FIRST BANCSHARES INC /MS/ - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)

U. S. 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 THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED: March 31, 2015

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 33-94288

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(EXACT NAME OF ISSUER AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

MISSISSIPPI		64-0862173
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)		(I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)

6480 U.S. HIGHWAY 98 WEST
HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI		39402
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL		(ZIP CODE)
EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

(601) 268-8998

(ISSUER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

NONE

(FORMER NAME, ADDRESS AND FISCAL YEAR, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE ISSUER: (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.

YES x NO ¨

INDIATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT HAS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY AND POSTED ON ITS CORPORATE WEB SITE, IF ANY, EVERY INTERACTIVE DATA FILE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED AND POSTED PURSUANT TO RULE 405 OF REGULATION S-T (§232.405 OF THIS CHAPTER) DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT HE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AND POST SUCH FILES).

YES x NO ¨

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A LARGE ACCELERATED FILER, AN ACCELERATED FILER, A NON-ACCELERATED FILER, OR A SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY. SEE THE DEFINITIONS OF “LARGE ACCELERATED FILER,” “ACCELERATED FILER,” “NON-ACCELERATED FILER” AND “SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY” IN RULE 12B-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.

LARGE ACCELERATED FILER	¨	ACCELERATED FILER	¨

NON-ACCELERATED FILER	x	SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY	¨

ON March 31, 2015, 5,400,909 SHARES OF THE ISSUER'S COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE WERE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING.

TRANSITIONAL DISCLOSURE FORMAT (CHECK ONE):

YES ¨ NO x

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A SHELL COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN RULE 12B-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT):

YES ¨ NO x

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM NO. 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ amounts in thousands)

	(Unaudited)
	March 31,			December 31,
	2015			2014
ASSETS

Cash and due from banks	$	26,013		$	30,333
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		25,844			13,899
Federal funds sold		42,617			386

Total cash and cash equivalents		94,474			44,618

Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost		7,829			8,193
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value		246,842			254,746
Other securities		7,235			7,235

Total securities		261,906			270,174

Loans held for sale		1,657			2,103
Loans		716,359			704,531
Allowance for loan losses		(5,928	)		(6,095	)

Loans, net		712,088			700,539

Premises and equipment		33,769			34,810
Interest receivable		3,950			3,659
Cash surrender value of life insurance		14,569			14,463
Goodwill		12,276			12,276
Other real estate owned		4,598			4,655
Other assets		8,518			8,574

TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,146,148		$	1,093,768

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY


LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	203,766		$	201,362
Interest-bearing		780,877			691,413

TOTAL DEPOSITS		984,643			892,775

Interest payable		275			316
Borrowed funds		49,446			89,450
Subordinated debentures		10,310			10,310
Other liabilities		2,708			4,701

TOTAL LIABILITIES		1,047,382			997,552

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value, $1,000 per share liquidation, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 17,123 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively		17,123			17,123
Common stock, par value $1 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 5,400,909 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and 5,342,670 at December 31, 2014, respectively		5,401			5,343
Additional paid-in capital		44,419			44,421
Retained earnings		29,717			27,975
Accumulated other comprehensive income		2,570			1,818
Treasury stock, at cost, 26,494 shares at March 31, 2015 and at December 31, 2014		(464	)		(464	)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		98,766			96,216

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,146,148		$	1,093,768

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ amounts in thousands, except earnings and dividends per share)

	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015		2014

INTEREST INCOME:
Interest and fees on loans	$	8,148	$	7,004
Interest and dividends on securities:
Taxable interest and dividends		1,011		903
Tax exempt interest		501		529
Interest on federal funds sold		23		11

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME		9,683		8,447

INTEREST EXPENSE:
Interest on deposits		632		466
Interest on borrowed funds		172		157

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE		804		623

NET INTEREST INCOME		8,879		7,824

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		150		358

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		8,729		7,466

OTHER INCOME:
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,051		984
Other service charges and fees		799		688

TOTAL OTHER INCOME		1,850		1,672

OTHER EXPENSES:
Salaries and employee benefits		4,626		4,097
Occupancy and equipment		1,109		1,220
Other		2,083		1,910

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES		7,818		7,227

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		2,761		1,911

INCOME TAXES		732		484

NET INCOME		2,029		1,427

PREFERRED STOCK ACCRETION AND DIVIDENDS		85		106

NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	1,944	$	1,321

NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:
BASIC	$	.36	$	.26
DILUTED		.36		.25
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE – COMMON		.0375		.0375

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

($ amounts in thousands)

	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015			2014

Net income per consolidated statements of income	$	2,029		$	1,427
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period on available-for-sale securities		1,124			1,749
Unrealized holding gains on loans held for sale		16			45
Income tax benefit (expense)		(388	)		(628	)
Other Comprehensive Income		752			1,166

Comprehensive Income	$	2,781		$	2,593

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited)

($ in thousands)

	Common Stock			Preferred Stock		Stock Warrants		Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Compre- hensive Income (Loss)			Treasury Stock			Total
Balance, January 1, 2014	$	5,123		$	17,103	$	284	$	41,802		$	22,509		$	(1,249	)	$	(464	)	$	85,108
Net income		-			-		-		-			1,427			-			-			1,427
Other comprehensive income		-			-		-		-			-			1,166			-			1,166
Accretion and dividends on preferred stock		-			20		-		-			(106	)		-			-			(86	)
Dividends on common stock, $0.0375 per share		-			-		-		-			(193	)		-			-			(193	)
Repurchase of restricted stock for payment of Taxes		(4	)		-		-		(60	)		-			-			-			(64	)
Restricted stock grant		57			-		-		(57	)		-			-			-			-
Compensation expense		-			-		-		138			-			-			-			138
Balance, March 31, 2014	$	5,176		$	17,123	$	284	$	41,823		$	23,637		$	(83	)	$	(464	)	$	87,496

Balance, January 1, 2015	$	5,343		$	17,123	$	284	$	44,137		$	27,975		$	1,818		$	(464	)	$	96,216
Net income		-			-		-		-			2,029			-			-			2,029
Other comprehensive income		-			-		-		-			-			752			-			752
Dividends on preferred stock		-			-		-		-			(85	)		-			-			(85	)
Dividends on common stock, $0.0375 per share		-			-		-		-			(202	)		-			-			(202	)
Repurchase of restricted stock for payment of taxes		(6	)		-		-		(86	)		-			-			-			(92	)
Restricted stock grant		67			-		-		(67	)		-			-			-			-
Compensation expense		-			-		-		184			-			-			-			184
Reversal of 2,514 common shares for BCB Holdings		(3	)		-		-		(33	)		-			-			-			(36	)
Balance, March 31, 2015	$	5,401		$	17,123	$	284	$	44,135		$	29,717		$	2,570		$	(464	)	$	98,766

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ Amounts in Thousands)

	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015			2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET INCOME	$	2,029		$	1,427
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		871			523
Provision for loan losses		150			358
Loss on sale/writedown of ORE		94			149
Gain on sale of bank premises		(119	)		-
Restricted stock expense		184			138
Increase in cash value of life insurance		(106	)		(39	)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends		(1	)		-
Changes in:
Interest receivable		(291	)		(139	)
Loans held for sale, net		462			1,140
Interest payable		(41	)		(49	)
Other, net		(1,650	)		(48	)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		1,582			3,460

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Maturities, calls and paydowns of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity		12,188			9,615
Purchases of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity		(3,520	)		(1,008	)
Net redemptions (purchases) of other securities		-			(614	)
Net increase in loans		(12,650	)		(12,898	)
Purchase of bank owned life insurance		-			(2,550	)
Proceeds from sale of bank premises		949			-
Net (increase) decrease in premises and equipment		(197	)		279
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(3,230	)		(7,176	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in deposits		91,915			83,781
Net decrease in borrowed funds		(40,004	)		(37,000	)
Dividends paid on common stock		(194	)		(189	)
Dividends paid on preferred stock		(85	)		(86	)
Repurchase of restricted stock for payment of taxes		(92	)		(64	)
Repurchase of shares issued in BCB acquisition		(36	)		-

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		51,504			46,442

NET INCREASE IN CASH		49,856			42,726
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		44,618			39,252
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	94,474		$	81,978

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:

CASH PAYMENTS FOR INTEREST		892			672
CASH PAYMENTS FOR INCOME TAXES		2,206			275
LOANS TRANSFERRED TO OTHER REAL ESTATE		506			1,297
ISSUANCE OF RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTS		67			57

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. For further information, please refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

NOTE B — SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION

The First Bancshares, Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi (the "Company"), was incorporated June 23, 1995, under the laws of the State of Mississippi for the purpose of operating as a bank holding company. The Company’s primary asset is its interest in its wholly-owned subsidiary, The First, A National Banking Association (the “Bank”).

At March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $1.1 billion in assets, $712.1 million in net loans, $984.6 million in deposits, and $98.8 million in stockholders' equity. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company reported net income of $2.0 million ($1.9 million applicable to common stockholders).

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $.0375 per common share.

NOTE C – BUSINESS COMBINATION

BCB Holding Company, Inc.

On March 3, 2014, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) with BCB Holding Company, Inc., an Alabama corporation (“BCB”) and parent of Bay Bank, Mobile, Alabama. The Agreement provided that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement, BCB will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”) and Bay Bank will merge with and into The First, A National Banking Association (“Bank Merger”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, which was approved by the Boards of Directors of the Company and BCB, each outstanding share of BCB common stock, other than shares held by the Company or BCB, or, shares with respect to which the holders thereof have perfected dissenters’ rights received (i) for the BCB common stock that was outstanding prior to August 1, 2013, $3.60 per share which may be received in cash or the Company common stock provided that at least 30% of the aggregate consideration paid to such shareholders is in the Company common stock and one non-transferable contingent value right (“CVR”) of the CVR Consideration, and (ii) for the BCB common stock that was issued on August 1, 2013, $2.25 per share in cash. Each CVR is eligible to receive a cash payment equal to up to $0.40, with the exact amount based on the resolution of certain identified BCB loans over a three-year period following the closing of the transaction. Payout of the CVR will be overseen by a special committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company redeemed in full a note payable by BCB to Alostar Bank, as well as the preferred stock issued under the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program. The total consideration to be paid in connection with the acquisition will range between approximately $6.2 million and $6.6 million depending upon the payout of the CVR, as well as the price of the Company common stock on the closing of the transaction, which is subject to a cap and a collar regarding its price. An estimated liability of $174,000 has been accrued for the CVR.

As of the closing on July 1, 2014, the Company and BCB entered into an agreement and plan of merger pursuant to which BCB’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Bay Bank, was merged with and into the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $1.7 million of goodwill and $.2 million of core deposit intangible. The core deposit intangible will be expensed over 10 years.

The Company acquired the $40.1 million loan portfolio at a fair value discount of $1.7 million. The discount represents expected credit losses, adjusted to market interest rates and liquidity adjustments.

The amounts of the acquired identifiable assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date were as follows(dollars in thousands):

Purchase price:
Cash and fair value of common stock	$	6,300
Total purchase price		6,300
Identifiable assets:
Cash and due from banks		8,307
Investments		23,423
Loans and leases		38,393
Other Real Estate		571
Core deposit intangible		225
Personal and real property		3,670
Deferred tax asset		2,502
Other assets		305
Total assets		77,396
Liabilities and equity:
Deposits		59,321
Borrowed funds		13,104
Other liabilities		326
Total liabilities		72,751
Net assets acquired		4,645
Goodwill resulting from acquisition	$	1,655

The outstanding principal balance and the carrying amount of these loans included in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015, are as follows:

(dollars in thousands):

Outstanding principal balance		$	33,172
Carrying amount			31,402

NOTE D – PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT

Pursuant to the terms of the letter agreement between the Company and the United States Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”), the Company issued 17,123 CDCI Preferred Shares.

The Letter Agreement contains limitations on the payment of dividends on the common stock to no more than 100% of the aggregate per share dividend and distributions for the immediate prior fiscal year (dividends of $0.15 per share were declared and paid in 2011-2014) and on the Company’s ability to repurchase its common stock in the event of a non-payment of our dividend, and continues to subject the Company to certain of the executive compensation limitations included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA), as previously disclosed by the Company. The CDCI Preferred Shares entitle the holder to an annual dividend of 2% for 8 years of the liquidation value of the shares, payable quarterly in arrears.

NOTE E — EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

Basic per share data is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted per share data includes any dilution from potential common stock outstanding, such as stock options.

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2015
	Net Income		Shares		Per
	(Numerator)		(Denominator)		Share Data

Basic per share	$	1,944,000		5,358,576	$	0.36

Effect of dilutive shares:
Restricted stock grants				56,524

Diluted per share	$	1,944,000		5,415,100	$	0.36

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2014
	Net Income		Shares		Per
	(Numerator)		(Denominator)		Share Data

Basic per share	$	1,321,000		5,140,500	$	0.26

Effect of dilutive shares:
Restricted stock grants				49,429

Diluted per share	$	1,321,000		5,189,929	$	0.25

The Company granted 6,300 shares of restricted stock in the fourth quarter of 2014, and 67,077 shares of restricted stock in the first quarter of 2015.

NOTE F — FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Company groups its financial assets measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Level 1:	Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:	Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities which use observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices 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 and liabilities.

Level 3:	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

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 sheets.

Available-for-Sale Securities

The fair value of available-for-sale securities is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

The following table presents the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fell as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

March 31, 2015

(Dollars in thousands)			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets For Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

Obligations of U. S. Government Agencies	$	21,904	$	-	$	21,904	$	-
Municipal securities		101,437		-		101,437		-
Mortgage-backed securities		93,692		-		93,692		-
Corporate obligations		28,840		-		26,024		2,816
Other		969		969		-		-
Total	$	246,842	$	969	$	243,057	$	2,816

December 31, 2014

(Dollars in thousands)			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets For Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

Obligations of U. S. Government Agencies	$	27,372	$	-	$	27,372	$	-
Municipal securities		104,582		-		104,582		-
Mortgage-backed securities		93,036		-		93,036		-
Corporate obligations		28,784		-		25,983		2,801
Other		972		972		-		-
Total	$	254,746	$	972	$	250,973	$	2,801

The following is a reconciliation of activity for assets measured at fair value based on significant unobservable (non-market) information.

	Bank-Issued Trust Preferred Securities
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014
Balance, January 1	$	2,801	$	2,798
Transfers into Level 3		-		-
Transfers out of Level 3		-		-
Other-than-temporary impairment loss included in earnings		-		-
Unrealized gain included in comprehensive income		15		3
Balance at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	$	2,816	$	2,801

The following table presents quantitative information about recurring Level 3 fair value measurements (in thousands):

Trust Preferred Securities	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Range of Inputs

March 31, 2015		2,816	Discounted cash flow	Probability of default	.82% - 2.52%
December 31, 2014		2,801	Discounted cash flow	Probability of default	.79% - 2.49%

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheets, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Impaired Loans

Loans for which it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest due according to contractual terms are measured for impairment. Allowable methods for estimating fair value include using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans or, where a loan is determined not to be collateral dependent, using the discounted cash flow method.

If the impaired loan is identified as collateral dependent, then the fair value method of measuring the amount of impairment is utilized. This method requires obtaining a current independent appraisal of the collateral and applying a discount factor to the value. If the impaired loan is determined not to be collateral dependent, then the discounted cash flow method is used. This method requires the impaired loan to be recorded at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. The effective interest rate of a loan is the contractual interest rate adjusted for any net deferred loan fees or costs, or premium or discount existing at origination or acquisition of the loan. Impaired loans are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned acquired through loan foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis. The adjustment at the time of foreclosure is recorded through the allowance for loan losses. Due to the subjective nature of establishing the fair value, the actual fair value of the other real estate owned or foreclosed asset could differ from the original estimate. If it is determined the fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through non-interest expense. Operating costs associated with the assets are also recorded as non-interest expense. Gains and losses on the disposition of other real estate owned and foreclosed assets are netted and posted to other non-interest expense. Other real estate owned measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2015, amounted to $4.6 million. Other real estate owned is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the fair value measurement of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fell at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

($ in thousands)

March 31, 2015

			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets For Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

Impaired loans	$	8,623	$	-	$	8,623	$	-

Other real estate owned		4,598		-		4,598		-

December 31, 2014

			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices in Active Markets For Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

Impaired loans	$	9,560	$	-	$	9,560	$	-

Other real estate owned		4,655		-		4,655		-

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents – For such short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Investment in securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity – The fair value measurement for securities available-for-sale was discussed earlier. The same measurement approach was used for securities held-to-maturity.

Loans – The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance– The fair value of bank-owned life insurance approximates the carrying amount, because upon liquidation of these investments, the Company would receive the cash surrender value which equals the carrying amount.

Deposits – The fair values of demand deposits are, as required by ASC Topic 825, equal to the carrying value of such deposits. Demand deposits include noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts, and money market demand accounts. The fair value of variable rate term deposits, those repricing within six months or less, approximates the carrying value of these deposits. Discounted cash flows have been used to value fixed rate term deposits and variable rate term deposits repricing after six months. The discount rate used is based on interest rates currently being offered on comparable deposits as to amount and term.

Short-Term Borrowings – The carrying value of any federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings approximates their fair values.

FHLB and Other Borrowings – The fair value of the fixed rate borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flows, based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying amount of any variable rate borrowing approximates its fair value.

Subordinated Debentures – The subordinated debentures bear interest at a variable rate and the carrying value approximates the fair value.

Off-Balance Sheet Instruments – Fair values of off-balance sheet financial instruments are based on fees charged to enter into similar agreements. However, commitments to extend credit do not represent a significant value until such commitments are funded or closed. Management has determined that these instruments do not have a distinguishable fair value and no fair value has been assigned.

As of March 31, 2015 ($ in thousands)					Fair Value Measurements
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Financial Instruments:
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	94,474	$	94,474	$	94,474	$	-	$	-
Securities available-for-sale		246,842		246,842		969		243,057		2,816
Securities held-to-maturity		7,829		9,385		-		9,385		-
Other securities		7,235		7,235		-		7,235		-
Loans, net		712,088		728,369		-		-		728,369
Bank-owned life insurance		14,569		14,569		-		14,569		-

Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	203,766	$	203,766	$	-	$	203,766	$	-
Interest-bearing deposits		780,877		780,351		-		780,351		-
Subordinated debentures		10,310		10,310		-		-		10,310
FHLB and other borrowings		49,446		49,446		-		49,446		-

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in thousands)					Fair Value Measurements
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Financial Instruments:
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	44,618	$	44,618	$	44,618	$	-	$	-
Securities available-for-sale		254,746		254,746		972		250,973		2,801
Securities held-to-maturity		8,193		9,994		-		9,994		-
Other securities		7,235		7,235		-		7,235		-
Loans, net		700,539		715,849		-		-		715,849
Bank-owned life insurance		14,463		14,463		-		14,463		-

Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	201,362	$	201,362	$	-	$	201,362	$	-
Interest-bearing deposits		691,413		691,036		-		691,036		-
Subordinated debentures		10,310		10,310		-		-		10,310
FHLB and other borrowings		89,450		89,450		-		89,450		-

NOTE G — LOANS

Loans typically provide higher yields than the other types of earning assets, and, thus, one of the Company's goals is for loans to be the largest category of the Company's earning assets. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, average loans accounted for 69.5% and 69.8% of average earning assets, respectively. The Company controls and mitigates the inherent credit and liquidity risks through the composition of its loan portfolio.

The following table shows the composition of the loan portfolio by category:

Composition of Loan Portfolio

	March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Amount			Percent of Total			Amount			Percent of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	1,657			0.2	%	$	2,103			0.3	%
Commercial, financial and agricultural		110,806			15.5			106,109			15.0
Real Estate:
Mortgage-commercial		242,969			33.8			238,602			33.8
Mortgage-residential		254,844			35.5			256,406			36.3
Construction		93,168			13.0			84,935			12.0
Consumer and other		14,572			2.0			18,479			2.6
Total loans		718,016			100	%		706,634			100	%
Allowance for loan losses		(5,928	)					(6,095	)
Net loans	$	712,088					$	700,539

In the context of this discussion, a "real estate mortgage loan" is defined as elements of its loan portfolio through strategies that diversify the lending mix.

Loans held for sale consist of mortgage loans originated by the Bank and sold into the secondary market. Commitments from investors to purchase the loans are obtained upon origination.

Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the period was as follows:

(In thousands)

	Three Months
	Ended
	March 31, 2015

Balance at beginning of period	$	6,095
Loans charged-off:
Real Estate		(342	)
Installment and Other		(25	)
Commercial, Financial and Agriculture		-
Total		(367	)
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off:
Real Estate		33
Installment and Other		11
Commercial, Financial and Agriculture		6
Total		50
Net charge-offs		(317	)
Provision for Loan Losses		150
Balance at end of period	$	5,928

The following tables represent how the allowance for loan losses is allocated to a particular loan type, as well as the percentage of the category to total loans at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

	March 31, 2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Amount		% of loans in each category to total loans

Commercial Non Real Estate	$	735		15.4	%
Commercial Real Estate		2,715		58.2
Consumer Real Estate		1,487		23.7
Consumer		167		2.7
Unallocated		824		-
Total	$	5,928		100	%

	December 31, 2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Amount		% of loans in each category to total loans

Commercial Non Real Estate	$	713		15.3	%
Commercial Real Estate		3,355		57.9
Consumer Real Estate		1,852		24.2
Consumer		175		2.6
Unallocated		-		-
Total	$	6,095		100	%

The following table represents the Company’s impaired loans at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014.

	March 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Impaired Loans:
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance	$	4,906	$	4,702
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance		3,717		4,858
Total impaired loans	$	8,623	$	9,560
Allowance for loan losses on impaired loans at period End		936		968

Total nonaccrual loans		5,995		6,056

Past due 90 days or more and still accruing		426		669
Average investment in impaired loans		9,092		7,077

The following table is a summary of interest recognized and cash-basis interest earned on impaired loans:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

Interest income recognized during impairment	$	34	$	-
Cash-basis interest income recognized		34		40

The gross interest income that would have been recorded in the period that ended if the nonaccrual loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the period or since origination, if held for part of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was $94,000 and $33,000, respectively. The Company had no loan commitments to borrowers in non-accrual status at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

The following tables provide the ending balances in the Company's loans (excluding mortgage loans held for sale) and allowance for loan losses, broken down by portfolio segment as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The tables also provide additional detail as to the amount of our loans and allowance that correspond to individual versus collective impairment evaluation. The impairment evaluation corresponds to the Company's systematic methodology for estimating its Allowance for Loan Losses.

March 31, 2015

					Commercial,
			Installment		Financial
	Real Estate		and Other		and Agriculture		Total
	(In thousands)
Loans
Individually evaluated	$	8,352	$	37	$	234	$	8,623
Collectively evaluated		578,368		19,367		110,001		707,736
Total	$	586,720	$	19,404	$	110,235	$	716,359

Allowance for Loan Losses
Individually evaluated	$	892	$	28	$	16	$	936
Collectively evaluated		3,311		963		718		4,992
Total	$	4,203	$	991	$	734	$	5,928

December 31, 2014

					Commercial,
			Installment		Financial
	Real Estate		and Other		and Agriculture		Total
	(In thousands)
Loans
Individually evaluated	$	9,282	$	38	$	240	$	9,560
Collectively evaluated		568,952		18,610		107,409		694,971
Total	$	578,234	$	18,648	$	107,649	$	704,531

Allowance for Loan Losses
Individually evaluated	$	922	$	29	$	17	$	968
Collectively evaluated		4,285		146		696		5,127
Total	$	5,207	$	175	$	713	$	6,095

The following tables provide additional detail of impaired loans broken out according to class as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The recorded investment included in the following tables represent customer balances net of any partial charge-offs recognized on the loans, net of any deferred fees and costs. As nearly all of our impaired loans at March 31, 2015, are on nonaccrual status, recorded investment excludes any insignificant amount of accrued interest receivable on loans 90-days or more past due and still accruing. The unpaid balance represents the recorded balance prior to any partial charge-offs.

March 31, 2015

							Average		Interest
							Recorded		Income
	Recorded		Unpaid		Related		Investment		Recognized
	Investment		Balance		Allowance		YTD		YTD
	(In thousands)
Impaired loans with no related allowance:
Commercial installment	$	9	$	9	$	-	$	5	$	-
Commercial real estate		4,622		4,622		-		4,644		6
Consumer real estate		266		266		-		146		-
Consumer installment		9		9		-		9		-
Total	$	4,906	$	4,906	$	-	$	4,804	$	6

Impaired loans with a related allowance:
Commercial installment	$	234	$	234	$	16	$	237	$	2
Commercial real estate		2,494		2,494		390		2,526		23
Consumer real estate		961		961		502		1,497		3
Consumer installment		28		28		28		28		-
Total	$	3,717	$	3,717	$	936	$	4,288	$	28

Total Impaired Loans:
Commercial installment	$	243	$	243	$	16	$	242	$	2
Commercial real estate		7,116		7,116		390		7,170		29
Consumer real estate		1,227		1,227		502		1,643		3
Consumer installment		37		37		28		37		-
Total Impaired Loans	$	8,623	$	8,623	$	936	$	9,092	$	34

On January 1, 2015, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-4, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had $1.7 million of foreclosed residential real estate property obtained by physical possession and no consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local jurisdictions.

December 31, 2014

							Average		Interest
							Recorded		Income
	Recorded		Unpaid		Related		Investment		Recognized
	Investment		Balance		Allowance		YTD		YTD
	(In thousands)
Impaired loans with no related allowance:
Commercial installment	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	50	$	-
Commercial real estate		4,665		4,665		-		2,654		142
Consumer real estate		27		27		-		179		-
Consumer installment		10		10		-		11		-
Total	$	4,702	$	4,702	$	-	$	2,894	$	142

Impaired loans with a related allowance:
Commercial installment	$	240	$	240	$	18	$	189	$	20
Commercial real estate		2,558		2,558		315		2,415		59
Consumer real estate		2,032		2,032		607		1,546		33
Consumer installment		28		28		28		33		2
Total	$	4,858	$	4,858	$	968	$	4,183	$	114

Total Impaired Loans:
Commercial installment	$	240	$	240	$	18	$	239	$	20
Commercial real estate		7,223		7,223		315		5,069		201
Consumer real estate		2,059		2,059		607		1,725		33
Consumer installment		38		38		28		44		2
Total Impaired Loans	$	9,560	$	9,560	$	968	$	7,077	$	256

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality are those purchased in the BCB Holding Company, Inc. acquisition (See Note C -Business Combination for further information). These loans were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. The acquired loans were segregated as of the acquisition date between those considered to be performing (acquired non-impaired loans) and those with evidence of credit deterioration (acquired impaired loans). Acquired loans are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration and if it is probable, at acquisition, all contractually required payments will not be collected.

The following table presents information regarding the contractually required payments receivable, cash flows expected to be collected and the estimated fair value of loans acquired in the BCB acquisition as of July 1, 2014, the closing date of the transaction:

	December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
	Commercial, financial and agricultural		Mortgage- Commercial		Mortgage- Residential		Commercial and other		Total
Contractually required payments	$	1,519	$	29,648	$	7,933	$	976	$	40,076
Cash flows expected to be collected		1,570		37,869		9,697		1,032		50,168
Fair value of loans acquired		1,513		28,875		7,048		957		38,393

Total outstanding acquired impaired loans were $3,413,818 as of March 31, 2015 and $3,480,190 as of December 31, 2014. The outstanding balance of these loans is the undiscounted sum of all amounts, including amounts deemed principal, interest, fees, penalties, and other under the loans, owed at the reporting date, whether or not currently due and whether or not any such amounts have been charged off.

Changes in the carrying amount and accretable yield for acquired impaired loans were as follows at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014: (in thousands)

	March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Accretable Yield		Carrying Amount of Loans			Accretable Yield			Carrying Amount of Loans
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,417	$	2,063		$	-		$	-
Additions due to BCB acquisition on July 1, 2014		-		-			1,603			2,325
Accretion		-		-			(186	)		186
Payments received, net		-		(66	)		-			(448	)
Balance at end of period	$	1,417	$	1,997		$	1,417		$	2,063

The following tables provide detail of troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) at March 31, 2015.

For the Three Months Ending March 31, 2015

Outstanding

Recorded

Investment

Interest

Investment

Post-

Number of

Income

Pre-Modification

Modification

Loans

Recognized

Commercial installment

Commercial real estate

Consumer real estate

Consumer installment

Total

During the three month period ending March 31, 2015, there were no loans modified as TDR.

The balance of troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $6.7 million and $6.8 million, respectively, calculated for regulatory reporting purposes. As of March 31, 2015, the company had no additional amount committed on any loan classified as troubled debt restructuring.

The following tables set forth the amounts and past due status for the Bank TDRs at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(in thousands)

	March 31, 2015

	Current Loans		Past Due 30-89		Past Due 90 days and still accruing		Non- accrual		Total

Commercial installment	$	229	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	229
Commercial real estate		1,680		-		-		2,695		4,375
Consumer real estate		711		-		-		1,273		1,984
Consumer installment		9		-		-		94		103
Total	$	2,629	$	-	$	-	$	4,062	$	6,691
Allowance for loan losses	$	108	$	-	$	-	$	192	$	300

(in thousands)

	December 31, 2014
	Current Loans		Past Due 30-89		Past Due 90 days and still accruing		Non- accrual		Total

Commercial installment	$	233	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	233
Commercial real estate		1,685		-		-		2,729		4,414
Consumer real estate		952		622		-		449		2,023
Consumer installment		10		-		-		103		113
Total	$	2,880	$	622	$	-	$	3,281	$	6,783
Allowance for loan losses	$	120	$	11	$	103	$	-	$	234

The following tables summarize by class our loans classified as past due in excess of 30 days or more in addition to those loans classified as non-accrual:

	March 31, 2015
	(In thousands)
	Past Due 30 to 89 Days		Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing		Non- Accrual		Total Past Due and Non- Accrual		Total Loans

Real Estate-construction	$	361	$	365	$	2,712	$	3,438	$	93,168
Real Estate-mortgage		1,355		61		2,089		3,505		254,844
Real Estate-non farm non residential		706		-		1,092		1,798		242,969
Commercial		82		-		65		147		110,806
Consumer		63		-		37		100		14,572
Total	$	2,567	$	426	$	5,995	$	8,988	$	716,359

	December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
	Past Due 30 to 89 Days		Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing		Non- Accrual		Total Past Due and Non- Accrual		Total Loans

Real Estate-construction	$	428	$	-	$	2,747	$	3,175	$	84,935
Real Estate-mortgage		3,208		208		2,164		5,580		256,406
Real Estate-non farm non residential		3,408		461		1,102		4,971		238,601
Commercial		29		-		5		34		106,109
Consumer		90		-		38		128		18,480
Total	$	7,163	$	669	$	6,056	$	13,888	$	704,531

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings, which are consistent with the definitions used in supervisory guidance:

Special Mention. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk categories of loans by class of loans (excluding mortgage loans held for sale) were as follows:

($ in thousands)

March 31, 2015

							Commercial,
	Real Estate Commercial		Real Estate Mortgage		Installment and Other		Financial and Agriculture		Total

Pass	$	395,935	$	168,067	$	19,321	$	109,782	$	693,105
Special Mention		4,606		189		-		365		5,160
Substandard		16,497		1,824		83		120		18,524
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-
Subtotal		417,038		170,080		19,404		110,267		716,789
Less:
Unearned discount		318		80		-		32		430
Loans, net of unearned discount	$	416,720	$	170,000	$	19,404	$	110,235	$	716,359

December 31, 2014

							Commercial,
	Real Estate Commercial		Real Estate Mortgage		Installment and Other		Financial and Agriculture		Total

Pass	$	388,568	$	167,827	$	18,558	$	107,126	$	682,079
Special Mention		4,756		191		-		498		5,445
Substandard		14,727		2,567		90		63		17,447
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-
Subtotal		408,051		170,585		18,648		107,687		704,971
Less:
Unearned discount		320		82		-		38		440
Loans, net of unearned discount	$	407,731	$	170,503	$	18,648	$	107,649	$	704,531

NOTE H — SECURITIES

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with authoritative guidance. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessarily required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

A summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities at March 31, 2015, follows:

($ in thousands)

	March 31, 2015
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities:
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies	$	21,664	$	248	$	8	$	21,904
Tax-exempt and taxable obligations of states and municipal subdivisions		98,483		3,021		67		101,437
Mortgage-backed securities		91,736		2,007		51		93,692
Corporate obligations		29,837		241		1,238		28,840
Other		1,255		-		286		969
Total	$	242,975	$	5,517	$	1,650	$	246,842
Held-to-maturity securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	1,829	$	52	$	-	$	1,881
Taxable obligations of states and municipal subdivisions		6,000		1,504		-		7,504
Total	$	7,829	$	1,556	$	-	$	9,385

NOTE I — ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The Company has developed policies and procedures for evaluating the overall quality of its credit portfolio and the timely identification of potential problem loans. Management’s judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance is based upon a number of assumptions which it believes to be reasonable, but which may not prove to be accurate, particularly given the Company’s growth and the economy. Thus, there can be no assurance that charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses or that additional increases in the loan loss allowance will not be required.

The Company’s allowance consists of two parts. The first part is determined in accordance with authoritative guidance regarding contingencies. The Company’s determination of this part of the allowance is based upon quantitative and qualitative factors. A loan loss history based upon the most recent 72 months loss history is utilized in determining the appropriate allowance. Historical loss factors are determined by risk rated loans by loan type. These historical loss factors are applied to the loans by loan type to determine an indicated allowance. The loss factors of peer groups are considered in the determination of the allowance and are used to assist in the establishment of a long-term loss history for areas in which this data is unavailable and incorporated into the qualitative factors to be considered. The historical loss factors may also be modified based upon other qualitative factors including but not limited to local and national economic conditions, trends of delinquent loans, changes in lending policies and underwriting standards, concentrations, and management’s knowledge of the loan portfolio. These factors require judgment upon the part of management and are based upon state and national economic reports received from various institutions and agencies including the Federal Reserve Bank, United States Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, meetings with the Company’s loan officers and loan committee, and data and guidance received or obtained from the Company’s regulatory authorities.

The second part of the allowance is determined in accordance with authoritative guidance regarding loan impairment. Impaired loans are determined based upon a review by internal loan review and senior management.

The sum of the two parts constitutes management’s best estimate of an appropriate allowance for loan losses. When the estimated allowance is determined, it is presented to the Company’s audit committee for review and approval on a quarterly basis.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis, and a specific allowance is assigned to each loan determined to be impaired. Impaired loans not deemed collateral dependent are analyzed according to the ultimate repayment source, whether that is cash flow from the borrower, guarantor or some other source of repayment. Impaired loans are deemed collateral dependent if, in the Company’s opinion, the ultimate source of repayment will be generated from the liquidation of collateral.

The Company discontinues accrual of interest on loans when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that a borrower’s financial condition is such that the collection of interest is doubtful. Generally, the Company will place a delinquent loan in nonaccrual status when the loan becomes 90 days or more past due. At the time a loan is placed in nonaccrual status, all interest which has been accrued on the loan but remains unpaid is reversed and deducted from earnings as a reduction of reported interest income. No additional interest is accrued on the loan balance until the collection of both principal and interest becomes reasonably certain.

NOTE J – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events have been evaluated by management through the date the financial statements were issued. The Company has been notified that it is more likely than not that the Company should expect a recovery on a previously charged-off loan of $941,000 during 2015.

NOTE K – RECLASSIFICATION

Certain amounts in the 2014 financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform to the current period financial statement presentation.

ITEM NO. 2

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The following discussion contains "forward-looking statements" relating to, without limitation, future economic performance, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and projections of revenues and other financial items that are based on the beliefs of the Company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company's management. The words "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," and "believe," as well as similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, and the Company's operating performance each quarter is subject to various risks and uncertainties that are discussed in detail in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recently filed Form 10-K.

The First represents the primary asset of the Company. The First reported total assets of $1.1 billion at March 31, 2015, compared to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $51 million. Loans increased $11.4 million, or 1.6%, during the first three months of 2015. Deposits at March 31, 2015, totaled $985 million compared to $893 million at December 31, 2014. For the three month period ended March 31, 2015, The First reported net income of $2.2 million compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND RISK ELEMENTS. Diversification within the loan portfolio is an important means of reducing inherent lending risks. At March 31, 2015, The First had no concentrations of ten percent or more of total loans in any single industry or any geographical area outside its immediate market areas.

At March 31, 2015, The First had loans past due as follows:

	($ In Thousands)

Past due 30 through 89 days	$	2,567
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing		426

The accrual of interest is discontinued on loans which become ninety days past due (principal and/or interest), unless the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection. Nonaccrual loans totaled $6.0 million at March 31, 2015, a decrease of $.1 million from December 31, 2014. Any other real estate owned is carried at fair value, determined by an appraisal, less estimated costs to sell. Other real estate owned totaled $4.6 million at March 31, 2015. A loan is classified as a restructured loan when the following two conditions are present: First, the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and second, the creditor grants a concession it would not otherwise consider but for the borrower’s financial difficulties. At March 31, 2015, the Bank had $6.7 million in loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings, of which $2.6 million were performing as agreed with modified terms.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity is adequate with cash and cash equivalents of $94.5 million as of March 31, 2015. In addition, loans and investment securities repricing or maturing within one year or less exceeded $206 million at March 31, 2015. Approximately $118 million in loan commitments could fund within the next six months and other commitments, primarily standby letters of credit, totaled $1.0 million at March 31, 2015.

There are no known trends or any known commitments or uncertainties that will result in The First’s liquidity increasing or decreasing in a significant way.

Total consolidated equity capital at March 31, 2015, was $98.8 million, or approximately 8.6% of total assets. The Company currently has adequate capital positions to meet the minimum capital requirements for all regulatory agencies. The Company’s capital ratios as of March 31, 2015, were as follows:

Tier 1 leverage	8.42	%
Tier 1 risk-based	12.30	%
Total risk-based	13.08	%

On June 30, 2006, The Company issued $4,124,000 of floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures to The First Bancshares Statutory Trust 2 in which the Company owns all of the common equity. The debentures are the sole asset of the Trust. The Trust issued $4,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities (TPSs) to investors. The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the Trust’s obligations under the preferred securities. The preferred securities are redeemable by the Company at its option. The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2036. Interest on the preferred securities is the three month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.65% and is payable quarterly. The terms of the subordinated debentures are identical to those of the preferred securities. On July 27, 2007, The Company issued $6,186,000 of floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures to The First Bancshares Statutory Trust 3 in which the Company owns all of the common equity. The debentures are the sole asset of Trust 3. The Trust issued $6,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities (TPSs) to investors. The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the Trust’s obligations under the preferred securities. The preferred securities are redeemable by the Company at its option. The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2037. Interest on the preferred securities is the three month LIBOR plus 1.40% and is payable quarterly. The terms of the subordinated debentures are identical to those of the preferred securities. In accordance with the authoritative guidance, the trusts are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company had a consolidated net income of $2,029,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with consolidated net income of $1,427,000 for the same period last year.

Net interest income increased to $8.9 million from $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, or an increase of 13.5% as compared to the same period in 2014. Quarterly average earning assets at March 31, 2015, increased $147.9 million, or 17.0% and quarterly average interest-bearing liabilities also increased $129.6 million or 18.5% when compared to March 31, 2014.

Noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $1,850,000 compared to $1,672,000 for the same period in 2014, reflecting an increase of $178,000 or 10.6%. Slight increases in service charges and interchange fee income accounted for this increase.

The provision for loan losses was $150,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with $358,000 for the same period in 2014. The allowance for loan losses of $5.9 million at March 31, 2015 (approximately .83% of total loans and .94% of loans excluding those booked at fair value due to the business combination) is considered by management to be adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of this allowance is dependent upon a number of factors, including the total amount of past due loans, general economic conditions, and management’s assessment of potential losses. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant change. Ultimately, losses may vary from current estimates and future additions to the allowance may be necessary.

Thus, there can be no assurance that charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses or that additional increases in the loan loss allowance will not be required. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses quarterly and makes provisions for loan losses based on this evaluation.

Noninterest expense increased by $.6 million or 8.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, when compared with the same period in 2014. A majority of this increase can be attributed to the expansion into Baton Rouge and the acquisition of Bay Bank.

ITEM NO. 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of March 31, 2015, (the “Evaluation Date”), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

There have been no changes, significant or otherwise, in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM NO. 4. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-02 “Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” ASU 2015-02 includes amendments that are intended to improve targeted areas of consolidation for legal entities including reducing the number of consolidation models from four to two and simplifying the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. ASU 2015-02 is effective for annual and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments may be applied retrospectively in previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first year restated. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is assessing the impact of ASU 2015-02 on its accounting and disclosures.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes in the Company’s risk factors since December 31, 2014. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The First Bancshares, Inc., filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015.

ITEM 2.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not Applicable

ITEM 3.

REMOVED AND RESERVED

ITEM 4.

OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable

ITEM 5.

EXHIBITS

(a)

Exhibits

Exhibit No.

_________

2.1

Agreement and Plan of merger, dated as of March 2, 2014, between The First Bancshares, Inc. and BCB Holding Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on 3-7-2014)

2.1

Acquisition Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2013, between The First Bancshares, Inc. and First Baldwin Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on 2-1-13) and First Amendment to Acquisition Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, between First Bancshares, Inc. and First Baldwin Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on 3-20-13)

3.1

Articles of Amendment and Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series D Nonvoting Convertible Preferred Stock dated as of March 18,2013(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on 3-21-13).

3.2

Restated Articles of Incorporation dated as of March 21, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on 3-21-13).

4.1

Certificate of Designation of Series D Nonvoting Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State on March 20, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2013).

10.1

Form of Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and each of the Purchasers, dated as of March 20, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2013)

10.2

Form of Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and each of the Purchasers, dated as of March 20, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2013)

31.1

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U. S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.2	Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U. S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

	101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

	101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

	101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

	101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

	101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

______________

(b)

The Company filed one report on Form 8-K during the quarter ended March 31, 2015

SIGNATURES

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.

		THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
		(Registrant)

		/s/ M. RAY (HOPPY)COLE, JR.
May 12, 2015		M. Ray (Hoppy) Cole, Jr.
(Date)		Chief Executive Officer

		/s/ DEEDEE LOWERY
May 12, 2015		DeeDee Lowery, Executive
(Date)		Vice President and Chief
		Financial Officer