TERRE HAUTE, Ind., July 31, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) today announced results for the second quarter of 2020. For the three months ending June 30, 2020:Net income was $11.9 million compared to $12.6 million for the same period of 2019;
 Diluted net income per common share of $0.87 compared to $1.02 for the same period of 2019; and
 Return on average assets was 1.10% compared to 1.66% for the three months ended June 30, 2019.The Corporation further reported results for the six months ending June 30, 2020:Net income was $24.1 million compared to $22.3 million for the same period of 2019;
 Diluted net income per common share of $1.76 compared to $1.81 for the same period of 2019; and
 Return on average assets was 1.16% compared to 1.47% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.“In light of COVID-19 and the stay at home orders in the four states we do business in we are pleased with our second quarter results” said Norman L. Lowery, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “While eager to get back to normal operations, we have been cautious in the steps we have taken as the number of COVID 19 cases continue to increase across our footprint.  Protecting the health of our associates, customers and their families has been, and will continue to be, our number one priority.  During the second quarter much of our attention was devoted to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program enacted by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economics Security Act (CARES).  We are pleased we were able to fund 1,734 loans totaling $170 million to secure twenty-four thousand jobs which are so important to our customers, their families and the economy of the communities we serve.  We are also pleased that during this challenging quarter we were able to assist many of our customers to take advantage of the current low interest rates by refinancing their home mortgages, lowering their payments or allowing them to purchase a new home.”Average Total Loans
Average total loans for the second quarter of 2020 were $2.73 billion versus $1.98 billion for the comparable period in 2019, an increase of $748.8 million or 37.84%.Total Loans Outstanding
Total loans outstanding increased $770.7 million, or 38.40%, from $2.01 billion as of June 30, 2019 to $2.78 billion as of June 30, 2020. On a linked quarter basis, total loans increased $159.3 million from $2.62 billion for the quarter ending March 31, 2020.“Because of COVID 19 each of the four states in which we do business have imposed restrictions which affect our operations and the business of our customers,” stated Lowery. “While we have not experienced a significant increase in charge-offs, we have continued to increase reserves in response to the effect of the pandemic on asset quality. We have also sought to meet the needs of our customers by assisting them with reasonable loan accommodations. To date, we have approved and processed requests totaling $343 million across all portfolios. Commercial loan requests comprise $321 million of this total.”Average Total Deposits
Average total deposits for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, were $3.53 billion versus $2.46 billion as of June 30, 2019, an increase of $1.06 billion or 43.11%.Total Deposits
Total deposits were $3.57 billion as of June 30, 2020, compared to $2.46 billion as of June 30, 2019, an increase of $1.11 billion or 44.94%. On a linked quarter basis, total deposits increased $278.7 million from $3.29 billion for the quarter ending March 31, 2020.Book Value Per Share
Book Value per share was $43.04 at June 30, 2020, compared to $38.88 at June 30, 2019.Shareholder Equity
Shareholder equity at June 30, 2020, was $590.3 million compared to $477.8 million on June 30, 2019.Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Asset Ratio
The Corporation’s tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio was 11.73% at June 30, 2020, compared to 14.61% at June 30, 2019.Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the second quarter of 2020 was $35.9 million, an increase of 20.65% over the $29.8 million reported for the same period of 2019.Net Interest Margin
The net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, was 3.97% compared to the 4.33% reported at June 30, 2019.Nonperforming Loans
Nonperforming loans as of June 30, 2020, were $23.0 million versus $15.2 million as of June 30, 2019. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans and leases was 0.83% as of June 30, 2020, versus 0.76% as of June 30, 2019.Loan Loss Provision
The provision for loan losses for the three months ended June 30, 2020, was $2.97 million compared to the $230 thousand provision for the second quarter of 2019. The Corporation increased the allowance for loan and lease losses by $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2020 directly related to the estimate of losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.Net Charge-Offs
Net charge-offs were $743 thousand for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $940 thousand in the same period of 2019.Allowance for Loan Losses
The Corporation’s allowance for loan losses as of June 30, 2020, was $23.3 million compared to $20.3 million as of June 30, 2019. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans was 0.84% as of June 30, 2020, compared to 1.01% as of June 30, 2019. The decrease is primarily due to acquired loans being recorded at fair value. The Corporation’s fair value adjustment due to purchased credit impaired loans was $5.9 million as of June 30, 2020.Current Expected Credit Losses
As provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) the Corporation has elected to defer the implementation of the Current Expected Credit Loss accounting standard.Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was $8.8 and $9.7 million, respectively. In the second quarter 2019, we recorded a $1.5 million incentive received from a third-party vendor.Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020, was $26.9 million compared to $23.5 million in 2019.Efficiency Ratio
The Corporation’s efficiency ratio was 58.78% for the quarter ending June 30, 2020, versus 58.06% for the same period in 2019.Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020, was $5.92 million versus $5.42 million for the same period in 2019. The effective tax rate for 2020 was 19.71% compared to 19.59% for 2019.“In these unprecedented times, we are proud we continue to meet the financial needs of our customers and the communities we serve.  I am proud of our associates and their unwavering commitment,” Lowery stated.About First Financial Corporation
First Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:THFF) is the holding company for First Financial Bank N.A. and The Morris Plan Company of Terre Haute, Inc. First Financial Bank N.A. is the fifth oldest national bank in the United States, operating 81 banking centers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. The Morris Plan Company of Terre Haute, Inc. is a state industrial chartered financial institution operating one office in Terre Haute, Indiana. Additional information is available at www.first-online.bank.Investor Contact:
Rodger A. McHargue
Chief Financial Officer
P:  812-238-6334 
E:  [email protected](a) Tangible common equity is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate tangible common equity by excluding goodwill and other intangible assets from shareholder’s equity.
(b) Net interest income fully tax equivalent is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate net interest income fully tax equivalent by adding back the tax equivalent factor of tax exempt income to net interest income. We calculate the tax equivalent factor of tax exempt income by dividing tax exempt income by the net of tax rate of 75%.
(c) Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate the factor by dividing average tangible common equity by average shares outstanding. We calculate average tangible common equity by excluding average intangible assets from average shareholder’s equity.  (a) Net interest margin is calculated on a tax equivalent basis.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) 


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