UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Quarter Ended March 31, 2008 | Commission File Number 0-6253 |
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Arkansas | 71-0407808 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
| incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
| 501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas | 71601 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
870-541-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
| Not Applicable |
| Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report |
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. S Yes £ No
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):
£ Large accelerated filer | S Accelerated filer | £ Non-accelerated filer |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.). £ Yes S No
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock as of April 28, 2008 was 13,936,856.
Simmons First National Corporation
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
March 31, 2008
Simmons First National Corporation
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
ASSETS
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands, except share data) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Cash and non-interest bearing balances due from banks | $ | 86,891 | $ | 82,630 | ||||
| Interest bearing balances due from banks | 107,332 | 21,140 | ||||||
| Federal funds sold | 53,775 | 6,460 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 247,998 | 110,230 | ||||||
| Investment securities | 571,408 | 530,930 | ||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale | 7,735 | 11,097 | ||||||
| Assets held in trading accounts | 5,806 | 5,658 | ||||||
| Loans | 1,842,138 | 1,850,454 | ||||||
| Allowance for loan losses | (25,392 | ) | (25,303 | ) | ||||
| Net loans | 1,816,746 | 1,825,151 | ||||||
| Premises and equipment | 77,281 | 75,473 | ||||||
| Foreclosed assets held for sale, net | 3,556 | 2,629 | ||||||
| Interest receivable | 19,696 | 21,345 | ||||||
| Bank owned life insurance | 38,400 | 38,039 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 60,605 | 60,605 | ||||||
| Core deposit premiums | 3,180 | 3,382 | ||||||
| Other assets | 9,347 | 7,908 | ||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 2,861,758 | $ | 2,692,447 | ||||
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands, except share data) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| Non-interest bearing transaction accounts | $ | 327,627 | $ | 310,181 | ||||
| Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits | 901,852 | 761,233 | ||||||
| Time deposits | 1,067,372 | 1,111,443 | ||||||
| Total deposits | 2,296,851 | 2,182,857 | ||||||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold | ||||||||
| under agreements to repurchase | 113,891 | 128,806 | ||||||
| Short-term debt | 590 | 1,777 | ||||||
| Long-term debt | 139,739 | 82,285 | ||||||
| Accrued interest and other liabilities | 29,898 | 24,316 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,580,969 | 2,420,041 | ||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Capital stock | ||||||||
| Class A, common, par value $0.01 a share, authorized | ||||||||
| 60,000,000 shares, 13,941,849 issued and outstanding | ||||||||
| at 2008 and 13,918,368 at 2007 | 139 | 139 | ||||||
| Surplus | 40,655 | 41,019 | ||||||
| Undivided profits | 234,515 | 229,520 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ||||||||
| Unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities, | ||||||||
| net of income taxes of $3,288 at 2008 and $1,037 at 2007 | 5,480 | 1,728 | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 280,789 | 272,406 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 2,861,758 | $ | 2,692,447 | ||||
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
Simmons First National Corporation
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| INTEREST INCOME | ||||||||
| Loans | $ | 33,106 | $ | 34,095 | ||||
| Federal funds sold | 256 | 701 | ||||||
| Investment securities | 6,569 | 5,721 | ||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale | 112 | 104 | ||||||
| Assets held in trading accounts | 1 | 18 | ||||||
| Interest bearing balances due from banks | 388 | 510 | ||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST INCOME | 40,432 | 41,149 | ||||||
| INTEREST EXPENSE | ||||||||
| Deposits | 15,188 | 16,194 | ||||||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold | ||||||||
| under agreements to repurchase | 921 | 1,456 | ||||||
| Short-term debt | 20 | 70 | ||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,511 | 1,198 | ||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE | 17,640 | 18,918 | ||||||
| NET INTEREST INCOME | 22,792 | 22,231 | ||||||
| Provision for loan losses | 1,467 | 751 | ||||||
| NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION | ||||||||
| FOR LOAN LOSSES | 21,325 | 21,480 | ||||||
| NON-INTEREST INCOME | ||||||||
| Trust income | 1,648 | 1,637 | ||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | 3,434 | 3,497 | ||||||
| Other service charges and fees | 753 | 808 | ||||||
| Income on sale of mortgage loans, net of commissions | 721 | 679 | ||||||
| Income on investment banking, net of commissions | 449 | 150 | ||||||
| Credit card fees | 3,173 | 2,649 | ||||||
| Premiums on sale of student loans | 624 | 882 | ||||||
| Bank owned life insurance income | 361 | 364 | ||||||
| Gain on mandatory partial redemption of Visa shares | 2,973 | -- | ||||||
| Other income | 856 | 788 | ||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME | 14,992 | 11,454 | ||||||
| NON-INTEREST EXPENSE | ||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | 14,208 | 13,725 | ||||||
| Occupancy expense, net | 1,810 | 1,650 | ||||||
| Furniture and equipment expense | 1,490 | 1,466 | ||||||
| Loss on foreclosed assets | 42 | 24 | ||||||
| Deposit insurance | 88 | 67 | ||||||
| Other operating expenses | 5,492 | 6,282 | ||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE | 23,130 | 23,214 | ||||||
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 13,187 | 9,720 | ||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 4,371 | 3,083 | ||||||
| NET INCOME | $ | 8,816 | $ | 6,637 | ||||
| BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.47 | ||||
| DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.46 | ||||
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
Simmons First National Corporation
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
| March 31, | March 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 8,816 | $ | 6,637 | ||||
| Items not requiring (providing) cash | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,384 | 1,408 | ||||||
| Provision for loan losses | 1,467 | 751 | ||||||
| Gain on mandatory partial redemption of Visa shares | (2,973 | ) | -- | |||||
| Net (accretion) amortization of investment securities | (150 | ) | 48 | |||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 60 | 44 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 189 | 110 | ||||||
| Bank owned life insurance income | (361 | ) | (364 | ) | ||||
| Changes in | ||||||||
| Interest receivable | 1,649 | 662 | ||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale | 3,362 | (1,627 | ) | |||||
| Assets held in trading accounts | (148 | ) | (5,977 | ) | ||||
| Other assets | (1,464 | ) | 905 | |||||
| Accrued interest and other liabilities | 37 | 249 | ||||||
| Income taxes payable | 4,182 | 2,589 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 16,050 | 5,435 | ||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net collections (originations) of loans | 5,431 | (16,551 | ) | |||||
| Purchases of premises and equipment, net | (2,990 | ) | (2,718 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets | 580 | 446 | ||||||
| Proceeds from mandatory partial redemption of Visa shares | 2,973 | -- | ||||||
| Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities | 164,335 | 35,756 | ||||||
| Purchases of available-for-sale securities | (208,994 | ) | (25,980 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities | 15,023 | 4,220 | ||||||
| Purchases of held-to-maturity securities | (6,940 | ) | (6,188 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (30,582 | ) | (11,015 | ) | ||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net increase in deposits | 113,994 | 31,390 | ||||||
| Net repayments of short-term debt | (1,187 | ) | (1,105 | ) | ||||
| Dividends paid | (2,647 | ) | (2,548 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 63,662 | 6,975 | ||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (6,208 | ) | (6,704 | ) | ||||
| Net (decrease) increase in federal funds purchased and | ||||||||
| securities sold under agreements to repurchase | (14,915 | ) | 3,625 | |||||
| Repurchase of common stock, net | (399 | ) | (1,807 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 152,300 | 29,826 | ||||||
| INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 137,768 | 24,246 | ||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 110,230 | 151,151 | ||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | $ | 247,998 | $ | 175,397 | ||||
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
Simmons First National Corporation
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Comprehensive | Undivided | ||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except share data) | Stock | Surplus | Income (loss) | Profits | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2006 | $ | 142 | $ | 48,678 | $ | (2,198 | ) | $ | 212,394 | $ | 259,016 | |||||||||
| Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | -- | -- | -- | 6,637 | 6,637 | |||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized depreciation on | ||||||||||||||||||||
| available-for-sale securities, net of | ||||||||||||||||||||
| income taxes of $513 | -- | -- | 854 | -- | 854 | |||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | 7,491 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options – 15,800 shares | -- | 281 | -- | -- | 281 | |||||||||||||||
| Securities exchanged under stock option plan | -- | (98 | ) | -- | -- | (98 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Stock granted under | ||||||||||||||||||||
| stock-based compensation plans | -- | 19 | -- | -- | 19 | |||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock – 69,678 shares | (1 | ) | (1,990 | ) | -- | -- | (1,991 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Dividends paid – $0.18 per share | -- | -- | -- | (2,548 | ) | (2,548 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2007 (Unaudited) | 141 | 46,890 | (1,344 | ) | 216,483 | 262,170 | ||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | -- | -- | -- | 20,723 | 20,723 | |||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized depreciation on | ||||||||||||||||||||
| available-for-sale securities, net of | ||||||||||||||||||||
| income taxes of $1,843 | -- | -- | 3,072 | -- | 3,072 | |||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | 23,795 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued as bonus shares – 15,146 shares | -- | 419 | -- | -- | 419 | |||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options – 17,920 shares | -- | 228 | -- | -- | 228 | |||||||||||||||
| Stock granted under | ||||||||||||||||||||
| stock-based compensation plans | -- | 159 | -- | -- | 159 | |||||||||||||||
| Securities exchanged under stock option plan | -- | (105 | ) | -- | -- | (105 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock – 251,048 shares | (2 | ) | (6,572 | ) | -- | -- | (6,574 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Dividends paid – $0.55 per share | -- | -- | -- | (7,686 | ) | (7,686 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2007 | 139 | 41,019 | 1,728 | 229,520 | 272,406 | |||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of adoption of a new accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||
| principle on January 1, 2008 (Note 1) | -- | -- | -- | (1,174 | ) | (1,174 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | -- | -- | -- | 8,816 | 8,816 | |||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized appreciation on | ||||||||||||||||||||
| available-for-sale securities, net of | ||||||||||||||||||||
| income taxes of $2,251 | -- | -- | 3,752 | -- | 3,752 | |||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | 12,568 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued for employee stock | -- | |||||||||||||||||||
| purchase plan – 5,359 shares | -- | 135 | -- | 135 | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options – 66,830 shares | 1 | 827 | -- | -- | 828 | |||||||||||||||
| Stock granted under | ||||||||||||||||||||
| stock-based compensation plans | -- | 35 | -- | -- | 35 | |||||||||||||||
| Securities exchanged under stock option plan | (1 | ) | (737 | ) | -- | -- | (738 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock – 23,480 shares | -- | (624 | ) | -- | -- | (624 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Dividends paid – $0.19 per share | -- | -- | -- | (2,647 | ) | (2,647 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2008 (Unaudited) | $ | 139 | $ | 40,655 | $ | 5,480 | $ | 234,515 | $ | 280,789 | ||||||||||
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
7
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
All adjustments made to the unaudited financial statements were of a normal recurring nature. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods have been made. Certain prior year amounts are reclassified to conform to current year classification. The consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date. The results of operations for the period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K annual report for 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-4, Accounting for the Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements, requires the recognition of a liability and related compensation expense for endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to post-retirement periods. Under EITF 06-4, life insurance policies purchased for the purpose of providing such benefits do not effectively settle an entity's obligation to the employee. Accordingly, the entity must recognize a liability and related compensation expense during the employee's active service period based on the future cost of insurance to be incurred during the employee's retirement. If the entity has agreed to provide the employee with a death benefit, then the liability for the future death benefit should be recognized by following the guidance in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 106, Employer's Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. The Company adopted EITF 06-4 on January 1, 2008 as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings totaling $1,174,000. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 06-4 to have a material impact on the Company’s ongoing financial position or results of operations.
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. For additional information, see Note 16 – Fair Value Measurements.
8
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option (i) may be applied instrument by instrument, with certain exceptions, (ii) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and (iii) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. While SFAS 159 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2008, the Company has not elected the fair value option that is offered by this statement.
There have been no other significant changes to the Company’s accounting policies from the 2007 Form 10-K.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average common shares and all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.
Following is the computation of per share earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
| (In thousands, except per share data) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Net Income | $ | 8,816 | $ | 6,637 | ||||
| Average common shares outstanding | 13,930 | 14,178 | ||||||
| Average potential dilutive common shares | 139 | 217 | ||||||
| Average diluted common shares | 14,069 | 14,395 | ||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.47 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.46 | ||||
9
NOTE 2: INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities that are classified as held-to-maturity and available-for-sale are as follows:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Gross | Estimaed | Gross | Gross | Estimated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized | Unrealized | Urealized | Fair | Amortized | Unealized | Unrealized | Fair | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Cost | Gains | (Losses) | Value | Cost | Gains | (Losses) | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Held-to-Maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 1,500 | $ | 20 | -- | $ | 1,520 | $ | 1,500 | $ | 14 | $ | -- | $ | 1,514 | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| agencies | 24,000 | 1,012 | -- | 25,012 | 37,000 | 722 | (19 | ) | 37,703 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| securities | 121 | 3 | -- | 124 | 129 | 2 | -- | 131 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State and political | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| subdivisions | 154,166 | 1,844 | (315 | ) | 155,695 | 149,262 | 1,089 | (354 | ) | 149,997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | 2,407 | -- | -- | 2,407 | 2,393 | -- | -- | 2,393 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 182,194 | $ | 2,879 | $ | (315 | ) | $ | 184,758 | $ | 190,284 | $ | 1,827 | $ | (373 | ) | $ | 191,738 | |||||||||||||||
| Available-for-Sale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 2,500 | $ | 10 | $ | -- | $ | 2,510 | $ | 5,498 | $ | 26 | $ | -- | $ | 5,524 | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| agencies | 338,250 | 8,675 | -- | 346,925 | 317,998 | 3,090 | (299 | ) | 320,789 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| securities | 2,921 | 56 | (16 | ) | 2,961 | 2,923 | -- | (165 | ) | 2,758 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| State and political | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| subdivisions | 635 | 2 | -- | 637 | 855 | 3 | -- | 858 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities | 36,140 | 41 | -- | 36,181 | 10,608 | 109 | -- | 10,717 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 380,446 | $ | 8,784 | $ | (16 | ) | $ | 389,214 | $ | 337,882 | $ | 3,228 | $ | (464 | ) | $ | 340,646 | |||||||||||||||
The carrying value, which approximates the fair value, of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and for other purposes, amounted to $412,266,000 at March 31, 2008 and $410,645,000 at December 31, 2007.
The book value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase amounted to $90,776,000 and $91,466,000 for March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
Income earned on securities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Taxable | ||||||||
| Held-to-maturity | $ | 436 | $ | 725 | ||||
| Available-for-sale | 4,607 | 3,761 | ||||||
| Non-taxable | ||||||||
| Held-to-maturity | 1,516 | 1,219 | ||||||
| Available-for-sale | 10 | 16 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 6,569 | $ | 5,721 | ||||
10
Maturities of investment securities at March 31, 2008 are as follows:
| Held-to-Maturity | Available-for-Sale | |||||||||||||||
| Amortized | Fair | Amortized | Fair | |||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Cost | Value | Cost | Value | ||||||||||||
| One year or less | $ | 20,768 | $ | 20,867 | $ | 23,521 | $ | 23,557 | ||||||||
| After one through five years | 43,921 | 44,695 | 23,309 | 23,463 | ||||||||||||
| After five through ten years | 82,605 | 84,307 | 292,293 | 300,805 | ||||||||||||
| After ten years | 33,423 | 33,412 | 5,183 | 5,210 | ||||||||||||
| Other securities | 1,477 | 1,477 | 36,140 | 36,179 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 182,194 | $ | 184,758 | $ | 380,446 | $ | 389,214 | ||||||||
There were no realized gains or losses on investment securities for the three-months ended March 31, 2008 or 2007.
The state and political subdivision debt obligations are primarily non-rated bonds and represent small, Arkansas issues, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis.
NOTE 3: LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The various categories of loans are summarized as follows:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||||
| Credit cards | $ | 158,701 | $ | 166,044 | ||||||
| Student loans | 84,884 | 76,277 | ||||||||
| Other consumer | 135,247 | 137,624 | ||||||||
| Real Estate | ||||||||||
| Construction | 257,635 | 260,924 | ||||||||
| Single family residential | 383,168 | 382,676 | ||||||||
| Other commercial | 547,334 | 542,184 | ||||||||
| Commercial | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 198,209 | 193,091 | ||||||||
| Agricultural | 62,373 | 73,470 | ||||||||
| Financial institutions | 4,503 | 7,440 | ||||||||
| Other | 10,084 | 10,724 | ||||||||
| Total loans before allowance for loan losses | $ | 1,842,138 | $ | 1,850,454 | ||||||
As of March 31, 2008, credit card loans, which are unsecured, were $158,701,000 or 8.6% of total loans, versus $166,044,000, or 9.0% of total loans at December 31, 2007. The credit card loans are diversified by geographic region to reduce credit risk and minimize any adverse impact on the portfolio. Credit card loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of creditworthiness.
At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, impaired loans totaled $12,942,000 and $12,519,000, respectively. All impaired loans had either specific or general allocations within the allowance for loan losses. Allocations of the allowance for loan losses relative to impaired loans were $3,106,000 at March 31, 2008 and $2,851,000 at December 31, 2007. Approximately $59,000 and $73,000 of interest income was recognized on average impaired loans of $12,731,000 and $11,320,000 as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Interest recognized on impaired loans on a cash basis during the first three months of 2008 and 2007 was immaterial.
11
Transactions in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 25,303 | $ | 25,385 | |||||
| Additions | |||||||||
| Provision charged to expense | 1,467 | 751 | |||||||
| 26,770 | 26,136 | ||||||||
| Deductions | |||||||||
| Losses charged to allowance, net of recoveries | |||||||||
| of $437 and $689 for the first three months of | |||||||||
| 2008 and 2007, respectively | 1,378 | 985 | |||||||
| Balance, March 31 | $ | 25,392 | 25,151 | ||||||
| Additions | |||||||||
| Provision charged to expense | 3,430 | ||||||||
| Deductions | |||||||||
| Losses charged to allowance, net of recoveries | |||||||||
| of $1,880 for the last nine months of 2007 | 3,278 | ||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | 25,303 | |||||||
NOTE 4: GOODWILL AND CORE DEPOSIT PREMIUMS
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment. If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill impairment is indicated and goodwill is written down to its implied fair value. Subsequent increases in goodwill value are not recognized in the financial statements.
Core deposit premiums are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value.
The carrying basis and accumulated amortization of core deposit premiums (net of core deposit premiums that were fully amortized) at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, were as follows:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Gross carrying amount | $ | 6,822 | $ | 6,822 | ||||
| Accumulated amortization | (3,642 | ) | (3,440 | ) | ||||
| Net core deposit premiums | $ | 3,180 | $ | 3,382 | ||||
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Core deposit premium amortization expense recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, was $202,000 and $207,000, respectively. The Company’s estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2008 is $605,000, and for each of the following four years is: 2009 – $802,000; 2010 – $699,000; 2011 – $451,000; and 2012 – $321,000.
NOTE 5: TIME DEPOSITS
Time deposits include approximately $449,199,000 and $452,262,000 of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 respectively.
NOTE 6: INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following components:
| March 31, | March 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Income taxes currently payable | $ | 4,182 | $ | 2,973 | ||||
| Deferred income taxes | 189 | 110 | ||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 4,371 | $ | 3,083 | ||||
The tax effects of temporary differences related to deferred taxes shown on the balance sheets were:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
| Deferred tax assets | ||||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses | $ | 8,772 | $ | 8,705 | ||||||
| Valuation of foreclosed assets | 64 | 63 | ||||||||
| Deferred compensation payable | 1,450 | 1,432 | ||||||||
| FHLB advances | 25 | 29 | ||||||||
| Vacation compensation | 831 | 820 | ||||||||
| Loan interest | 88 | 88 | ||||||||
| Other | 270 | 234 | ||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | 11,500 | 11,371 | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | ||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (475 | ) | (558 | ) | ||||||
| Deferred loan fee income and expenses, net | (1,038 | ) | (954 | ) | ||||||
| FHLB stock dividends | (743 | ) | (717 | ) | ||||||
| Goodwill and core deposit premium amortization | (7,629 | ) | (7,341 | ) | ||||||
| Available-for-sale securities | (3,288 | ) | (1,037 | ) | ||||||
| Other | (1,133 | ) | (1,130 | ) | ||||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (14,306 | ) | (11,737 | ) | ||||||
| Net deferred tax liabilities included in other | ||||||||||
| liabilities on balance sheets | $ | (2,806 | ) | $ | (366 | ) | ||||
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A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to the Company's actual income tax expense is shown below:
| March 31, | March 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Computed at the statutory rate (35%) | $ | 4,615 | $ | 3,402 | ||||
| Increase (decrease) resulting from: | ||||||||
| Tax exempt income | (570 | ) | (482 | ) | ||||
| Other differences, net | 326 | 163 | ||||||
Actual tax provision | $ | 4,371 | $ | 3,083 | ||||
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement 109, effective January 1, 2007. Interpretation 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. Interpretation 48 also provides guidance on the accounting for and disclosure of unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties. Adoption of Interpretation 48 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons including adding amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open income tax returns due to the statutes of limitation, changes in management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of examinations, litigation and legislative activity and the addition or elimination of uncertain tax positions.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns are open and subject to examinations from the 2004 tax year and forward. The Company’s various state income tax returns are generally open from the 2004 and later tax return years based on individual state statute of limitations.
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NOTE 7: SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, consisted of the following components:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| FHLB advances, due 2008 to 2033, 2.40% to 8.41% | ||||||||
| secured by real estate loans | $ | 108,809 | $ | 51,355 | ||||
| Trust preferred securities, due 2033, | ||||||||
| fixed at 8.25%, callable in 2008 without penalty | 10,310 | 10,310 | ||||||
| Trust preferred securities, due 2033, | ||||||||
| floating rate of 2.80% above the three-month LIBOR | ||||||||
| rate, reset quarterly, callable in 2008 without penalty | 10,310 | 10,310 | ||||||
| Trust preferred securities, due 2033, | ||||||||
| fixed rate of 6.97% through 2010, thereafter, | ||||||||
| at a floating rate of 2.80% above the three-month | ||||||||
| LIBOR rate, reset quarterly, callable | ||||||||
| in 2010 without penalty | 10,310 | 10,310 | ||||||
| $ | 139,739 | $ | 82,285 | |||||
At March 31, 2008, the Company had no Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances with original maturities of one year or less.
The trust preferred securities are tax-advantaged issues that qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment. Distributions on these securities are included in interest expense on long-term debt. Each of the trusts is a statutory business trust organized for the sole purpose of issuing trust securities and investing the proceeds thereof in junior subordinated debentures of the Company, the sole asset of each trust. The preferred securities of each trust represent preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the respective trusts and are subject to mandatory redemption upon payment of the junior subordinated debentures held by the trust. The common securities of each trust are wholly-owned by the Company. Each trust’s ability to pay amounts due on the trust preferred securities is solely dependent upon the Company making payment on the related junior subordinated debentures. The Company’s obligations under the junior subordinated securities and other relevant trust agreements, in aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of each respective trust’s obligations under the trust securities issued by each respective trust.
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt at March 31, 2008 are:
| Annual | |||||
| (In thousands) | Year | Maturities | |||
| 2008 | $ | 6,884 | |||
| 2009 | 5,968 | ||||
| 2010 | 26,902 | ||||
| 2011 | 34,373 | ||||
| 2012 | 4,060 | ||||
| Thereafter | 61,552 | ||||
| Total | $ | 139,739 | |||
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NOTE 8: CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The Company and/or its subsidiaries have various unrelated legal proceedings, most of which involve loan foreclosure activity pending, which, in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company or its subsidiaries remain the subject of one (1) lawsuit asserting claims against the Company or its subsidiaries.
On October 1, 2003, an action in Pulaski County Circuit Court was filed by Thomas F. Carter, Tena P. Carter and certain related entities against Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas and Simmons First National Bank alleging wrongful conduct by the banks in the collection of certain loans. The Company was later added as a party defendant. The plaintiffs are seeking $2,000,000 in compensatory damages and $10,000,000 in punitive damages. The Company and the banks have filed Motions to Dismiss. The plaintiffs were granted additional time to discover any evidence for litigation, and have submitted such findings. At the hearing on the Motions for Summary Judgment, the Court dismissed Simmons First National Bank due to lack of venue. Venue has been changed to Jefferson County for the Company and Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas. At this time, no basis for any material liability has been identified. Non-binding mediation is set for June 24, 2008. The Company and the bank continue to vigorously defend the claims asserted in the suit.
NOTE 9: CAPITAL STOCK
On November 28, 2007, the Company announced the adoption by the Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program. The program authorizes the repurchase of up to 700,000 shares of Class A common stock, or approximately 5% of the outstanding common stock. Under the repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the Company intends to repurchase. The Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions. The Company intends to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercises, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate purposes.
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 23,480 shares of stock under the repurchase plan with a weighted average repurchase price of $26.65 per share. Under the current stock repurchase plan, the Company can repurchase an additional 624,490 shares.
NOTE 10: UNDIVIDED PROFITS
The Company’s subsidiary banks are subject to a legal limitation on dividends that can be paid to the parent company without prior approval of the applicable regulatory agencies. The approval of the Comptroller of the Currency is required, if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits, as defined, for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years. Arkansas bank regulators have specified that the maximum dividend limit state banks may pay to the parent company without prior approval is 75% of current year earnings plus 75% of the retained net earnings of the preceding year. At March 31, 2008, the bank subsidiaries had approximately $15.7 million available for payment of dividends to the Company, without prior approval of the regulatory agencies.
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The Federal Reserve Board's risk-based capital guidelines include the definitions for (1) a well-capitalized institution, (2) an adequately-capitalized institution, and (3) an undercapitalized institution. The criteria for a well-capitalized institution are: a 5% "Tier l leverage capital" ratio, a 6% "Tier 1 risk-based capital" ratio, and a 10% "total risk-based capital" ratio. As of March 31, 2008, each of the eight subsidiary banks met the capital standards for a well-capitalized institution. The Company's “total risk-based capital” ratio was 13.65% at March 31, 2008.
NOTE 11: STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted various stock compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and bonus stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company, upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to directors, officers and other key employees.
The table below summarizes the transactions under the Company's active stock compensation plans for the three months ended March 31, 2008:
| Stock Options | Non-Vested Stock | |||||||||||||||
| Outstanding | Awards Outstanding | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted | Weighted | |||||||||||||||
| Number | Average | Number | Average | |||||||||||||
| of | Exercise | of | Grant-Date | |||||||||||||
| Shares | Price | Shares | Fair-Value | |||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2008 | $ | 535,450 | $ | 17.71 | 31,478 | $ | 26.72 | |||||||||
| Granted | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
| Stock Options Exercised | (66,830 | ) | 12.39 | -- | -- | |||||||||||
| Stock Awards Vested | -- | -- | (900 | ) | 27.67 | |||||||||||
| Forfeited/Expired | (28,100 | ) | 12.14 | -- | -- | |||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2008 | $ | 440,520 | $ | 18.87 | 30,578 | $ | 26.69 | |||||||||
| Exercisable, March 31, 2008 | $ | 345,554 | $ | 16.57 | ||||||||||||
The following table summarizes information about stock options under the plans outstanding at March 31, 2008:
Options Outstanding | Options Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average | Weighted | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||
| Remaining | Average | Average | ||||||||||||||||
| Range of | Options | Contractual | Exercise | Options | Exercise | |||||||||||||
| Exercise Prices | Outstanding | Life | Price | Exercisable | Price | |||||||||||||
| $10.56 to $12.22 | 215,800 | 1.4 Years | $ | 12.07 | 215,800 | $ | 12.07 | |||||||||||
| $15.35 to $16.32 | 9,500 | 1.7 Years | $ | 15.88 | 9,500 | $ | 15.88 | |||||||||||
| $23.78 to $24.50 | 97,520 | 3.9 Years | $ | 24.06 | 90,494 | $ | 24.05 | |||||||||||
| $26.19 to $27.67 | 61,200 | 5.3 Years | $ | 26.20 | 19,860 | $ | 26.21 | |||||||||||
| $28.42 to $28.42 | 56,500 | 6.4 Years | $ | 28.42 | 9,900 | $ | 28.42 | |||||||||||
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Stock-based compensation expense totaled $59,766 and $44,300 during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all stock-based awards. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $410,944 at March 31, 2008. At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized was 1.83 years. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards was $816,279 at March 31, 2008. At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized was 1.73 years.
Aggregate intrinsic values of outstanding stock options and exercisable stock options at March 31, 2008 were $4.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the period, which was $29.73 as of March 31, 2008, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding. The total intrinsic values of stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, were $1.2 million and $193,825, respectively.
NOTE 12: ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Interest paid | $ | 18,117 | $ | 16,675 | ||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
NOTE 13: OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
Other operating expenses consist of the following:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Professional services | $ | 759 | $ | 742 | ||||
| Postage | 600 | 578 | ||||||
| Telephone | 450 | 411 | ||||||
| Credit card expense | 1,195 | 972 | ||||||
| Operating supplies | 460 | 459 | ||||||
| Amortization of core deposit premiums | 202 | 207 | ||||||
| Visa litigation liability reversal | (1,220 | ) | -- | |||||
| Other expense | 3,046 | 2,913 | ||||||
| Total other operating expenses | $ | 5,492 | $ | 6,282 | ||||
NOTE 14: CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries have made loans and other extensions of credit to directors, officers, their associates and members of their immediate families. From time to time directors, officers and their associates and members of their immediate families have placed deposits with the Company’s subsidiary banks. Such loans, other extensions of credit and deposits were made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.
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NOTE 15: COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK
The Company grants agri-business, commercial and residential loans to customers throughout Arkansas, along with credit card loans to customers throughout the United States. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer's creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate.
At March 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding commitments to extend credit aggregating approximately $246,273,000 and $448,300,000 for credit card commitments and other loan commitments, respectively. At December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding commitments to extend credit aggregating approximately $244,052,000 and $411,421,000 for credit card commitments and other loan commitments, respectively.
Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company, to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The Company had total outstanding letters of credit amounting to $10,366,000 and $9,906,000 at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, with terms ranging from 90 days to three years. At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 the Company’s deferred revenue under standby letter of credit agreements is approximately $10,000 and $42,000, respectively.
NOTE 16: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 has been applied prospectively as of the beginning of the year.
SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
| · | Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities |
| · | Level 2 Inputs – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities |
| · | Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities |
19
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheet, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
Available-for-Sale Securities
Available-for-sale securities are the only material instruments valued on a recurring basis which are held by the Company at fair value. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities would include highly liquid government bonds, mortgage products and exchange traded equities. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include U.S. agency securities, mortgage-backed agency securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions and certain corporate, asset backed and other securities. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. Currently, all of the Company's securities are considered to be Level 2 securities.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheet, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
Impaired Loans
Impaired loans are the only material instruments valued on a nonrecurring basis which are held by the Company at fair value. Loan impairment is reported when full payment under the loan terms is not expected. Impaired loans are carried at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan's existing rate, or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. A portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to impaired loans if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance. If these allocations cause the allowance for loan losses to require increase, such increase is reported as a component of the provision for loan losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when Management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Impaired loans, net of specific allowance, were $9,836,000 as of March 31, 2008. This valuation would be considered Level 3, consisting of appraisals of underlying collateral and discounted cash flow analysis.
20
BKD, LLP
Certified Public Accountants
200 East Eleventh
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders
Simmons First National Corporation
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION as of March 31, 2008, and the related condensed statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 21, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
| BKD, LLP | |
| /s/ BKD, LLP |
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
May 12, 2008
21
and Results of Operations
OVERVIEW
Simmons First National Corporation recorded net income of $8,816,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2008, a $2,179,000, or 32.83% increase from net income of $6,637,000 for the same period in 2007. Diluted earnings per share increased $0.17, or 36.96%, to $0.63 for the three-months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $0.46 for the same period in 2007. The Company’s return on average assets and return on average stockholders’ equity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, were 1.28% and 12.76%, compared to 1.01% and 10.25%, respectively, for the same period in 2007.
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a nonrecurring $0.05 increase in diluted earnings per share related to the reversal of a $1.2 million pre-tax contingent liability established during the fourth quarter of 2007. That contingent liability represented the Company’s pro-rata portion of Visa, Inc.’s, and its related subsidiary Visa U.S.A.’s (collectively “Visa”), litigation liabilities, which was satisfied in conjunction with Visa’s initial public offering (“IPO”). Also as a result of Visa’s IPO, the Company received cash proceeds from the mandatory partial redemption of its equity interest in Visa, resulting in a nonrecurring $3.0 million pre-tax gain in the first quarter 2008, or $0.13 per diluted common share. Finally, associated with its membership in Visa, the Company received 110,308 class B shares of Visa. The class B shares have a restricted holding period and the Company will not recognize any gain until such time the shares are redeemed for cash or otherwise disposed of.
Operating earnings (net income excluding nonrecurring items {Visa litigation expense reversal and gain from the cash proceeds on mandatory Visa stock redemption}) for the three-months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, were $6,258,000 and $6,637,000, respectively. Diluted operating earnings per share for these same periods were $0.45 and $0.46, respectively, a decrease of $0.01 per share, or 2.2%.
The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans was 1.38% as of March 31, 2008. Non-performing loans equaled 0.60% of total loans, unchanged from year end. The non-performing asset ratio was 0.79%, up four basis points from year end. The allowance for loan losses was 229% of non-performing loans. The Company’s annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the first quarter of 2008 was 0.30%. Excluding credit cards, the annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the first quarter was 0.19%. Annualized net credit card charge-offs for the first quarter were 1.47%, more than 400 basis points below the most recently published credit card charge-off industry average. The Company does not own any securities backed by subprime mortgage assets, and has no mortgage loan products that target subprime borrowers; therefore, our financial results and asset quality have not been significantly affected by the current subprime mortgage crisis.
Total assets for the Company at March 31, 2008, were $2.862 billion, an increase of $169.3 million, or 6.3%, from December 31, 2007. Stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2008 was $280.8 million, an increase of $8.4 million, or approximately 3.1%, from December 31, 2007.
Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas based financial holding company with eight community banks in Pine Bluff, Lake Village, Jonesboro, Rogers, Searcy, Russellville, El Dorado and Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Company's eight banks conduct financial operations from 89 offices, of which 85 are financial centers, located in 48 communities.
22
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Overview
The accounting and reporting policies followed by the Company conform, in all material respects, to generally accepted accounting principles and to general practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While the Company bases estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company considers accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, (b) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives applied to intangible assets, (c) the valuation of employee benefit plans, and (d) income taxes.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for potential loan losses related to specifically identified loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio that have been incurred as of period end. This estimate is based on management's evaluation of the loan portfolio, as well as on prevailing and anticipated economic conditions and historical losses by loan category. General reserves have been established, based upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories. Allowances are accrued on specific loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeds the discounted amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral. The unallocated reserve generally serves to compensate for the uncertainty in estimating loan losses, including the possibility of changes in risk ratings and specific reserve allocations in the loan portfolio as a result of the Company’s ongoing risk management system.
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. This includes loans that are delinquent 90 days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain other loans identified by management. Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses. Specific allocations are applied when quantifiable factors are present requiring a greater allocation than that established using the classified asset approach, as defined by the Office of the
23
Comptroller of the Currency. Accrual of interest is discontinued and interest accrued and unpaid is removed at the time such amounts are delinquent 90 days, unless management is aware of circumstances which warrant continuing the interest accrual. Interest is recognized for nonaccrual loans only upon receipt and only after all principal amounts are current according to the terms of the contract.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset, or liability. The Company performs an annual goodwill impairment test in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, which requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives no longer be amortized but be reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 142, goodwill was being amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 15 years. Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and bonus stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company, upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to directors, officers and other key employees.
In accordance with SFAS 123R, Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004), the fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various assumptions. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. For additional information, see Note 11, Stock-Based Compensation, in the accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.
Income Taxes
The Company is subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and the tax laws of the states and other jurisdictions where it conducts business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application of these innately intricate laws, related regulations, and case law. When preparing the Company’s tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.
24
NET INTEREST INCOME
Overview
Net interest income, the Company's principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of non-interest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 37.50%.
The Company’s practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing. Historically, approximately 70% of the Company’s loan portfolio and approximately 80% of the Company’s time deposits have repriced in one year or less. These historical percentages are consistent with the Company’s current interest rate sensitivity.
Net Interest Income
For the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $23.8 million, an increase of $712,000, or 3.1%, over the same period in 2007. The increase in net interest income was the result of a $1.3 million decrease in interest expense offset by a $566,000 decrease in interest income.
The $1.3 million decrease in interest expense is the result of a 41 basis point decrease in cost of funds due to competitive repricing during a falling interest rate environment, coupled with an $81.3 million increase in average interest bearing liabilities. The growth in average interest bearing liabilities was primarily due to the Company’s initiatives to enhance liquidity during the quarter through (1) the introduction of a new high yield investment deposit account and (2) securing additional long-term FHLB advances. The lower interest rates accounted for a $1.7 million decrease in interest expense. The most significant component of this decrease was the $666,000 decrease associated with the repricing of the Company’s time deposits that resulted from time deposits that matured during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates. Historically, approximately 80% of the Company’s time deposits reprice in one year or less. As a result, the average rate paid on time deposits decreased 28 basis points from 4.64% to 4.36%. Lower rates on federal funds purchased and other debt resulted in an additional $865,000 decrease in interest expense, with the average rate paid on debt decreasing by 149 basis points from 5.41% to 3.92%. The higher level of average interest bearing liabilities resulted in a $468,000 increase in interest expense. More specifically, the higher level of average interest bearing liabilities was the result of increases of approximately $34.1 million from internal deposit growth and $47.2 million in federal funds purchased and other debt.
The $566,000 decrease in interest income primarily is the result of a 43 basis point decrease in yield on earning assets associated with the repricing to a lower interest rate environment, offset by a $102 million increase in average interest earning assets due to internal growth. The lower interest rates accounted for a $2.3 million decrease in interest income. The most significant component of this decrease was the $2.1 million decrease associated with the repricing of the Company’s loan portfolio that resulted from loans that matured during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates. Historically, approximately 70% of the Company’s loan portfolio reprices in one year or less. As a result, the average rate earned on the loan portfolio decreased 54 basis points from 7.78% to 7.24%. The growth in average interest earning assets resulted in a $1.7 million improvement in interest income. The growth in average loans accounted for $1.1 million of this increase, while the growth in investment securities resulted in $561,000 of the increase.
25
Net Interest Margin
The Company’s net interest margin decreased 8 basis points to 3.80% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, when compared to 3.88% for the same period in 2007. This decrease in the net interest margin was primarily due to significant repricing of earning assets due to declining interest rates, along with the Company’s concentrated effort to increase liquidity. Due to the continued impact of recent rate movements, the Company anticipates further margin compression for the remainder of 2008.
Net Interest Income Tables
Table 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 versus March 31, 2007.
Table 1: Analysis of Net Interest Income
(FTE =Fully Taxable Equivalent)
| Period Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Interest income | $ | 40,432 | $ | 41,149 | ||||
| FTE adjustment | 977 | 826 | ||||||
| Interest income – FTE | 41,409 | 41,975 | ||||||
| Interest expense | 17,640 | 18,918 | ||||||
| Net interest income – FTE | $ | 23,769 | $ | 23,057 | ||||
| Yield on earning assets – FTE | 6.63 | % | 7.06 | % | ||||
| Cost of interest bearing liabilities | 3.29 | % | 3.70 | % | ||||
| Net interest spread – FTE | 3.34 | % | 3.36 | % | ||||
| Net interest margin – FTE | 3.80 | % | 3.88 | % | ||||
Table 2: Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin
| March 31, | ||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 vs. 2007 | |||
| Increase due to change in earning assets | $ | 1,711 | ||
| Decrease due to change in earning asset yields | (2,277 | ) | ||
| Decrease due to change in interest bearing liabilities | (468 | ) | ||
| Increase due to change in interest rates paid on | ||||
| interest bearing liabilities | 1,746 | |||
| Increase in net interest income | $ | 712 | ||
26
Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Non-accrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.
Table 3: Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average | Income/ | Yield/ | Average | Income/ | Yield/ | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Balance | Expense | Rate(%) | Balance | Expense | Rate(%) | ||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earning Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| due from banks | $ | 56,384 | $ | 388 | 2.77 | $ | 37,957 | $ | 510 | 5.45 | ||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold | 35,460 | 256 | 2.90 | 51,383 | 701 | 5.53 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investment securities - taxable | 415,505 | 5,053 | 4.89 | 406,342 | 4,485 | 4.48 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investment securities - non-taxable | 151,496 | 2,432 | 6.46 | 123,024 | 1,977 | 6.52 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale | 7,474 | 112 | 6.03 | 6,362 | 104 | 6.63 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assets held in trading accounts | 5,731 | 1 | 0.07 | 4,746 | 18 | 1.54 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | 1,841,762 | 33,167 | 7.24 | 1,782,125 | 34,180 | 7.78 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest earning assets | 2,513,812 | 41,409 | 6.63 | 2,411,939 | 41,975 | 7.06 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-earning assets | 254,129 | 252,112 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,767,941 | $ | 2,664,051 | ||||||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing transaction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| and savings accounts | $ | 803,439 | $ | 3,266 | 1.63 | $ | 731,214 | $ | 3,179 | 1.76 | ||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | 1,100,022 | 11,922 | 4.36 | 1,138,113 | 13,015 | 4.64 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest bearing deposits | 1,903,461 | 15,188 | 3.21 | 1,869,327 | 16,194 | 3.51 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| securities sold under agreement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| to repurchase | 126,459 | 921 | 2.93 | 118,011 | 1,456 | 5.00 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowed funds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | 1,715 | 20 | 4.69 | 4,031 | 70 | 7.04 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 123,221 | 1,511 | 4.93 | 82,185 | 1,198 | 5.94 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest bearing liabilities | 2,154,856 | 17,640 | 3.29 | 2,073,554 | 18,918 | 3.70 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest bearing liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest bearing deposits | 308,715 | 306,020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 26,484 | 22,002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,490,055 | 2,401,576 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 277,886 | 262,475 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| stockholders’ equity | $ | 2,767,941 | $ | 2,664,051 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest spread | 3 | .34 | 3.36 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | $ | 23,769 | 3.80 | $ | 23,057 | 3.88 | ||||||||||||||||||
27
Table 4 shows changes in interest income and interest expense, resulting from changes in volume and changes in interest rates for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The changes in interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates, in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.
Table 4: Volume/Rate Analysis
| Period Ended March 31 | ||||||||||||
| 2008 over 2007 | ||||||||||||
| (In thousands, on a fully | Yield/ | |||||||||||
| taxable equivalent basis) | Volume | Rate | Total | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in | ||||||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||
| Interest bearing balances | ||||||||||||
| due from banks | $ | 188 | $ | (310 | ) | $ | (122 | ) | ||||
| Federal funds sold | (177 | ) | (268 | ) | (445 | ) | ||||||
| Investment securities - taxable | 103 | 465 | 568 | |||||||||
| Investment securities - non-taxable | 458 | (2 | ) | 456 | ||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale | 17 | (10 | ) | 7 | ||||||||
| Assets held in trading accounts | 3 | (20 | ) | (17 | ) | |||||||
| Loans | 1,119 | (2,132 | ) | (1,013 | ) | |||||||
| Total | 1,711 | (2,277 | ) | (566 | ) | |||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||
| Interest bearing transaction and | ||||||||||||
| savings accounts | 302 | (215 | ) | 87 | ||||||||
| Time deposits | (427 | ) | (666 | ) | (1,093 | ) | ||||||
| Federal funds purchased | ||||||||||||
| and securities sold under | ||||||||||||
| agreements to repurchase | 98 | (634 | ) | (536 | ) | |||||||
| Other borrowed funds | ||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | (32 | ) | (18 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||||
| Long-term debt | 527 | (213 | ) | 314 | ||||||||
| Total | 468 | (1,746 | ) | (1,278 | ) | |||||||
| Increase (decrease) in net | ||||||||||||
| interest income | $ | 1,243 | $ | (531 | ) | $ | 712 | |||||
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PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
The provision for loan losses represents management's determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period's earnings, in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level, which is considered adequate, in relation to the estimated risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management's judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net loan loss experience. It is management's practice to review the allowance on at least a quarterly basis, but generally on a monthly basis, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance after considering the factors noted above.
The provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, was $1.5 million, compared to $0.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $0.7 million. The provision increase was primarily due to an increase in classified loans and net loan charge-offs, particularly in the Northwest Arkansas region.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Total non-interest income was $15.0 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $3.5 million, or 30.9%, compared to $11.5 million for the same period in 2007. The increase in non-interest income was primarily due to the nonrecurring $3.0 million gain from cash proceeds received on the mandatory partial redemption of its equity interest in Visa. Excluding the gain on Visa shares, non-interest income increased $565,000, or 4.9%, in the first quarter of 2008 over the comparable period in 2007.
Non-interest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, trust fees and credit card fees. Non-interest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, investment banking income, premiums on sale of student loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance, and gains (losses) from sales of securities.
29
Table 5 shows non-interest income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as well as changes in 2008 from 2007.
Table 5: Non-Interest Income
| 2008 | ||||||||||||||||
Period Ended March 31 | Change from | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
| Trust income | $ | 1,648 | $ | 1,637 | $ | 11 | 0.67 | % | ||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | 3,434 | 3,497 | (63 | ) | (1.80 | ) | ||||||||||
| Other service charges and fees | 753 | 808 | (55 | ) | (6.81 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income on sale of mortgage loans, | ||||||||||||||||
| net of commissions | 721 | 679 | 42 | 6.19 | ||||||||||||
| Income on investment banking, | ||||||||||||||||
| net of commissions | 449 | 150 | 299 | 199.33 | ||||||||||||
| Credit card fees | 3,173 | 2,649 | 524 | 19.78 | ||||||||||||
| Premiums on sale of student loans | 624 | 882 | (258 | ) | (29.25 | ) | ||||||||||
| Bank owned life insurance income | 361 | 364 | (3 | ) | (0.82 | ) | ||||||||||
| Gain on mandatory partial redemption | ||||||||||||||||
| of Visa shares | 2,973 | -- | 2,973 | -- | ||||||||||||
| Other income | 856 | 788 | 68 | 8.63 | ||||||||||||
| Total non-interest income | $ | 14,992 | $ | 11,454 | $ | 3,538 | 30.89 | % | ||||||||
Recurring fee income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, was $9.0 million, an increase of $417,000, or 4.9% from the three-month period ended March 31, 2007. Credit card fees increased by $524,000 due primarily to a higher volume of credit and debit card transactions.
Income on investment banking increased by $299,000, or 199.3%, for the three-months ended March 31, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. This improvement was due to additional sales volume driven by the interest rate environment, called securities and customer liquidity.
Premiums on sale of student loans decreased by $258,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to an acceleration of sales of student loans during 2007. Normally, as student loans reach payout status, the Company sells the loans into the secondary market. However, because of changes in the industry relative to loan consolidations, and in order to protect the premium on these loans, the Company made the decision to sell student loans prior to the payout period during 2007. This resulted in recognition of premium in 2007 on loans that normally would have been sold in 2008.
The Company recorded a nonrecurring $3.0 million gain from the cash proceeds received on the mandatory partial redemption of the Company’s equity interest in Visa, which was the result of Visa’s IPO completed in March, 2008.
There were no gains or losses on sale of securities during the three months ended March 31, 2008 or 2007.
30
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Non-interest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for the operation of the Company. Management remains committed to controlling the level of non-interest expense, through the continued use of expense control measures that have been installed. The Company utilizes an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all affiliates. Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management on a monthly basis. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met. Management also regularly monitors staffing levels at each affiliate, to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.
Non-interest expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, was $23.1 million, a decrease of $84,000, or 0.4% from the same period in 2007. Included in non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2008 is the $1.2 million nonrecurring item related to the reversal of the Company’s portion of Visa’s contingent litigation liabilities that was established during the fourth quarter of 2007. This liability represented the Company’s share of legal judgments and settlements related to Visa’s litigation, which was satisfied by the $3 billion escrow account funded by the proceeds from Visa’s IPO, which was completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Also included in non-interest expense for the three-months ended March 31, 2008 are the incremental expenses of approximately $495,000 associated with the operation of the five new financial centers opened in 2007 and 2008. When normalized for both the nonrecurring Visa litigation liability reversal and the additional expenses from the expansion, non-interest expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 increased by 2.8% over the same period in 2007.
Credit card expense increased for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 over the same period in 2007 by $223,000, or 22.9%, primarily due to the increased volume in credit card applications, card creation, interchange and other related expense resulting from initiatives the Company has taken to stabilize its credit card portfolio. See Loan Portfolio section for additional information.
31
Table 6 below shows non-interest expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as well as changes in 2008 from 2007.
Table 6: Non-Interest Expense
| 2008 | ||||||||||||||||
| Period Ended March 31 | Change from | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 14,208 | $ | 13,725 | $ | 483 | 3.52 | % | ||||||||
| Occupancy expense, net | 1,810 | 1,650 | 160 | 9.70 | ||||||||||||
| Furniture and equipment expense | 1,490 | 1,466 | 24 | 1.64 | ||||||||||||
| Loss on foreclosed assets | 42 | 24 | 18 | 75.00 | ||||||||||||
| Deposit insurance | 88 | 67 | 21 | 31.34 | ||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Professional services | 759 | 742 | 17 | 2.29 | ||||||||||||
| Postage | 600 | 578 | 22 | 3.81 | ||||||||||||
| Telephone | 450 | 411 | 39 | 9.49 | ||||||||||||
| Credit card expenses | 1,195 | 972 | 223 | 22.94 | ||||||||||||
| Operating supplies | 460 | 459 | 1 | 0.22 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of core deposits | 202 | 207 | (5 | ) | (2.42 | ) | ||||||||||
| Visa litigation liability reversal | (1,220 | ) | -- | (1,220 | ) | -- | ||||||||||
| Other expense | 3,046 | 2,913 | 133 | 4.57 | ||||||||||||
| Total non-interest expense | $ | 23,130 | $ | 23,214 | $ | (84 | ) | (0.36 | )% | |||||||
LOAN PORTFOLIO
The Company's loan portfolio averaged $1.842 billion and $1.782 billion during the first three months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of March 31, 2008, total loans were $1.842 billion, a decrease of $8.3million from December 31, 2007. The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single-family residential real estate loans).
The Company seeks to manage its credit risk by diversifying its loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an adequate allowance for loan losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose and industry and, in the case of credit card loans, which are unsecured, by geographic region. The Company seeks to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. The Company uses the allowance for loan losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectible amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.
Consumer loans consist of credit card loans, student loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were $378.8 million at March 31, 2008, or 20.6% of total loans, compared to $379.9 million, or 20.5% of total loans at December 31, 2007. The consumer loan decrease from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008 is the result of the seasonal decline in the Company’s credit card portfolio, offset by the seasonal increase in student loans.
32
As a general rule, the Company’s credit card portfolio experiences seasonal fluctuations, reaching its highest level during the fourth quarter and dropping off with paydowns to its lowest level during the first quarter. Therefore, management believes it is useful to compare credit card balances with the balances from the same period of the prior year. The credit card portfolio balance at March 31, 2008 increased by $25.2 million, or 18.9%, when compared to the same period in 2007.
The growth in outstanding credit card balances is primarily the result of an increase in net new accounts. Management believes the increase in outstanding balances and the addition of new accounts are the result of the introduction of several initiatives over the past two years to make the Company’s credit card products more competitive. The Company added approximately 15,000 net new accounts in 2007 and continued the trend into 2008, adding approximately 2,400 net new accounts during the three-months ended March 31, 2008.
Real estate loans consist of construction loans, single-family residential loans and commercial real estate loans. Real estate loans were $1.188 billion at March 31, 2008, or 64.5% of total loans, compared to the $1.186 billion, or 64.1% of total loans at December 31, 2007. Commercial real estate loans increased by $5.2 million, less than 1%, from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008, primarily due to a softening loan demand throughout Arkansas.
Commercial loans consist of commercial loans, agricultural loans and loans to financial institutions. Commercial loans were $265.1 million at March 31, 2008, or 14.4% of total loans, compared to $274.0 million, or 14.8% of total loans at December 31, 2007. The commercial loan decrease is primarily due to seasonality in the agricultural loan portfolio. The balances of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in Table 7, according to type of loan.
Table 7: Loan Portfolio
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Consumer | ||||||||
| Credit cards | $ | 158,701 | $ | 166,044 | ||||
| Student loans | 84,884 | 76,277 | ||||||
| Other consumer | 135,247 | 137,624 | ||||||
| Real Estate | ||||||||
| Construction | 257,635 | 260,924 | ||||||
| Single family residential | 383,168 | 382,676 | ||||||
| Other commercial | 547,334 | 542,184 | ||||||
| Commercial | ||||||||
| Commercial | 198,209 | 193,091 | ||||||
| Agricultural | 62,373 | 73,470 | ||||||
| Financial institutions | 4,503 | 7,440 | ||||||
| Other | 10,084 | 10,724 | ||||||
| Total loans before allowance for loan losses | $ | 1,842,138 | $ | 1,850,454 | ||||
33
ASSET QUALITY
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loans. Impaired loans include non-performing loans (loans past due 90 days or more and nonaccrual loans) and certain other loans identified by management that are still performing.
Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. The subsidiary banks recognize income principally on the accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectability of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for loan losses.
Credit card loans are classified as impaired when payment of interest or principal is 90 days past due. Litigation accounts are placed on nonaccrual until such time as deemed uncollectible. Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest or principal exceeds 180 days past due, but are turned over to the credit card recovery department, to be pursued until such time as they are determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.
At March 31, 2008, impaired loans were $12.9 million compared to $12.5 million at December 31, 2007.
34
Table 8 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual and other real estate owned.
Table 8: Non-performing Assets
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Nonaccrual loans | $ | 8,944 | $ | 9,909 | ||||
| Loans past due 90 days or more | ||||||||
| (principal or interest payments) | 2,158 | 1,282 | ||||||
| Total non-performing loans | 11,102 | 11,191 | ||||||
| Other non-performing assets | ||||||||
| Foreclosed assets held for sale | 3,556 | 2,629 | ||||||
| Other non-performing assets | 9 | 17 | ||||||
| Total other non-performing assets | 3,565 | 2,646 | ||||||
| Total non-performing assets | $ | 14,667 | $ | 13,837 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses to | ||||||||
| non-performing loans | 228.72 | % | 226.10 | % | ||||
| Non-performing loans to total loans | 0.60 | % | 0.60 | % | ||||
| Non-performing assets to total assets | 0.51 | % | 0.51 | % | ||||
Non-performing assets ratio(1) | 0.79 | % | 0.75 | % | ||||
(1) (Non-performing loans + foreclosed assets) / (total loans + foreclosed assets)
There was no interest income on the nonaccrual loans recorded for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
Overview
The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses. This allowance is created through charges to income and maintained at a sufficient level to absorb expected losses in the Company’s loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is determined monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as 1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, 2) reviews or evaluations of the loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses, 3) trends in volume, maturity and composition, 4) off balance sheet credit risk, 5) volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals, 6) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, 7) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, 8) concentrations of credit that might affect loss experience across one or more components of the loan portfolio, 9) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff and 10) other factors and trends, which will affect specific loans and categories of loans.
As the Company evaluates the allowance for loan losses, it is categorized as follows: 1) specific allocations, 2) allocations for classified assets with no specific allocation, 3) general allocations for each major loan category and 4) unallocated portion.
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Specific Allocations
Specific allocations are made when factors are present requiring a greater reserve than would be required when using the assigned risk rating allocation. As a general rule, if a specific allocation is warranted, it is the result of an analysis of a previously classified credit or relationship. The evaluation process in specific allocations for the Company includes a review of appraisals or other collateral analysis. These values are compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance. If a loss is determined to be reasonably possible, the possible loss is identified as a specific allocation. If the loan is not collateral dependent, the measurement of loss is based on the expected future cash flows of the loan.
Allocations for Classified Assets with no Specific Allocation
The Company establishes allocations for loans rated “watch” through “doubtful” based upon analysis of historical loss experience by category. A percentage rate is applied to each category of these loan categories to determine the level of dollar allocation.
General Allocations
The Company establishes general allocations for each major loan category. This section also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans. The allocations in this section are based on a historical review of loan loss experience and past due accounts. The Company gives consideration to trends, changes in loan mix, delinquencies, prior losses, and other related information.
Unallocated Portion
Allowance allocations other than specific, classified and general for the Company are included in unallocated.
Reserve for Unfunded Commitments
In addition to the allowance for loan losses, the Company has established a reserve for unfunded commitments, classified in other liabilities. This reserve is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb losses arising from unfunded loan commitments. The adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments is determined monthly based on methodology similar to the Company’s methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses. Net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in other non-interest expense.
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An analysis of the allowance for loan losses is shown in Table 9.
Table 9: Allowance for Loan Losses
| (In thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 25,303 | $ | 25,385 | ||||
| Loans charged off | ||||||||
| Credit card | 779 | 735 | ||||||
| Other consumer | 357 | 425 | ||||||
| Real estate | 477 | 295 | ||||||
| Commercial | 202 | 219 | ||||||
| Total loans charged off | 1,815 | 1,674 | ||||||
| Recoveries of loans previously charged off | ||||||||
| Credit card | 192 | 261 | ||||||
| Other consumer | 153 | 105 | ||||||
| Real estate | 79 | 162 | ||||||
| Commercial | 13 | 161 | ||||||
| Total recoveries | 437 | 689 | ||||||
| Net loans charged off | 1,378 | 985 | ||||||
| Provision for loan losses | 1,467 | 751 | ||||||
| Balance, March 31 | $ | 25,392 | $ | 25,151 | ||||
| Loans charged off | ||||||||
| Credit card | 1,928 | |||||||
| Other consumer | 1,113 | |||||||
| Real estate | 1,621 | |||||||
| Commercial | 496 | |||||||
| Total loans charged off | 5,158 | |||||||
| Recoveries of loans previously charged off | ||||||||
| Credit card | 763 | |||||||
| Other consumer | 378 | |||||||
| Real estate | 486 | |||||||
| Commercial | 253 | |||||||
| Total recoveries | 1,880 | |||||||
| Net loans charged off | 3,278 | |||||||
| Provision for loan losses | 3,430 | |||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | 25,303 | ||||||
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Provision for Loan Losses
The amount of provision to the allowance during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, and for the year ended December 31, 2007, was based on management's judgment, with consideration given to the composition of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net loan loss experience. It is management's practice to review the allowance on at least a quarterly basis, but generally on a monthly basis, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance after considering the factors noted above.
Allocated Allowance for Loan Losses
The Company utilizes a consistent methodology in the calculation and application of its allowance for loan losses. Because there are portions of the portfolio that have not matured to the degree necessary to obtain reliable loss statistics from which to calculate estimated losses, the unallocated portion of the allowance is an integral component of the total allowance. Although unassigned to a particular credit relationship or product segment, this portion of the allowance is vital to safeguard against the imprecision inherent when estimating credit losses.
Several factors in the national economy, including interest rate volatility predicated by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate adjustments, the effect of fuel prices on the commercial and consumer markets, and uncertainty in the residential housing market and other loan sectors which may be exhibiting weaknesses, further justify the need for unallocated reserves.
As of March 31, 2008, the allowance for loan losses reflects an increase of approximately $89,000 from December 31, 2007. The Company’s allocation of the allowance for loans losses at March 31, 2008 remained relatively consistent with the allocation at December 31, 2007. The unallocated portion of the allowance decreased approximately $863,000 during the three-months ended March 31, 2008. This decrease in the unallocated portion of the allowance is primarily related to increases in general and specific allocations for loans secured by assets located in the Northwest Arkansas region. In late 2006 the economy in Northwest Arkansas, particularly in the residential real estate market, started showing signs of deterioration, which caused concerns over the full recoverability of this portion of the Company’s loan portfolio. Management began assessing the impact of these economic conditions on this portion of the loan portfolio; however, the economic downturn had not yet negatively impacted specific credit relationships by December 31, 2006. Therefore, given this uncertainty, management deemed it necessary to provide a higher level of unallocated allowance. As the Company continued to monitor the Northwest Arkansas economy, beginning in the third quarter of 2007, specific credit relationships deteriorated to a level requiring increased general and specific reserves. The identification of these specific credit relationships and the increase in general and specific allocations allowed management to reduce the unallocated portion of the allowance related to the Company’s Northwest Arkansas region at December 31, 2007, and again at March 31, 2008.
The remaining unallocated allowance for loan losses is based on the Company’s continuing concerns over the uncertainty of the economy and the impact of market pricing in the poultry, timber and catfish industries in Arkansas. The Company is also cautious regarding the softening of the real estate market in Arkansas. Based on its analysis of loans within these business sectors, the Company believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate for the period ended March 31, 2008. Management actively monitors the status of these industries as they relate to the Company’s loan portfolio and makes changes to the allowance for loan losses as necessary.
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The Company allocates the allowance for loan losses according to the amount deemed to be reasonably necessary to provide for losses incurred within the categories of loans set forth in Table 10.
Table 10: Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
| March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||
| Allowance | % of | Allowance | % of | |||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | loans(1) | Amount | loans(1) | ||||||||||||
| Credit cards | $ | 3,704 | 8.6% | $ | 3,841 | 9.0% | ||||||||||
| Other consumer | 1,468 | 12.0% | 1,501 | 11.5% | ||||||||||||
| Real estate | 11,257 | 64.5% | 10,157 | 64.1% | ||||||||||||
| Commercial | 2,574 | 14.4% | 2,528 | 14.8% | ||||||||||||
| Other | 164 | 0.5% | 187 | 0.6% | ||||||||||||
| Unallocated | 6,225 | 7,089 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 25,392 | 100.0% | $ | 25,303 | 100.0% | ||||||||||
(1) Percentage of loans in each category to total loans
DEPOSITS
Deposits are the Company’s primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through the Company’s network of 85 financial centers as of March 31, 2008. The Company offers a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. The Company’s core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits. As of March 31, 2008, core deposits comprised 78.8% of the Company’s total deposits.
The Company continually monitors the funding requirements at each affiliate bank along with competitive interest rates in the markets it serves. Because the Company has a community banking philosophy, managers in the local markets establish the interest rates being offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet each affiliate bank’s respective funding requirements. The Company believes it is paying a competitive rate, when compared with pricing in those markets.
The Company manages its interest expense through deposit pricing and does not anticipate a significant change in total deposits. The Company believes that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through promotion and deposit pricing if it experiences accelerated loan demand or other liquidity needs beyond its current projections. The Company also utilizes brokered deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs.
The Company introduced a new high yield investment deposit account during the first quarter of 2008 as part of its strategy to enhance liquidity. Through March 31, 2008, the new account generated approximately $50 million in new core deposits. Total internal deposit growth for the three-month period was $114 million, or 5.2%. More specifically, total deposits as of March 31, 2008 were $2.297 billion versus $2.183 billion on December 31, 2007.
Total time deposits decreased approximately $44 million to $1.067 billion at March 31, 2008, from $1.111 billion at December 31, 2007. Non-interest bearing transaction accounts increased $17.4 million to $327.6 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $310.2 million at December 31, 2007. Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts were $901.9 million at March 31, 2008, a $140.7 million increase compared to $761.2 million on December 31, 2007. The Company had $38.4 million and $39.2 million of brokered deposits at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
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LONG-TERM DEBT
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, the Company increased long-term debt by $57.4 million, or 69.82% from December 31, 2007. This increase resulted from the strategic decision to secure additional long-term funding from FHLB advances in order to enhance the liquidity of the Company.
CAPITAL
Overview
At March 31, 2008, total capital reached $280.8 million. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company – the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At March 31, 2008, the Company’s equity to asset ratio was 9.81% compared to 10.12% at year-end 2007.
Capital Stock
At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting held on April 10, 2007, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of Class A, $0.01 par value, Common Stock from 30,000,000 to 60,000,000. Class A Common Stock is the Company’s only outstanding class of stock.
Stock Repurchase
On November 28, 2007, the Company announced the adoption by the Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program. The program authorizes the repurchase of up to 700,000 shares of Class A common stock, or approximately 5% of the outstanding common stock. Under the repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the Company intends to repurchase. The Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions. The Company intends to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercises, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate purposes.
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 23,480 shares of stock under the repurchase plan with a weighted average repurchase price of $26.65 per share. Under the current stock repurchase plan, the Company can repurchase an additional 624,490 shares.
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Cash Dividends
The Company declared cash dividends on its common stock of $0.19 per share for the first three months of 2008 compared to $0.18 per share for the first three months of 2007. In recent years, the Company increased dividends no less than annually and presently plans to continue with this practice.
Parent Company Liquidity
The primary sources for payment of dividends by the Company to its shareholders and the share repurchase plan are the current cash on hand at the parent company plus the future dividends received from the eight affiliate banks. Payment of dividends by the eight affiliate banks is subject to various regulatory limitations. Reference is made to the Liquidity and Market Risk Management discussions of Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity.
Risk Based Capital
The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). As of March 31, 2008, the Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company’s subsidiaries must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios. As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, the subsidiaries were well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institutions’ categories.
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The Company's risk-based capital ratios at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, are presented in table 11.
Table 11: Risk-Based Capital
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Tier 1 capital | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | $ | 280,789 | $ | 272,406 | ||||
| Trust preferred securities | 30,000 | 30,000 | ||||||
| Intangible assets | (63,536 | ) | (63,706 | ) | ||||
| Unrealized loss on available- | ||||||||
| for-sale securities, net of taxes | (5,480 | ) | (1,728 | ) | ||||
| Total Tier 1 capital | 241,773 | 236,972 | ||||||
| Tier 2 capital | ||||||||
| Qualifying unrealized gain on available-for-sale equity securities | 17 | 52 | ||||||
| Qualifying allowance for loan losses | 24,405 | 23,866 | ||||||
| Total Tier 2 capital | 24,422 | 23,918 | ||||||
| Total risk-based capital | $ | 266,195 | $ | 260,890 | ||||
| Risk weighted assets | $ | 1,949,862 | $ | 1,906,321 | ||||
| Assets for leverage ratio | $ | 2,698,488 | $ | 2,615,915 | ||||
| Ratios at end of period | ||||||||
| Leverage ratio | 8.96 | % | 9.06 | % | ||||
| Tier 1 capital | 12.40 | % | 12.43 | % | ||||
| Total risk-based capital | 13.65 | % | 13.69 | % | ||||
| Minimum guidelines | ||||||||
| Leverage ratio | 4.00 | % | 4.00 | % | ||||
| Tier 1 capital | 4.00 | % | 4.00 | % | ||||
| Total risk-based capital | 8.00 | % | 8.00 | % | ||||
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RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-4, Accounting for the Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements, requires the recognition of a liability and related compensation expense for endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to post-retirement periods. Under EITF 06-4, life insurance policies purchased for the purpose of providing such benefits do not effectively settle an entity's obligation to the employee. Accordingly, the entity must recognize a liability and related compensation expense during the employee's active service period based on the future cost of insurance to be incurred during the employee's retirement. If the entity has agreed to provide the employee with a death benefit, then the liability for the future death benefit should be recognized by following the guidance in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 106, Employer's Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. The Company adopted EITF 06-4 on January 1, 2008 as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings totaling $1,174,000. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 06-4 to have a material impact on the Company’s ongoing financial position or results of operations.
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. For additional information, see Note 16 – Fair Value Measurements, in the accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option (i) may be applied instrument by instrument, with certain exceptions, (ii) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and (iii) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. While SFAS 159 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2008, the Company has not elected the fair value option that is offered by this statement.
In December, 2007, FASB issued SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements and SFAS 141R, Business Combinations. Both are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these Statements, but does not expect either to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this quarterly report may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period(s) or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foresee,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “intend,” future or conditional verb tenses, and variations or negatives of such terms. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future growth, revenue, assets, asset quality, profitability and customer service, critical accounting policies, net interest margin, non-interest revenue, market conditions related to the Company’s stock repurchase program, allowance for loan losses, the effect of certain new accounting standards on the Company’s financial position, operations, cash flows, income tax deductions, credit quality, the level of credit losses from lending commitments, net interest revenue, interest rate sensitivity, loan loss experience, liquidity, capital resources, market risk, earnings, effect of pending litigation, acquisition strategy, legal and regulatory limitations and compliance and competition.
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We caution the reader not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this report in that actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, due to a variety of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the Company’s operating or expansion strategy, availability of and costs associated with obtaining adequate and timely sources of liquidity, the ability to maintain credit quality, possible adverse rulings, judgments, settlements and other outcomes of pending litigation, the ability of the Company to collect amounts due under loan agreements, changes in consumer preferences, effectiveness of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategies, laws and regulations affecting financial institutions in general or relating to taxes, the effect of pending or future legislation, the ability of the Company to repurchase its common stock on favorable terms and other risk factors. Other relevant risk factors may be detailed from time to time in the Company’s press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
The table below presents computations of operating earnings (net income excluding nonrecurring items {Visa litigation expense reversal and gain from the cash proceeds on mandatory Visa stock redemption}) and diluted operating earnings per share (non-GAAP). Nonrecurring items are included in financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company believes the exclusion of these nonrecurring items in expressing earnings and certain other financial measures, including “operating earnings” and “diluted operating earnings per share”, provides a meaningful base for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the operating results of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business, because management does not consider these nonrecurring items to be relevant to ongoing operating results. Management and the Board of Directors utilize these non-GAAP financial measures for the following purposes:
• Preparation of the Company’s operating budgets
• Calculation of annual performance-based incentives for certain executives
• Calculation of long-term performance-based incentives for certain executives
• Monthly financial performance reporting
• Monthly “flash” reporting of consolidated results (management only)
• Investor presentations of Company performance
The Company believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors and analysts to assess the performance of the Company on the same basis as that applied by management and the Board of Directors.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. To compensate for these limitations, the Company addresses each item that qualifies as nonrecurring to ensure that the Company’s operating results are properly reflected for period-to-period comparisons. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. In particular, a measure of earnings that excludes nonrecurring items does not represent the amount that effectively accrues directly to stockholders (i.e., nonrecurring items are included in earnings and stockholders’ equity).
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See Table 12 below for the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude nonrecurring items for the periods presented.
Table 12: Reconciliation of Operating Earnings
| March 31, | March 31, | |||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
| Three months ended | ||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 8,816 | $ | 6,637 | ||||
| Nonrecurring items | ||||||||
| Mandatory stock redemption gain (Visa) | (2,973 | ) | -- | |||||
| Litigation liability reversal (Visa) | (1,220 | ) | -- | |||||
| Tax effect | 1,635 | -- | ||||||
| Net nonrecurring items | (2,558 | ) | -- | |||||
| Operating earnings | $ | 6,258 | $ | 6,637 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.46 | ||||
| Nonrecurring items | ||||||||
| Mandatory stock redemption gain (Visa) | (0.21 | ) | -- | |||||
| Litigation liability reversal (Visa) | (0.09 | ) | -- | |||||
| Tax effect | 0.12 | -- | ||||||
| Net nonrecurring items | (0.18 | ) | -- | |||||
| Diluted operating earnings per share | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.46 | ||||
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Parent Company
The Company has leveraged its investment in subsidiary banks and depends upon the dividends paid to it, as the sole shareholder of the subsidiary banks, as a principal source of funds for dividends to shareholders, stock repurchase and debt service requirements. At March 31, 2008, undivided profits of the Company's subsidiaries were approximately $155.1 million, of which approximately $15.7 million was available for the payment of dividends to the Company without regulatory approval. In addition to dividends, other sources of liquidity for the Company are the sale of equity securities and the borrowing of funds.
Banking Subsidiaries
Generally speaking, the Company's banking subsidiaries rely upon net inflows of cash from financing activities, supplemented by net inflows of cash from operating activities, to provide cash used in investing activities. Typical of most banking companies, significant financing activities include: deposit gathering; use of short-term borrowing facilities, such as federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements; and the issuance of long-term debt. The banks' primary investing activities include loan originations and purchases of investment securities, offset by loan payoffs and investment maturities.
Liquidity represents an institution's ability to provide funds to satisfy demands from depositors and borrowers, by either converting assets into cash or accessing new or existing sources of incremental funds. A major responsibility of management is to maximize net interest income within prudent liquidity constraints. Internal corporate guidelines have been established to constantly measure liquid assets, as well as relevant ratios concerning earning asset levels and purchased funds. The management and board of directors of each bank subsidiary monitor these same indicators and make adjustments as needed. At March 31, 2008, each subsidiary bank was within established guidelines and total corporate liquidity remains strong. At March 31, 2008, cash and cash equivalents, trading and available-for-sale securities and mortgage loans held for sale were 22.7% of total assets, as compared to 17.4% at December 31, 2007.
Liquidity Management
The objective of the Company’s liquidity management is to access adequate sources of funding to ensure that cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers are met in an orderly and timely manner. Sources of liquidity are managed so that reliance on any one funding source is kept to a minimum. The Company’s liquidity sources are prioritized for both availability and time to activation.
The Company’s liquidity is a primary consideration in determining funding needs and is an integral part of asset/liability management. Pricing of the liability side is a major component of interest margin and spread management. Adequate liquidity is a necessity in addressing this critical task. There are six primary and secondary sources of liquidity available to the Company. The particular liquidity need and timeframe determine the use of these sources.
The first source of liquidity available to the Company is Federal funds. Federal funds, primarily from downstream correspondent banks, are available on a daily basis and are used to meet the normal fluctuations of a dynamic balance sheet. In addition, the Company and its affiliates have approximately $106 million in Federal funds lines of credit from upstream correspondent banks that can be accessed, when needed. In order to ensure availability of these upstream funds, the Company has a plan for rotating the usage of the funds among the upstream correspondent banks, thereby providing approximately $40 million in funds on a given day. Historical monitoring of these funds has made it possible for the Company to project seasonal fluctuations and structure its funding requirements on month-to-month basis.
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A second source of liquidity is the retail deposits available through the Company’s network of affiliate banks throughout Arkansas. Although this method can be somewhat of a more expensive alternative to supplying liquidity, this source can be used to meet intermediate term liquidity needs.
Third, the Company’s affiliate banks have lines of credits available with the FHLB. While the Company uses portions of those lines to match off longer-term mortgage loans, the Company also uses those lines to meet liquidity needs. Approximately $384 million of these lines of credit are currently available, if needed.
Fourth, the Company uses a laddered investment portfolio that ensures there is a steady source of intermediate term liquidity. These funds can be used to meet seasonal loan patterns and other intermediate term balance sheet fluctuations. Approximately 68% of the investment portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. The Company also uses securities held in the securities portfolio to pledge when obtaining public funds.
The fifth source of liquidity is the ability to access large deposits from both the public and private sector to fund short-term liquidity needs.
Finally, the Company has established a $5 million unsecured line of credit with a major commercial bank that could be used to meet unexpected liquidity needs at both the parent company level as well as at any affiliate bank.
The Company believes the various sources available are ample liquidity for short-term, intermediate-term and long-term liquidity.
Market Risk Management
Market risk arises from changes in interest rates. The Company has risk management policies to monitor and limit exposure to market risk. In asset and liability management activities, policies are in place designed to minimize structural interest rate risk. The measurement of market risk associated with financial instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting on- and off-balance-sheet transactions are aggregated, and the resulting net positions are identified.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Interest rate risk represents the potential impact of interest rate changes on net income and capital resulting from mismatches in repricing opportunities of assets and liabilities over a period of time. A number of tools are used to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including simulation models and interest sensitivity gap analysis. Management uses simulation models to estimate the effects of changing interest rates and various balance sheet strategies on the level of the Company’s net income and capital. As a means of limiting interest rate risk to an acceptable level, management may alter the mix of floating and fixed-rate assets and liabilities, change pricing schedules and manage investment maturities during future security purchases.
The simulation models incorporate management’s assumptions regarding the level of interest rates or balance changes for indeterminate maturity deposits for a given level of market rate changes. These assumptions have been developed through anticipated pricing behavior. Key assumptions in the simulation models include the relative timing of prepayments, cash flows and maturities. In addition, the impact of planned growth and anticipated new business is factored into the simulation models. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the models cannot precisely estimate net interest income or precisely predict the impact of a change in interest rates on net income or capital. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors.
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Table A below presents the Company’s interest rate sensitivity position at March 31, 2008. This analysis is based on a point in time and may not be meaningful because assets and liabilities are categorized according to contractual maturities, repricing periods and expected cash flows rather than estimating more realistic behaviors, as is done in the simulation models. Also, this analysis does not consider subsequent changes in interest rate level or spreads between asset and liability categories.
Table A: Interest Rate Sensitivity
| Interest Rate Sensitivity Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0-30 | 31-90 | 91-180 | 181-365 | 1-2 | 2-5 | Over 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except ratios) | Days | Days | Days | Days | Years | Years | Years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earning assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments | $ | 161,107 | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | 161,107 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets held in trading | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| accounts | 5,806 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5,806 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment securities | 52,247 | 16,286 | 51,775 | 100,841 | 173,150 | 83,946 | 93,163 | 571,408 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage loans held for sale | 7,735 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7,735 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | 613,398 | 202,204 | 159,620 | 321,862 | 248,228 | 260,529 | 36,297 | 1,842,138 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total earning assets | 840,293 | 218,490 | 211,395 | 422,703 | 421,378 | 344,475 | 129,460 | 2,588,194 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing transaction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| and savings deposits | 565,812 | -- | -- | -- | 67,208 | 201,623 | 67,209 | 901,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | 141,711 | 175,135 | 290,367 | 313,703 | 120,641 | 25,815 | -- | 1,067,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | 114,481 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 114,481 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 476 | 12,207 | 1,714 | 4,511 | 26,146 | 64,862 | 29,823 | 139,739 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest bearing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| liabilities | 822,480 | 187,342 | 292,081 | 318,214 | 213,995 | 292,300 | 97,032 | 2,223,444 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate sensitivity Gap | $ | 17,813 | $ | 31,148 | $ | (80,686 | ) | $ | 104,489 | $ | 207,383 | $ | 52,175 | $ | 32,428 | $ | 364,750 | |||||||||||||||
| Cumulative interest rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| sensitivity Gap | $ | 17,813 | $ | 48,961 | $ | (31,725 | ) | $ | 72,764 | $ | 280,147 | $ | 332,322 | $ | 364,750 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative rate sensitive asset | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| to rate sensitive liabilities | 102.2 | % | 104.8 | % | 97.6 | % | 104.5 | % | 115.3 | % | 115.6 | % | 116.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative Gap as a % of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| earning assets | 0.7 | % | 1.9 | % | (1.2 | )% | 2.8 | % | 10.8 | % | 12.8 | % | 14.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in 15 C.F.R. 240.13a-15(e) or 15 C.F.R. 240.15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of evaluation.
Part II: Other Information
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There has been no material change in the risk factors disclosure from that contained in the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. The Company made the following purchases of its common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2008:
| Total Number | Maximum | |||||||||||||||
| of Shares | Number of | |||||||||||||||
| Total Number | Average | Purchased as | Shares that May | |||||||||||||
| of Shares | Price Paid | Part of Publicly | Yet be Purchased | |||||||||||||
| Period | Purchased | Per Share | Announced Plans | Under the Plans | ||||||||||||
| January 1 – January 31 | 8,580 | $ | 26.00 | 8,580 | 682,272 | |||||||||||
| February 1 – February 29 | 8,000 | 27.14 | 8,000 | 674,272 | ||||||||||||
| March 1 – March 31 | 6,900 | 26.88 | 6,900 | 667,372 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 23,480 | $ | 26.65 | 23,480 | ||||||||||||
Item 6. Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 3.1 | Restated Articles of Incorporation of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 2007 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 3.2 | Amended By-Laws of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 0-6253)). |
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| 10.1 | Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 10.2 | Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 10.3 | Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 10.4 | Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 10.5 | Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 10.6 | Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). |
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| 10.7 | Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 10.8 | Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 10.9 | Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 10.10 | Simmons First National Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan, adopted March 24, 2008, and Notice of Grant of Long Term Incentive Award to J. Thomas May, David L. Bartlett, Marty Casteel, and Robert A. Fehlman (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.1 through 10.5 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K for March 24, 2008 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 14 | Code of Ethics, dated December 2003, for CEO, CFO, controller and other accounting officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)). | |
| 31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.* | |
| 31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – Robert A. Fehlman, Chief Financial Officer.* | |
| 32.1 | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.* | |
| 32.2 | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Robert A. Fehlman, Chief Financial Officer.* |
* Filed herewith.
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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.
| SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION | |||||
| (Registrant) | |||||
| Date: | May 9, 2008 | /s/ J. Thomas May | |||
| J. Thomas May | |||||
| Chairman and | |||||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||||
| Date: | May 9, 2008 | /s/ Robert A. Fehlman | |||
| Robert A. Fehlman | |||||
| Executive Vice President and | |||||
| Chief Financial Officer | |||||
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