MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 17, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Third quarter financial results show First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) ramped up core business profitability and significantly lowered non-performing loans. Balance sheet trends generally were favorable and the company continued to make progress on lowering expenses in core businesses, but environmental costs remained elevated primarily from increased GSE-related mortgage repurchase provision expenses. First Horizon has also launched a program to repurchase up to $100 million of its common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions, by the end of August 2012.
"We remain focused on controlling what we can control in this challenging environment. Our third quarter results show that we're making solid progress in strengthening First Tennessee, our regional banking business, and FTN Financial, our capital markets business," said Bryan Jordan, First Horizon's CEO. "I'm proud of the work our employees do day in and day out to help our customers have an unparalleled experience when they do business with us."
Financial results
- Net income available to common shareholders improved to $36.1 million, compared to second quarter's net income of $20.0 million.
- Net income in core businesses improved to $94.4 million, up from $26.9 million in the second quarter.
- Diluted earnings per share were $0.14 for the quarter, up from last quarter's EPS of $0.08.
| Key Performance Ratios & Other Data | 3Q11 Change vs. | ||||||||
| (Shares in thousands)/(Unaudited) | 3Q11 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 | ||||
| Diluted EPS | $0.14 | $0.08 | $0.07 | 75 % | NM | ||||
| Diluted shares | 262,803 | 262,756 | 238,867 | * | 10 % | ||||
| Period-end shares outstanding | 263,619 | 263,699 | 237,061 | * | 11 % | ||||
| Return on average assets (annualized) (a) | 0.62% | 0.37% | 0.52% | ||||||
| Return on average common equity (annualized) (b) | 5.90% | 3.36% | 2.86% | ||||||
| Net interest margin (c) | 3.23% | 3.20% | 3.23% | ||||||
| Efficiency ratio (d) | 89.13% | 95.56% | 79.09% | ||||||
| Full time equivalent employees | 4,748 | 4,950 | 5,506 | (4)% | (14)% | ||||
| NM - Not meaningful | |||||||||
| * Amount is less than one percent. | |||||||||
| (a) Calculated using net income. | |||||||||
| (b) Calculated using net income available to common shareholders. | |||||||||
| (c) Net interest margin is computed using total net interest income adjusted for fully taxable equivalent ("FTE"). Refer to the Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation at the end of this release. | |||||||||
| (d) Noninterest expense divided by total revenue excluding securities gains/(losses). | |||||||||
Core business strength
- Regional bank pre-tax income was up 26 percent compared to last quarter, and total revenue grew 2 percent, driven by higher net interest income and steady fee income. Period-end loans improved 5 percent from last quarter, driven by loans to mortgage companies and corporate borrowers and asset-based lending. According to recent FDIC data, First Tennessee's deposits in Tennessee improved 6.5 percent over last year, more than two and one-half times the growth rate in First Tennessee's markets. In Middle Tennessee, deposits grew nearly 7.5 percent, the fastest among the top banks.
- Capital markets pre-tax income was $27.9 million in the third quarter, compared to a pre-tax loss of $19.9 million in the second quarter, which included a $36.7 million litigation expense. Revenues improved 26 percent as fixed income average daily revenue increased to $1.4 million in the third quarter from $1.1 million in the second quarter.
- In the corporate segment, pre-tax income was $18.6 million for the third quarter, which included $35.1 million of securities gains from the sale of Visa stock. That compares to a pre-tax loss of $26.8 million in the second quarter.
- The pre-tax loss in the non-strategic segment for the third quarter was $97.9 million, compared to a $12.6 million loss in the second quarter. The higher loss was driven primarily by an increase in mortgage repurchase expense of $28 million and an increase in provision for loans losses due to non-performing loan sales.
| Income Statement Highlights | 3Q11 Change vs. | ||||
| (Thousands)/(Unaudited) | 3Q11 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 |
| Net interest income | $176,340 | $172,860 | $186,143 | 2 % | (5)% |
| Noninterest income | 185,725 | 187,592 | 245,633 | (1)% | (24)% |
| Securities gains/(losses), net | 35,162 | 1 | (2,928) | NM | NM |
| Total revenue | 397,227 | 360,453 | 428,848 | 10 % | (7)% |
| Noninterest expense | 322,708 | 344,455 | 341,490 | (6)% | (6)% |
| Provision for loan losses | 32,000 | 1,000 | 50,000 | NM | (36)% |
| Income before income taxes | 42,519 | 14,998 | 37,358 | NM | 14 % |
| Provision/(benefit) for income taxes | 8,367 | (4,167) | 3,290 | NM | NM |
| Income from continuing operations | 34,152 | 19,165 | 34,068 | 78 % | * |
| Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | 4,828 | 3,671 | (358) | 32 % | NM |
| Net income | 38,980 | 22,836 | 33,710 | 71 % | 16 % |
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 2,875 | 2,844 | 2,875 | 1 % | * |
| Net income attributable to controlling interest | 36,105 | 19,992 | 30,835 | 81 % | 17 % |
| Preferred stock dividends | -- | -- | 14,960 | NM | NM |
| Net income available to common shareholders | $36,105 | $19,992 | $15,875 | 81 % | NM |
| NM - Not meaningful | |||||
| * Amount is less than one percent. | |||||
Continued improvement in credit quality
- First Horizon saw continued improvement in credit quality in the third quarter.
- The total provision for loan losses in the third quarter was $32 million. The increase in provision reflects losses of $36 million related to the sales of non-performing loans.
- The loans sold accounted for 45 percent of total net charge-offs.
| Asset Quality Highlights | 3Q11 Change vs. | |||||
| (Dollars in Thousands)/(Unaudited) | 3Q11 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 | |
| Allowance for loan losses | $449,645 | $524,091 | $719,899 | (14)% | (38)% | |
| Allowance / period-end loans | 2.77% | 3.26% | 4.22% | |||
| Net charge-offs | $106,446 | $66,037 | $111,370 | 61 % | (4)% | |
| Net charge-offs (annualized) / average loans | 2.65% | 1.67% | 2.60% | |||
| Non-performing assets (NPA) | $582,571 | $747,860 | $919,242 | (22)% | (37)% | |
| NPA % (a) | 3.02% | 4.09% | 5.00% | |||
| (a) NPAs related to the loan portfolio over period-end loans plus foreclosed real estate and other assets. | ||||||
Efficiency
- The company remains focused on enhancing productivity, with a target efficiency ratio of 60 percent to 65 percent, while continuing to deliver unparalleled service to customers. In the regional bank, which makes up nearly half of total assets, the efficiency ratio improved to 65.83 percent and revenue per full-time equivalent employee (FTE) increased 5 percent from last quarter.
- Company-wide expenses improved 6 percent percent from the second quarter.
| Balance Sheet Highlights & Capital Ratios | 3Q11 Change vs. | |||||||||
| (Period-End, Dollars in Thousands)/(Unaudited) | 3Q11 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 | |||||
| Total loans, net of unearned income | $16,241,402 | $16,061,646 | $17,059,489 | 1 % | (5)% | |||||
| Total deposits | 15,698,255 | 15,896,027 | 14,975,920 | (1)% | 5 % | |||||
| Total assets | 25,571,469 | 25,054,066 | 25,384,181 | 2 % | 1 % | |||||
| Total liabilities | 22,828,239 | 22,372,684 | 22,077,293 | 2 % | 3 % | |||||
| Total equity | 2,743,230 | 2,681,382 | 3,306,888 | 2 % | (17)% | |||||
| Book value per common share | $9.29 | $9.05 | $9.28 | |||||||
| Tangible book value per common share (a) | $8.68 | $8.43 | $8.45 | |||||||
| Tangible common equity/tangible assets (a) | 9.00% | 8.93% | 7.96% | |||||||
| Tier 1 capital ratio (b) | 14.47% | 14.39% | 17.34% | |||||||
| (a) Refer to the Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation at the end of this release. | ||||||||||
| (b) Current quarter is an estimate. | ||||||||||
Use of non-GAAP measures
Certain measures are included in the text and tables of this release that are non-GAAP, meaning they are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the U.S. FHN's management believes such measures are relevant to understanding the capital position and results of the company. The non-GAAP items presented in this release are net income related to core businesses, tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per common share and net interest margin computed using net interest income adjusted for FTE (fully taxable equivalent). These measures are reported to FHN's management and board of directors through various internal reports. Additionally, disclosure of the non-GAAP capital ratios provides a meaningful base for comparability to other financial institutions as these ratios have become an important measure of the capital strength of banks as demonstrated by the inclusion in the stress tests administered by the United States Treasury Department under the Capital Assistance Program. Non-GAAP measures are not formally defined by GAAP or codified in the federal banking regulations, and other entities may use calculation methods that differ from those used by FHN. The reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures and presentation of the most comparable GAAP items is contained in the following table.
| NON-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation | |||
| (Period End, Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited) | 3Q11 | 2Q11 | 3Q10 |
| Tangible Common Equity (Non-GAAP) | |||
| (A) Total equity (GAAP) | $2,743,230 | $2,681,382 | $3,306,888 |
| Less: Preferred stock capital surplus - CPP | -- | -- | 810,974 |
| Less: Noncontrolling interest (a) | 295,165 | 295,165 | 295,165 |
| (B) Total common equity | 2,448,065 | 2,386,217 | 2,200,749 |
| Less: Intangible assets (GAAP) (b) | 160,902 | 164,067 | 196,443 |
| (C) Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) | $2,287,163 | $2,222,150 | $2,004,306 |
| Tangible Assets (Non-GAAP) | |||
| (D) Total assets (GAAP) | $25,571,469 | $25,054,066 | $25,384,181 |
| Less: Intangible assets (GAAP) (b) | 160,902 | 164,067 | 196,443 |
| (E) Tangible assets (Non-GAAP) | $25,410,567 | $24,889,999 | $25,187,738 |
| Period-end Shares Outstanding | |||
| (F) Period-end shares outstanding | 263,619 | 263,699 | 237,061 |
| Ratios | |||
| (C)/(E) Tangible common equity to tangible assets (TCE/TA) (Non-GAAP) | 9.00% | 8.93% | 7.96% |
| (A)/(D) Total equity to total assets (GAAP) | 10.73% | 10.70% | 13.03% |
| (C)/(F) Tangible book value per common share (Non-GAAP) | $8.68 | $8.43 | $8.45 |
| (B)/(F) Book value per common share (GAAP) | $9.29 | $9.05 | $9.28 |
| Net interest income adjusted for impact of FTE (Non-GAAP) | |||
| Total Consolidated: | |||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $176,340 | $172,860 | $186,143 |
| Fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") adjustment | 1,555 | 1,497 | 791 |
| Net interest income adjusted for impact of FTE (Non-GAAP) | $177,895 | $174,357 | $186,934 |
| Net income in core businesses (Non-GAAP) | |||
| Regional Banking - Net income | $59,214 | $47,072 | $32,897 |
| Capital Markets - Net income/(loss) | 17,238 | (12,155) | 26,991 |
| Corporate - Net income/(loss) | 17,916 | (7,993) | 1,134 |
| Net income in core businesses (Non-GAAP) | $94,368 | $26,924 | $61,022 |
| Non-Strategic - Net loss | (55,388) | (4,088) | (27,312) |
| Net income (GAAP) | $38,980 | $22,836 | $33,710 |
| (a) Included in total equity on the consolidated condensed balance sheet. | |||
| (b) Includes goodwill and other intangible assets, net of amortization. | |||
Conference Call
Management will hold a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Central Time today to review earnings and performance trends. There will also be a live webcast accompanied by a slide presentation, and the financial supplement and slide presentation are available in the events and presentations section of http://ir.fhnc.com. Callers wishing to participate may call toll-free starting at 7:45 a.m. Central Time by dialing 877-303-6618. The number for international participants is 224-357-2205. The conference ID number is 13901680.
Participants can also listen to the live audio webcast with the accompanying slide presentation through the investor relations section of www.fhnc.com. A replay will be available from noon Central Time today until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 24. To listen to the replay, callers should dial 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406. The passcode is 13901680. The event also will be archived and available by midnight tonight in the events and presentations section of http://ir.fhnc.com.
Other information
This press release contains forward-looking statements involving significant risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. Those factors include general economic and financial market conditions, including expectations of and actual timing and amount of interest rate movements including the slope of the yield curve, competition, ability to execute business plans, geopolitical developments, recent and future legislative and regulatory developments, inflation or deflation, market (particularly real estate market) and monetary fluctuations, natural disasters, customer, investor and regulatory responses to these conditions and items already mentioned in this press release, as well as critical accounting estimates and other factors described in FHN's annual report on Form 10-K and other recent filings with the SEC. FHN disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein or therein to reflect future events or developments.
About First Horizon
The 4,800 employees of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) provide financial services through more than 170 bank locations in and around Tennessee and 18 FTN Financial Group offices in the U.S. and abroad. First Tennessee Bank has the leading combined market deposit share in the counties where it does business and one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. FTN Financial is a capital markets industry leader in fixed income sales, trading and strategies for institutional clients in the U.S. and abroad. FHN has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by AARP and Working Mother magazines. More information is available at www.fhnc.com.
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