For the fourth quarter of 2016, Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) (NasdaqGS:HOMB) recorded a 29.8% increase in quarterly profit to $48.6 million, for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $37.4 million, for the same quarter in 2015. Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $0.35 per share compared to $0.27 per share (split adjusted) for 2015, representing an increase of $0.08 per share or 29.6% for the fourth quarter of 2016 when compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Excluding a $4.5 million of reduced provision for loan losses as a result of a significant loan recovery offset by $433,000 of merger expenses associated with the upcoming acquisitions, diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $0.33 per share.
Home BancShares, Inc. is a bank holding company. The Company is primarily engaged in providing a range of commercial and retail banking and related financial services to businesses, real estate developers and investors, individuals and municipalities through its wholly owned community bank subsidiary, Centennial Bank (the Bank). The Bank originates loans primarily secured by single and multi-family real estate, residential construction, and commercial buildings. In addition, the Bank makes loans to small and medium-sized commercial businesses as well as to consumers for a variety of purposes. The Bank offers a range of deposit services, including checking, savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. The Bank offers a range of products and services, including 24-hour Internet banking, mobile banking and voice response information, cash management, overdraft protection, direct deposit, safe deposit boxes, United States savings bonds and automatic account transfers.