On January 30, 2024, First Commonwealth Financial Corp (FCF, Financial) released its 8-K filing, announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023. FCF operates in the financial services sector in the United States, offering a wide range of banking services, trust and wealth management, and insurance products through its subsidiary, First Commonwealth Bank.
Financial Performance Overview
FCF reported a record net income of $44.8 million for Q4, an increase from $39.2 million in Q3 and $35.7 million in Q4 of the previous year. Diluted earnings per share also rose to $0.44, compared to $0.38 in both the previous quarter and Q4 2022. These improvements reflect the company's ability to generate earnings amidst a challenging economic environment.
The company's net interest margin (NIM) was 3.65% for Q4, which, although an 11 basis point decrease from the previous quarter, represents a 34 basis point increase from the same quarter in the previous year. This metric is crucial for banks like FCF as it indicates the profitability of their interest-earning assets.
FCF's loan portfolio experienced growth, with total loans increasing by $63.7 million, or an annualized rate of 2.8%, from the previous quarter. This growth was primarily driven by the Equipment Finance and Commercial Construction portfolios, indicating the company's strategic focus on these areas.
Asset Quality and Capital Strength
The provision for credit losses was negative $1.9 million for Q4, a decrease of $7.8 million from the previous quarter, suggesting improved asset quality. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of end-of-period loans was 1.31%, down from 1.51% in the previous quarter.
FCF's capital position remains strong, with a Bank-level Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (CET1) ratio of 11.0%, signifying $420.2 million in excess capital above the regulatory "well capitalized" requirement. This robust capital buffer is essential for the bank's stability and growth prospects.
Dividends and Forward Outlook
The board declared a common stock quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share, representing a 4.2% increase from the fourth quarter of 2022. This dividend announcement underscores the company's commitment to delivering shareholder value.
President and CEO T. Michael Price (Trades, Portfolio) expressed pride in the company's 2023 achievements, overcoming challenges in the deposit gathering environment and expanding the retail franchise. He emphasized the record core earnings per share of $1.70 and a core pre-tax, pre-provision ROAA of 2.00%, indicating strong profitability metrics.
"While the economic outlook remains uncertain going into 2024, we will remain focused on building on this positive momentum and continuing to live out our mission to improve the financial lives of our neighbors and their businesses," stated T. Michael Price (Trades, Portfolio).
FCF's financial achievements in 2023, including record net income and EPS, along with a strong capital position and asset quality, position the company well for the uncertain economic climate of 2024. The increased dividend reflects confidence in the company's financial health and its strategy for delivering value to shareholders.
For more detailed information, investors and stakeholders are encouraged to review the full 8-K filing.
Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from First Commonwealth Financial Corp for further details.
