LEXINGTON, S.C., Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- First Community Corporation (Nasdaq: FCCO) (the "Company" or "First Community"), the holding company for First Community Bank, announced today the closing of its acquisition of Signature Bank of Georgia ("Signature Bank"), effective January 8, 2026 (the "Merger"). Following completion of the Merger, Signature Bank was merged with and into First Community Bank. Immediately following the completion of the Merger, the former offices of Signature Bank acquired in th ...

LEXINGTON, S.C., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, First Community Corporation (Nasdaq: FCCO), the holding company for First Community Bank, announced the company's earnings release schedule for 2026.             Fourth Quarter of 2025 on Wednesday, January 28, 2026            First Quarter of 2026 on Wednesday, April 22, 2026            Second Quarter of 2026 on Wednesday, July 22, 2026            Third Quarter of 2026 on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 The releases will be issued at approximately 9:00 am ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Horizon Bancorp's net interest margin expanded for the eighth consecutive quarter, reaching 3.52% in Q3, with an exit run rate above 4% in September [5][17][20] - The company reported a net loan total for investment of $162 million, with a $210 million impact from the runoff and sale of indirect auto loans [10][12] - The allowance for credit losses decreased to $50.2 million, representing 1.04% of loans held for investment, with a net release of $3.6 million in provisions [12][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Commercial loans grew by $58 million in Q3, representing a 7% annualized increase, while residential mortgage lending volumes remained flat [10][11] - The combined relationship-based fee income categories, including service charges and card income, showed an increase from the previous quarter [5][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced predicted outflows in higher-cost non-core transactional accounts as part of its balance sheet restructuring plan [5][14] - Non-interest income was impacted by a $299 million loss in the sale of securities and a $7.7 million loss on the sale of the indirect auto loan portfolio [21][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Horizon Bancorp is focused on creating durable returns and sustainable long-term value for shareholders through disciplined capital management and profitable growth strategies [6][30] - The company plans to pursue M&A opportunities that are accretive to its community banking platform, with a focus on franchises that enhance profitability [35][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in delivering superior community banking performance and capital generation metrics moving into 2026 [6][30] - The outlook for Q4 includes expectations for net interest margin expansion to 4.15% to 4.25%, with total reported expenses approximating $40 million [27][28] Other Important Information - The company has made significant improvements in its deposit portfolio, enhancing growth and stability in core client relationships [14][15] - The effective tax rate for Q4 is expected to be in the range of 18% to 20%, reflecting stronger pre-tax income [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on the new narrative for Horizon Bancorp Inc. - Management indicated that the company is positioned to generate capital at a greater pace and will focus on measured deployment strategies for profitable growth [34][35] Question: Criteria for potential M&A opportunities - M&A will focus on franchises that add to the current profitable franchise, with potential targets in Michigan and Indiana [36][39] Question: Balance sheet's rate neutrality - Management acknowledged a modest asset sensitivity but emphasized that the balance sheet is designed to be rate neutral [42] Question: Trends in credit quality and areas of stress - Non-performing loans increased slightly, but management noted that the overall credit profile remains strong, with no significant areas of concern [58][61] Question: Loan growth outlook for 2026 - The company anticipates mid-single-digit loan growth driven primarily by commercial lending, with no immediate need for significant headcount increases [70][71]

Financial Performance - First Community Corporation reported net income of $5.192 million for Q3 2025, a 34.5% increase year-over-year and flat compared to Q2 2025 [2][5] - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.67 for Q3 2025, unchanged from Q2 2025 but up 34.0% year-over-year [2][5] - Year-to-date net income through September 30, 2025, was $14.375 million, a 47.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [3][5] Capital Management - The Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.16 per share for Q3 2025, marking the 95th consecutive quarter of dividends [4][5] - A share repurchase plan of up to $7.5 million was approved, representing approximately 4.6% of total shareholders' equity as of September 30, 2025 [4] Asset Quality - The non-performing assets ratio was 0.04% of total assets, with a total past due ratio of 0.07% of total loans as of September 30, 2025 [4][5] - Net charge-offs during Q3 2025 were $13 thousand, indicating strong credit quality metrics [5][10] Loan and Deposit Growth - Total loans increased by $19.3 million in Q3 2025, reflecting a 6.1% annualized growth rate [4][5] - Total deposits rose by $17.1 million during Q3 2025, with customer deposits increasing by $27.6 million, a 6.3% annualized growth rate [4][5] Investment Portfolio - The investment portfolio was valued at $501.3 million as of September 30, 2025, with a yield of 3.41% [6] - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss improved to $20.2 million from $21.9 million in the previous quarter [6] Non-Interest Income - Total non-interest income for Q3 2025 was $4.469 million, a 6.3% increase from Q2 2025 and a 25.2% increase year-over-year [8][10] Regulatory Capital Ratios - As of September 30, 2025, the bank's regulatory capital ratios exceeded the well-capitalized minimum levels, with a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 13.10% [4][15]

Core Points - Hilltop Holdings Inc. will host a live webcast and conference call on October 24, 2025, to review its third quarter 2025 financial results [1][2] - The company is a Dallas-based financial holding company providing business and consumer banking services through PlainsCapital Bank and residential mortgage lending via PrimeLending [3] - Hilltop Holdings has approximately 3,600 employees and operates 312 locations across 47 states as of September 30, 2025 [3] Company Overview - Hilltop Holdings is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HTH" [3] - The company has broker-dealer subsidiaries, Hilltop Securities Inc. and Momentum Independent Network Inc., offering a range of securities brokerage and investment banking services [3] - The company recently announced a dual listing of its common stock on NYSE Texas, emphasizing its strong operational roots in Texas [6]

Core Viewpoint - First Community Corporation has announced a definitive merger agreement to acquire Signature Bank of Georgia in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $41.6 million, based on First Community's stock price as of July 11, 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The merger will result in a combined company with approximately $2.3 billion in total assets, $2.0 billion in total deposits, and $1.5 billion in total loans at closing [2]. - The merger will create a banking company with 23 offices across various regions, including South Carolina and Georgia [2]. - The transaction is expected to close in early Q1 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals [2]. Group 2: Strategic Benefits - The merger is seen as a strategic move to expand into the Sandy Springs/Atlanta area, enhancing First Community's market presence [3]. - Signature Bank's expertise in SBA lending is expected to complement First Community's focus on supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs [3]. - The merger is projected to enhance First Community's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio by approximately 35 basis points, resulting in a pro forma ratio of 7.45% [3]. Group 3: Financial Projections - The merger is anticipated to be accretive to First Community's earnings per share by approximately 4.4% in 2026 [3]. - The transaction structure includes a tangible book value dilution of approximately 2.6%, with an earnback period of 2.2 years [3]. - The internal rate of return on the deal is estimated at approximately 27.6%, indicating strong financial merits [3]. Group 4: Leadership and Governance - Signature's Chairman and CEO, Freddie J. Deutsch, will take on the role of Regional Market President and Director of Specialty Business Lending at First Community Bank [4]. - Key members of Signature's leadership team will continue with First Community Bank, and two current Signature directors will join First Community's Board of Directors [4]. Group 5: Advisory and Legal Support - First Community was advised by Hovde Group, LLC as financial advisor and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP as legal counsel [5]. - Signature was advised by Olsen Palmer LLC as financial advisor and Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP as legal counsel [5].

Core Insights - First Community Corporation reported a net income of $3.997 million for Q1 2025, with diluted earnings per share of $0.51, reflecting a year-over-year increase from $2.597 million and $0.34 per share, but a decrease from $4.232 million and $0.55 from the previous quarter [3][10]. Financial Performance - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per common share, marking the 93rd consecutive quarter of dividends [4]. - Total deposits rose by $49.8 million to $1.726 billion, representing a 12.1% annualized growth rate [9][10]. - Total loans increased by $31.4 million to $1.252 billion, with an annualized growth rate of 10.4% [8][10]. - Net interest income was $14.4 million, up from $13.9 million in the previous quarter and $12.1 million in Q1 2024 [12][23]. - The net interest margin expanded to 3.13%, compared to 3.00% in the previous quarter and 2.79% in Q1 2024 [12][23]. Asset Quality - Non-performing assets (NPAs) were 0.03% of total assets, with $658 thousand in NPAs, an improvement from 0.04% and $810 thousand at the end of Q4 2024 [6][10]. - The past due ratio for all loans was 0.14%, up from 0.05% in the previous quarter [6]. Capital Ratios - Regulatory capital ratios exceeded the minimum required levels, with a Leverage ratio of 8.45%, Tier I Risk Based ratio of 12.90%, and Total Risk Based ratio of 13.99% as of March 31, 2025 [4][21]. Investment Advisory and Mortgage Business - Investment advisory revenue was $1.806 million, with assets under management (AUM) at $892.8 million, down from $926.0 million at the end of Q4 2024 [16][10]. - The mortgage line of business produced $43.86 million in loans, with fee revenue of $759 thousand, including a gain-on-sale margin of 2.93% [15][10]. Non-Interest Income and Expenses - Non-interest income for Q1 2025 was $3.982 million, an increase from $3.608 million in the previous quarter [14][10]. - Non-interest expenses rose to $12.754 million, up from $11.826 million in Q4 2024, primarily due to increased salaries and marketing expenses [17][10].