First Financial Bankshares, Inc. is a diversified financial holding company headquartered in Abilene, Texas. The company operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Financial Bank, which has 79 locations across Texas. First Financial Bankshares has established itself as a prominent player in the Texas banking landscape, delivering strong financial performance and consistent shareholder returns over the years.
Company History and Growth First Financial Bankshares was founded in 1956 as a single-location bank in Abilene, Texas. In its early years, the company focused on serving the banking needs of the Abilene community and the surrounding region. Over the decades, the company has grown through a series of strategic acquisitions and organic expansion, establishing a presence across central, west, and southeast Texas. First Financial Bankshares gradually expanded its footprint throughout central and west Texas, which allowed it to increase its customer base and diversify its loan portfolio.
A significant milestone for the company was its initial public offering in 1994, which provided additional capital to support continued growth. In the 2000s, First Financial Bankshares successfully navigated the challenges of the financial crisis, maintaining its strong financial position and avoiding the troubles faced by many other banks. The company was able to selectively acquire banks during this period to further strengthen its franchise.
More recently, First Financial Bankshares has faced challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted economic conditions in its Texas markets. However, the company's diversified business model and prudent risk management allowed it to weather the storm. In 2024, First Financial Bankshares converted its subsidiary bank's charter to a Texas state banking association, maintaining its status as a member of the Federal Reserve System.
Throughout its history, First Financial Bankshares has maintained a strong focus on community banking, building long-standing relationships with its customers and supporting the local economies it serves. The company's disciplined approach to growth and risk management has enabled it to navigate various economic cycles and emerge as a leading independent community bank in Texas.
Financials As of September 30, 2024, First Financial Bankshares reported total assets of $13.58 billion, an increase from $12.78 billion a year earlier. The company's loan portfolio stood at $7.72 billion, up from $6.99 billion in the prior year period. Deposits grew to $11.76 billion, compared to $10.72 billion at the end of September 2023. This consistent growth in assets, loans, and deposits demonstrates the company's ability to capitalize on opportunities and meet the evolving financial needs of its Texas-based clientele.
For the fiscal year 2023, First Financial Bankshares reported revenue of $478.05 million and net income of $198.98 million. The company generated operating cash flow of $284.82 million and free cash flow of $267.57 million in 2023.
In the most recent quarter (Q3 2024), the company reported revenue of $135.999 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 8.84%. This increase in revenue was driven by growth in loans, deposits, and net interest income. Net income for Q3 2024 was $55.308 million, with operating cash flow of $75.446 million and free cash flow of $84.338 million.
Financial Performance and Ratios First Financial Bankshares has a track record of delivering solid financial results. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company reported net income of $161.19 million, up 5.36% from the $153.00 million reported in the same period of 2023. Diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2024 were $1.13, compared to $1.07 in the prior year period.
The company's net interest margin, a key metric in the banking industry, expanded to 3.44% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, up from 3.28% in the same period of 2023. This improvement in net interest margin, coupled with growth in the loan portfolio, has contributed to the strong earnings performance. For the third quarter of 2024 specifically, the net interest margin was 3.50%, up 28 basis points from the prior year period, driven by higher yields on loans and earning assets.
First Financial Bankshares maintains a robust capital position, with a total risk-based capital ratio of 20.03% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 12.53% as of September 30, 2024. These ratios exceed the well-capitalized thresholds set by banking regulators, providing the company with ample financial flexibility to support its growth initiatives and weather potential economic challenges.
The company's return on average assets (ROAA) and return on average equity (ROAE) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were 1.63% and 14.28%, respectively, reflecting the efficient deployment of the company's capital and assets.
Liquidity First Financial Bankshares maintains a strong liquidity position, which is essential for meeting customer withdrawals, funding loan growth, and managing overall operations. The company's diverse funding sources, including a stable deposit base and access to various borrowing facilities, contribute to its robust liquidity profile. This strong liquidity position allows First Financial Bankshares to navigate market fluctuations and capitalize on growth opportunities as they arise.
As of Q3 2024, the company held $583.66 million in cash. First Financial Bankshares has a $25 million revolving line of credit with Frost Bank that was undrawn as of September 30, 2024. This line matures on June 30, 2025, providing additional liquidity if needed. The company's current ratio and quick ratio both stood at 1.46 as of Q3 2024, indicating a healthy short-term liquidity position.
The company's debt-to-equity ratio was 0.013 in 2023, reflecting a conservative approach to leverage and financial stability.
Diversified Business Model and Revenue Streams First Financial Bankshares' business model is diversified across various products and services, including traditional banking, wealth management, and insurance offerings. The company's non-interest income streams, such as trust fees, service charges on deposit accounts, and debit card fees, have contributed significantly to its overall revenue mix.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest income accounted for 24.0% of the company's total revenue, providing a stable and recurring source of income to complement its net interest income. This diversification helps First Financial Bankshares navigate changes in the interest rate environment and mitigate reliance on a single revenue stream.
The company's loan portfolio is segmented into several key areas, with the largest segments as of September 30, 2024, being Residential ($2.11 billion), Commercial Real Estate (Non-Owner Occupied at $825.93 million and Owner Occupied at $1.09 billion), and Commercial and Industrial ($1.18 billion). Other significant segments include Municipal, Agricultural, Construction and Development, Farm, Consumer Auto, and Consumer Non-Auto loans.
Total loans held-for-investment increased by $574.40 million to $7.72 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023. The company saw increases across most loan portfolio segments, with the largest increases in the Residential ($277.24 million), Commercial ($129.85 million), and Consumer ($99.73 million) segments.
First Financial Bankshares also maintains a portfolio of loans held-for-sale, primarily residential mortgage loans, which totaled $20.11 million as of September 30, 2024, up from $14.25 million at the end of 2023. These loans are sold on the secondary market.
Geographic Footprint and Market Presence First Financial Bankshares' extensive branch network and strategic geographic positioning within Texas have been key drivers of its growth and competitive advantage. The company's 79 locations are spread across central, west, and southeast Texas, allowing it to serve a diverse customer base and capitalize on economic opportunities in various regions.
The company's strong market presence in its core Texas markets has enabled it to build deep relationships with local businesses, professionals, and individuals. This localized approach, combined with the company's community-focused culture, has contributed to its ability to attract and retain loyal customers. It's worth noting that First Financial Bankshares primarily operates in Texas and does not have significant operations outside of the state.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management As a publicly traded financial institution, First Financial Bankshares operates under the scrutiny of various regulatory bodies, including the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Texas Department of Banking. The company has demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining robust compliance and risk management practices, ensuring the safety and soundness of its operations.
The company's well-established risk management framework, comprehensive internal controls, and proactive regulatory engagement have been instrumental in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape. This disciplined approach to compliance helps First Financial Bankshares mitigate legal and reputational risks, further strengthening its position in the Texas banking market.
Outlook and Growth Strategies Looking ahead, First Financial Bankshares remains focused on pursuing organic and inorganic growth opportunities to expand its presence and enhance shareholder value. The company's strategic priorities include continued geographic expansion within Texas, strategic acquisitions of complementary financial institutions, and the development of innovative products and services to meet the evolving needs of its customer base.
The company's strong capital position and healthy financial metrics provide a solid foundation for future growth initiatives. Additionally, First Financial Bankshares' experienced management team and well-established brand reputation in Texas position the company to capitalize on emerging market trends and capitalize on opportunities for further expansion and diversification.
In terms of near-term guidance, First Financial Bankshares has provided outlook for the current quarter, projecting net interest income growth in the range of 4-6% year-over-year. The company also expects non-interest income to be in the range of $51-$53 million and non-interest expenses to be between $103-$105 million for the current quarter. It's worth noting that in the previous quarter, the company exceeded its guidance for net interest income growth, achieving 8.2% year-over-year growth compared to the projected 6-8%.
Conclusion First Financial Bankshares has established itself as a premier banking institution in Texas, delivering consistent financial performance and steady growth over the years. The company's diversified business model, robust risk management practices, and strategic geographic footprint have been key drivers of its success. As First Financial Bankshares continues to execute on its growth strategies, the company is well-positioned to maintain its leading position in the Texas banking landscape and create long-term value for its shareholders.