First Financial Service Corporation Announces Quarterly Results

October 23, 2009 9:38 AM EDT

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Financial Service Corporation (the Company, Nasdaq: FFKY) today announced diluted net income per common share of $0.07 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to $0.21 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Diluted net income per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, was $0.27, compared to $1.06 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The third quarter and year-to-date earnings decline were driven by higher provision for loan losses, margin compression, other-than-temporary losses on security investments and higher operating expenses. Earnings available to common shareholders were also impacted by dividends paid on preferred shares.

"Our loan portfolio remains exposed to the weak economic conditions that persist on both a local and national level," stated Chief Executive Officer, B. Keith Johnson. "The Bank has recorded large provisions for loan losses in each of the first three quarters of 2009. The Company is working aggressively to manage the continued credit quality deterioration in the commercial real estate sector of our portfolio. However, if depressed economic conditions continue to impact real estate values, it is likely that additional elevated provisions will need to be made to ensure the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. Further adding pressure to our earnings this year, the FDIC increased insurance premiums on the base assessment as well as imposed a special assessment. Despite these pressures, we have been able to grow our core relationships as well as attract new customers due to our exceptional customer service model. Our proactive approach to navigating through these turbulent times will position the Bank to be able to continue to capitalize on profitable opportunities as the economy begins its long recovery cycle."

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company opened its twenty-second full-service banking center, which expanded the Bank's current footprint in Louisville, Kentucky. The Blankenbaker Banking Center complements the existing branches located in Jefferson County, Kentucky and is the fourth branch in the area. We have been able to grow our deposit base to over $100 million in our four Louisville branches since entering that market in 2004.

Total deposits were $937.7 million at September 30, 2009, an increase of $162.3 million from December 31, 2008. The increase was the result of several actions taken by the Company, including deposit promotions, an increase in public fund accounts as well as utilizing our wholesale funding sources. Competition for deposits remains very competitive in all of the markets we serve. Competition for deposits combined with continued repricing of variable rate loans could add to additional margin compression over the next several quarters.

The demand for commercial lending continues to be strong across all of our markets. Commercial loans were $692.7 million at September 30, 2009, an increase of $55.1 million, or 8.6%, from December 31, 2008. The growth in the Company's commercial loan portfolio has favorably impacted the level of interest income generated by the Company. Average earning assets increased by $151.5 million as of September 30, 2009, compared to September 30, 2008. Despite the increase in earning assets, the Company's net interest margin realized a modest decline of 12 basis points. Net interest margin decreased to 3.69% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 3.81% for the same period in 2008. The current Federal Funds rate remains in a range of 0.00% to 0.25%. Correspondingly, variable rate loans that are tied to the federal prime rate have been repriced downward in relation to the prime rate. However, interest rates paid on customer deposits have not adjusted downward proportionately with the declining interest yields on loans and investments. Fifty-nine percent of deposits are time deposits that reprice over a longer period of time. The increase in the volume of earning assets did have a positive impact on net interest income, which increased $963,000 and $3,355,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the respective periods ended September 30, 2008.

The percentage of non-performing loans to total loans increased to 3.55% at September 30, 2009 compared to 1.86% at December 31, 2008 and 1.41% at September 30, 2008. Annualized net charge-offs as a percent of average total loans increased to 0.52% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 0.07% for December 31, 2008 and 0.09% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This increase was primarily attributed to a charge-down of $2.0 million on one large commercial real estate loan the Company foreclosed on during the second quarter of 2009. $1.7 million of the $2.0 million charge-down was previously reserved during the prior year. Additionally, charge-offs were generally higher in all areas of the loan portfolio year-to-date.

Provision for loan loss expense increased $762,000 to $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the same period ended September 30, 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, provision for loan loss expense increased $3.6 million to $6.4 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase for the quarter and year-to-date periods in 2009 was partially related to growth in the loan portfolio, but primarily from the specific reserves set aside for loans classified during 2009. Provision expense was also higher due to increasing the general reserve factors for commercial real estate loans during the year as the level of classified loans has increased sharply since 2008. As economic conditions continue to deteriorate, management's emphasis will be to proactively review credit quality and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Although resulting in substantial provisioning in the second half of 2008 and continuing into 2009, we believe that this proactive approach will put the Company in a better position to withstand the uncertainty over the next few quarters.

Non-interest income decreased $472,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the three months September 30, 2008. Customer service fees on deposit accounts decreased $67,000 for the third quarter 2009 compared to the same quarter in 2008. Gain on sale of mortgage loans increased $121,000 due to continued refinance activity, while brokerage commissions decreased $20,000, for the current quarter compared to same quarter in the prior year. The decrease in non-interest income for the quarter was also reflective of an increase of $154,000 in write-downs on other real estate owned and $304,000 of other-than-temporary credit losses on trust preferred security investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 non-interest income decreased $470,000, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Gain on sale of mortgage loans increased $266,000, while brokerage commissions decreased $71,000, for the first nine months of 2009 compared to same period in the prior year. Other income increased $262,000 year-to-date in 2009 compared to year-to-date 2008. The increase in other income is attributable to gains on sale of other real estate owned and fees associated with loan underwriting. The decrease in non-interest income was also reflective of an increase in other-than-temporary impairment losses of $487,000 trust preferred security investments and by an increase of $395,000 in write-downs on other real estate owned during 2009. Other-than-temporary impairment charges recorded in 2008 were on equity securities.

Non-interest expense increased $391,000 to $8.0 million and $3.8 million to $24.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the same periods ended September 30, 2008. Contributing to the increase in non-interest expense for the year was an increase in employee compensation expense. Employee compensation expense was higher due to expansion efforts as well as a higher cost for employee benefits. Further contributing to the increase to non-interest expense were increases in office occupancy expense and equipment, information systems and outside services, amortization for core deposit intangible and marketing and advertising. FDIC insurance premiums also increased for the quarter and year-to-date periods ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same periods ended September 30, 2008. All financial institutions were subject to higher FDIC premiums beginning in the second quarter 2009. The FDIC also imposed a special assessment on all financial institutions that was paid on September 30, 2009, which was fully accrued by the Company as of the end of the second quarter. Additionally, other expenses increased $493,000 for the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2009 over the same period in 2008. The increase was related to higher interchange expenses, postage and courier, loan expenses and repair and maintenance of other real estate owned.

First Financial Service Corporation is the parent bank holding company of First Federal Savings Bank of Elizabethtown, which was chartered in 1923. The Bank serves the needs and caters to the economic strengths of the local communities in which it operates and strives to provide a high level of personal and professional customer service. The Bank offers a variety of financial services to its retail and commercial banking customers. These services include personal and corporate banking services, and personal investment financial counseling services. Today, the Bank serves eight contiguous counties encompassing Central Kentucky and the Louisville Metropolitan area, including Southern Indiana, through its 22 full-service banking centers and a commercial private banking center.

This press release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical income and those presently anticipated or projected. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Such risks and uncertainties include those detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, risks of adversely changing results of operations, risks related to the Company's acquisition strategy, risk of loans and investments, including the effect of the change of the local economic conditions, risks associated with the adverse effects of the changes in interest rates, and competition for the Company's customers by other providers of financial services, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

First Financial Service Corporation's stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "FFKY." Market makers for the stock are:

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    J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons Company, Inc.    Howe Barnes Investments, Inc.

    Stifel Nicolaus & Company                    Knight Securities, LP


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                      FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                  (Unaudited)

     (Dollars in thousands,                    September 30,  December 31,
     except share data)                             2009          2008
                                                    ----          ----

    ASSETS:
    Cash and due from banks                         $17,535       $17,310
    Interest bearing deposits                         2,566         3,595
                                                      -----         -----
        Total cash and cash equivalents              20,101        20,905
                                                     ------        ------

    Securities available-for-sale                    35,144        15,775
    Securities held-to-maturity, fair value
     of $1,359 Sept (2009) and $6,846 Dec (2008)      1,346         7,022
                                                      -----         -----
         Total securities                            36,490        22,797
                                                     ------        ------

    Loans held for sale                               7,729         9,567
    Loans, net of unearned fees                     980,121       903,434
    Allowance for loan losses                       (16,173)      (13,565)
                                                    -------       -------
         Net loans                                  971,677       899,436
                                                    -------       -------

    Federal Home Loan Bank stock                      8,515         8,515
    Cash surrender value of life insurance            8,923         8,654
    Premises and equipment, net                      32,345        30,068
    Real estate owned:
      Acquired through foreclosure                    8,184         5,925
      Held for development                               45            45
    Other repossessed assets                             40            91
    Goodwill                                         11,931        11,931
    Core deposit intangible                           1,401         1,703
    Accrued interest receivable                       5,064         4,379
    Deferred income taxes                               468         1,147
    Other assets                                      2,382         1,451
                                                      -----         -----

         TOTAL ASSETS                            $1,107,566    $1,017,047
                                                 ==========    ==========

         LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    LIABILITIES:
    Deposits:
      Non-interest bearing                          $59,373       $55,668
      Interest bearing                              878,345       719,731
                                                    -------       -------
         Total deposits                             937,718       775,399
                                                    -------       -------

    Short-term borrowings                             2,200        94,869
    Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank             52,777        52,947
    Subordinated debentures                          18,000        18,000
    Accrued interest payable                            340           288
    Accounts payable and other liabilities            2,366         2,592
                                                      -----         -----

                TOTAL LIABILITIES                 1,013,401       944,095
                                                  ---------       -------
    Commitments and contingent liabilities                -             -

    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
     Serial preferred stock, $1 par value per
      share;  authorized 5,000,000 shares;
      issued and outstanding, 20,000 shares
      with a liquidation preference of $1,000/
      share Sept (2009)                              19,768             -
    Common stock, $1 par value per share;
     authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and
     outstanding, 4,707,898 shares Sept
     (2009), and 4,668,030 shares Dec (2008)          4,708         4,668
    Additional paid-in capital                       34,965        34,145
    Retained earnings                                35,744        36,476
    Accumulated other
     comprehensive loss                              (1,020)       (2,337)
                                                     ------        ------

      TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                     94,165        72,952
                                                     ------        ------
      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $1,107,566    $1,017,047
                                                 ==========    ==========



                       FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION
                        Consolidated Statements of Income
                                   (Unaudited)

                                    Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands,             September 30,         September 30,
    except per share data)            2009       2008       2009       2008
                                      ----       ----       ----       ----
    Interest and Dividend Income:
      Loans, including fees        $14,410    $14,337    $42,509    $41,718
      Taxable securities               312        403        925      1,095
      Tax exempt securities            137         90        361        297
                                       ---        ---        ---        ---
        Total interest income       14,859     14,830     43,795     43,110
                                    ------     ------     ------     ------

    Interest Expense:
      Deposits                       4,513      5,325     13,359     15,815
      Short-term borrowings             27        156        117        661
      Federal Home Loan Bank
       advances                        601        610      1,798      1,808
      Subordinated debentures          331        315        989        649
                                       ---        ---        ---        ---
        Total interest expense       5,472      6,406     16,263     18,933
                                     -----      -----     ------     ------

    Net interest income              9,387      8,424     27,532     24,177
    Provision for loan losses        2,482      1,720      6,441      2,819
                                     -----      -----      -----      -----
    Net interest income after
     provision for loan losses       6,905      6,704     21,091     21,358
                                     -----      -----     ------     ------

    Non-interest Income:
      Customer service fees on
       deposit accounts              1,750      1,817      4,872      4,865
      Gain on sale of mortgage
       loans                           300        179        832        566
      Gain on sale of
       investments                       -         52          -         52
      Net impairment losses
       recognized in earnings         (304)         -       (703)      (216)
      Write down on real estate
       acquired through foreclosure   (305)      (151)      (555)      (160)
      Brokerage commissions             89        109        281        352
      Other income                     365        361      1,263      1,001
                                       ---        ---      -----      -----
        Total non-interest income    1,895      2,367      5,990      6,460
                                     -----      -----      -----      -----

    Non-interest Expense:
      Employee compensation and
       benefits                      4,042      3,867     12,193     10,765
      Office occupancy expense
       and equipment                   832        779      2,488      2,112
      Marketing and advertising        225        215        735        638
      Outside services and data
       processing                      793        882      2,381      2,365
      Bank franchise tax               257        258        778        761
      FDIC insurance premiums          414        102      1,381        286
      Amortization of core
       deposit intangible              100         56        302         59
      Other expense                  1,365      1,478      3,998      3,505
                                     -----      -----      -----      -----
        Total non-interest expense   8,028      7,637     24,256     20,491
                                     -----      -----     ------     ------

    Income before income taxes         772      1,434      2,825      7,327
    Income taxes                       196        443        773      2,354
                                       ---        ---        ---      -----
    Net Income                         576        991      2,052      4,973
    Less:
       Dividends on preferred stock   (250)         -       (730)         -
       Accretion on preferred stock    (14)         -        (39)         -
                                       ---        ---        ---        ---
    Net income available to
     common shareholders              $312       $991     $1,283     $4,973
                                      ====       ====     ======     ======

    Shares applicable to basic
     income per common share     4,704,289  4,667,081  4,689,917  4,665,058
    Basic income per common
     share                           $0.07      $0.21      $0.27      $1.07
                                     =====      =====      =====      =====

    Shares applicable to
     diluted income per common
     share                       4,734,037  4,683,978  4,703,432  4,689,458
    Diluted income per common
     share                           $0.07      $0.21      $0.27      $1.06
                                     =====      =====      =====      =====

    Cash dividends declared per
     common share                   $0.050     $0.190     $0.430     $0.570
                                    ======     ======     ======     ======



                         FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION
                       Unaudited Selected Ratios and Other Data

                                           As of and             As of and
                                            For the               For the
                                         Three Months           Nine Months
                                             Ended                 Ended
                                         September 30,         September 30,
                                         --------------        ---------------
    Selected Data                        2009      2008        2009       2008
    -------------                        ----      ----        ----       ----

    Performance Ratios

    Return on average assets             0.11%     0.40%       0.16%     0.72%

    Return on average equity             1.32%     5.18%       1.85%     8.80%

    Average equity to average assets     8.49%     7.76%       8.65%     8.21%

    Net interest margin                  3.64%     3.72%       3.69%     3.81%

    Efficiency ratio from
     continuing operations              71.16%    70.77%      72.36%    66.89%

    Book value per share                                     $15.80    $15.95

    Average Balance Sheet Data

    Average total assets           $1,104,012  $980,700  $1,074,926  $919,624

    Average interest earning
     assets                         1,030,908   905,459   1,004,492   852,966

    Average loans                     984,468   861,230     963,728   811,036

    Average interest-bearing
     Deposits                         820,602   735,301     784,067   678,791

    Average total deposits            878,778   797,907     841,297   737,638

    Average total stockholders'
     equity                            93,730    76,147      92,933    75,510

    Asset Quality Ratios

    Non-performing loans as a
     percent of total loans (1)                                3.55%     1.41%

    Non-performing assets as a
     percent of total loans (1)                                4.39%     2.07%

    Allowance for loan losses as a
     percent of total loans (1)                                1.65%     1.21%

    Allowance for loan losses as a
     percent of non-performing loans                             46%       85%

    Annualized net charge-offs
     to total loans (1)                                        0.52%     0.09%
    ---------------------------------
    (1) Excludes loans held for sale.


SOURCE First Financial Service Corporation


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