News Details

COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SCBT Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: SCBT), the holding company for SCBT, National Association, today released its unaudited results of operations and other financial information for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011. The Company included the results of the FDIC-assisted acquisition of Habersham Bank, a full service, Georgia-chartered bank headquartered in Clarkesville, Georgia (“HB”), which closed on February 18, 2011. Highlights of the first quarter 2011 include the following:

• Net income of $2.5 million; diluted earnings per share of $0.19
• Organic loan growth, excluding acquired / covered loans, of $173.1 million; 8.0% increase from 1^st quarter of 2010
• Core deposit growth, excluding CDs and HB acquisition, up $360.2 million; 21.7% increase from 1^st quarter 2010
• Successfully raised $34.7 million in capital through private placement of in February
• Recorded a pre-tax gain from the acquisition of HB of $5.5 million
• Allowance for loan losses: 2.05% of period end loans, excluding covered loans
• Net charge-offs --- decreased to 1.53% annualized for the quarter, excluding covered assets compared to 3.13% for 2010;
• NPAs: 2.29% of total assets; 3.83% of loans and repossessed assets, excluding covered assets

Quarterly Cash Dividend

The Board of Directors of SCBT has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share payable on its common stock. This per share amount is equal to the dividend paid in the immediately preceding quarter and will be payable on May 27, 2011 to shareholders of record as of May 20, 2011.

First Quarter 2011 Results of Operations

Please refer to the accompanying tables for detailed comparative data on results of operations and financial results.

The Company reported consolidated net income of $2.5 million, or $0.19 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to consolidated net income of $49.0 million, or $3.86 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2010. This $46.5 million decrease was the net result of the following items:

• A decrease in pre-tax gain from FDIC-assisted acquisition of HB of $5.5 million compared to the $98.1 million pre-tax gain from the FDIC-assisted acquisition of Community Bank & Trust in the first quarter of 2010;
• Increase in non-interest expenses by $1.6 million, with $1.0 million of this from the addition of HB; $2.4 million in salaries and benefits; $2.8 million related to OREO and loan related expenses; offset by a $3.2 million decline related to FHLB prepayment fee and a decline in merger related cost of $3.3 million; offset by
• Improved net interest income of $4.2 million due primarily to the improved yields of covered loans and reduced interest expense in both deposits and other borrowings;
• Improved provision for loan losses which decreased by $10.1 million over the comparable quarter as the non-covered SCBT loan portfolio loan losses declined by $11.4 million and the covered loan portfolio loan losses increased by $1.3 million, net of the expected reimbursement from the FDIC;
• Improvement in non-interest income by $6.8 million, including securities gains/losses of $5.9 million, which result from losses recorded in the first quarter of 2010, and $604,000 from the addition of HB in the Georgia franchise;

The Company recorded an after-tax gain on acquisition of $3.6 million or $0.27 per share and incurred $.4 million of merger related expenses, net of tax, or $0.03 per share. On a net operating basis which excludes these items, SCBT would report an operating loss of $0.05 per diluted share for the quarter compared to a net operating loss per share of $0.43 per share for the first quarter of 2010.

“SCBT had a significant first quarter. We continued to be profitable as we have been for each quarter during this downturn and we also continued to have significant growth,” said Robert R. Hill, Jr., President and CEO. “The acquisition of Habersham Bank in the first quarter further strengthened our position in Georgia. We are very pleased with the progress of its integration and the opportunities it provides. Our bank continues to experience significant customer growth. This has led to continued solid organic growth at SCBT with non-acquired loans up 8% year over year and core deposits (excluding CDs and acquired deposits) up 21.7% year over year and 33.9% in the first quarter. Credit costs remained elevated but improved from prior year and prior quarter, and we continue working to reduce these losses. We are continuing to see positive trends in our 30-89 day past due loans as they remained level from the fourth quarter of 2010 and are down significantly from a year ago. Net charge offs declined from both the prior quarter and the prior year. We are hopeful that these lower past due levels will translate into a lower level of loan losses in the coming quarters. Finally, we further bolstered our capital position by raising $34.7 million equity capital in the first quarter to support our Habersham acquisition and to position us for continued growth opportunities.”

Accounting for Acquired Loans

The Company performs ongoing assessments of the estimated cash flows of its acquired loan portfolios. Increases in cash flow expectations result in a favorable adjustment to interest income over the remaining life of the related loans, and decreases in cash flow expectations result in an immediate recognition of a provision for loans losses, in both cases, net of any adjustments to the receivable from the FDIC for loss sharing. These ongoing assessments of the acquired CBT loan portfolio resulted in a positive impact to interest income from a reduction in expected credit losses, which was largely offset by a charge to noninterest income for the impact of reduced cash flows from the FDIC under the loss share agreement. Additionally, our estimates of loans with a reduction in estimated cash flows resulted in a $1.3 million provision for loan losses, net of the recovery from the FDIC under the loss share agreement. Below are the specifics relative to the review of the acquired loan portfolio during the first quarter and the related impact on the indemnification asset:

• The review of the performance of the portfolio resulted in a minor reduction in the overall loss expectation for these loans; however, there were significant changes within the accounting pools;
• Several pools experienced increased loss expectations that totaled approximately $26 million;
• The remaining pools experienced improved credit loss expectations totaling $36 million;
• Under the accounting model for acquired loans, a provision for loan losses of approximately $1.3 million (SCBT’s 5% loss share amount on $26.0 million), net of the FDIC reimbursement, was recorded for those pools where loss expectations increased;
• The $36 million in improved credit loss expectations was transferred into accretable yield and will be recognized prospectively over the expected cash flows of the loan pools;
• As a result, there was approximately a $1.4 million increase in the loan yield for the quarter causing the rate on covered loans to reach 8.35% up from 6.35% in the prior quarter; and
• With the reduction in the credit loss expectations for certain pools (the $36 million), the impact on the receivable from the FDIC is a reduction in expected cash flows;
• The reduced cash flow on this asset caused the accretion to turn negative in an amount which substantially offsets the interest income benefit above.

Returns on Assets / Equity

The Company’s annualized return on average assets (ROAA) for the first quarter decreased to 0.27% compared to 5.72% for the first quarter of 2010, and increased from 0.06% for the fourth quarter of 2010. Total average shareholders' equity at March 31, 2011 was $347.2 million, an increase of $12.5 million, or 3.7% from December 31, 2010. This increase was primarily the result of the private placement of 1.129 million common shares and that increased capital by approximately $34.7 million in February of 2011. Annualized return on average equity (ROAE) for the quarter was 2.94%, down from 56.9% for the first quarter of 2010. Annualized return on average tangible equity (ROATE) for the first quarter decreased to 4.2% from 71.9% for the comparable period in the prior year, and increased from 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2010.

FDIC-Assisted Acquisition – Habersham Bank

During the first quarter of 2011, SCBT entered into a whole bank with loss-share purchase and assumption agreement (“LSA”) with the FDIC to purchase certain assets and assume most of the deposits (excluding brokered deposits) and certain liabilities of Habersham Bank. The Company acquired assets with a fair value of approximately $328.6 million, including $127.5 million in loans, and assumed liabilities with a fair value of approximately $381.5 million, including $340.6 million of deposits. In addition, the Company received cash from the FDIC totaling approximately $59.4 million, which included the negative bid of $38.3 million.

In connection with the Habersham acquisition, SCBT also entered into loss sharing agreements with the FDIC. Pursuant to the terms of these loss sharing agreements, the FDIC’s obligation to reimburse SCBT for losses with respect to certain loans and foreclosed real estate purchased (“covered assets” or “covered loans”), begins with the first dollar of loss incurred. The FDIC has agreed to reimburse SCBT for 80% of the losses incurred. Gains and recoveries on covered assets will offset losses, or be paid to the FDIC, at the applicable loss share percentage of 80% at the time of recovery.

All assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition, February 18, 2011. These fair value estimates are considered preliminary, and are subject to change for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information relative to closing date fair values may become available. The Company and the FDIC are engaged in on-going discussions that may impact which assets and liabilities are ultimately acquired or assumed by the Company, including certain branch and facility locations.

“During the quarter, we added Habersham Bank to our existing Georgia franchise through another FDIC assisted transaction. We expect to gain cost efficiencies in excess of 50% of Habersham’s 2010 expense base beginning in the second half of 2011. In June, we plan to convert Habersham’s systems onto SCBT’s operating platform. We have determined which locations will remain open and have begun to implement our business processes and practices in these locations,” said John C. Pollok, COO.

Asset Quality

Annualized net charge-offs within the non-covered and not acquired loan portfolio decreased slightly to 1.53% from 1.71% experienced in the fourth quarter of 2010, and decreased from 3.13% experienced in the first quarter of 2010. During the first quarter, non-performing assets (NPAs) as a percentage of non-covered loans and repossessed assets increased to 3.83% compared to 2.89% one year ago and increased from 3.74% for the fourth quarter of 2010. NPAs, excluding covered assets to total assets at March 31, 2011 were 2.29%, compared to 1.72% at the end of the first quarter in 2010 and 2.41% at the end of the fourth quarter 2010. The level of NPAs, excluding covered assets, continues to reflect pressure within the real estate market. Our other real estate owned (“OREO”) increased by $2.5 million from the linked quarter and by $10.5 million from the first quarter of 2010, excluding covered OREO. Non-performing loans (including accruing loans past due 90 days or more) increased $1.2 million from the fourth quarter of 2010, excluding covered loans, and increased by $16.5 million from the end of the first quarter in 2010. Loans 30-89 days past due and not covered under FDIC loss share remained level with the fourth quarter of 2010, and significantly less than the first quarter of 2010 decreasing by $8.0 million, or 39.3% to $12.4 million.

At March 31, 2011, nonperforming loans, excluding covered loans, totaled $70.4 million, representing 3.0% of period-end loans, not covered. The allowance for loan losses, excluding covered loans, at March 31, 2011 was $48.2 million and represented 2.05% of total period-end loans, excluding covered loans. The current allowance for loan losses provides .68 times coverage of period-end nonperforming loans, excluding covered loans, down from the fourth quarter 2010 level of .69 times coverage. In the first quarter, net charge-offs were $8.7 million, or an annualized 1.53% of average loans, excluding covered loans, compared to $16.9 million, or 3.13% in the same period of 2010 and $9.8 million, or 1.71% in the linked quarter. The provision for loan losses, excluding any provision for loan losses related to FDIC covered loans, was $9.3 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $20.8 million for the comparable quarter one year ago, and $10.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. During the first quarter, the Company recorded an increase in the provision for loan losses, net of the LSA benefit of $1.3 million, related to covered loans.

Loans and Deposits

The Company’s total loans increased 5.82%, or $152.1 million, since the first quarter of 2010, driven primarily by the addition of loans in both commercial and consumer owner-occupied categories. In the FDIC-assisted acquisition of HB during the first quarter of 2011, loans increased by approximately $127.5 million; however, this was offset by the decline in the covered loans of $147.8 million in the CBT acquisition. Covered loans were $417.8 million at the end of the quarter. The following loan portfolios increased: (1) commercial owner occupied by $109.9 million, or 22.7%; (2) consumer owner occupied loans by $47.1 million, or 16.4%; (3) home equity loans by $12.7 million, or 5.1%; (4) commercial non-owner occupied loans by $24.4 million, or 8.3%; (5) commercial and industrial loans by $3.0 million, or 1.5%; and (6) consumer non real estate loans by $7.2 million, or 10.9%. Offsetting these increases were reductions in the following loan portfolios: (1) construction and land development loans by $39.4 million and (2) income producing property loans of $2.0 million. Total non-covered loans outstanding were $2.3 billion at March 31, 2011, compared to $2.2 billion at March 31, 2010. Total covered loans increased by $96.8 million during the quarter from $321.0 million at December 31, 2010. This was due to the addition of the HB covered loan portfolio, offset by $30.0 million decrease in the CBT covered loan portfolio. The balance of mortgage loans held for sale decreased $5.2 million and $31.9 million from March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively, to $10.8 million at March 31, 2011. During the first quarter of 2011, mortgage loans held for sale decreased as refinancing activities have slowed compared to activity in 2010.

Total deposits increased in all categories compared to the first quarter of 2010 by an overall $324.6 million, or 10.8%, primarily due to the FDIC-assisted acquisition of HB which accounted for $277.4 million of this increase. Total deposits increased by $315.4 million, or 41.9% annualized, from the end of the fourth quarter of 2010. Core deposits (excluding all certificates of deposit) increased $341.4 million, or 78.8% annualized compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 and by $554.6 million, or 33.4% compared to the first quarter of 2010. The following changes in total deposit categories account for a $315.4 million increase from the linked quarter: (1) the largest decrease occurred in CDs which declined by $26.5 million, or 9.4% annualized, and (2) offsetting the decreases in CDs, the following types of deposit accounts increased: money market accounts by $82.0 million, or 44.8% annualized, demand deposit accounts by $121.3 million, or 100.1% annualized, NOW accounts by $48.6 million, or 42.8% annualized, and savings accounts by $89.5 million, or 177.2% annualized. The Company has continued to focus on collecting core deposits within all of its markets. Core deposits, excluding the HB acquisition, increased by $147.1 million, or 33.9% annualized, with solid growth in all categories on a link quarter basis. Additionally, the Company continues to monitor and adjust rates paid on certificates of deposits and other interest bearing deposit products as part of its strategy to manage its net interest margin. CDs continue to decline, as planned. Total deposits outstanding at the end of the first quarter of 2011 were $3.3 billion, compared to $3.0 billion at the end of the fourth quarter 2010 and compared to $3.0 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2010.

Net Interest Income and Margin

Non-taxable equivalent net interest income (before provision for loan losses) was $32.8 million for the first quarter of 2011, up 14.7% from $28.6 million in the comparable period last year. Taxable-equivalent net interest margin increased 29 basis points from the first quarter of 2010 and increased 11 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2010 to 4.18%. During the first quarter of 2011, SCBT benefited from improved cash flows and accretable yield related to the CBT covered loan portfolio, and continues to lower funding cost by reducing rates on time deposits. The improved yield was substantially offset by the negative accretion on the indemnification asset recognized in noninterest income, from reduced cash flows under the LSA. SCBT’s yield on acquired loans improved to 8.12% from 6.35% in the linked quarter primarily due to reduced credit loss expectations for certain loan categories (pools). On a pro forma basis, excluding the effect of excess liquidity and reduced loss rates on acquired loans, the net interest margin would be 4.27% and 4.26% for the current and linked quarter, respectively. The effect (reduction) on net interest margin of the excess liquidity position was estimated to be 29 basis points for the first quarter compared to 19 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2010.

The Company’s average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 6 basis points, while the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities decreased 39 basis points from the first quarter of 2010. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company’s average total assets increased by $319.8 million to $3.8 billion, a 9.2% increase over the first quarter of 2010. The increase reflected a $178.7 million increase in average total loans to $2.7 billion from the first quarter of 2010, the result of the FDIC-assisted acquisition of HB during the quarter. The increase in loan volume at current market rates increased the average yield on loans by 3 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2010. Average investment securities were $248.0 million at March 31, 2011, or 12.0% less than the balance at the end of the first quarter of 2010 of $281.9 million, largely reflecting the liquidation of securities acquired from both the CBT and the HB acquisition during the past twelve months. The growth in average total assets was supported by growth in average total deposits of $414.1 million, an increase of 15.1% from the first quarter of 2010, which has come from the FDIC-assisted acquisition of Habersham Bank, and strong core deposit growth within SCBT.

Noninterest Income and Expense

Noninterest income was $15.9 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $101.6 million for the first quarter of 2010, a decrease of $85.7 million, or 84.4%, primarily from the decline in the gains on acquisition comparing the CBT transaction in 2010 with the HB transaction in 2011. This decline was partially offset by noninterest income generated from the acquired HB branches, which represented approximately $1.1 million of increases, of which $517,000 were securities gains from the sale of most of the securities acquired in the HB transaction. During the first quarter, the Company also sold its only remaining trust preferred security at a loss of approximately $190,000. Other increases in noninterest income include increased service charges on deposit accounts of $507,000, or 11.2%; increased trust and investment service income of $465,000, or 59.3%; increased bankcard services of $860,000, or 47.8%; and increased securities gains / losses of $5.9 million due primarily to the impairment in the prior year of certain trust preferred securities. A decrease occurred in the accretion of the FDIC indemnification asset compared to last year by $770,000. This was the result of reduced expected cash flows of this asset related to certain pools which had improved expected cash flows (credit loss expectations) during the quarter.

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, operating noninterest income, excluding securities gains (losses), was down by $3.0 million, driven by the negative accretion on the FDIC indemnification asset of $1.4 million and the decline in mortgage banking income of $1.7 million.

Noninterest expense was $34.2 million in the first quarter of 2011, a 5.0% or $1.6 million increase compared to $32.6 million in the first quarter of 2010. Costs related to the HB franchise accounted for $953,000 of the increase. Without the addition of HB, noninterest expense increased by $.7 million from first quarter of 2010 and in the following areas: (1) salaries and benefits by $2.4 million; (2) OREO and loan related expenses by $2.8 million; (3) furniture and equipment expense by $321,000; (4) advertising and marketing expense by $320,000; (5) other expense by $1.5 million. These increases were offset by favorable comparisons in FHLB prepayment fees incurred in 2010 of $3.2 million and reduced merger costs of $3.3 million.

SCBT Financial Corporation, Columbia, South Carolina is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of South Carolina. The Company consists of SCBT, N.A., the third largest bank headquartered in South Carolina; NCBT, a division of SCBT, N.A.; Community Bank & Trust, a division of SCBT, N.A; and Habersham Bank, a division of SCBT, N.A. Providing financial services for over 75 years, SCBT Financial Corporation operates 83 locations in 17 South Carolina counties, 12 northeast Georgia counties, and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina. SCBT Financial Corporation has assets of approximately $4.0 billion and its stock is traded under the symbol SCBT in the NASDAQ Global Select Market. More information can be found at www.SCBTonline.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

Statements included in this press release include non-GAAP measures and should be read along with the accompanying tables which provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide additional useful information. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider the company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the company. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company's results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. SCBT Financial Corporation cautions readers that forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from forecasted results. Such risks and uncertainties, include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) credit risk associated with an obligor's failure to meet the terms of any contract with the bank or otherwise fail to perform as agreed; (2) interest risk involving the effect of a change in interest rates on both the bank's earnings and the market value of the portfolio equity; (3) liquidity risk affecting the bank's ability to meet its obligations when they come due; (4) price risk focusing on changes in market factors that may affect the value of traded instruments in "mark-to-market" portfolios; (5) transaction risk arising from problems with service or product delivery; (6) compliance risk involving risk to earnings or capital resulting from violations of or nonconformance with laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, or ethical standards; (7) strategic risk resulting from adverse business decisions or improper implementation of business decisions; (8) reputation risk that adversely affects earnings or capital arising from negative public opinion; (9) terrorist activities risk that results in loss of consumer confidence and economic disruptions; (10) economic downturn risk resulting in deterioration in the credit markets; (11) greater than expected non-interest expenses; (12) excessive loan losses; (13) potential deposit attrition, higher than expected costs, customer loss and business disruption associated with the integration of Habersham Bank, including, without limitation, potential difficulties in maintaining relationships with key personnel and other integration related-matters; and (14) other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Source: SCBT Financial Corporation

SCBT Financial Corporation

Media Contact:

Donna Pullen, 803-765-4558

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Analyst Contact:

John C. Pollok, 803-765-4628