First Interstate BancSystem - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

401 North 31st Street, Billings, MT 59116-0918

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 406/255-5390

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 shorter 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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.)

Yes o    No o          

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o   No þ          

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock:

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

          The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, including the audited financial statements contained therein, filed with the SEC.

          When we refer to “we,” “our,” and “us” in this report, we mean First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates that we refer only to the parent company, First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.

          This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Any statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, beliefs, or future performance or events constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements are identified as those that include words or phrases such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue” or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “may” or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, estimates and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any results, performance or events expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in this release:

          A more detailed discussion of each of the foregoing risks is included in our most recently filed prospectus dated March 23, 2010, filed March 24, 2010. These factors and the other risk factors described in our periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, however, are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results. Investors and others are encouraged to read the more detailed discussion of our risks contained in our most recently filed prospectus, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference.

          All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we do not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

          We are a financial and bank holding company headquartered in Billings, Montana. As of March 31, 2010, we had consolidated assets of $7,216 million, deposits of $5,788 million, loans of $4,481 million and total stockholders’ equity of $733 million. We currently operate 72 banking offices in 42 communities located in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. Through our bank subsidiary, First Interstate Bank, or the Bank, we deliver a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities throughout our market areas. Our customers participate in a wide variety of industries, including energy, healthcare and professional services, education and governmental services, construction, mining, agriculture, retail and wholesale trade and tourism.

          Our principal business activity is lending to and accepting deposits from individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities. We derive our income principally from interest charged on loans and, to a lesser extent, from interest and dividends earned on investments. We also derive income from non-interest sources such as fees received in connection with various lending and deposit services; trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance services; mortgage loan originations, sales and servicing; merchant and electronic banking services; and from time to time, gains on sales of assets. Our principal expenses include interest expense on deposits and borrowings, operating expenses, provisions for loan losses and income tax expense.

          Our loan portfolio consists of a mix of real estate, consumer, commercial, agricultural and other loans, including fixed and variable rate loans. Our real estate loans comprise commercial real estate, construction (including residential, commercial and land development loans), residential, agricultural and other real estate loans. Fluctuations in the loan portfolio are directly related to the economies of the communities we serve. While each loan originated generally must meet minimum underwriting standards established in our credit policies, lending officers are granted discretion within pre-approved limits in approving and pricing loans to assure that the banking offices are responsive to competitive issues and community needs in each market area. We fund our loan portfolio primarily with the core deposits from our customers, generally without utilizing brokered deposits and with minimal reliance on wholesale funding sources.

          On March 5, 2010, our shareholders approved proposals to recapitalize our existing common stock. The recapitalization included a redesignation of existing common stock as Class B common stock with five votes per share, convertible into Class A common stock on a share for share basis; a four-for-one stock split of the Class B common stock; an increase in the authorized number of Class B common shares from 20,000,000 to 100,000,000; and the creation of a new class of common stock designated as Class A common stock, with one vote per share, with 100,000,000 shares authorized. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock are collectively referred to as “common stock” in this report. All share and per share information included in this report has been adjusted to give effect to the recapitalization of the common stock, including the four-for-one stock split of Class B common stock, as if the recapitalization had occurred on January 1, 2009, the earliest date presented.

          On March 29, 2010, we concluded our initial public offering, or IPO, of 10,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, and an additional 1,500,000 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase Class A common shares in the offering. We received net proceeds of $153 million from the sale of the shares, after deducting the underwriting discount, commissions and other offering expenses.

          As a banking institution, we manage and evaluate various aspects of both our financial condition and our results of operations. We monitor our financial condition and performance on a monthly basis, at our holding company, at the Bank and at each banking office. We evaluate the levels and trends of the line items included in our balance sheet and statements of income, as well as various financial ratios that are commonly used in our industry. We analyze these ratios and financial trends against both our own historical levels and the financial condition and performance of comparable banking institutions in our region and nationally.

          Results of Operations

          Principal factors used in managing and evaluating our results of operations include net interest income, non-interest income, non-interest expense and net income.

          Net interest income. Net interest income, the largest source of our operating income, is derived from interest, dividends and fees received on interest earning assets, less interest expense incurred on interest bearing liabilities. Interest earning assets primarily include loans and investment securities. Interest bearing liabilities include deposits and various forms of indebtedness. Net interest income is affected by the level of interest rates, changes in interest rates and changes in the composition of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The most significant impact on our net interest income between periods is derived from the interaction of changes in the rates earned or paid on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, which we refer to as interest rate spread. The volume of loans, investment securities and other interest earning assets, compared to the volume of interest bearing deposits and indebtedness, combined with the interest rate spread, produces changes in our net interest income between periods. Non-interest bearing sources of funds, such as demand deposits and stockholders’ equity, also support earning assets. The impact of free funding sources is captured in the net interest margin, which is calculated as net interest income divided by average earning assets. Given the interest free nature of free funding sources, the net interest margin is generally higher than the interest rate spread. We seek to increase our net interest income over time, and we evaluate our net interest income on factors that include the yields on our loans and other earning assets, the costs of our deposits and other funding sources, the levels of our net interest spread and net interest margin and the provisions for loan losses required to maintain our allowance for loan losses at an adequate level.

          Non-interest income. Our principal sources of non-interest income include (1) income from the origination and sale of loans, (2) other service charges, commissions and fees, (3) service charges on deposit accounts, (4) wealth management revenues and (5) other income. Income from the origination and sale of loans includes origination and processing fees on residential real estate loans held for sale and gains on residential real estate loans sold to third parties. Fluctuations in market interest rates have a significant impact on revenues generated from the origination and sale of loans. Higher interest rates can reduce the demand for home loans and loans to refinance existing mortgages. Conversely, lower interest rates generally stimulate refinancing and home loan origination. Other service charges, commissions and fees primarily include debit and credit card interchange income, mortgage servicing fees, insurance and other commissions and ATM service charge revenues. Wealth management revenues principally comprises fees earned for management of trust assets and investment services revenues. Other income primarily includes company-owned life insurance revenues, check printing income, agency stock dividends and gains on sales of miscellaneous assets. We seek to increase our non-interest income over time, and we evaluate our non-interest income relative to the trends of the individual types of non-interest income in view of prevailing market conditions.

          Non-interest expense. Non-interest expenses include (1) salaries, wages and employee benefits expense, (2) occupancy expense, (3) furniture and equipment expense, (4) FDIC insurance premiums, (5) outsourced technology services expense, (6) impairment of mortgage servicing rights, (7) other real estate owned, or OREO, expense, (8) core deposit intangibles and (9) other expenses, which primarily includes professional fees; advertising and public relations costs; office supply, postage, freight, telephone and travel expenses; donations expense; debit and credit card expenses; board of director fees; and other losses. OREO expense is recorded net of OREO income. Variations in net OREO expense between periods is primarily due to write-downs of the estimated fair value of OREO properties, fluctuations in gains and losses recorded on sales of OREO properties, fluctuations in the number of OREO properties held and the carrying costs and/or operating expenses associated with those properties. We seek to manage our non-interest expenses in consideration of the growth of our business and our community banking model that emphasizes customer service and responsiveness. We evaluate our non-interest expense on factors that include our non-interest expense relative to our average assets, our efficiency ratio and the trends of the individual categories of non-interest expense.

          Net Income. We seek to increase our net income and provide favorable stockholder returns over time, and we evaluate our net income relative to the performance of other banks and bank holding companies on factors that include return on average assets, return on average equity and consistency and rates of growth in our earnings.

          Principal areas of focus in managing and evaluating our financial condition include liquidity, the diversification and quality of our loans, the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, the diversification and terms of our deposits and other funding sources, the re-pricing characteristics and maturities of our assets and liabilities, including potential interest rate exposure and the adequacy of our capital levels. We seek to maintain sufficient levels of cash and investment securities to meet potential payment and funding obligations, and we evaluate our liquidity on factors that include the levels of cash and highly liquid assets relative to our liabilities, the quality and maturities of our investment securities, our ratio of loans to deposits and our reliance on brokered certificates of deposit or other wholesale funding sources.

          We seek to maintain a diverse and high quality loan portfolio, and we evaluate our asset quality on factors that include the allocation of our loans among loan types, credit exposure to any single borrower or industry type, non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans and OREO, and loan charge-offs as a percentage of average loans. We seek to maintain our allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb potential losses inherent in our loan portfolio at each balance sheet date, and we evaluate the level of our allowance for loan losses relative to our overall loan portfolio and the level of non-performing loans and potential charge-offs.

          We seek to fund our assets primarily using core customer deposits spread among various deposit categories, and we evaluate our deposit and funding mix on factors that include the allocation of our deposits among deposit types, the level of our non-interest bearing deposits, the ratio of our core deposits (i.e. excluding time deposits above $100,000) to our total deposits and our reliance on brokered deposits or other wholesale funding sources, such as borrowings from other banks or agencies. We seek to manage the mix, maturities and re-pricing characteristics of our assets and liabilities to maintain relative stability of our net interest rate margin in a changing interest rate environment, and we evaluate our asset-liability management using complex models to evaluate the changes to our net interest income under different interest rate scenarios.

          Finally, we seek to maintain adequate capital levels to absorb unforeseen operating losses and to help support the growth of our balance sheet. We evaluate our capital adequacy using the regulatory and financial capital ratios including leverage capital ratio, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, total risk-based capital ratio, tangible common equity to tangible assets and tier 1 common capital to total risk-weighted assets.

          Our success is highly dependent on economic conditions and market interest rates. Because we operate in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota, the local economic conditions in each of these areas are particularly important. Our local economies have not been impacted as severely by the national economic and real estate downturn, sub-prime mortgage crisis and ongoing financial market turbulence as many areas of the United States. Although the continuing impact of the national recession and related real estate and financial market conditions is uncertain, these factors affect our business and could have a material negative effect on our cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

          Capital Resources

          On March 5, 2010, our shareholders approved proposals to recapitalize our existing common stock. The recapitalization included a redesignation of existing common stock as Class B common stock with five votes per share, convertible into Class A common stock on a share for share basis; a four-for-one stock split of the Class B common stock; an increase in the authorized number of Class B common shares from 20,000,000 to 100,000,000; and the creation of a new class of common stock designated as Class A common stock, with one vote per share, with 100,000,000 shares authorized.

          On March 29, 2010, we concluded our IPO of 10,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, and an additional 1,500,000 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase Class A common shares in the offering. We received net proceeds of $153 million from offering, after deducting the underwriting discount, commissions and other offering expenses.

          Asset Quality

          Difficult economic conditions continue to have a negative impact on businesses and consumers in our market areas. General declines in the real estate and housing markets resulted in continued deterioration in the credit quality of our loan portfolio, which is reflected by increases in non-performing and internally risk classified loans. Our non-performing assets increased to $177 million, or 3.91% of total loans and OREO, as of March 31, 2010, from $163 million, or 3.57% of total loans and OREO, as of December 31, 2009. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, totaled $9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to $5 million during the same period in 2009, with all major loan categories reflecting increases. Based on our assessment of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, we recorded provisions for loan losses of $11.9 million during the three months ended March, 31, 2010, compared to $9.6 million during the same period in 2009. Increased provisions for loan losses reflect our estimation of the effect of current economic conditions on our loan portfolio. In the first three months of 2010, we have continued to experience elevated levels of non-performing assets and provisions for loan losses which will continue to affect our earnings. Given the current economic conditions and trends, management believes we will continue to experience higher levels of non-performing loans in the near-term, which will likely have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

          Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and follow general practices within the industries in which we operate. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The most significant accounting policies we follow are presented in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

          Our critical accounting estimates are summarized below. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) the accounting estimate requires management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and (2) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, or the use of different estimates that management could have reasonably used in the current period, would have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.

          Allowance for Loan Losses

          The provision for loan losses creates an allowance for loan losses known and inherent in the loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

          We perform a quarterly assessment of the risks inherent in our loan portfolio, as well as a detailed review of each significant asset with identified weaknesses. Based on this analysis, we record a provision for loan losses in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at appropriate levels. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of subjective measurements, including management’s assessment of the internal risk classifications of loans, historical loan loss rates, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends and the impact of current local, regional and national economic factors on the quality of the loan portfolio. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are possible and may have a material impact on our allowance, and therefore our consolidated financial statements, liquidity or results of operations. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount we believe is sufficient to provide for estimated losses inherent in our loan portfolio at each balance sheet date, and fluctuations in the provision for loan losses result from management’s assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Management monitors qualitative and quantitative trends in the loan portfolio, including changes in the levels of past due, internally classified and non-performing loans. Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 describes the methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses. A discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is included herein under the heading “Asset Quality.”

          Goodwill

          The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets from acquisitions, or goodwill, is evaluated for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is likely an impairment has occurred. In testing for impairment, the fair value of net assets is estimated based on an analysis of our market value. Determining the fair value of goodwill is considered a critical accounting estimate because of its sensitivity to market-based trading of our Class A common stock. In addition, any allocation of the fair value of goodwill to assets and liabilities requires significant management judgment and the use of subjective measurements. Variability in the market and changes in assumptions or subjective measurements used to allocate fair value are reasonably possible and may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, liquidity or results of operations. Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 describes our accounting policy with regard to goodwill.

          Valuation of Mortgage Servicing Rights

          We recognize as assets the rights to service mortgage loans for others, whether acquired or internally originated. Mortgage servicing rights are carried on the consolidated balance sheet at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. We utilize the expertise of a third-party consultant to estimate the fair value of our mortgage servicing rights quarterly. In evaluating the mortgage servicing rights, the consultant uses discounted cash flow modeling techniques, which require estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including assumptions about loan repayment rates based on current industry expectations, costs to service, predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans as well as interest rate assumptions that contemplate the risk involved. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of mortgage servicing rights is expected to decline due to anticipated prepayments within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates, the fair value of mortgage servicing rights is expected to increase because prepayments of the underlying loans would be anticipated to decline. Impairment adjustments are recorded through a valuation allowance. The valuation allowance is adjusted for changes in impairment through a charge to current period earnings. Management believes the valuation techniques and assumptions used by the consultant are reasonable.

          Determining the fair value of mortgage servicing rights is considered a critical accounting estimate because of the assets’ sensitivity to changes in estimates and assumptions used, particularly loan prepayment speeds and discount rates. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are reasonably possible and may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, liquidity or results of operations. Notes 1 and 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 describe the methodology we use to determine fair value of mortgage servicing rights.

          OREO

          Real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans is initially carried at current fair value less estimated selling costs. The value of the underlying loan is written down to the fair value of the real estate acquired by charge to the allowance for loan losses, if necessary, at or within 90 days of foreclosure. Subsequent declines in fair value less estimated selling costs are included in OREO expense. Subsequent increases in fair value less estimated selling costs are recorded as a reduction in OREO expense to the extent of recognized losses. Carrying costs, operating expenses, net of related income, and gains or losses on sales are included in OREO expense. Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 describes our accounting policy with regard to OREO.

          The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide greater details of the results of our operations and financial condition.

          Net Interest Income. Net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent, or FTE, basis, increased $2.5 million, or 4.1%, to $62.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to $60.3 million for the same period in 2009. Our net FTE interest margin decreased 12 basis points to 4.00% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from 4.12% during the same period in the prior year. Compression in our net FTE interest margin ratio during first quarter 2010, as compared first quarter 2009, is largely due to a shift in the mix of interest earning assets from higher-yielding loans to lower-yielding assets, primarily investment securities. In addition, interest free and low-cost funding sources, such as demand deposits, repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings comprised a smaller percentage of our funding base, which further compressed the net FTE interest margin.

          The following table presents, for the periods indicated, condensed average balance sheet information, together with interest income and yields earned on average interest earning assets and interest expense and rates paid on average interest bearing liabilities.