First Financial - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(812)238-6000
(Registrants 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 12 months (or for such period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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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).
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As of May 7, 2007, the Registrant had outstanding 13,204,321 shares of common stock, without par value.

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

Item 1. Financial Statements

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes.

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes.

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2007, and 2006
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes.

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes.

FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying March 31, 2007 and 2006 consolidated financial statements are unaudited. The December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements are as reported in the First Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) 2006 annual report. The information presented does not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting procedures for complete financial statements. The following notes should be read together with notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2006 annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to Form 10-K.

1. The significant accounting policies followed by the Corporation and its subsidiaries for interim financial reporting are consistent with the accounting policies followed for annual financial reporting. All adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and are of a normal recurring nature. The Corporation reports financial information for only one segment, banking. Some items in the prior year financials were reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

2. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Impairment is primarily measured based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral. The following table summarizes impaired loan information:

Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collection of the principal amount is deemed to be fully assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis.

3. Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of the Corporation’s investments are shown below. All securities are classified as available-for-sale.

4. Short-Term Borrowings

5. Other Borrowings

Other borrowings at period-end are summarized as follows:

6. Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

First Financial Corporation previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 that it expected to contribute $1.8 and $1.2 million respectively to its Pension Plan and ESOP and $319,000 to the Post Retirement Health Benefits Plan in 2007. Plan changes to the Post Retirement Health Benefits Plan have reduced the expected contributions for 2007 to $180,000. First Financial Corporation anticipates contributing $1.8 and $1.2 million respectively to its Pension Plan and ESOP in 2007. Contributions of $41,000 have been made through the first quarter of 2007 for the Post Retirement Health Benefits plan.

We adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007. The adoption of Fin 48 was recognized as a cumulative effect adjustment, reducing retained earnings and increasing liabilities by $86 thousand on January 1, 2007.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 totaled $588, which would increase income from continuing operations, and thus impact the Company’s effective tax rate, if ultimately recognized into income. Unrecognized state income tax benefits are reported net of their related deferred federal income tax benefit.

It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense, and interest was accrued and included in the $588 amount above as of January 1, 2007.

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and combined returns in the state of Indiana and Illinois. These returns are subject to examination by taxing authorities for years after 2002. We are currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for the 2004 tax year. The anticipated effect on unrecognized tax benefits resulting from this audit cannot be determined at this time.

Additionally, the Company anticipates that the statute of limitations will close during 2007 on a tax position taken in the federal income tax return. Should this statute close on the position as taken in the return, the Company will recognize these tax benefits, which will reduce income tax expense by an immaterial amount.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS No. 159). The standard provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The new standard is effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2008. The Corporation has not completed its evaluation of the impact of adoption of SFAS No. 159 but currently does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial statements.

ITEMS 2. and 3. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The purpose of this discussion is to point out key factors in the Corporation’s recent performance compared with earlier periods. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page three of this report. All figures are for the consolidated entities. It is presumed the readers of these financial statements and of the following narrative have previously read the Corporation’s annual report for 2006.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, without limitation, the Corporation’s ability to effectively execute its business plans; changes in general economic and financial market conditions; changes in interest rates; changes in the competitive environment; continuing consolidation in the financial services industry; new litigation or changes in existing litigation; losses, customer bankruptcy, claims and assessments; changes in banking regulations or other regulatory or legislative requirements affecting the Corporation’s business; and changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements is available in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and subsequent filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of these filings are available at no cost on the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov or on the Corporation’s Web site at www.first-online.com. Management may elect to update forward-looking statements at some future point; however, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

Certain of the Corporation’s accounting policies are important to the portrayal of the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations, since they require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. Estimates associated with these policies are susceptible to material changes as a result of changes in facts and circumstances. Facts and circumstances which could affect these judgments include, but without limitation, changes in interest rates, in the performance of the economy or in the financial condition of borrowers. Management believes that its critical accounting policies include determining the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of goodwill. See further discussion of these critical accounting policies in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $6.4 million compared to $5.5 million in the same period in 2006. Basic earnings per share increased to $0.48 for the first quarter of 2007 compared to $0.41 for 2006, a 17.1% increase.

The primary components of income and expense affecting net income are discussed in the following analysis.

The Corporation’s primary source of earnings is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on loans and other investments and the interest paid for deposits and other sources of funds. Net interest income increased to $18.5 million in the first three months of 2007 from $18.4 million in the same period in 2006, a 0.3% increase. The net interest margin decreased to 3.91% in 2007 from 3.94% in 2006, a 0.8% decrease, driven by a greater increase in the costs of funding than the increases realized on earning assets. The net interest income increased due to the increase in earning assets.

Non-interest income for the quarter was $8.1 million. Increased other income from sales of other real estate was the major difference between these results and the $7.4 million of non-interest income reported for the same period in 2006. Income from loan sales, security gains and insurance commissions were also increased as compared to the same period of 2006.

The Corporation’s non-interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 decreased by $158 thousand or 1.0%. Occupancy expenses and equipment costs were higher during the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006. First Financial Bank opened a new branch at the end of 2006, contributing to the increase in those expenses. Salaries and benefits expenses were reduced by $307 thousand for the first three months of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006. The Corporation has reduced the number of full time equivalent employees as a continuation of the benefits of consolidating bank subsidiaries into one bank. Income tax expense increased due to an increase in the effective tax rate from 25.5% to 27.5%. Tax-exempt income was a lower percentage of net income before tax for the first quarter of 2007 as compared to the same period of 2006.

The Corporation’s provision for loan losses decreased $513 thousand for the first three months of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006. Net charge-offs for the first three months of 2007 were $2.0 million compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2006. The majority of current quarter charge-offs was related to two commercial credits that were previously provided for through specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses. Provision for loan losses decreased when comparing the first three months of 2007 and 2006, despite an increase in net charge-offs, as a result of improving credit quality. The allowance for loan losses has decreased from 1.22% of gross loans, or $16.9 million at March 31, 2006 to 1.14% of gross loans, or $15.8 million at March 31, 2007. Based on management’s analysis of the current portfolio, an evaluation that includes consideration of historical loss experience, non-performing loans trends, and probable incurred losses on identified problem loans, management believes the allowance is adequate.

Non-performing loans consist of (1) non-accrual loans on which the ultimate collectability of the full amount of interest is uncertain, (2) loans which have been renegotiated to provide for a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of a deterioration in the financial position of the borrower, and (3) loans past due ninety days or more as to principal or interest. A summary of non-performing loans at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 follows:

The following loan categories comprise significant components of the nonperforming loans:

First Financial Corporation has established risk measures, limits and policy guidelines for managing interest rate risk and liquidity. Responsibility for management of these functions resides with the Asset Liability Committee. The primary goal of the Asset Liability Committee is to maximize net interest income within the interest rate risk limits approved by the Board of Directors.

Management considers interest rate risk to be the Corporation’s most significant market risk. Interest rate risk is the exposure to changes in net interest income as a result of changes in interest rates. Consistency in the Corporation’s net interest income is largely dependent on the effective management of this risk.

The Asset Liability position is measured using sophisticated risk management tools, including earning simulation and market value of equity sensitivity analysis. These tools allow management to quantify and monitor both short-term and long-term exposure to interest rate risk. Simulation modeling measures the effects of changes in interest rates, changes in the shape of the yield curve and the effects of embedded options on net interest income. This measure projects earnings in the various environments over the next three years. It is important to note that measures of interest rate risk have limitations and are dependent on various assumptions. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely predict the impact of interest rate fluctuations on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, frequency and amount of interest rate changes as well as overall market conditions. The Committee has performed a thorough analysis of these assumptions and believes them to be valid and theoretically sound. These assumptions are continuously monitored for behavioral changes.

The Corporation from time to time utilizes derivatives to manage interest rate risk. Management continuously evaluates the merits of such interest rate risk products but does not anticipate the use of such products to become a major part of the Corporation’s risk management strategy.

The table below shows the Corporation’s estimated sensitivity profile as of March 31, 2007. The change in interest rates assumes a parallel shift in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points. Given a 100 basis point increase in rates, net interest income would decrease 3.56% over the next 12 months and decrease 1.26% over the following 12 months. Given a 100 basis point decrease in rates, net interest income would increase 1.02% over the next 12 months and decrease 1.86% over the following 12 months. These estimates assume all rate changes occur overnight and management takes no action as a result of this change.

Typical rate shock analysis does not reflect management’s ability to react and thereby reduce the effect of rate changes, and represents a worst-case scenario.

Liquidity is measured by each bank’s ability to raise funds to meet the obligations of its customers, including deposit withdrawals and credit needs. This is accomplished primarily by maintaining sufficient liquid assets in the form of investment securities and core deposits. The Corporation has $4.9 million of investments that mature throughout the coming 12 months. The Corporation also anticipates $68.3 million of principal payments from mortgage-backed securities. Given the current rate environment, the Corporation anticipates $21.1 million in securities to be called within the next 12 months. With these sources of funds, the Corporation currently anticipates adequate liquidity to meet the expected obligations of its customers.

Comparing the first quarter of 2007 to the same period in 2006, net loans are up 0.8% or $12.2 million. Deposits are up $12.2 million at March 31, 2007, also a 0.8% increase from the balances at the same time in 2006. The investment portfolio and federal funds sold increased by of $32.3 million. Shareholders’ equity increased $5.2 million. This financial performance increased book value per share 2.6% to $20.94 at March 31, 2007 from $20.42 at March 31, 2006. Book value per share is calculated by dividing the total shareholders’ equity by the number of shares outstanding.

As of March 31, 2007, the most recent notification from the respective regulatory agencies categorized the subsidiary banks as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized the banks must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the bank’s category. Below are the capital ratios for the Corporation and lead bank.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

First Financial Corporation’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As of March 31, 2007, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2007 were effective in ensuring material information required to be disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis. Additionally, there were no changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings.

There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than routine litigation incidental to the business of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, to which the Corporation or any of the subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective property is subject. Further, there is no material legal proceeding in which any director, officer, principal shareholder, or affiliate of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or any associate of such director, officer, principal shareholder or affiliate is a party, or has a material interest, adverse to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in the risk factors from those disclosed in the Corporation’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The Corporation periodically acquires shares of its common stock directly from shareholders in individually negotiated transactions. The Corporation has not adopted a formal policy or adopted a formal program for repurchases of shares of its common stock. Following is certain information regarding shares of common stock purchased by the Corporation during the quarter covered by this report.

ITEM 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

None

ITEM 5. Other Information.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. Exhibits.

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.