TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — BancorpSouth, Inc. (NYSE: BXS) today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2013.

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2013 included:

• Net income of $27.7 million or $0.29 per diluted share.
• Acquired Houston, Texas based Gem Insurance Agencies, LP (“GEM”), which is expected to produce annual insurance commission revenues of approximately $9 million.
• Generated net loan growth of $184.9 million, or 8.4 percent annualized, which represents the third consecutive quarter of net loan growth.
• The net interest margin increased to 3.52 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 3.45 percent for the third quarter of 2013, benefitting from continued reduced funding costs as well as net loan growth.
• Non-performing loans and leases (“NPLs”) declined $23.9 million, or 16.6 percent, compared to the third quarter of 2013, while non-performing assets (“NPAs”) decreased $31.4 million, or 14.2 percent, over the same period.

The Company reported net income of $27.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with net income of $17.0 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2012 and net income of $24.9 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2013. Additionally, the Company reported total net income of $94.1 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $84.3 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2012.

“Our results for the fourth quarter are reflective of the commitment that we have made to grow our Company,” remarked Dan Rollins, Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased to report net loan growth of almost $185 million, or 8.4 percent on an annualized basis. This accomplishment is attributable to the hard work and efforts of our lending team. While we have continued to produce quality credits throughout the cycle, these efforts are becoming more visible as the headwind caused by problem asset runoff continues to subside. These efforts contributed to improvement in our net interest margin for the quarter, which improved to 3.52 percent from 3.45 percent for the third quarter, as well as growth in net interest income.”

“We are also excited about the opportunity that the transaction with GEM provides for us to be able to continue to expand our insurance operations, particularly in a high-growth market like Houston, Texas,” commented Rollins. “GEM produces insurance commission revenues of approximately $9 million annually and, combined with our legacy Houston operation, should provide a solid foundation for us to be able to continue to grow in that market.”

Rollins added, “Our financial performance continues to benefit from consistent credit quality improvement.” Earnings for the quarter reflected no recorded provision for credit losses, which was a decrease from $6.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2013. NPLs declined $23.9 million, or 16.6 percent, during the fourth quarter of 2013 to $120.4 million at December 31, 2013 compared with $144.3 million at September 30, 2013 and declined $113.1 million, or 48.5 percent, from $233.6 million at December 31, 2012. In addition, total NPAs declined $31.4 million, or 14.2 percent, to $189.7 million at December 31, 2013 compared with $221.2 million at September 30, 2013 and declined $147.1 million, or 43.7 percent, from $336.8 million at December 31, 2012. Net charge-offs were $0.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with $7.6 million for the third quarter of 2013 and $10.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Net Interest Revenue

Net interest revenue was $102.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, an increase of 1.5 percent from $100.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and an increase of 2.2 percent from $100.2 million for the third quarter of 2013. The fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 3.52 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to 3.44 percent for the fourth quarter of 2012 and 3.45 percent for the third quarter of 2013. Yields on loans and leases declined to 4.52 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with 4.76 percent for the fourth quarter of 2012 and 4.55 percent for the third quarter of 2013, while yields on total interest earning assets decreased to 3.86 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with 3.97 percent for the fourth quarter of 2012 and increased from 3.85 percent for the third quarter of 2013. The average cost of deposits declined to 0.34 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 0.47 percent for the fourth quarter of 2012 and 0.36 percent for the third quarter of 2013.

Asset, Deposit and Loan Activity

Total assets were $13.0 billion at December 31, 2013 compared with $13.4 billion at December 31, 2012. Total deposits were $10.8 billion at December 31, 2013 compared with $11.1 billion at December 31, 2012. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, were $9.0 billion at December 31, 2013 compared with $8.6 billion at December 31, 2012.

The decrease in time deposits of $285.0 million, or 11.0 percent, at December 31, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 was partially offset by growth in noninterest bearing demand deposits, which increased $99.4 million, or 3.9 percent, over the same period. Additionally, savings deposits increased $88.3 million, or 7.7 percent, while interest bearing demand deposits declined $217.0 million, or 4.5 percent, over the same period. As of December 31, 2013, $870.9 million of time deposits were scheduled to mature during the following two quarters at a weighted average rate of 0.90 percent.

Provision for Credit Losses and Allowance for Credit Losses

For the fourth quarter of 2013, no provision for credit losses was recorded, compared with $6.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2013. Net charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $0.7 million, compared with $10.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $7.6 million for the third quarter of 2013. Recoveries of previously charged-off loans were $7.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $9.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2013. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.03 percent of average loans and leases for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with 0.49 percent for the fourth quarter of 2012 and 0.35 percent for the third quarter of 2013.

NPLs were $120.4 million, or 1.34 percent of net loans and leases, at December 31, 2013, compared with $233.6 million, or 2.70 percent of net loans and leases, at December 31, 2012, and $144.3 million, or 1.65 percent of net loans and leases, at September 30, 2013. The allowance for credit losses was $153.2 million, or 1.71 percent of net loans and leases, at December 31, 2013 compared with $164.5 million, or 1.90 percent of net loans and leases, at December 31, 2012 and $154.0 million, or 1.76 percent of net loans and leases, at September 30, 2013.

NPLs at December 31, 2013 consisted primarily of $92.2 million of nonaccrual loans, compared with $121.4 million of nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2013. Payments received on nonaccrual loans during the fourth quarter of 2013 totaled $25.3 million, compared with payments received on such loans of $27.7 million during the third quarter of 2013. NPLs at December 31, 2013 also included $1.2 million of loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing, compared with $1.5 million of such loans at September 30, 2013, and included restructured loans still accruing of $27.0 million at December 31, 2013, compared with $21.5 million of such loans at September 30, 2013. Early stage past due loans, representing loans 30-89 days past due, totaled $33.8 million at December 31, 2013 compared to $28.9 million at September 30, 2013.

Included in nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2013 were $48.1 million of loans, or 52.2 percent of total nonaccrual loans, that were paying as agreed, compared with $61.5 million, or 50.6 percent of total nonaccrual loans, at September 30, 2013. These loans were generally placed on nonaccrual status because the collateral values were less than the outstanding balances, and because of uncertainty as to whether the borrowers possessed adequate liquidity or would be able to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy the debt given the short-fall in collateral values. Such loans are generally deemed to be impaired, with a specific reserve established for the difference in the balance owed and the disposition value of the collateral.

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) decreased $7.5 million to $69.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2013 from $76.9 million at September 30, 2013. This net decrease reflected $7.9 million of OREO added through foreclosure, offset by sales of OREO of $14.3 million. Write-downs in the value of existing properties were $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2013. Sales of OREO during the fourth quarter of 2013 resulted in a net loss of $0.9 million compared to a net loss of $0.4 million for the third quarter of 2013. At December 31, 2013, OREO was carried at 43.6 percent of the aggregate loan balances at the time of foreclosure, compared with 45.6 percent at September 30, 2013.

Noninterest Revenue

Noninterest revenue was $65.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $70.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $62.5 million for the third quarter of 2013. These results included a positive mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) valuation adjustment of $2.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with a positive MSR valuation adjustment of $0.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and a negative MSR valuation adjustment of $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2013.

Excluding the MSR valuation adjustments, net mortgage lending revenue was $6.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $17.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $5.4 million for the third quarter of 2013. Mortgage origination volume for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $222.3 million, compared with $549.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $341.9 million for the third quarter of 2013.

Credit and debit card fee revenue was $8.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $8.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2013. Deposit service charge revenue was $13.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $13.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $13.7 million for the third quarter of 2013. Insurance commission revenue was $21.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $20.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $23.8 million for the third quarter of 2013.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $127.8 million, compared with $143.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $129.4 million for the third quarter of 2013. Noninterest expense for the third quarter included pre-tax charges of $2.9 million related to the write-off of unamortized issuance costs associated with the redemption of the outstanding 8.15 percent trust preferred securities and $2.8 million to increase the litigation accrual related to probable losses associated with various legal proceedings. Salaries and employee benefits expense was $75.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $77.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $73.5 million for the third quarter of 2013. Foreclosed property expense was $2.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with $12.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2013. Deposit insurance assessments were $2.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $3.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2013.

Capital Management

BancorpSouth is a “well capitalized” financial holding company, as defined by federal regulations, with Tier 1 risk-based capital of 12.99 percent at December 31, 2013 and total risk based capital of 14.25 percent, compared with required minimum levels of 6 percent and 10 percent, respectively, for “well capitalized” classification. The Company’s equity capitalization consists of 100 percent common stock. BancorpSouth’s ratio of shareholders’ equity to assets was 11.61 percent at December 31, 2013, compared with 10.82 percent at December 31, 2012 and 11.46 percent at September 30, 2013. The ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets was 9.44 percent at December 31, 2013, compared with 8.83 percent at December 31, 2012 and 9.43 percent at September 30, 2013.

Recent Transaction Announcements

On December 18, 2013, BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc. acquired the assets of Houston, Texas based GEM Insurance Agencies, LP. GEM was formed in 1954 and produces annual commission revenues of approximately $9 million. As a part of the transaction, the Company’s existing Houston office will re-locate into GEM’s current office located at 3355 West Alabama Street in Houston. The combined operations are expected to produce annual revenues of approximately $11 million.

On January 8, 2014, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Ouachita Bancshares Corp., parent company of Ouachita Independent Bank (collectively referred to as “OIB”), headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana, pursuant to which Ouachita Bancshares Corp. will be merged with and into the Company. OIB operates twelve (12) full-service banking offices along the I-20 corridor and has loan production offices in Madison, Mississippi and Natchitoches, Louisiana. As of December 31, 2013 (unaudited), OIB, on a consolidated basis, reported total assets of $652.5 million, total loans of $477.8 million and total deposits of $549.7 million. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the Company will issue a maximum of 3,675,000 shares of the Company’s common stock plus $22.875 million in cash for all outstanding shares of Ouachita Bancshares Corp.’s capital stock, subject to certain conditions and potential adjustments. The terms of the agreement provide for a collar with respect to the total deal value ranging from $99 million to $112 million. The merger has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2014. The transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the approval by OIB’s shareholders and customary regulatory approvals.

Earlier today, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Central Community Corporation, headquartered in Temple, Texas, pursuant to which Central Community Corporation will be merged with and into the Company. Central Community Corporation is the parent company of First State Bank Central Texas (“First State Bank”), which is headquartered in Austin, Texas. First State Bank operates 31 full-service banking offices in central Texas. As of December 31, 2013 (unaudited), Central Community Corporation, on a consolidated basis, reported total assets of $1.3 billion, total loans of $555.5 million and total deposits of $1.1 billion. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the Company will issue approximately 7,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock plus $28.5 million in cash for all outstanding shares of Central Community Corporation’s capital stock, subject to certain conditions and potential adjustments. The merger has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2014. The transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the approval by Central Community Corporation’s shareholders and customary regulatory approvals.

Summary

Rollins concluded, “We are extremely proud of the progress that our Company made during 2013. Going into the year, we consistently communicated the need to grow while improving our cost structure. We have made meaningful strides towards both goals. We reported net loan growth for three consecutive quarters, which contributed to net loan growth of almost 4 percent for the year. We have also continued to drive expenses down through specific initiatives as well as through more disciplined expense management. As we look to 2014, the goals are the same. There remains work to be done to right-size our cost structure and we must continue to grow. We are excited about the two bank deals that have been announced this month and the opportunities they will provide for our Company going forward. We believe both of these deals will be an integral part of our strategy to grow and to better leverage our current operating structure.”

Conference Call

BancorpSouth will conduct a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2013 results on January 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. (Central Time). Investors may listen via the Internet by accessing BancorpSouth’s website at http://www.bancorpsouth.com. A replay of the conference call will be available at BancorpSouth’s website for at least two weeks following the call.

About BancorpSouth, Inc.

BancorpSouth, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi, with $13.0 billion in assets. BancorpSouth Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BancorpSouth, Inc., operates 292 commercial banking, mortgage, and insurance locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, including an insurance location in Illinois.

In connection with the proposed merger of Ouachita Bancshares Corp. with and into BancorpSouth, BancorpSouth will file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareholders of BancorpSouth and Ouachita Bancshares Corp. are encouraged to read the registration statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus that will be a part of the registration statement, because it will contain important information about the merger, BancorpSouth and Ouachita Bancshares Corp. After the registration statement is filed with the SEC, the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents will be available for free on the SEC’s web site (www.sec.gov), and the proxy statement/prospectus will also be made available for free from the Corporate Secretary of each of BancorpSouth and Ouachita Bancshares Corp.

In connection with the proposed merger of Central Community Corporation with and into BancorpSouth, BancorpSouth will file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareholders of BancorpSouth and Central Community Corporation are encouraged to read the registration statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus that will be a part of the registration statement, because it will contain important information about the merger, BancorpSouth and Central Community Corporation After the registration statement is filed with the SEC, the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents will be available for free on the SEC’s web site (www.sec.gov), and the proxy statement/prospectus will also be made available for free from the Corporate Secretary of each of BancorpSouth and Central Community Corporation

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release 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 their reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “intend.” These forward-looking statements include, without limitation,, statements relating to revenue estimates for the Company’s operations in Houston, Texas following the closing of the transaction with GEM and the potential for expansion of the Company’s business in Houston, the terms and closing of the proposed transactions with Ouachita Bancshares Corp. and Central Community Corporation, acceptance by customers of Ouachita Bancshares Corp. and Central Community Corporation of the Company’s products and services, the opportunities to enhance market share in certain markets and market acceptance of the Company generally in new markets, the impact of cost-saving initiatives, our ability to improve efficiency, and our use of non-GAAP financial measures.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release in that actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements because of a variety of factors. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the ability to obtain required shareholder and regulatory approvals of the mergers, the ability of the Company, Ouachita Bancshares Corp. and Central Community Corp. to close the mergers, the ability of the Company to expand its insurance operations in Houston, conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally, the adequacy of the Company’s provision and allowance for credit losses to cover actual credit losses, the credit risk associated with real estate construction, acquisition and development loans, losses resulting from the significant amount of the Company’s other real estate owned, limitations on the Company’s ability to declare and pay dividends, the impact of legal or administrative proceedings, the availability of capital on favorable terms if and when needed, liquidity risk, governmental regulation, including the Dodd Frank Act, and supervision of the Company’s operations, the short-term and long-term impact of changes to banking capital standards on the Company’s regulatory capital and liquidity, the impact of regulations on service charges on the Company’s core deposit accounts, the susceptibility of the Company’s business to local economic or environmental conditions, the soundness of other financial institutions, changes in interest rates, the impact of monetary policies and economic factors on the Company’s ability to attract deposits or make loans, volatility in capital and credit markets, reputational risk, the impact of hurricanes or other adverse weather events, any requirement that the Company write down goodwill or other intangible assets, diversification in the types of financial services the Company offers, the Company’s ability to adapt its products and services to evolving industry standards and consumer preferences, competition with other financial services companies, risks in connection with completed or potential acquisitions, the Company’s growth strategy, interruptions or breaches in the Company’s information system security, the failure of certain third party vendors to perform, unfavorable ratings by rating agencies, dilution caused by the Company’s issuance of any additional shares of its common stock to raise capital or acquire other banks, bank holding companies, financial holding companies and insurance agencies, other factors generally understood to affect the financial results of financial services companies and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE BancorpSouth, Inc.