First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. ($FGBI)
Earnings Call Transcript · May 21, 2026
Highlights from the call
In the 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting, First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. reported a challenging year, highlighted by a significant charge-off of $152 million, which the Chairman noted was equivalent to two years of earnings. The bank's first quarter earnings per share (EPS) was $0.14, with a reduction in noninterest expense by $1.3 million compared to the previous year. Management signaled a focus on improving capital ratios and reducing nonperforming assets, which could stabilize the bank's financial position moving forward.
Main topics
- Significant Charge-Offs: The bank experienced a charge-off of $152 million, which the Chairman described as 'a tough 1 to get through' and noted it 'charged off our earnings for 2 years.' This indicates severe financial strain.
- Earnings Per Share: First Guaranty reported an EPS of $0.14 for the first quarter, which reflects ongoing challenges but shows some level of earnings generation amid difficulties.
- Expense Management: Management highlighted a reduction in noninterest expense by $1.3 million compared to the first quarter of 2025, indicating a focus on cost control amidst financial challenges.
- Capital Ratio Improvement: The bank improved its risk-weighted capital ratio to 14.71%, aligning with its peer group and providing a buffer against ongoing credit issues, which management emphasized as critical.
- Reduction of Nonperforming Assets: Management reported a reduction of nonperforming assets by $12 million, signaling efforts to enhance credit risk management and improve overall asset quality.
Key metrics mentioned
- Charge-Offs: $152 million (Significantly higher than previous years, indicating severe financial strain.)
- Earnings Per Share (EPS): $0.14 (First quarter EPS, reflecting ongoing challenges but some earnings generation.)
- Noninterest Expense Reduction: $1.3 million (Reduction compared to Q1 2025, indicating effective cost management.)
- Risk-Weighted Capital Ratio: 14.71% (Aligned with peer group, providing a buffer for credit issues.)
- Reduction of Nonperforming Assets: $12 million (Ongoing efforts to improve asset quality.)
The significant charge-offs present a major concern for First Guaranty Bancshares, overshadowing some positive developments in expense management and capital ratios. Investors should monitor the bank's progress in reducing nonperforming assets and the effectiveness of its strategic focus on risk management as potential catalysts for recovery.
Earnings Call Speaker Segments
Unknown Attendee
AttendeesWell, good afternoon to everyone. Welcome to First Guaranty Bancshares 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting. This meeting is being recorded. We will upload to the Investor Relations page for anyone who cannot be here today. So Clear Trust, please start the recording.
Michael Mineer
ExecutivesI am Mike Miner, the President and CEO of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and First Guaranty Bank. I had the honor of kicking off today's meeting. We're hosting a hybrid meeting -- some shareholders will join us virtually and others in person, and all participants will have the ability to hear and see our presentation. We would like to thank Clear Trust, our transfer agent, forming the responsibilities associated with serving as a registered transfer agent. For those attending virtually, if you need help at any time during this meeting, please call taken note to get a pencil if you need, 813,3089980 in your access code is $675 1-3. I suggest everyone take a moment to write this information down as well not revisit again during the presentation. And again, 813 308-9980 with the access code 675-8 13. If you have already mailed in your proxies there is no need to take any additional action at this time. However, if you have not and you are attending this session virtually, I encourage you to send in your proxy now. You may see your proxy to balance to clear tourist to be a fact in [indiscernible]. You can directly and securely upload into cleartrustonline.com/secure or e-mail a scan copy to inbox at cleartrusttransfer.com. Please do so within the next 5 minutes. For those here in person, you will have the opportunity to submit your proxy later in this meeting. Our standard disclosures regarding forward-looking statements are on Slide 4. Now at this time, I would like to give the floor to Mr. Marshall T. Reynolds, our Chairman of the Board, Mr. Reynolds.
Marshall Reynolds
ExecutivesGood afternoon. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Marshall Reynolds, Chairman of the Board. On behalf of the directors, officers and staff of First Guaranty Bank I would like to welcome everyone here this afternoon to the 2026 Annual Shareholders Meeting of First Guaranty Bancshares Inc. At this time, I'd like to introduce Mr. Tony Berner one of our first Guaranty Bank directors representing [indiscernible], who will lead us an invocation to begin our meeting today. Would you please stand?
Anthony Berner
ExecutivesHeavenly father. Thank you for this opportunity we have been giving today to come together to discuss the business of our organization. We would pay for guidance and matters at hand and that you would clearly show us listen and grace in the exercise of our duties. Give us the foresight to provide for the needs of our organization and to fulfill our goals and obligation or is in your holy name that we pray, amen.
Marshall Reynolds
ExecutivesThank you, Mr. Berner. Well, if you reflect on the back on the past year, it was ahead of a year I mean this was a topic. Let me give you a little example of how an -- we charged off 152 million long. And to put that in perspective, the best year First Guaranty Bank ever had was $25 million. So in 1 fell swoop, we charged off our earnings for 2 years. it's going to be a tough 1 to get through, but we're going to get through it. And at this time, I'd like to turn things back over to Mike Miner our President and CEO, to letting get to this meeting. Thank you.
Michael Mineer
ExecutivesThank you, Mr. Chairman. And again, good afternoon, and welcome to the 2026 Annual Shareholders Meeting of First Guaranty Bancshares Incorporated. I now declare the meeting officially convened. I'd like to proceed with the 2026 Annual Shareholders Meeting of First Guaranty Bank Inc. And I'd start with a heavy heart because last year, we lost a very dedicated director. And there's no words that can take away that, that loss. There's no words that can take away that pain. So in the memory of Mr. William K. Hood, I'd like to just make a few words regarding him. Bill dedicated 48 years of service to First Guaranty Bank leaving a lasting impact on its people, the mission and the future. Now Bill, he viewed his role to the Board, not as a title. He took it seriously, but is a meaningful responsibility demonstrating pride and he was proud and deep commitment to the organization. We also see the excitement when he was in the room. As long as serving director, he provided stated guidance, helping lead the bank through growth and transformation with insight and care. Bill played a vital role in shaping first Guaranty Bank into the institution it is today, balancing determination with compassion and he had a lot of compassion. While always putting the bank, its employees and its communities first, all together. His legacy endures and the culture he helped build and the countless lives he influenced. He is, and he will be deeply missed and he will always be remembered as an interpretal part of our story. We all misfold. Take you a moment to thank to share and to reflect. At this time, I would like to introduce the following individuals. These folks are integral to this meeting and its conformity. First is a recording secretary to the Board. This is Vanessa Drew. Now the members and nominees of First Guaranty Bank shares Board of Directors are as follows: now the biographical information on each nominee is included in the proxy statement. And as I say your name, raise your hand or stand as I introduce you. Our Chairman, Marshall T. Reynolds, joining us by phone here in [indiscernible], Jack Rossi; [indiscernible] Venessa R. Drew, Robert W. Walker; Bruce Manali, not here in person, but with us in Spirit, Betsy K Hood. Now members of First Guaranty Bank's Board of Directors are as follows: Anthony J. Berner, Junior, not here, but with us in spirit is Gloria [indiscernible]. Same way Dr. Phillip E. Fincher, Robert H. Gabriel, Andrew Gasaway Jr.; Edwin Al Hoover, Jr., Bruce McAnally, here in spirit as well, Morgan S. Nolte, Jack Reynolds, Marshall Team Reynolds, Nancy C. Ribas, Jack Rossy, Richard W. Sitman, Edgar R. Smith III; and Michael R. -- maniere. Now we also have advisory members to this Board. SEK Hood, Louise Marcia and Mark Parillo, -- these are our advisory members. Next, I'll introduce individuals that are designated as proxies Marshall T. Rentals and Eric J. Dash, our CFO. Next, I need to introduce our inspector of election for today's meeting. and that is Clear Trust, who is on the line with us. At the Inspector of Elections table, the following material is made available for review. There's a list of shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 30, 2026. There is an affidavit showing proof of notice of meeting and proxy statement and form of proxy, which have been given to every stockholder of record as of March 30, 2026. The Inspector of Election Oath of Office, and a quorum certificate of Inspector of Election. Now the Inspector of Election has now informed me that a quorum is present either by proxy or in person. Such certificate is available for review at the Inspector of Elections table. Today, there are 4 proposals on the ballot for this meeting. to elect the Board of Directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, and they are as follows: Betsy K Hood, Marshall Tea Reynolds, Jack Rossi, Bruce McAnally, EDGAR R. Smith, II, the Nessa R. Drew and Robert W. Walker to approve an advisory nonbinding resolution regarding our executive compensation as described in this proxy statement. Next is to ratify the appointment of EisnerAmper LLC as first guarantees independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026, and lastly, to transact such other business as may properly come before this meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Since there are no other nominations in accordance with the holding company bylaws -- the nominations are closed. The polls are now open. [Voting]
Michael Mineer
ExecutivesAre there any votes to be cast in proxy. If so, Katherine Campbell would be you to collect those ballots and send a clear trust that at this point, I see none. As everyone had time to cast his or her ballot I now declare the polls closed. Inspector of election represented today by [indiscernible], would you please count the votes and return with the election results? [indiscernible], do you have those results?
Unknown Attendee
AttendeesYes. The report confirms that a quorum is and has been in attendance at the annual meeting for all purposes. The report also shows that at least 51% of the shares of common stock outstanding entitled to be cast have been voted in favor of all proposals.
Michael Mineer
ExecutivesThank you. Next, do I hear a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting. I have a motion by Edward Smith a second by Ed Hoover, all in favor, say aye. [Voting]
Michael Mineer
ExecutivesAny opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. At this time, I'm going to give a very quick and brief discussion about our strategy, pretty simple, we're going to manage our balance sheet based on the capital that you, our shareholders, have provided to us. We're going to continue our measured expense reduction and management, we will continue to expand balance sheet risk management, risk management, critical to us as we proceed as well as enhanced credit risk management -- our results that we expect from this vigilance first -- in the first quarter this year, we are earnings per share of $0.14 and -- we again reduced noninterest expense of $1.3 million in the first quarter compared to the first quarter of 2025. We improved the bank's risk-weighted capital ratio to 14.7 1%. We now equal our peer group, and we will greatly exceed this capital ratio, providing a buffer for the issues that we are working through on our enhanced credit risk management. In addition to that, we have reduced nonperformance assets by $12 million and we have ongoing efforts to continue to reduce nonperforming assets. The combination of that strategy, the results of those efforts will continue to again improve shareholder value. As behalf -- on behalf as the CEO of your bank and your holding company, each of you shareholders, I give great thanks to you for giving support to our management team. Our management team clearly understands that we work for you, and we are greatly respectful of the capital that you have given to us to manage for you. We have a report from the Inspector of Election, Clear Trust presented today by Michele, and she did present those results. Thank you, Michelle, for doing that earlier. Do I hear a motion to accept the report of the Inspector of Election on the results of the election? I have a motion by Bob Gabriel, second by Mr. Reynolds, all in favor, say aye. I now ask for a motion to ratify all action of the Board of Directors, officers and personnel since the last annual meeting. Do I hear a motion? [indiscernible] second by Mr. Hoover, all in favor, say aye. [Voting]
Michael Mineer
ExecutivesAny opposition, motion approved. Is there any other business before I ask for. Hearing none, I would ask for a motion for adjournment. [indiscernible] Mr. Gabriel, second by Vicki Sitman, all in favor, say aye. [Voting]
Michael Mineer
ExecutivesAny opposition. This concludes the meeting. Thank you for attending today's Annual Shareholder Meeting or First Guaranty Bancshares Inc. 2026. Thank you.
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