TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Renasant Corporation (NASDAQ: RNST) (the "Company") today announced earnings results for the fourth quarter of 2018. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $44.4 million, as compared to $16.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") were $0.76 for the fourth quarter of 2018, as compared to basic and diluted EPS of $0.33 for the fourth quarter of 2017.

Net income for the year ending December 31, 2018, was $146.9 million, as compared to $92.2 million for 2017. Basic and diluted EPS were $2.80 and $2.79, respectively, for 2018, as compared to basic and diluted EPS of $1.97 and $1.96, respectively, for 2017.

"During a quarter highlighted by increased volatility in financial markets and uncertainty about the economic outlook, Renasant once again closed the year with record results. Our superior profitability metrics continue to increase and are a direct result of our continued efforts to maintain a stable core margin while focusing on cost containment," commented Renasant Executive Chairman E. Robinson McGraw. "While we are not immune to the increased level of competition in our markets, we remain disciplined in our pricing and prudent in our underwriting standards, and our credit quality metrics all remain at or near historic lows."

"Although the economic uncertainty that arose at the close of 2018 has not resolved as we start the new year, we remain committed to delivering strong shareholder value through prudent capital management and a continued emphasis on profitability and growth of our core operations," added C. Mitchell Waycaster, Renasant President and Chief Executive Officer. "With the integration of Brand's operations and team members now complete, coupled with strategic hires throughout our footprint, we begin 2019 with a renewed focus on understanding and meeting our customers' needs and continuing to deliver a first class line up of products and services which earned us the designation of "Best Bank in the South" by Time Magazine's Money.com."

Brand Acquisition

The Company completed its acquisition by merger of Brand Group Holdings, Inc. ("Brand") on September 1, 2018. As of the acquisition date, Brand operated 13 locations throughout the greater Atlanta market and, prior to purchase accounting adjustments, had approximately $2.0 billion in assets, which included approximately $1.6 billion in loans, and approximately $1.7 billion in deposits. The Company's balance sheet and results of operations as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, include the impact of the Company's acquisition of Brand since the acquisition date. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as presented in the table below, have been recorded at estimated fair value and are subject to change pending finalization of all valuations.

As part of the merger agreement, Brand agreed to divest the operations of its subsidiary Brand Mortgage Group, LLC ("BMG"), which transaction was completed as of November 1, 2018. As a result, the results of operations of BMG, which are not significant to the Company's operations, are included in the Company's results for 2018 from the acquisition date through the completion date of the divestiture.

Impact of Certain Expenses and Charges

The Company incurred expenses and charges in connection with certain transactions with respect to which management is unable to accurately predict when these expenses or charges will be incurred or, when incurred, the amount of such expenses or charges. The following table presents the impact of these expenses and charges on reported earnings per share for the dates presented (in thousands, except per share data):

The Company's fourth quarter 2017 earnings include an after-tax charge of $14.5 million resulting from the revaluation of the Company's deferred tax assets in response to the corporate tax rate reduction implemented by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was enacted in December 2017. The after-tax charge reduced diluted EPS by $0.30 and $0.31 for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, respectively. No such charge is included in the Company's 2018 results.

The Company's fourth quarter and 2018 earnings included pre-tax expenses of $1.6 million and $14.2 million, respectively, related to the merger and conversion of Brand. These expenses reduced diluted EPS by $0.02 and $0.21 for the fourth quarter and year, respectively. Similarly, the Company's fourth quarter and 2017 earnings included pre-tax expenses of $723 thousand and $10.4 million related primarily to the acquisition of Metropolitan BancGroup, Inc., which was completed in July 2017. These charges reduced diluted EPS by $0.01 and $0.15 for the fourth quarter and year, respectively.

Profitability Metrics

The following table presents the Company's profitability metrics for the three and twelve months ending December 31, 2018, including and excluding the impact of after-tax merger and conversion expenses related to the Brand acquisition described above.

A reconciliation of all non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this release from GAAP to non-GAAP is included in the tables at the end of this release.

Financial Condition

Total assets were $12.9 billion at December 31, 2018, as compared to $9.8 billion at December 31, 2017.

Total loans increased to $9.1 billion at December 31, 2018, from $7.6 billion at December 31, 2017. Loans not purchased increased to $6.4 billion at December 31, 2018, from $5.6 billion at December 31, 2017. Loan production for the fourth quarter and for 2018 was $400.3 million and $1.7 billion, respectively, as compared to $448.5 million and $1.5 billion for the same periods, respectively, in 2017. As of the acquisition date, Brand added $1.3 billion in loans held for investment.

Total deposits increased to $10.1 billion at December 31, 2018, from $7.9 billion at December 31, 2017. Non-interest bearing deposits averaged $2.0 billion, or 22.83% of average deposits, for 2018, compared to $1.7 billion, or 22.64% of average deposits, for the same period in 2017. As of the acquisition date, Brand added $1.7 billion in deposits, which included $429.2 million in non-interest bearing deposits.

At December 31, 2018, Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 10.11%, Common Equity Tier 1 ratio was 11.05%, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 12.10%, and total risk-based capital ratio was 14.12%. All regulatory ratios exceed the minimums required to be considered "well-capitalized."

Our ratio of shareholders' equity to assets was 15.80% at December 31, 2018, as compared to 15.41% at December 31, 2017. Our tangible capital ratio (non-GAAP) was 8.92% at December 31, 2018, as compared to 9.56% at December 31, 2017.

The Company announced a $50.0 million stock repurchase program in October 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company repurchased $7.1 million of common stock at a weighted average price of $35.48. The plan will remain in effect until the earlier of October 2019 or the repurchase of the entire amount of common stock authorized to be repurchased by the Board of Directors.

Results of Operations

Net interest income was $115.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, as compared to $99.4 million for the third quarter of 2018 and $93.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. The following table presents reported taxable equivalent net interest margin and yield on loans held for investment for the periods presented (in thousands).

The impact from interest income collected on problem loans and purchase accounting adjustments on loans to total interest income on loans, loan yield and net interest margin is shown in the following table for the periods presented (in thousands).

Net interest income was $396.5 million for 2018, as compared to $336.9 million for the same period in 2017. The following table presents reported taxable equivalent net interest margin and loan yield for the periods presented (in thousands).

The impact from interest income collected on problem loans and purchase accounting adjustments on loans to total interest income on loans, loan yield and net interest margin is shown in the following table for the periods presented (in thousands).

For the fourth quarter of 2018, the cost of total deposits was 67 basis points, as compared to 60 basis points for the third quarter of 2018 and 36 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2017. The cost of total deposits was 56 basis points for the year ending December 31, 2018, as compared to 32 basis points for 2017.

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $36.4 million, as compared to $38.1 million for the third quarter of 2018 and $32.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $144.0 million, as compared to $132.1 million for the same period in 2017. Mortgage banking income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $12.0 million, compared to $14.4 million for the third quarter of 2018 and $9.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Mortgage banking income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $50.1 million, as compared to $43.4 million for the same period in 2017. BMG contributed $2.0 million and $3.7 million to mortgage banking income during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively.

Noninterest expense was $93.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, as compared to $94.7 million for the third quarter of 2018 and $76.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $345.0 million, as compared to $301.6 million for the same period in 2017. Noninterest expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 includes $2.4 million and $4.4 million, respectively, attributable to BMG.

Excluding charges for merger and conversion expenses, amortization of intangible assets and losses on the sale of securities, the Company's efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) was 58.39% and 59.22% for the fourth quarter and full year of 2018, respectively, which exceeded the Company's goal of maintaining an efficiency ratio below 60%.

Asset Quality Metrics

Total nonperforming assets were $37.0 million at December 31, 2018, as compared to $39.4 million at December 31, 2017, and consisted of $26.0 million in nonperforming loans (loans 90 days or more past due and nonaccrual loans) and $11.0 million in other real estate owned ("OREO").

The Company's nonperforming loans and OREO that were purchased in previous acquisitions (collectively referred to as "purchased nonperforming assets") were $13.1 million and $6.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018, as compared to $10.2 million and $11.5 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017. The purchased nonperforming assets were recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition, which significantly mitigates the Company's actual loss. As such, the remaining information in this release on nonperforming loans, OREO and the related asset quality ratios focuses on non-purchased nonperforming assets.

• Non-purchased nonperforming loans were $12.9 million, or 0.20% of total non-purchased loans, at December 31, 2018, as compared to $13.3 million, or 0.24% of total non-purchased loans, at December 31, 2017. Early stage delinquencies, or loans 30-to-89 days past due, as a percentage of total non-purchased loans were 0.27% at December 31, 2018, as compared to 0.30% at December 31, 2017.

• Non-purchased OREO was $4.9 million at December 31, 2018, as compared to $4.4 million at December 31, 2017. Sales of non-purchased OREO totaled $1.9 million for 2018 and $3.0 million for 2017.

• The allowance for loan losses was 0.54% of total loans at December 31, 2018 and 0.61% of total loans at December 31, 2017. The allowance for loan losses was 0.77% of non-purchased loans at December 31, 2018, as compared to 0.83% at December 31, 2017.

• Net loan charge-offs were $584 thousand, or 0.03% of average total loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2018, as compared to $470 thousand, or 0.02% of average total loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2017. Net loan charge-offs were $4.0 million, or 0.05% of average total loans, for 2018, as compared to $4.1 million or 0.06% of average total loans for 2017.

• The provision for loan losses was $1.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 and $2.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. The provision was $6.8 million for the full year of 2018, as compared to $7.6 million for the same time period in 2017.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:

A live audio webcast of a conference call with analysts will be available beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

The webcast can be accessed through Renasant's investor relations website at www.renasant.com or https://services.choruscall.com/links/rnst190123.html. To access the conference via telephone, dial 1-877-513-1143 in the United States and request the Renasant Corporation Fourth Quarter Earnings Webcast and Conference Call. International participants should dial 1-412-902-4145 to access the conference call.

The webcast will be archived on www.renasant.com beginning one hour after the call and will remain accessible for one year. Replays can also be accessed via telephone by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the United States and entering conference number 10127759 or by dialing 1-412-317-0088 internationally and entering the same conference number. Telephone replay access is available until February 6, 2019.

ABOUT RENASANT CORPORATION:

Renasant Corporation is the parent of Renasant Bank, a 114-year-old financial services institution. Renasant has assets of approximately $12.9 billion and operates more than 190 banking, mortgage, wealth management and insurance offices in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

NOTE TO INVESTORS:

This press release may contain, or incorporate by reference, statements which constitute "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. Such forward looking statements usually include words such as "expects," "projects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "strategy," "plan," "potential," "possible," "approximately," "should" and variations of such words and other similar expressions.

Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include significant fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, economic recession, significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment, significant underperformance in the Company's portfolio of outstanding loans, and competition in the Company's markets. Management believes that the assumptions underlying the Company's forward-looking statements are reasonable, but any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Investors are urged to carefully consider the risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") from time to time, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available at www.renasant.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES:

In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), this press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, namely, return on average tangible shareholders' equity, return on average tangible assets, the ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets (commonly referred to as the "tangible capital ratio") and the efficiency ratio. These non-GAAP financial measures adjust GAAP financial measures to exclude intangible assets and certain charges (such as merger and conversion expenses and debt prepayment penalties) with respect to which the Company is unable to accurately predict when these charges will be incurred or, when incurred, the amount thereof. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating capital utilization and adequacy. In addition, the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate the making of period-to-period comparisons and are meaningful indications of its operating performance, particularly because these measures are widely used by industry analysts for companies with merger and acquisition activities. Also, because intangible assets, such as goodwill and the core deposit intangible, and charges such as merger and conversion expenses can vary extensively from company to company and, as to intangible assets, are excluded from the calculation of a financial institution's regulatory capital, the Company believes that the presentation of this non-GAAP financial information allows readers to more easily compare the Company's results to information provided in other regulatory reports and the results of other companies. Reconciliations of these other non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the table at the end of this release under the caption "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP."

None of the non-GAAP financial information that the Company has included in this release is intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should note that, because there are no standardized definitions for the calculations as well as the results, the Company's calculations may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Also, there may be limits in the usefulness of these measures to investors. As a result, the Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

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SOURCE Renasant Corporation