First Community Corporation, the holding company for First Community Bank, reported net income for the second quarter of 2018 of $3.001 million as compared to $1.664 million in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 80.3%.  Diluted earnings per common share were $0.39 for the second quarter of 2018 as compared to $0.24 for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 62.5%. On a linked quarter basis, net income increased 10.8% from $2.709 million and diluted earnings per common share increased 11.4% from $0.35. 

Year-to-date 2018 net income was $5.710 million compared to $3.420 million during the first six months of 2017, an increase of 67.0%.  Diluted earnings per share for the first half of 2018 were $0.74, compared to $0.50 during the same time period in 2017, an increase of 48.0%.    Mike Crapps, First Community President and CEO, commented, "We are extremely pleased with our performance during the second quarter of 2018 which resulted in record earnings for the company.  Led by continued strong loan and pure deposit growth, we continue to experience net interest margin expansion and enjoy excellent credit quality.  Momentum is strong as we move into the second half of 2018." 

Cash Dividend and Capital

The Board of Directors approved a cash dividend for the second quarter of 2018.  The company will pay a $0.10 per share dividend to holders of the company's common stock.  This dividend is payable August 13, 2018 to shareholders of record as of July 30, 2018.  Mr. Crapps commented, "Our entire board is pleased that our performance enables the company to continue its cash dividend for the 66^th consecutive quarter." 

At June 30, 2018, the company's regulatory capital ratios (Leverage, Tier I Risk Based and Total Risk Based) were 10.20%, 13.75%, and 14.52%, respectively.  This compares to the same ratios as of June 30, 2017, of 10.41%, 15.02%, and 15.89%, respectively.  Additionally, the regulatory capital ratios for the company's wholly owned subsidiary, First Community Bank, were 9.77%, 13.17%, and 13.95% respectively as of June 30, 2018.  The company's ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets was 8.38% as of June 30, 2018.  Also, as of June 30, 2018, the Common Equity Tier One ratio for the company and the bank were 11.91% and 13.17% respectively.

Asset Quality

Asset quality remained strong.  Non-performing assets were 0.53% of total assets and total past dues were 0.33%.  Again this quarter, there was a net loan recovery.  The recovery for the quarter was $97 thousand and the year-to-date net recovery is $118 thousand.  The ratio of classified loans plus OREO now stands at 7.07% of total bank regulatory risk-based capital as of June 30, 2018.  Additionally, as a result of continued excellent credit quality and ongoing year-to-date net recoveries, expense related to the provision for loan losses was only $29 thousand for the quarter.

Mr. Crapps commented, "Commercial loan production remained strong at $38.1 million in the second quarter up from $32.8 million in the first quarter.  Year-to-date loan growth is $37.5 million, an 11.6 % annualized growth rate.  Pure deposits, including customer cash management accounts, grew by $20.5 million during the quarter, and year-to-date by $52.6 million, a 14.0% annualized growth rate."

Revenue

Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin

Net interest income was $8.9 million for the second quarter of 2018 a 4.7% increase over first quarter net interest income of $8.5 million.  Second quarter net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, was 3.71% compared to net interest margin of 3.66% in the first quarter.  This is the eighth consecutive quarter of net interest margin expansion, after adjusting the net interest margin for the first quarter of 2017 as discussed in a prior earnings release.  Mr. Crapps noted, "Importantly, we continue to demonstrate the strength of our deposit franchise in a rising rate environment.  During the first half of 2018, our yield on average earning assets has increased by 29 basis points, with cost of deposits increasing only 6 basis points to a still modest level of 28 basis points."

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income, adjusted for securities gains and losses and excluding any loss on the early extinguishment of debt, increased slightly on a linked quarter basis to $2.82 million in the second quarter of 2018, up from $2.74 million in the first quarter of this year.  Revenues in the mortgage line of business increased on a linked quarter basis to $1.02 million in the second quarter of 2018, up from $951 thousand in the first quarter of 2018, but down year-over-year from $1.25 million in the second quarter of 2017.  Mortgage loan production declined only slightly year-over-year from $34.40 million in the second quarter of 2017 to $33.71 million in the second quarter of 2018.  The decline in revenue was primarily driven by a lower gain-on-sale margin, which can be attributed to product mix.  Revenue in the investment advisory line of business increased on a linked quarter basis to $401 thousand in the second quarter of 2018 up from $383 thousand in the first quarter.  Mr. Crapps commented, "Our strategy of multiple revenue streams continues to serve us well as we focus our efforts to accelerate growth in these lines of business.  Production in our mortgage unit continues to be strong and the addition of mortgage lenders in our Augusta, Georgia and Greenville, South Carolina markets has allowed us to continue to have success in this line of business.  We have also recently added a Financial Advisor in the Greenville, South Carolina market which is allowing us to expand our financial planning line of business into the Upstate of South Carolina.  We are pleased with the activity and momentum in each of our business units." 

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense was $8.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2018.  Higher salaries and benefits, marketing and other miscellaneous expenses accounted for the majority of the increase.  Salaries and benefits increased primarily due to higher incentive accruals and mortgage commissions paid on increased production.  Marketing expenses increased as expected due to the timing of the implementation of the company's 2018 marketing plan.  Other miscellaneous expenses included a $164 thousand expense related to the purchase of a South Carolina Rehabilitation Tax Credit during the quarter.  The benefit of this credit served to reduce our state tax provision by $205 thousand.       

Other

During the second quarter of 2018, the Company was added to the Russell 2000 Index.  Mr. Crapps commented, "We are pleased that our efforts and the growth of our market capitalization have led to our inclusion in the Russell 2000 Index.  This is a testament to the success of our organization and we are excited about the benefits of this for our shareholders."

Also, the Company has received approval to open banking offices in downtown Greenville, South Carolina and Evans, Georgia.  The downtown Greenville office is anticipated to open in the first quarter of 2019 with the Evans, Georgia office to open in the second quarter.