BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFBS), today announced earnings and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2016.

FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED 2016 HIGHLIGHTS:


    --  2-for-1 stock split in December 2016
    --  Diluted EPS increased 27% from $1.20 to $1.52 year over year
    --  Diluted EPS increased 3% from $0.39 to $0.40 on a linked quarter basis
    --  Loans and deposits increased 24% and 27%, respectively, for the fourth
        quarter on an annualized basis
    --  Loans and deposits increased 16% and 28%, respectively, year over year

Tom Broughton, President and CEO, said, "We are pleased to report a year of record growth in net income, loans and deposits while maintaining pristine credit quality." Bud Foshee, CFO, stated, "Our new regions of Nashville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina and Tampa Bay, Florida all made solid progress in 2016."



    FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

    (in Thousands except share and per share amounts)


    On December 20, 2016, the Company effected a two-for-one split of its common stock in the form of a stock dividend.  All share and per share information in this release has been adjusted to give effect to this stock split.


                                                                                                                                              Period Ending                                         Period Ending                       % Change         Period Ending          % Change
                                                                                                                                              December 31,                                          September 30,                      From Period       December 31,         From Period
                                                                                                                                                       2016                                                    2016                     Ending                   2015            Ending
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     September                             December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             30, 2016 to                  2015 to Period
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Period Ending                              Ending
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   December 31,                            December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2016                               2016
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ----                               ----

    QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
    ---------------------------

    Net Income                                                                                                                                                                    $21,738                                                        $20,909               4%                       $19,750  10%

    Net Income Available to Common Stockholders                                                                                                                                   $21,714                                                        $20,909               4%                       $19,726  10%

    Diluted Earnings Per Share                                                                                                                                                      $0.40                                                          $0.39               3%                         $0.37   8%

    Return on Average Assets                                                                                                                                                        1.39%                                                         1.39%                                         1.55%

    Return on Average Common Stockholders' Equity                                                                                                                                  16.71%                                                        16.66%                                        17.75%

    Average Diluted Shares Outstanding                                                                                                                                         53,961,160                                                     53,879,328                                     53,190,478


    YEAR-TO-DATE OPERATING RESULTS
    ------------------------------

    Net Income                                                                                                                                                                    $81,479                                                                                                      $63,540  28%

    Net Income Available to Common Stockholders                                                                                                                                   $81,432                                                                                                      $63,260  29%

    Diluted Earnings Per Share                                                                                                                                                      $1.52                                                                                                        $1.20  27%

    Return on Average Assets                                                                                                                                                        1.42%                                                                                                       1.38%

    Return on Average Common Stockholders' Equity                                                                                                                                  16.63%                                                                                                      15.30%

    Average Diluted Shares Outstanding                                                                                                                                         53,608,372                                                                                                   52,885,108


    Core Net Income*                                                                                                                                                              $81,479                                                                                                      $65,307  25%

    Core Net Income Available to Common Stockholders*                                                                                                                             $81,432                                                                                                      $65,027  25%

    Core Diluted Earnings Per Share*                                                                                                                                                $1.52                                                                                                        $1.23  24%

    Core Return on Average Assets*                                                                                                                                                  1.42%                                                                                                       1.42%

    Core Return on Average Common Stockholders' Equity*                                                                                                                            16.63%                                                                                                      15.73%


    BALANCE SHEET
    -------------

    Total Assets                                                                                                                                                               $6,370,448                                                     $6,002,621               6%                    $5,095,509  25%

    Loans                                                                                                                                                                       4,911,770                                                      4,631,821               6%                     4,216,375  16%

    Non-interest-bearing Demand Deposits                                                                                                                                        1,281,605                                                      1,269,726               1%                     1,053,467  22%

    Total Deposits                                                                                                                                                              5,420,311                                                      5,081,128               7%                     4,223,888  28%

    Stockholders' Equity                                                                                                                                                          522,889                                                        507,866               3%                       449,147  16%


    * Core measures exclude non-routine expenses during the comparative periods presented in this press release as more fully described in "GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

DETAILED FINANCIALS

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. reported net income and net income available to common stockholders of $21.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to net income of $19.8 million and net income available to common stockholders of $19.7 million for the same quarter in 2015. Basic and diluted earnings per common share were $0.41 and $0.40 respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $0.38 and $0.37, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2015.

Return on average assets was 1.39% and return on average equity was 16.71% for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to 1.55% and 17.75%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2015.

Net interest income was $49.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $47.9 million for the third quarter of 2016 and $43.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. The net interest margin in the fourth quarter of 2016 was 3.30%, a five basis point decrease from the third quarter of 2016 and 26 basis point decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase in net interest income on a linked quarter basis is attributable to a $126.1 million increase in average loans outstanding, a $39.3 million increase in average non-interest-bearing deposits and a $17.6 million increase in average stockholders' equity, all resulting in a positive mix change in our balance sheet. The average yield on loans decreased by two basis points to 4.45% on a linked quarter basis.

Average loans for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $4.70 billion, an increase of $126.1 million, or 3%, over average loans of $4.58 billion for the third quarter of 2016, and an increase of $580.2 million, or 14%, over average loans of $4.12 billion for the fourth quarter of 2015.

Average total deposits for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $5.27 billion, an increase of $291.7 million, or 6%, over average total deposits of $4.98 billion for the third quarter of 2016, and an increase of $1.01 billion, or 24%, over average total deposits of $4.27 billion for the fourth quarter of 2015.

Non-performing assets to total assets were 0.34% for the fourth quarter of 2016, an increase of 18 basis points compared to 0.16% for the third quarter of 2016 and an increase of eight basis points compared to 0.26% for the fourth quarter of 2015. One loan with a balance of approximately $6.2 million, which was greater than 90 days past due and accruing as of December 31, 2016, has paid current as of the date of this earnings release. This loan represented 10 basis points of the non-performing assets ratio as of December 31, 2016. Net credit charge-offs to average loans were 0.09%, a four basis point decrease compared to 0.13% for the third quarter of 2016 and a 15 basis point decrease compared to 0.24% for the fourth quarter of 2015. We recorded a $4.1 million provision for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. The allowance for loan loss as a percentage of total loans was 1.06% for December 31, 2016 compared to 1.05% at September 30, 2016 and 1.03% at December 31, 2015. In management's opinion, the allowance is adequate and was determined by consistent application of ServisFirst Bank's methodology for calculating its allowance for loan losses.

Non-interest income increased $2.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2016, or 71%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Mortgage banking revenue increased by $424,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016, or 68%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2015, resulting from a 38% increase in the number of loans originated and improved operations, translating to increased net gains on sales. Credit card income increased $411,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016, or 64%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2015, resulting from an 89% increase in the volume of spending on ServisFirst Bank cards and a 29% increase in spending on our agent banks' cards. We recognized a $1.3 million gain on the sale of fixed assets during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased $3.0 million, or 16%, to $22.0 million from $19.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, and increased $1.8 million, or 9%, on a linked quarter basis. Salary and benefit expense for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased $2.3 million, or 26%, to $11.2 million from $8.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, and increased $200,000, or 2%, on a linked quarter basis. We reversed $2.0 million of accrued incentive pay during the fourth quarter of 2015. Excluding this reversal, salary and benefit expenses increased $300,000, or 3%, from the fourth quarter of 2015 to the fourth quarter of 2016. Equipment and Occupancy expense increased $358,000, or 24% to $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, from $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. This increase in equipment and occupancy expense was attributable to new offices in our Charleston, South Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee regions, each of which were relocations from temporary facilities we previously occupied. We also accelerated depreciation of leasehold improvements in our Birmingham, Alabama headquarters building to coincide with our anticipated move date to our new headquarters building, which we anticipate will be in the second half of 2017. Professional services expense increased $352,000, or 50%, to $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, from $706,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015, primarily the result of legal fees accrued for pending litigation. FDIC assessments increased $339,000, or 46%, to $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, from $733,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015. This increase was the result of higher assessment rates under the new assessment calculation rule adopted by the FDIC effective at the beginning of the second quarter 2016, and growth in assets.

Income tax expense increased $2.7 million, or 59%, to $7.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, and increased $3.8 million, or 15%, to $29.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $25.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2015. In the second quarter of 2016 we adopted the amendments in Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 using the modified retrospective method. We have recognized excess tax benefits from the exercise and vesting of stock options and restricted stock of $54,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Previously under generally accepted accounting principles, such credits were reflected within additional paid-in capital.

GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We recorded expenses of $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2015 related to the acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. and the merger of Metro Bank with and into the Bank, and recorded an expense of $500,000 resulting from the initial funding of reserves for unfunded loan commitments for the first quarter of 2015, consistent with guidance provided in the Federal Reserve Bank's Inter-agency Policy Statement SR 06-17. Core financial measures included in this press release are "core net income," "core net income available to common stockholders," "core diluted earnings per share," "core return on average assets" and "core return on average common stockholders' equity." Each of these five core financial measures excludes the impact of the non-routine expenses attributable to merger expenses and the initial funding of reserves for unfunded loan commitments, and are all considered non-GAAP financial measures. Other non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release are "tangible common stockholders' equity," "total tangible assets," "tangible book value per share," and "tangible common equity to total tangible assets." All non-GAAP financial measures are more fully explained below.

"Core net income" is defined as net income, adjusted by the net effect of the non-routine expense.

"Core net income available to common stockholders" is defined as net income available to common stockholders, adjusted by the net effect of the non-routine expense.

"Core diluted earnings per share" is defined as net income available to common stockholders, adjusted by the net effect of the non-routine expense, divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

"Core return on average assets" is defined as net income, adjusted by the net effect of the non-routine expense, divided by average total assets.

"Core return of average common stockholders' equity" is defined as net income, adjusted by the net effect of the non-routine expense, divided by average common stockholders' equity.

"Tangible common stockholders' equity" is defined as common stockholders' equity, adjusted by the total of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets.

"Total tangible assets" is defined as total assets, adjusted by the total of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets.

"Tangible book value per share" is defined as tangible common stockholders' equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding.

"Tangible common equity to total tangible assets" is defined as tangible common equity divided by total tangible assets.

We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors that is supplementary to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP; however, we acknowledge that these non-GAAP financial measures have a number of limitations. As such, you should not view these disclosures as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, and they are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that other companies, including those in our industry, use. The following reconciliation table provides a more detailed analysis of the non-GAAP financial measures as of and for the annual comparative periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 included in this press release. Dollars are in thousands, except share and per share data.


                                                                                                                                   As of December 31,
                                                                                                                                             2016                 As Of and For the
                                                                                                                                                                   Year Ended
                                                                                                                                                               December 31, 2015
                                                                                                                                                               -----------------

    Return on average assets - GAAP                                                                                                               1.38%

    Net income - GAAP                                                                                                                           $63,540

                                                                   Adjustments:

                                                                   Merger expenses - Metro Bancshares, Inc.                                              2,096

                                                                   Initial reserve for unfunded loan commitments                                           500

                                                                   Tax (benefit) of adjustments                                                          (829)
                                                                                                                                                          ----

    Core net income - non-GAAP*                                                                                                                 $65,307

    Average assets                                                                                                                           $4,591,860

    Core return on average assets - non-GAAP*                                                                                                     1.42%


    Return on average common stockholders' equity - GAAP                                                                                         15.30%

    Net income available to common stockholders - GAAP                                                                                          $63,260

                                                                   Adjustments:

                                                                   Merger expenses - Metro Bancshares, Inc.                                              2,096

                                                                   Initial reserve for unfunded loan commitments                                           500

                                                                   Tax (benefit) of adjustments                                                          (829)
                                                                                                                                                          ----

    Core net income available to common stockholders - non-GAAP*                                                                                $65,027

    Average common stockholders' equity                                                                                                        $413,445

    Core return on average common stockholders' equity - non-GAAP*                                                                               15.73%


    Earnings per share - diluted - GAAP                                                                                                           $1.20

    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted - GAAP                                                                                      52,885,108

    Core diluted earnings per share - non-GAAP*                                                                                                   $1.23


    Book value per share - GAAP                                                                                       $9.93                        $8.65

    Total common stockholders' equity - GAAP                                                                        522,889                      449,147

                                                                   Adjustments:

                                                                    Adjusted for goodwill and other identifiable
                                                                    intangible assets                                       14,996                       15,330


    Tangible common stockholders' equity - non-GAAP                                                                $507,893                     $433,817

    Tangible book value per share - non-GAAP                                                                          $9.65                        $8.35


    Stockholders' equity to total assets - GAAP                                                                       8.21%                       8.81%

    Total assets - GAAP                                                                                          $6,370,448                   $5,095,509

                                                                   Adjustments:

                                                                    Adjusted for goodwill and other identifiable
                                                                    intangible assets                                       14,996                       15,330


    Total tangible assets - non-GAAP                                                                             $6,355,452                   $5,080,179

    Tangible common equity to total tangible assets - non-GAAP                                                        7.99%                       8.54%

* Core measures exclude non-routine expenses during the comparative periods presented in this press release as more fully described in "GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation on Non-GAAP Financial Measures" above.

About ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company based in Birmingham, Alabama. Through its subsidiary ServisFirst Bank, ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. provides business and personal financial services from locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile and Dothan, Alabama, Pensacola and Tampa Bay, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of its filings may be obtained through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or at http://servisfirstbancshares.investorroom.com/.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements concerning future operations, results or performance, are hereby identified as "forward-looking statements" for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend," "will," "would," "might" and similar expressions often signify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. cautions that such forward-looking statements, wherever they occur in this press release or in other statements attributable to ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc., are necessarily estimates reflecting the judgment of ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.'s senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors that could affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements, including: general economic conditions, especially in the credit markets and in the Southeast; the performance of the capital markets; changes in interest rates, yield curves and interest rate spread relationships; changes in accounting and tax principles, policies or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulatory requirements; changes in our loan portfolio and the deposit base; possible changes in laws and regulations and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including, but not limited to, economic stimulus initiatives; the cost and other effects of legal and administrative cases and similar contingencies; possible changes in the creditworthiness of customers and the possible impairment of the collectability of loans and the value of collateral; the effect of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornados, in our geographic markets; and increased competition from both banks and non-bank financial institutions. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other SEC filings. If one or more of the factors affecting our forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained herein. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements that are made from time to time.

More information about ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. may be obtained over the Internet at http://servisfirstbancshares.investorroom.com/ or by calling (205) 949-0302.

Contact: ServisFirst Bank
Davis Mange (205) 949-3420
dmange@servisfirstbank.com


    SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

    (In thousands except share and per share data)

                                                                                                                                  4th Quarter 2016            3rd Quarter 2016 2nd Quarter 2016            1st Quarter 2016            4th Quarter 2015
                                                                                                                                  ----------------            ---------------- ----------------            ----------------            ----------------

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

    Interest income                                                                                                                                   $56,200                                      $54,691                     $52,050                     $49,961    $48,451

    Interest expense                                                                                                                                    7,091                                        6,773                       6,159                       5,782      5,290
                                                                                                                                                        -----                                        -----                       -----                       -----      -----

    Net interest income                                                                                                                                49,109                                       47,918                      45,891                      44,179     43,161

    Provision for loan losses                                                                                                                           4,075                                        3,464                       3,800                       2,059      3,308
                                                                                                                                                        -----                                        -----                       -----                       -----      -----

    Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                                                                                45,034                                       44,454                      42,091                      42,120     39,853

    Non-interest income                                                                                                                                 6,039                                        4,791                       3,847                       3,435      3,475

    Non-interest expense                                                                                                                               22,037                                       20,162                      19,504                      19,290     19,002
                                                                                                                                                       ------                                       ------                      ------                      ------     ------

    Income before income tax                                                                                                                           29,036                                       29,083                      26,434                      26,265     24,326

    Provision for income tax                                                                                                                            7,298                                        8,174                       7,558                       6,309      4,576
                                                                                                                                                        -----                                        -----                       -----                       -----      -----

    Net income                                                                                                                                         21,738                                       20,909                      18,876                      19,956     19,750

    Preferred stock dividends                                                                                                                              24                                            -                         23                           -        24
                                                                                                                                                          ---                                          ---                        ---                         ---       ---

    Net income available to common stockholders                                                                                                       $21,714                                      $20,909                     $18,853                     $19,956    $19,726
                                                                                                                                                      =======                                      =======                     =======                     =======    =======

    Earnings per share - basic (1)                                                                                                                      $0.41                                        $0.40                       $0.36                       $0.38      $0.38

    Earnings per share - diluted (1)                                                                                                                    $0.40                                        $0.39                       $0.36                       $0.38      $0.37

    Average diluted shares outstanding                                                                                                             53,961,160                                   53,879,328                  53,452,568                  53,133,620 53,190,478


    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

    Total assets                                                                                                                                   $6,370,448                                   $6,002,621                  $5,646,055                  $5,378,599 $5,095,509

    Loans                                                                                                                                           4,949,282                                    4,657,284                   4,539,338                   4,340,900  4,216,375

    Debt securities                                                                                                                                   447,427                                      377,270                     347,706                     362,106    370,364

    Non-interest-bearing demand deposits                                                                                                            1,281,605                                    1,269,726                   1,185,668                   1,070,275  1,053,467

    Total deposits                                                                                                                                  5,420,311                                    5,081,128                   4,664,795                   4,339,747  4,223,888

    Borrowings                                                                                                                                         55,262                                       55,356                      55,450                      55,543     55,637

    Stockholders' equity                                                                                                                             $522,889                                     $507,866                    $489,097                    $470,940   $449,147


    Shares outstanding                                                                                                                             52,636,896                                   52,610,896                  52,503,896                  52,365,396 51,945,396

    Book value per share                                                                                                                                $9.93                                        $9.65                       $9.32                       $8.99      $8.65

    Tangible book value per share (2)                                                                                                                   $9.65                                        $9.37                       $9.03                       $8.70      $8.35


    SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS

    Net interest margin                                                                                                                                 3.30%                                       3.35%                      3.51%                      3.57%     3.56%

    Return on average assets                                                                                                                            1.39%                                       1.39%                      1.37%                      1.53%     1.55%

    Return on average common stockholders' equity                                                                                                      16.71%                                      16.66%                     15.79%                     17.39%    17.75%

    Efficiency ratio                                                                                                                                   39.96%                                      38.25%                     39.21%                     40.51%    40.75%

    Non-interest expense to average earning assets                                                                                                      1.46%                                       1.39%                      1.50%                      1.56%     1.56%


    CAPITAL RATIOS (3)

    Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets                                                                                                9.78%                                       9.91%                      9.83%                      9.90%     9.72%

    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets                                                                                                              9.78%                                       9.92%                      9.84%                      9.91%     9.73%

    Total capital to risk-weighted assets                                                                                                              11.84%                                      12.03%                     11.98%                     12.12%    11.95%

    Tier 1 capital to average assets                                                                                                                    8.22%                                       8.20%                      8.52%                      8.65%     8.55%

    Tangible common equity to total tangible assets (2)                                                                                                 7.99%                                       8.23%                      8.42%                      8.50%     8.54%


    (1) Adjusted to reflect two-for-one stock split that occurred on December 20, 2016.

    (2) See "GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a discussion of these Non-GAAP financial measures.

    (3) Regulatory capital ratios for most recent period are preliminary.



    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

    (Dollars in thousands)

                                                                                                                                                                 December 31, 2016            December 31, 2015           % Change
                                                                                                                                                                 -----------------            -----------------           --------

    ASSETS

    Cash and due from banks                                                                                                                                                $56,855                                $46,614                22%

    Interest-bearing balances due from depository institutions                                                                                                             566,707                                270,836               109%

    Federal funds sold                                                                                                                                                     160,435                                 34,785               361%
                                                                                                                                                                           -------                                 ------

                                                                           Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                  783,997                                  352,235          123%

    Available for sale debt securities, at fair value                                                                                                                      422,375                                342,938                23%

    Held to maturity debt securities (fair value of $63,302 and $27,910 at

                                                                           December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively)                                                                   62,564                                   27,426          128%

    Restricted equity securities                                                                                                                                             1,024                                  4,954              (79)%

    Mortgage loans held for sale                                                                                                                                             4,675                                  8,249              (43)%

    Loans                                                                                                                                                                4,911,770                              4,216,375                16%

    Less allowance for loan losses                                                                                                                                        (51,893)                              (43,419)               20%
                                                                                                                                                                           -------                                -------

                                                                           Loans, net                                                                                               4,859,877                                4,172,956           16%

    Premises and equipment, net                                                                                                                                             40,314                                 19,434               107%

    Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets                                                                                                                       14,996                                 15,330               (2)%

    Other assets                                                                                                                                                           180,626                                151,987                19%
                                                                                                                                                                           -------                                -------

                                                                           Total assets                                                                                            $6,370,448                               $5,095,509           25%


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Liabilities:

    Deposits:

                                                                           Non-interest-bearing                                                                                    $1,281,605                               $1,053,467           22%

                                                                           Interest-bearing                                                                                         4,138,706                                3,170,421           31%


                                                                           Total deposits                                                                                           5,420,311                                4,223,888           28%

    Federal funds purchased                                                                                                                                                355,944                                352,360                 1%

    Other borrowings                                                                                                                                                        55,262                                 55,637               (1)%

    Other liabilities                                                                                                                                                       16,042                                 14,477                11%
                                                                                                                                                                            ------                                 ------

                                                                           Total liabilities                                                                                        5,847,559                                4,646,362           26%

    Stockholders' equity:

                                                                           Preferred stock, Series A Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual, par value $0.001

                                                                           (liquidation preference $1,000), net of discount; no shares authorized or outstanding

                                                                           at December 31, 2016, and 40,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

                                                                           at December 31, 2015                                                                                             -                                       -            -   %

                                                                            Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 1,000,000 authorized and
                                                                            undesignated

                                                                           at December 31, 2016, and 1,000,000 authorized and 960,000 shares undesignated at

                                                                           December 31, 2015                                                                                                -                                       -            -   %

                                                                           Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized;

                                                                           52,636,896 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016, and

                                                                           51,945,396 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015                                                   53                                       26          104%

                                                                           Additional paid-in capital                                                                                 215,932                                  211,546            2%

                                                                           Retained earnings                                                                                          307,151                                  234,150           31%

                                                                           Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income                                                                (624)                                   3,048        (120)%

                                                                           Noncontrolling interest                                                                                        377                                      377             -   %


                                                                           Total stockholders' equity                                                                                 522,889                                  449,147           16%
                                                                                                                                                                                      -------                                  -------

                                                                           Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                              $6,370,448                               $5,095,509           25%


    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

    (In thousands except per share data)

                                                                                                                              Three Months Ended December 31,      Year Ended December 31,

                                                                                                                                   2016                    2015      2016                  2015
                                                                                                                                   ----                    ----      ----                  ----

    Interest income:

                                                     Interest and fees on loans                                 $52,533                       $46,150              $200,463                     $171,302

                                                     Taxable securities                                           1,604                         1,058                 5,343                        4,331

                                                     Nontaxable securities                                          785                           875                 3,300                        3,499

                                                     Federal funds sold                                             377                            46                 1,007                          127

                                                     Other interest and dividends                                   901                           322                 2,789                          716


                                                        Total interest income                                    56,200                        48,451               212,902                      179,975


    Interest expense:

                                                     Deposits                                                     5,817                         4,294                20,169                       14,894

                                                     Borrowed funds                                               1,274                           996                 5,636                        2,810


                                                        Total interest expense                                    7,091                         5,290                25,805                       17,704


                                                        Net interest income                                      49,109                        43,161               187,097                      162,271

    Provision for loan losses                                                                             4,075         3,308                               13,398                12,847
                                                                                                          -----         -----                               ------                ------

                                                        Net interest income after provision for loan
                                                         losses                                                  45,034                        39,853               173,699                      149,424


    Non-interest income:

                                                     Service charges on deposit accounts                          1,375                         1,326                 5,355                        5,088

                                                     Mortgage banking                                             1,044                           620                 3,725                        2,682

                                                     Securities gains                                                 -                            -                  (3)                          29

                                                      Increase in cash surrender value life
                                                      insurance                                                     745                           630                 2,794                        2,621

                                                     Other operating income                                       2,875                           899                 6,241                        3,157


                                                        Total non-interest income                                 6,039                         3,475                18,112                       13,577


    Non-interest expense:

                                                     Salaries and employee benefits                              11,197                         8,884                43,955                       38,913

                                                     Equipment and occupancy expense                              1,877                         1,519                 7,985                        6,389

                                                     Professional services                                        1,058                           706                 3,977                        2,607

                                                     FDIC and other regulatory assessments                        1,072                           733                 3,400                        2,660

                                                     Other real estate owned expense                                 91                           324                   759                        1,227

                                                     Merger expense                                                   -                            -                    -                       2,100

                                                     Other operating expense                                      6,742                         6,836                20,917                       20,100


                                                        Total non-interest expense                               22,037                        19,002                80,993                       73,996


                                                        Income before income tax                                 29,036                        24,326               110,818                       89,005

    Provision for income tax                                                                              7,298         4,576                               29,339                25,465
                                                                                                          -----         -----                               ------                ------

                                                              Net income                                         21,738                        19,750                81,479                       63,540

                                                     Dividends on preferred stock                                    24                            24                    47                          280


                                                              Net income available to common stockholders       $21,714                       $19,726               $81,432                      $63,260


    Basic earnings per common share (1)                                                                   $0.41         $0.38                                $1.55                 $1.23

    Diluted earnings per common share (1)                                                                 $0.40         $0.37                                $1.52                 $1.20


    (1) Adjusted to reflect two-for-one stock split that occurred on December 20, 2016.


    LOANS BY TYPE (UNAUDITED)

    (In thousands)


                                                           4th Quarter 2016              3rd Quarter 2016 2nd Quarter 2016    1st Quarter 2016            4th Quarter 2015
                                                           ----------------              ---------------- ----------------    ----------------            ----------------

    Commercial, financial and agricultural                                  $1,982,267                           $1,885,315                    $1,892,870                  $1,799,132   $1,760,479

    Real estate - construction                                                 335,085                              292,721                       251,144                     254,254      243,267

    Real estate - mortgage:

                                 Owner-occupied commercial                     1,171,719                            1,138,308                     1,117,514                   1,055,852    1,014,669

                                 1-4 family mortgage                             536,805                              520,394                       494,733                     458,032      444,134

                                 Other mortgage                                  830,683                              740,127                       725,336                     723,542      698,779


    Subtotal: Real estate - mortgage                                         2,539,207                            2,398,829                     2,337,583                   2,237,426    2,157,582

    Consumer                                                                    55,211                               54,957                        54,741                      50,088       55,047
                                                                                ------                               ------                        ------                      ------       ------

    Total loans                                                             $4,911,770                           $4,631,822                    $4,536,338                  $4,340,900   $4,216,375
                                                                            ==========                           ==========                    ==========                  ==========   ==========


    SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE (UNAUDITED)

    (Dollars in thousands)

                                                                                                4th Quarter 2016          3rd Quarter 2016 2nd Quarter 2016           1st Quarter 2016 4th Quarter 2015
                                                                                                ----------------          ---------------- ----------------           ---------------- ----------------

    Allowance for loan losses:

    Beginning balance                                                                                            $48,933                                     $46,998                                      $45,145             $43,419              $42,574

    Loans charged off:

                                                Commercial financial and agricultural                      1,059                                       1,270                                        1,412                  50                2,186

                                                Real estate - construction                                     -                                         79                                          355                 381                  161

                                                Real estate - mortgage                                        45                                         144                                          191                   -                 463

                                                Consumer                                                      82                                          81                                           31                  18                   21

                                                Total charge offs                                          1,186                                       1,574                                        1,989                 449                2,831

    Recoveries:

                                                Commercial financial and agricultural                         10                                          35                                            1                   3                  241

                                                Real estate - construction                                    12                                           9                                           39                  16                   61

                                                Real estate - mortgage                                        46                                           1                                            2                  97                   65

                                                Consumer                                                       3                                           -                                           -                  -                   1

                                                Total recoveries                                              71                                          45                                           42                 116                  368

                                                Net charge-offs                                            1,115                                       1,529                                        1,947                 333                2,463

                                                Provision for loan losses                                  4,075                                       3,464                                        3,800               2,059                3,308


                                                Ending balance                                           $51,893                                     $48,933                                      $46,998             $45,145              $43,419



                                                Allowance for loan losses to total loans                   1.06%                                      1.05%                                       1.04%              1.04%               1.03%

                                                Allowance for loan losses to total average

                                                loans                                                      1.10%                                      1.07%                                       1.06%              1.06%               1.05%

                                                Net charge-offs to total average loans                     0.09%                                      0.13%                                       0.18%              0.03%               0.24%

                                                Provision for loan losses to total average

                                                loans                                                      0.34%                                      0.30%                                       0.34%              0.20%               0.32%

                                                Nonperforming assets:

                                                Nonaccrual loans                                         $10,624                                      $6,647                                       $4,730              $6,133               $7,767

                                                 Loans 90+ days past due and
                                                 accruing                                                  6,263                                          43                                          423                 417                    1

                                                Other real estate owned and

                                                   repossessed assets                                      4,988                                       3,035                                        4,260               4,044                5,392
                                                                                                           -----                                       -----                                        -----               -----                -----

                                                Total                                                    $21,875                                      $9,725                                       $9,413             $10,594              $13,160



                                                Nonperforming loans to total loans                         0.34%                                      0.14%                                       0.11%              0.15%               0.18%

                                                Nonperforming assets to total assets                       0.34%                                      0.16%                                       0.17%              0.20%               0.26%

                                                Nonperforming assets to earning assets                     0.35%                                      0.16%                                       0.17%              0.20%               0.26%

                                                Reserve for loan losses to nonaccrual loans              488.45%                                    736.17%                                     993.62%            736.10%             559.02%


                                                Restructured accruing loans                                 $558                                      $6,738                                       $6,753              $6,763               $6,782


                                                Restructured accruing loans to total loans                 0.01%                                      0.14%                                       0.15%              0.16%               0.16%


                                                TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS (TDRs) (UNAUDITED)

                                                (In thousands)

                                                                                                4th Quarter 2016          3rd Quarter 2016 2nd Quarter 2016           1st Quarter 2016 4th Quarter 2015
                                                                                                ----------------          ---------------- ----------------           ---------------- ----------------

                                                Beginning balance:                                        $6,738                                      $6,753                                       $6,763              $7,736               $8,266

                                                Net (paydowns) / advances                                    554                                        (15)                                        (10)               (19)                (83)

                                                 Transfers to other real estate
                                                 owned                                                         -                                          -                                           -              (954)                   -

                                                Charge-offs                                                    -                                          -                                           -                  -               (447)
                                                                                                             ---                                        ---                                         ---                ---                ----

                                                                                                                   $7,292                                      $6,738                                       $6,753              $6,763               $7,736
                                                                                                                   ======                                      ======                                       ======              ======               ======


    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

    (In thousands except per share data)

                                                                                                                                   4th Quarter       3rd Quarter        2nd Quarter      1st Quarter         4th Quarter
                                                                                                                                          2016               2016                2016              2016                 2015
                                                                                                                                          ----               ----                ----              ----                 ----

    Interest income:

                                                     Interest and fees on loans                                 $52,533       $51,598                          $49,210                $47,247                            $46,150

                                                     Taxable securities                                           1,604         1,107                            1,238                  1,269                              1,058

                                                     Nontaxable securities                                          785           823                              834                    858                                875

                                                     Federal funds sold                                             377           347                              210                     73                                 46

                                                     Other interest and dividends                                   901           816                              558                    514                                322


                                                        Total interest income                                    56,200        54,691                           52,050                 49,961                             48,451


    Interest expense:

                                                     Deposits                                                     5,817         5,358                            4,611                  4,361                              4,294

                                                     Borrowed funds                                               1,274         1,415                            1,548                  1,421                                996


                                                        Total interest expense                                    7,091         6,773                            6,159                  5,782                              5,290


                                                        Net interest income                                      49,109        47,918                           45,891                 44,179                             43,161

    Provision for loan losses                                                                             4,075         3,464                  3,800                   2,059                           3,308
                                                                                                          -----         -----                  -----                   -----                           -----

                                                        Net interest income after provision for loan
                                                         losses                                                  45,034        44,454                           42,091                 42,120                             39,853


    Non-interest income:

                                                     Service charges on deposit accounts                          1,375         1,367                            1,306                  1,307                              1,326

                                                     Mortgage banking                                             1,044         1,112                              901                    668                                620

                                                     Securities gains                                                 -            -                             (3)                     -                                 -

                                                      Increase in cash surrender value life
                                                      insurance                                                     745           770                              655                    624                                630

                                                     Other operating income                                       2,875         1,542                              988                    836                                899


                                                        Total non-interest income                                 6,039         4,791                            3,847                  3,435                              3,475


    Non-interest expense:

                                                     Salaries and employee benefits                              11,197        10,958                           10,733                 11,067                              8,884

                                                     Equipment and occupancy expense                              1,877         2,100                            2,023                  1,985                              1,519

                                                     Professional services                                        1,058         1,182                              999                    738                                706

                                                     FDIC and other regulatory assessments                        1,072           775                              803                    750                                733

                                                     Other real estate owned expense                                 91           178                               41                    449                                324

                                                     Other operating expense                                      6,742         4,969                            4,905                  4,301                              6,836


                                                        Total non-interest expense                               22,037        20,162                           19,504                 19,290                             19,002


                                                        Income before income tax                                 29,036        29,083                           26,434                 26,265                             24,326

    Provision for income tax                                                                              7,298         8,174                  7,558                   6,309                           4,576
                                                                                                          -----         -----                  -----                   -----                           -----

                                                            Net income                                           21,738        20,909                           18,876                 19,956                             19,750

                                                     Dividends on preferred stock                                    24             -                              23                      -                                24


                                                              Net income available to common stockholders       $21,714       $20,909                          $18,853                $19,956                            $19,726


    Basic earnings per common share (1)                                                                   $0.41         $0.40                  $0.36                   $0.38                           $0.38

    Diluted earnings per common share (1)                                                                 $0.40         $0.39                  $0.36                   $0.38                           $0.37


    (1) Adjusted to reflect two-for-one stock split that occurred on December 20, 2016.


    AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND NET INTEREST ANALYSIS (UNAUDITED)

    ON A FULLY TAXABLE-EQUIVALENT BASIS

    (Dollars in thousands)


                                                                                                                                                          4th Quarter 2016                     3rd Quarter 2016                            2nd Quarter 2016                         1st Quarter 2016                             4th Quarter 2015
                                                                                                                                                          ----------------                     ----------------                            ----------------                         ----------------                             ----------------

                                                                                                                                                    Average Balance                Yield /         Average Balance          Yield /                  Average Balance          Yield /                Average Balance                  Yield /         Average Balance        Yield /
                                                                                                                                                                                     Rate                                     Rate                                             Rate                                                     Rate                                   Rate
                                                                                                                                                    ---------------               --------         ---------------         --------                  ---------------         --------                ---------------                 --------         ---------------       --------

    Assets:

    Interest-earning assets:

                                         Loans, net of unearned income (1)

                                         Taxable                                                                                                       $4,676,565                    4.45%                               $4,554,900                            4.47%                                      $4,406,107                      4.47%                             $4,230,057                    4.48%                 $4,113,044                     4.44%

                                         Tax-exempt (2)                                                                                                    26,344                     4.74                                    21,939                             4.37                                           16,315                       4.54                                  10,281                     5.59                       9,639                      4.94
                                                                                                                                                           ------                     ----                                    ------                             ----                                           ------                       ----                                  ------                     ----                       -----                      ----

                                                                             Total loans, net of

                                                                                                     unearned income                                                    4,702,909            4.45                                          4,576,839                    4.47                                                 4,422,422              4.47                                        4,240,338            4.48                            4,122,683             4.44

                                         Mortgage loans held for sale                                                                                       6,271                     3.36                                     6,724                             3.79                                            7,323                       3.62                                   6,084                     4.63                       4,362                      4.27

                                         Debt securities:

                                         Taxable                                                                                                          295,608                     2.17                                   224,825                             2.19                                          208,113                       2.38                                 221,722                     2.29                     193,982                      2.18

                                         Tax-exempt (2)                                                                                                   134,748                     3.54                                   135,272                             3.73                                          135,954                       3.73                                 137,763                     3.79                     139,435                      3.88
                                                                                                                                                          -------                     ----                                   -------                             ----                                          -------                       ----                                 -------                     ----                     -------                      ----

                                                                             Total securities (3)                                                           430,356                     2.60                                   360,097                             2.77                                          344,067                       2.91                                 359,485                     2.86                     333,417                      2.89

                                         Federal funds sold                                                                                               242,211                     0.62                                   217,158                             0.64                                          144,206                       0.59                                  48,390                     0.61                      33,255                      0.55

                                         Restricted equity securities                                                                                       3,042                     8.24                                     5,658                             4.01                                            5,659                       3.62                                   4,962                     3.81                       4,954                      4.24

                                          Interest-bearing balances with
                                          banks                                                                                                           601,143                     0.55                                   590,675                             0.51                                          393,782                       0.52                                 373,339                     0.51                     366,771                      0.29


                                         Total interest-earning assets                                                                                  5,985,932                    3.77%                                5,757,151                            3.81%                                       5,317,459                      3.97%                              5,032,598                    4.03%                  4,865,442                     3.99%

    Non-interest-earning assets:

                                         Cash and due from banks                                                                                           55,593                                                                        58,809                                                                           65,318                                                            61,578                                              62,037

                                         Net premises and equipment                                                                                        30,421                                                                        25,000                                                                           23,241                                                            21,023                                              19,609

                                          Allowance for loan losses,
                                          accrued

                                         interest and other assets                                                                                        140,721                                                                       145,804                                                                          127,640                                                           126,491                                             124,241
                                                                                                                                                          -------                                                                       -------                                                                          -------                                                           -------                                             -------

                                                                             Total assets                                                                $6,212,667                                                                    $5,986,764                                                                       $5,533,658                                                        $5,241,690                                          $5,071,329
                                                                                                                                                         ==========                                                                    ==========                                                                       ==========                                                        ==========                                          ==========


    Interest-bearing liabilities:

                                         Interest-bearing deposits:

                                         Checking                                                                                                        $735,115                    0.37%                                 $696,100                            0.37%                                        $691,776                      0.36%                               $665,039                    0.35%                   $611,521                     0.30%

                                         Savings                                                                                                           51,845                     0.32                                    43,569                             0.30                                           41,546                       0.30                                  41,055                     0.29                      39,590                      0.29

                                         Money market                                                                                                   2,669,513                     0.56                                 2,471,829                             0.55                                        2,105,420                       0.52                               1,979,727                     0.51                   2,048,453                      0.49

                                         Time deposits                                                                                                    527,100                     1.00                                   519,653                             0.99                                          498,151                       1.01                                 507,605                     1.00                     503,217                      1.00


                                          Total interest-bearing
                                          deposits                                                                                                      3,983,573                     0.58                                 3,731,151                             0.57                                        3,336,893                       0.56                               3,193,426                     0.55                   3,202,781                      0.53

                                         Federal funds purchased                                                                                          353,029                     0.63                                   436,415                             0.64                                          505,076                       0.64                                 441,309                     0.64                     295,530                      0.37

                                         Other borrowings                                                                                                  55,315                     5.16                                    55,410                             5.15                                           55,521                       5.20                                  55,630                     5.19                      55,805                      5.11


                                          Total interest-bearing
                                          liabilities                                                                                                   4,391,917                    0.64%                                4,222,976                            0.64%                                       3,897,490                      0.64%                              3,690,365                    0.63%                  3,554,116                     0.59%

    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:

                                         Non-interest-bearing

                                         demand deposits                                                                                                1,289,448                                                                     1,250,139                                                                        1,142,541                                                         1,077,613                                           1,062,795

                                         Other liabilities                                                                                                 14,399                                                                        14,376                                                                           13,301                                                            12,194                                              13,469

                                         Stockholders' equity                                                                                             514,245                                                                       494,248                                                                          475,917                                                           457,218                                             436,928

                                          Unrealized gains on securities
                                          and

                                         derivatives                                                                                                        2,658                                                                         5,025                                                                            4,409                                                             4,300                                               4,021

                                                                             Total liabilities and

                                                                                                     stockholders' equity                                              $6,212,667                                                        $5,986,764                                                                       $5,533,658                                                        $5,241,690                                          $5,071,329
                                                                                                                                                                       ==========                                                        ==========                                                                       ==========                                                        ==========                                          ==========

    Net interest spread                                                                                                                       3.13%                                                                3.18%                                                                     3.34%                                                                    3.40%                                               3.40%

    Net interest margin                                                                                                                       3.30%                                                                3.35%                                                                     3.51%                                                                    3.57%                                               3.56%


                                  (1)   Average loans include loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued.

                                  (2)   Interest income and yields are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 35%.

                                  (3)   Unrealized gains on available-for-sale debt securities are excluded from the yield calculation.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/servisfirst-bancshares-inc-announces-results-for-fourth-quarter-and-year-ended-2016-300398732.html

SOURCE ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.