The First Bancshares, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016. For the quarter, the company reported total interest income was $11,868,000 against $10,417,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $10,692,000 against $9,613,000 a year ago. Net interest income increased $1.1 million in quarterly comparison as interest income earned on a higher volume of loans attributed to this overall increase. Earnings before income taxes were $3,177,000 against $3,231,000 a year ago. Net earnings available to common shareholders were $2,112,000 against $2,723,000 a year ago. Fully diluted earnings per share were $0.30 compared to $0.40 for the fourth quarter of 2015. Annualized return on avg. assets was 0.72% against 0.83% a year ago. Annualized return on avg. common equity, operating was 10.11% against 10.27% a year ago.

For the full year, the company reported total interest income was $44,605,000 against $40,202,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $40,289,000 against $36,995,000 a year ago. Net interest income increased $3.3 million in year-over-year comparison as interest income earned on a higher volume of loans attributed to this overall increase. Earnings before income taxes were $14,048,000 against $12,012,000 a year ago. Net earnings available to common shareholders were $9,666,000 against $8,457,000 a year ago. Fully diluted earnings per share for were $1.64 as compared to $1.55 for 2015. Book value per common share as at December 31, 2016 was $17.19 against $16.05 a year ago.

For the quarter-to-date, the company reported net charge-offs of $58,000.