FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

OR

For the transition period from                         to                        

Commission File Number: 0-14549

First US Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(205) 582-1200

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes    ☒  No    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes    ☒  No    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes    ☐  No    ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). In addition, First US Bancshares, Inc. (“Bancshares” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), through its senior management, from time to time makes forward-looking statements concerning its expected future operations, performance and other developments. The words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “continues” and similar expressions are indicative of forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the Company’s best judgment based on current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and various factors could cause results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors could include those identified from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings and other public announcements, including the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020. Specifically, with respect to statements relating to the sufficiency of the allowance for loan and lease losses, loan demand, cash flows, interest costs, growth and earnings potential, expansion and the Company’s positioning to handle the challenges presented by COVID-19, these factors include, but are not limited to, the rate of growth (or lack thereof) in the economy generally and in the Company’s service areas; market conditions and investment returns; changes in interest rates; the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, the Company’s customers, the communities that the Company serves and the United States economy, including the impact of actions taken by governmental authorities to try to contain the virus and protect against it, through vaccinations and otherwise, or address the impact of the virus on the United States economy (including, without limitation, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and subsequent federal legislation) and the resulting effect on the Company’s operations, liquidity and capital position and on the financial condition of the Company’s borrowers and other customers; the pending discontinuation of LIBOR as an interest rate benchmark; the availability of quality loans in the Company’s service areas; the relative strength and weakness in the consumer and commercial credit sectors and in the real estate markets; collateral values; cybersecurity threats; and risks related to the Paycheck Protection Program. There can be no assurance that such factors or other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements.

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FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements.

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FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements.

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FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)

For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)

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FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements.

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FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements.

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FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First US Bancshares, Inc. (“Bancshares”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). Bancshares is the parent holding company of First US Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank operates a finance company subsidiary, Acceptance Loan Company, Inc. (“ALC”). Management has determined that the Bank and ALC comprise Bancshares’ two reportable operating segments. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. While certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), management believes that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Risks and Uncertainties

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated impacts on trade (including supply chains and export levels), travel, employee productivity and other economic activities have had, are currently having, and may for some time continue to have a destabilizing effect on financial markets and economic activity. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operational and financial performance is currently uncertain, cannot be predicted and will depend on certain developments, including, among others, the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, vaccination efforts, the duration of the pandemic, its impact on our customers, employees and vendors, and the continued governmental, regulatory and private sector responses, which may be precautionary, to COVID-19.  

The Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations generally rely upon the ability of the Company’s borrowers to repay their loans, the value of collateral underlying those loans, and demand for loans and other products and services that the Company offers, which are highly dependent on the business environment in the Company’s primary markets and the United States economy as a whole.

In light of the changing economic outlook as a result of COVID-19, in March 2020, the Federal Reserve reduced the target federal funds rate by 150 basis points. The reduction in interest rates and other economic uncertainties that have arisen as a result primarily of the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively impacted net interest income, provisions for loan losses and noninterest income. Additional negative financial impacts could occur; however, the ultimate potential impact is not known at this time.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Certain significant accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Reclassification

Certain amounts and disclosures in the notes to the prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2021 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or net cash flow.

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Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding (basic shares). Included in basic shares are certain shares that have been accrued as of the balance sheet date as deferred compensation for members of Bancshares’ Board of Directors, as well as shares of restricted stock that have been granted pursuant to Bancshares’ 2013 Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2013 Incentive Plan”) previously approved by Bancshares’ shareholders. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, adjusted for the effect of potentially dilutive stock awards outstanding during the period (dilutive shares). The dilutive shares consist of nonqualified stock option grants issued to employees and members of Bancshares’ Board of Directors pursuant to the 2013 Incentive Plan. The following table reflects weighted average shares used to calculate basic and diluted net income per share for the periods presented.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income, as well as unrealized holding gains and losses that arise during the period associated with the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio and the effective portion of cash flow hedge derivatives. In the calculation of comprehensive income, reclassification adjustments are made for gains or losses realized in the statement of operations associated with the sale of available-for-sale securities, settlement of derivative contracts or changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives.

Accounting Policies Recently Adopted

ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” Issued in December 2019, ASU 2019-12 seeks to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. ASU 2019-12 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Pending Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope.” In January 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2021-01 in response to stakeholder concerns related to reference rate reform, which is discussed in detail below under “ASU 2020-04, ‘Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.’” If elected by an entity, the amendments in ASU 2021-01 apply to derivative instruments that use an interest rate for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment that will be modified as a result of reference rate reform. The amendments in ASU 2021-01 are intended to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. The Company is currently reviewing the amendments in ASU 2021-01 but does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” Issued in March 2020, ASU 2020-04 seeks to provide guidance, for a limited time, to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. ASU 2020-04 was issued in response to concerns about the structural risks of interbank offered rates, and specifically, the risk that the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) will no longer be used. Regulators have begun reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction-based and less susceptible to manipulation. ASU 2020-04 provides temporary optional expedients to GAAP guidance on contract modifications, hedge accounting, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. As the guidance in ASU 2020-04 is intended to assist entities during the global market-wide reference rate transition period, it is in effect for a limited time, from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has identified all contracts referencing LIBOR and will continue to monitor risks associated with the discontinuance of LIBOR until remediation of such contracts is required. A determination cannot be made at this time as to the impact that the amendments of ASU 2020-04 or the reference rate reform will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” Issued in January 2017, ASU 2017-04 simplifies the manner in which an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity, prior to the amendments in ASU 2017-04, had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities, including unrecognized assets and liabilities, in accordance with the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. However, under the amendments in ASU 2017-04, an entity should (1) perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and (2) recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, with the understanding that the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, ASU 2017-04 removes the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails such qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. As originally issued, ASU 2017-04 was effective prospectively for annual, or any interim, goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. On October 16, 2019, the FASB approved a delay in the implementation of ASU 2017-04 by three years for smaller reporting companies, including the Company. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” Issued in June 2016, ASU 2016-13 removes the thresholds that companies apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities. Under current U.S. GAAP, companies generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The revised guidance removes all current recognition thresholds and requires companies to recognize an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses. Credit losses will be immediately recognized through net income; the amount recognized will be based on the current estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected over the financial asset’s contractual term. ASU 2016-13 also amends the credit loss measurement guidance for available-for-sale debt securities. The standard will add new disclosures related to factors that influenced management’s estimate, including current expected credit losses, the changes in those factors and reasons for the changes, as well as the method applied to revert to historical credit loss experience. As originally issued, ASU 2016-13 was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and for interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with institutions required to apply the changes through a cumulative-effect adjustment to their retained earnings balance as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. On October 16, 2019, the FASB approved a delay in the implementation of ASU 2016-13 by three years for smaller reporting companies, including the Company. Management is in the process of developing a revised model to calculate the allowance for loan and lease losses upon implementation of ASU 2016-13 in order to determine the impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and, at this time, expects to recognize a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the allowance for loan and lease losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective. The magnitude of any such one-time adjustment is not yet known.

In September 2021, the Company announced that, effective immediately, ALC ceased new business development and permanently closed its 20 branch lending locations in Alabama and Mississippi to the public. The closure of ALC’s branches eliminated 56 full-time employment positions during the third quarter of 2021. ALC will continue to service its remaining portfolio of loans from its headquarters in Mobile, Alabama. The cessation of new business and closure of ALC’s branch locations are being undertaken by the Company as part of a long-term strategy to reduce expenses, fortify asset quality, and focus the Company’s loan growth efforts in other areas, including the Bank’s commercial lending and consumer indirect lending efforts.

Total restructuring charges incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2021 consisted of the following:

In connection with the ALC branch closures, the Company recorded pre-tax charges of approximately $0.5 million during the third quarter of 2021. These one-time expenses included severance and related personnel costs, lease termination costs, fixed asset valuation adjustments, termination of technology contracts, and other costs to administer the branch closures. The Company expects to incur approximately $0.5 million in additional expenses primarily related to personnel expenses associated with one-time payments to ALC personnel that continue to manage the remaining loan portfolio, as well as expenses associated with the ultimate termination of ALC’s remaining branch leases. It is expected that the majority of the remaining one-time expenses will be incurred during the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022

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and will be fully offset by ongoing cost savings that result from the closures. The ongoing cost savings include reduced personnel-related expenses, branch lease and property depreciation expenses, and other overhead expenses that will no longer be incurred.

Details of investment securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were as follows:

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The scheduled maturities of investment securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity as of September 30, 2021 are presented in the following table:

For purposes of the maturity table, mortgage-backed securities, which are not due at a single maturity date, have been allocated over maturity groupings based on the weighted-average contractual maturities of underlying collateral. The mortgage-backed securities generally mature earlier than their weighted-average contractual maturities because of principal prepayments.

The following tables reflect gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. There were no investments held-to-maturity in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2021.