Southern States Bancshares, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights

  • Linked quarter loan growth was 36.3% annualized, or 40.9% annualized, excluding the impact of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans
  • Net income of $4.1 million, or $0.44 per diluted share; return on average assets (ROAA) of 0.99%; return on average stockholders’ equity (ROAE) of 9.15%; and return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE)(1) of 10.22%
  • Core net income(1) of $4.3 million, or $0.47 per diluted share; core ROAA(1) of 1.04%; and core ROATCE(1) of 10.72%

(1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

ANNISTON, Ala., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Southern States Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSBK) (“Southern States” or the “Company”), the holding company for Southern States Bank, an Alabama state-chartered commercial bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $4.1 million, or $0.44 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. This compares to net income of $4.9 million, or $0.58 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2023, and net income of $3.3 million, or $0.43 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company reported core net income of $4.3 million, or $0.47 diluted core earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. This compares to core net income of $4.0 million, or $0.48 diluted core earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2023, and core net income of $3.4 million, or $0.43 diluted core earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020 (see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures”).

Stephen Whatley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Southern States, said, “Our execution on the strategies that have made Southern States a consistently high performing growth bank drove our strong 2023 performance. Our experienced bankers with deep ties to their attractive markets produced loan growth, excluding PPP loans, of 28.8% for the year, punctuated by annualized growth of 40.9% in the fourth quarter. Importantly, our asset quality metrics improved in 2023, reflecting our disciplined growth philosophy. Our nonperforming loans were down from the prior year to just 0.16% of gross loans. We successfully completed our initial public offering while building a healthy loan pipeline to begin 2023, and we are well-positioned to further enhance our franchise and create long-term value for our shareholders.”

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $14.1 million, an increase of 3.3% from $13.6 million for the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in interest-earning assets.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2020, net interest income increased $2.8 million, or 25.3%. The increase was substantially the result of an increase in interest-earning assets.

Net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 3.68%, compared to 3.77% for the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily the result of a decline in the yield on interest-earning assets.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2020, net interest margin decreased from 3.73%. The decrease was primarily the result of a decline in the yield on interest-earning assets that more than offset a decline in the cost of funds.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $1.8 million, a decrease of 30.2% from $2.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. The third quarter 2023 results included a bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) death benefit claim of $742,000 and a $189,000 net gain on securities.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2020, noninterest income increased 7.7% from $1.6 million. In comparing the quarters, there was a decline in swap fees from the fourth quarter of 2020 that was more than offset by gains on the sales of SBA loans.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $9.6 million, an increase of 4.6% from $9.2 million for the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to legal fees and net losses related to OREO properties.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2020, noninterest expense increased 13.8% from $8.4 million. The increase was primarily attributable to higher salaries and employee benefits expense as production personnel were added in the Georgia market, an increase in public company expenses, an increase in legal fees and the net OREO losses.

Loan Portfolio

Total loans outstanding, before allowance for loan losses, were $1.3 billion at December 31, 2023, compared with $1.1 billion at September 30, 2023 and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2020. The $104.9 million increase in loans from September 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to an increase in commercial real estate loans.

PPP loans outstanding were $9.2 million at December 31, 2023, compared with $20.3 million and $66.6 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Excluding the impact of PPP loans forgiven by the SBA, total gross loans increased during the fourth quarter by $115.9 million, or 40.9% annualized, to $1.2 billion.

Deposits

Total deposits were $1.6 billion at December 31, 2023, compared with $1.3 billion at September 30, 2023 and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2020. The $220.1 million increase in total deposits from September 30, 2023 was due to increases of $161.4 million in noninterest-bearing and $58.7 million in interest-bearing accounts. The increase in non-interest checking was enhanced by approximately $100.0 million received from two customers that will likely be on deposit short-term.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming loans totaled $2.0 million, or 0.16% of gross loans, at December 31, 2023, compared with $3.3 million, or 0.29% of gross loans, at September 30, 2023, and $3.5 million, or 0.34% of gross loans, at December 31, 2020. The $1.3 million decrease in nonperforming loans from September 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to the sale of construction and development loans from one borrower. The $1.5 million reduction in nonperforming loans from December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to one construction and development loan and one residential mortgage loan that were both paid off and one commercial real estate loan that was moved back to accrual status.

Net recoveries for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $15,000, or 0.00% of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to net recoveries of $8,000, or 0.00% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the third quarter of 2023, and net charge-offs of $857,000, or 0.34% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2020.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses was 1.19% of total loans and 752.74% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2023, compared with 1.23% of total loans and 426.15% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2023.

OREO totaled $2.9 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $10.1 million at September 30, 2023 and $10.2 million at December 31, 2020. The decrease was substantially due to the sale of a large commercial parcel during December 2023.

About Southern States Bancshares, Inc.

Headquartered in Anniston, Alabama, Southern States Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company that operates primarily through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Southern States Bank. The Bank is a full service community banking institution, which offers an array of deposit, loan and other banking-related products and services to businesses and individuals in its communities. The Bank operates 15 branches in Alabama and Georgia and a loan production office in Atlanta.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. This may be especially true given the current COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty about its continuation. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the dates made, we cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove correct and actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 under the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.

These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “can,” “should,” “could,” “to be,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “likely,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “target,” “project,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other similar words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this earnings release and may include statements about business strategy and prospects for growth, operations, ability to pay dividends, competition, regulation and general economic conditions.

Contact Information:
Lynn Joyce
(205) 820-8065
[email protected]

Matthew Keating
(310) 622-8230
[email protected]

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In thousands, except share amounts)
           
  December 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
  September 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
  December 31, 2020
(Audited)
Assets          
Cash and due from banks $ 6,397     $ 19,000     $ 23,229  
Interest-bearing deposits in banks   203,537       114,800       51,503  
Federal funds sold   74,022       44,022       10,175  
Total cash and cash equivalents   283,956       177,822       84,907  
           
Securities available for sale, at fair value   132,172       113,317       114,001  
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost   19,672       19,678        
Other equity securities, at fair value   9,232       9,227       5,017  
Restricted equity securities, at cost   2,600       2,600       3,224  
Loans held for sale   2,400       2,097       5,696  
           
Loans, net of unearned income   1,250,300       1,145,447       1,030,115  
Less allowance for loan losses   14,844       14,097       11,859  
Loans, net   1,235,456       1,131,350       1,018,256  
           
Premises and equipment, net   27,044       25,916       24,426  
Accrued interest receivable   4,170       3,933       4,243  
Bank owned life insurance   22,201       22,081       22,458  
Annuities   12,888       12,968       12,903  
Foreclosed assets   2,930       10,146       10,224  
Goodwill   16,862       16,862       16,862  
Core deposit intangible   1,500       1,566       1,764  
Other assets   9,887       9,499       8,525  
           
Total assets $ 1,782,970     $ 1,559,062     $ 1,332,506  
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
           
Liabilities:          
Deposits:          
Noninterest-bearing $ 541,546     $ 380,111     $ 290,867  
Interest-bearing   1,014,905       956,211       848,794  
Total deposits   1,556,451       1,336,322       1,139,661  
           
Other borrowings   12,498       12,498       7,975  
FHLB advances   25,950       26,900       30,900  
Subordinated notes               4,493  
Accrued interest payable   132       125       278  
Other liabilities   10,741       8,996       8,543  
Total liabilities   1,605,772       1,384,841       1,191,850  
           
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In thousands, except share amounts)
           
  December 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
  September 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
  December 31, 2020
(Audited)
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock   45,064       45,064       38,391  
Capital surplus   80,640       80,547       65,327  
Retained earnings   49,858       46,611       34,183  
Accumulated other comprehensive income   2,113       2,600       3,194  
Unvested restricted stock   (477 )     (601 )     (439 )
           
Total stockholders’ equity   177,198       174,221       140,656  
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,782,970     $ 1,559,062     $ 1,332,506  
           
Shares issued and outstanding   9,012,857       9,012,857       7,678,195  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                   
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended December 31,
  December 31,
2021
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
    2021       2020
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Audited)
Interest income:                  
Loans, including fees $ 14,280     $ 13,923   $ 12,209   $ 54,709     $ 47,786
Taxable securities   459       402     377     1,593       1,317
Nontaxable securities   294       266     190     1,023       643
Other interest and dividends   138       143     49     452       539
Total interest income   15,171       14,734     12,825     57,777       50,285
                   
Interest expense:                  
Deposits   955       1,034     1,363     4,310       7,854
Other borrowings   120       60     212     554       854
Total interest expense   1,075       1,094     1,575     4,864       8,708
                   
Net interest income   14,096       13,640     11,250     52,913       41,577
Provision for loan losses   732       750     600     2,982       3,300
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   13,364       12,890     10,650     49,931       38,277
                   
Noninterest income:                  
Service charges on deposit accounts   428       403     369     1,528       1,458
Swap fees   (6 )     101     342     931       1,405
SBA/USDA fees   533       130     47     3,968       756
Mortgage origination fees   269       393     309     1,465       1,529
Net gain (loss) on securities   (40 )     189         (57 )     742
Other operating income   567       1,293     559     2,968       2,651
Total noninterest income   1,751       2,509     1,626     10,803       8,541
                   
Noninterest expenses:                  
Salaries and employee benefits   5,563       5,517     4,964     21,667       18,765
Equipment and occupancy expenses   943       908     922     3,640       3,682
Data processing fees   563       524     496     2,128       1,836
Regulatory assessments   263       248     252     952       775
Other operating expenses   2,280       1,988     1,813     8,048       7,127
Total noninterest expenses   9,612       9,185     8,447     36,435       32,185
                   
Income before income taxes   5,503       6,214     3,829     24,299       14,633
                   
Income tax expense   1,445       1,293     514     5,732       2,526
                   
Net income $ 4,058     $ 4,921   $ 3,315   $ 18,567     $ 12,107
                   
Basic earnings per share $ 0.45     $ 0.59   $ 0.43   $ 2.26     $ 1.58
                   
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.44     $ 0.58   $ 0.43   $ 2.23     $ 1.56

The following table provides an analysis of the allowance for loan losses as of the dates indicated.

  Three Months Ended   Year Ended December 31,
  December 31,
2021
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
    2021       2020  
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
                   
Average loans, net of unearned income $ 1,191,688     $ 1,122,741     $ 1,008,501     $ 1,118,386     $ 954,598  
Loans, net of unearned income $ 1,250,300     $ 1,145,447     $ 1,030,115     $ 1,250,300     $ 1,030,115  
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of the period $ 14,097     $ 13,339     $ 12,116     $ 11,859     $ 9,265  
Charge-offs:                  
Construction and development               23             23  
Residential               42       44       90  
Commercial               794             794  
Commercial and industrial                            
Consumer and other               4       2       19  
Total charge-offs               863       46       926  
Recoveries:                  
Construction and development                            
Residential   13       7       2       25       11  
Commercial                            
Commercial and industrial   1       1       2       15       124  
Consumer and other   1             2       9       85  
Total recoveries   15       8       6       49       220  
Net charge-offs (recovery) $ (15 )   $ (8 )   $ 857     $ (3 )   $ 706  
                   
Provision for loan losses $ 732     $ 750     $ 600     $ 2,982     $ 3,300  
Balance at end of period $ 14,844     $ 14,097     $ 11,859     $ 14,844     $ 11,859  
Ratio of allowance to end of period loans   1.19 %     1.23 %     1.15 %     1.19 %     1.15 %
Ratio of net charge-offs (recovery) to average loans   0.00 %     0.00 %     0.08 %     0.00 %     0.07 %
                   
                   

The following table sets forth the allocation of the Company’s nonperforming assets among different asset categories as of the dates indicated. Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans plus OREO and repossessed property. Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more.

  December 31,
2021
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
           
Nonaccrual loans $ 1,972     $ 3,308     $ 3,418  
Past due loans 90 days or more and still accruing interest               91  
Total nonperforming loans   1,972       3,308       3,509  
OREO   2,930       10,146       10,224  
Total nonperforming assets $ 4,902     $ 13,454     $ 13,733  
           
Troubled debt restructured loans – nonaccrual(1)   940       1,041       479  
Troubled debt restructured loans – accruing   1,072       1,085       1,275  
Total troubled debt restructured loans $ 2,012     $ 2,126     $ 1,754  
           
Allowance for loan losses $ 14,844     $ 14,097     $ 11,859  
Gross loans outstanding at the end of period $ 1,254,117     $ 1,149,340     $ 1,033,733  
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans   1.18 %     1.23 %     1.15 %
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans   752.74 %     426.15 %     337.96 %
Nonperforming loans to gross loans   0.16 %     0.29 %     0.34 %
Nonperforming assets to gross loans and OREO   0.39 %     1.16 %     1.32 %
           
Nonaccrual loans by category:          
Real Estate:          
Construction & Development $ 645     $ 1,972     $ 977  
Residential Mortgages   362       339       857  
Commercial Real Estate Mortgages   674       690       1,478  
Commercial & Industrial   285       300       84  
Consumer and other   6       7       22  
  $ 1,972     $ 3,308     $ 3,418  
                       

(1) Troubled debt restructured loans are excluded from nonperforming loans unless they otherwise meet the definition of nonaccrual loans or are more than 90 days past due.

The following tables show the average outstanding balance of each principal category of our assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, together with the average yields on our assets and average costs of our liabilities for the periods indicated. Yields and costs are calculated by dividing the annualized income or expense by the average daily balances of the corresponding assets or liabilities for the same period.

  Three Months Ended
  December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023   December 31, 2020
  Average
Balance
  Interest   Yield/Rate   Average
Balance
  Interest   Yield/Rate   Average
Balance
  Interest   Yield/Rate
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
Assets:                                  
Interest-earning assets:                                  
Gross loans, net of unearned income(1) $ 1,191,688     $ 14,280   4.75 %   $ 1,122,741     $ 13,923   4.92 %   $ 1,008,501     $ 12,209   4.82 %
Taxable securities   86,292     $ 459   2.11 %     76,612       402   2.08 %     75,128       377   2.00 %
Nontaxable securities   53,909     $ 294   2.16 %     48,162       266   2.20 %     28,483       190   2.65 %
Other interest-earnings assets   187,601     $ 138   0.29 %     189,131       143   0.30 %     87,151       49   0.23 %
Total interest-earning assets $ 1,519,490     $ 15,171   3.96 %   $ 1,436,646     $ 14,734   4.07 %   $ 1,199,263     $ 12,825   4.25 %
Allowance for loan losses   (14,421 )             (13,645 )             (12,018 )        
Noninterest-earning assets   123,735               125,870               117,031          
Total Assets $ 1,628,804             $ 1,548,871             $ 1,304,276          
                                   
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:                                  
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                  
Interest-bearing transaction accounts   101,863       25   0.10 %     98,203       24   0.10 %     86,098       53   0.25 %
Savings and money market accounts   599,948       625   0.41 %     565,861       665   0.47 %     396,928       613   0.61 %
Time deposits   263,646       305   0.46 %     290,460       345   0.47 %     339,397       697   0.82 %
FHLB advances   25,950       22   0.34 %     31,520       34   0.43 %     24,204       52   0.86 %
Other borrowings   12,498       98   3.11 %     6,652       26   1.57 %     12,657       160   5.02 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 1,003,905     $ 1,075   0.42 %   $ 992,696     $ 1,094   0.44 %   $ 859,284     $ 1,575   0.73 %
                                   
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                                  
Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 439,142             $ 384,207             $ 297,995          
Other liabilities   9,844               9,663               7,948          
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities $ 448,986             $ 393,870             $ 305,943          
Stockholders’ Equity   175,913               162,305               139,049          
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 1,628,804             $ 1,548,871             $ 1,304,276          
                                   
Net interest income     $ 14,096           $ 13,640           $ 11,250    
Net interest spread(2)         3.54 %           3.63 %           3.52 %
Net interest margin(3)         3.68 %           3.77 %           3.73 %

(1)   Includes nonaccrual loans.
(2)   Net interest spread is the difference between interest rates earned on interest earning assets and interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)   Net interest margin is a ratio of net interest income to average interest earning assets for the same period.  

  Year Ended
  December 31, 2023   December 31, 2020
  Average
Balance
  Interest   Yield/Rate   Average
Balance
  Interest   Yield/Rate
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
Assets:                      
Interest-earning assets:                      
Gross loans, net of unearned income(1) $ 1,118,386     $ 54,709   4.89 %   $ 954,598     $ 47,786   5.01 %
Taxable securities   77,281       1,593   2.06 %     62,105       1,317   2.12 %
Nontaxable securities   45,144       1,023   2.27 %     21,881       643   2.94 %
Other interest-earnings assets   158,243       452   0.29 %     102,214       539   0.53 %
Total interest-earning assets $ 1,399,054     $ 57,777   4.13 %   $ 1,140,798     $ 50,285   4.41 %
Allowance for loan losses   (13,276 )             (10,636 )        
Noninterest-earning assets   124,336               111,278          
Total Assets $ 1,510,114             $ 1,241,440          
                       
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:                      
Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
Interest-bearing transaction accounts   96,503       91   0.09 %     82,407       184   0.22 %
Savings and money market accounts   527,484       2,680   0.51 %     369,833       2,901   0.78 %
Time deposits   298,883       1,539   0.51 %     354,124       4,769   1.35 %
FHLB advances   30,636       143   0.47 %     21,448       179   0.83 %
Other borrowings   11,097       411   3.72 %     12,523       675   5.39 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 964,603     $ 4,864   0.50 %   $ 840,335     $ 8,708   1.04 %
                       
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                      
Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 378,868             $ 259,962          
Other liabilities   9,366               7,202          
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities $ 388,234             $ 267,164          
Stockholders’ Equity   157,277               133,941          
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 1,510,114             $ 1,241,440          
                       
Net interest income       52,913           $ 41,577    
Net interest spread(2)         3.63 %           3.37 %
Net interest margin(3)         3.78 %           3.64 %

(1)   Includes nonaccrual loans.
(2)   Net interest spread is the difference between interest rates earned on interest earning assets and interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)   Net interest margin is a ratio of net interest income to average interest earning assets for the same period.

                   
Per Share Information Three Months Ended   Year Ended December 31,
  December 31,
2021
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
    2021       2020  
   
  (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                   
Net income $ 4,058     $ 4,921     $ 3,315     $ 18,567     $ 12,107  
Earnings per share – basic $ 0.45     $ 0.59     $ 0.43     $ 2.26     $ 1.58  
Earnings per share – diluted $ 0.44     $ 0.58     $ 0.43     $ 2.23     $ 1.56  
                   
Weighted average shares outstanding   9,012,857       8,354,860       7,674,756       8,198,188       7,673,085  
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding   9,125,872       8,467,460       7,770,142       8,316,536       7,765,863  
Shares issued and outstanding   9,012,857       9,012,857       7,678,195       9,012,857       7,678,195  
                   
Total stockholders’ equity $ 177,198       174,221     $ 140,656     $ 177,198     $ 140,656  
Book value per share $ 19.66     $ 19.33     $ 18.32     $ 19.66     $ 18.32  
                   
                   
Performance Ratios Three Months Ended   Year Ended December 31,
  December 31,
2021
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
    2021       2020  
                   
Net interest margin   3.68 %     3.77 %     3.73 %     3.78 %     3.64 %
Net interest spread   3.54 %     3.63 %     3.52 %     3.63 %     3.37 %
Efficiency ratio   60.50 %     57.55 %     65.61 %     57.13 %     65.18 %
Return on average assets   0.99 %     1.26 %     1.01 %     1.23 %     0.98 %
Return on average stockholders’ equity   9.15 %     12.03 %     9.48 %     11.80 %     9.49 %
                   
                   
                   
                   
Core and PPP Loans December 31,
2021
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
           
Core loans 1,244,914     $ 1,129,075     $ 967,177  
PPP loans 9,203       20,265       66,556  
Unearned income (3,817 )     (3,893 )     (3,618 )
Loans, net of unearned income 1,250,300       1,145,447       1,030,115  
Allowance for loan losses (14,844 )     (14,097 )     (11,859 )
Loans, net 1,235,456     $ 1,131,350     $ 1,018,256  
                     

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company reports non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release and other disclosures. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors since these measures permit investors to view our performance using the same tools that our management uses to evaluate our performance. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating our performance, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
                   
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended December 31,
  December 31,
2021
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
    2021       2020  
   
  (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                   
Net income $ 4,058     $ 4,921     $ 3,315     $ 18,567     $ 12,107  
Add: Merger expenses                            
Add: Net OREO write-downs (gains)   227             51       219       844  
Less: Gain on sale of USDA loan                     2,806        
Less: BOLI death benefits         742             742       615  
Less: Gain (loss) on securities   (40 )     189             (57 )     742  
Less: Tax effect   69       (52 )     12       (661 )     25  
Core net income $ 4,256     $ 4,042     $ 3,354     $ 15,956     $ 11,569  
Average assets $ 1,628,804     $ 1,548,871     $ 1,304,276     $ 1,510,114     $ 1,241,440  
Core return on average assets   1.04 %     1.04 %     1.02 %     1.06 %     0.93 %
                   
Net income $ 4,058     $ 4,921     $ 3,315     $ 18,567     $ 12,107  
Add: Merger expenses                            
Add: Net OREO write-downs (gains)   227             51       219       844  
Add: Provision   732       750       600       2,982       3,300  
Less: Gain on sale of USDA loan                     2,806        
Less: BOLI death benefits         742             742       615  
Less: Gain (loss) on securities   (40 )     189             (57 )     742  
Add: Income taxes   1,445       1,293       514       5,732       2,526  
Pretax pre-provision core net income $ 6,502     $ 6,033     $ 4,480     $ 24,009     $ 17,420  
Average assets $ 1,628,804     $ 1,548,871     $ 1,304,276     $ 1,510,114     $ 1,241,440  
Pretax pre-provision core return on average assets   1.58 %     1.55 %     1.37 %     1.59 %     1.40 %
                   
Total stockholders’ equity $ 177,198     $ 174,221     $ 140,656     $ 177,198     $ 140,656  
Less: Intangible assets   18,362       18,428       18,626       18,362       18,626  
Tangible common equity $ 158,836     $ 155,793     $ 122,030     $ 158,836     $ 122,030  
                   
Core net income $ 4,256     $ 4,042     $ 3,354     $ 15,956     $ 11,569  
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding   9,125,872       8,467,460       7,770,142       8,316,536       7,765,863  
Diluted core earnings per share $ 0.47     $ 0.48     $ 0.43     $ 1.92     $ 1.49  
                   
Common shares outstanding at year or period end   9,012,857       9,012,857       7,678,195       9,012,857       7,678,195  
Tangible book value per share $ 17.62     $ 17.29     $ 15.89     $ 17.62     $ 15.89  
                   
                   
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
                   
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended December 31,
  December 31,
2021
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
    2021       2020  
   
  (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                   
Total assets at end of period $ 1,782,970     $ 1,559,062     $ 1,332,506     $ 1,782,970     $ 1,332,506  
Less: Intangible assets   18,362       18,428       18,626       18,362       18,626  
Adjusted assets at end of period $ 1,764,608     $ 1,540,634     $ 1,313,880     $ 1,764,608     $ 1,313,880  
Tangible common equity to tangible assets   9.00 %     10.11 %     9.29 %     9.00 %     9.29 %
                   
Total average stockholders’ equity $ 175,913     $ 162,305     $ 139,049       157,277       133,941  
Less: Average intangible assets   18,402       18,470       18,664       18,501       18,764  
Average tangible common equity $ 157,511     $ 143,835     $ 120,385     $ 138,776     $ 115,177  
Net income to common shareholders $ 4,058     $ 4,921     $ 3,315     $ 18,567     $ 12,107  
Return on average tangible common equity   10.22 %     13.57 %     10.95 %     13.38 %     10.51 %
Average tangible common equity $ 157,511     $ 143,835     $ 120,385     $ 138,776     $ 115,177  
Core net income $ 4,256     $ 4,042     $ 3,354     $ 15,956     $ 11,569  
Core return on average tangible common equity   10.72 %     11.15 %     11.08 %     11.50 %     10.04 %
                   
Net interest income $ 14,096     $ 13,640       11,250       52,913       41,577  
Add: Noninterest income   1,751       2,509       1,626       10,803       8,541  
Less: Gain on sale of USDA loan                     2,806        
Less: BOLI death benefits         742             742       615  
Less: Gain (loss) on securities   (40 )     189             (57 )     742  
Operating revenue $ 15,887     $ 15,218     $ 12,876     $ 60,225     $ 48,761  
                   
Expenses:                  
Total noninterest expense $ 9,612     $ 9,185     $ 8,447       36,435       32,185  
Less: Merger expenses                            
Less: Net OREO write-down (gains)   227             51       219       844  
Adjusted noninterest expenses $ 9,385     $ 9,185     $ 8,396     $ 36,216     $ 31,341  
Core efficiency ratio   59.07 %     60.36 %     65.21 %     60.13 %     64.27 %
                                       

Southern States Bancshares Inc