First Citizens BancShares Inc. reports earnings for the quarter ending March 31, 2009, of $8.7 million compared to $32.4 million for the corresponding period of 2008, according to Frank B. Holding Jr., chairman of the board. The decrease in net income during 2009 was the result of lower net interest income and noninterest income and higher provision for credit losses and noninterest expense.
Per share income for the first quarter 2009 totaled $0.83, compared to $3.10 for the same period a year ago. First Citizens’ current quarter results generated an annualized return on average assets of 0.21% and an annualized return on average equity of 2.44%, compared to respective returns of 0.80% and 8.88% for the same period of 2008.
First quarter net interest income decreased $6.3 million, or 5.1% from the same period of 2008, due to a 31 basis point decline in the net yield on interest-earning assets. On a linked quarter basis, the taxable-equivalent net yield on interest-earning assets for the first quarter of 2009 contracted by 19 basis points. Increased balance sheet liquidity caused by a material influx of deposits and downward rate adjustments to the Equity Line portfolio during the first quarter of 2009 contributed to the net yield reduction.
Interest-earning assets averaged $15.4 billion during the first quarter of 2009, an increase of $721.4 million over the first quarter of 2008, primarily due to loan growth. Average loans outstanding increased $698.2 million or 6.4% since the first quarter of 2008. As a result of interest rate reductions affecting all asset classes, the taxable-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets declined from 6.00% during the first quarter of 2008 to 4.76% during the first quarter of 2009, a 124 basis point decrease.
Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $287.3 million, or 2.3% during the first quarter of 2009, related to higher levels of deposits and long-term obligations, partially offset by lower short-term borrowings. The rate on interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 104 basis points from 3.10% during the first quarter of 2008 to 2.06% during the same period of 2009.
The provision for credit losses equaled $18.7 million during the first quarter of 2009, an $8.6 million or 85.0% increase over the same period of 2008. The higher provision for credit losses resulted principally from higher net charge-offs, which amounted to $14.0 million during the first quarter of 2009, compared to $5.3 million during the first quarter of 2008. Charge-offs increased among all loan categories, including a $2.2 million and $1.3 million increase respectively in charge-offs on residential construction loans and unsecured revolving loans. On an annualized basis, net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2009 represented 0.49% of average loans and leases compared to 0.19% for the same period of 2008. Nonperforming assets totaled $98.8 million at March 31, 2009, compared to $71.7 million at December 31, 2008, and $43.2 million at March 31, 2008, due primarily to increased nonaccrual residential construction loan balances.
Noninterest income totaled $71.5 million during the first quarter of 2009, a $12.6 million or 15.0 percent decrease from 2008, largely due to an $8.1 million securities gain that was recognized during 2008. Income derived from wealth advisory services declined $2.4 million, or 18.3 percent in 2009, primarily due to a reduction in the market value of assets under management. Cardholder and merchant services income fell $1.6 million and deposit service charges declined $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2009, while improvements were noted in mortgage income, ATM income and fees from processing services.
Noninterest expense equaled $156.3 million during the first quarter of 2009, an increase of $10.7 million or 7.3%. Salaries and wages increased $2.8 million, or 4.4% over the same period of 2008, the result of additional staff and merit increases. FDIC insurance expense increased $3.5 million in 2009, due to higher rates paid by all insured banks. FDIC insurance expense will continue to exceed 2008 levels throughout 2009 and could increase significantly if a special assessment is imposed on insured banks. The first quarter of 2008 included a $3.3 million reversal of Visa member bank liabilities that were accrued in 2007 but settled in 2008. Employee benefits declined $864,000, or 4.8% during the first quarter of 2009, due to a $3.1 million decline in executive retirement costs as compared to the first quarter of 2008, partially offset by higher health costs and pension expense.
As of March 31, 2009, First Citizens BancShares had total assets of $17.2 billion. BancShares’ banking subsidiaries, First Citizens Bank and IronStone Bank, provide a broad range of financial services to individuals, businesses, professionals and the medical community through a network of 402 branch offices, telephone banking, online banking and ATMs.
D.C.