulted from higher levels of general operating expenses.
ISB recorded a net loss of $1.2 million during the first quarter of 2005, compared to a net loss of $27,000 recorded during the same period of 2004. This represents an unfavorable variance of $1.1 million. ISB has recently opened facilities in Oregon and Washington and continues to evaluate expansion opportunities. As this growth continues, ISB will incur incremental operating costs, particularly in the areas of personnel and occupancy. As a result of the de novo status of much of the ISB franchise and plans for continued expansion, ISB’s net losses will likely extend into the foreseeable future.
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First Citizens Bank. At March 31, 2005, FCB operated 340 branches in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, compared to 337 branches at March 31, 2004.
FCB’s total assets increased from $11.34 billion at March 31, 2004 to $11.87 billion at March 31, 2005, an increase of $527.2 million or 4.6 percent, the result of strong loan growth, offset by reductions in investment securities and overnight investments. FCB’s net interest income increased $9.6 million or 11.1 percent during 2005, due to a higher yield on interest-earning assets and higher loan balances.
The provision for loan and lease losses decreased $3.4 million due to lower net charge offs. Net charge-offs decreased $1.9 million or 37.8 percent. FCB’s noninterest income increased $1.7 million or 2.9 percent during the first quarter of 2005, primarily the result of higher cardholder and merchant services income. Noninterest expense decreased $1.6 million or 1.5 percent during 2005, due to lower personnel and employee benefit costs.
FCB recorded net income of $29.3 million during the first quarter of 2005 compared to $19.4 million during the same period of 2004. This represents a $9.9 million or 50.8 percent increase in net income.
CURRENT ACCOUNTING AND REGULATORY ISSUES
During March 2004, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 105, Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments (SAB 105). SAB 105 addresses the accounting for loan commitments and provides that the required fair value measurement include only differences between the guaranteed interest rate in the loan commitment and a market interest rate excluding any expected future cash flows related to the customer relationship or loan servicing. SAB 105 applies to mortgage loan commitments accounted for as derivatives and entered into after March 31, 2004. Substantially all of our mortgage loan commitments are based on rates provided by third party correspondents, who have agreed to purchase resulting loans at those rates. As a result, we are protected from interest rate risk, and the adoption of SAB 105 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2003, the American Institute of Certificate Public Accountants (AICPA) issued Statement of Position 03-3, Accounting for Loans or Certain Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer (SOP 03-3). SOP 03-3 addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investment in loans or debt securities acquired in a transfer if these differences relate to a deterioration of credit quality. SOP 03-3 also prohibits companies from carrying over or creating a valuation allowance in the initial accounting for loans acquired. SOP 03-3 is effective for loans acquired in years beginning after December 15, 2004. The adoption of SOP 03-3 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
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Management is not aware of any current recommendations by regulatory authorities that, if implemented, would have or would be reasonably likely to have a material effect on liquidity, capital ratios or results of operations.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this Report and exhibits relating to plans, strategies, economic performance and trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments, expectations or beliefs about future events or results, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “potential” or “continue,” or similar terms or the negative of these terms, or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of BancShares’ management about future events.
Factors that could influence the accuracy of those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the financial success or changing strategies of our customers, customer acceptance of our services, products and fee structure, the competitive nature of the financial services industry, our ability to compete effectively against other financial institutions in our banking markets, actions of government regulators, the level of market interest rates and our ability to manage our interest rate risk, changes in general economic conditions particularly changes that affect our loan portfolio, the abilities of our borrowers to repay their loans, and the values of loan collateral, and other developments or changes in our business that we do not expect.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We have no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the potential economic loss resulting from changes in market prices and interest rates. This risk can either result in diminished current fair values of financial instruments or reduced net interest income in future periods. As of March 31, 2005, BancShares’ market risk profile has not changed significantly from December 31, 2004.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
BancShares’ management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of BancShares’ disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, BancShares’ disclosure controls and procedures were effective in enabling it to record, process, summarize and report in a timely manner the information required to be disclosed in reports it files under the Exchange Act.
No change in BancShares’ internal control over financial reporting occurred during the first quarter of 2005 that had materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, BancShares’ internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
Item 6. Exhibits
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: May 9, 2005
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC.
(Registrant)
/s/ Kenneth A. Black
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