First Community Corporation Achieves Significant Growth in Q4

First Community Corporation Reports Financial Success in Q4

First Community Corporation (NASDAQ: FCCO), the parent company of First Community Bank, has unveiled its financial results for the fourth quarter and the entirety of 2024, highlighting impressive growth and a commitment to maintaining its financial integrity. The stock shows strong performance, reportedly rising 34% over the past year and trading close to its 52-week peak of $26.48.

Annual Financial Highlights

The corporation reported a net income of $4.232 million in the fourth quarter, marking a notable increase from last year's figure of $3.297 million. The diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased to $0.55, up from $0.43 in the fourth quarter of the previous year. For the full year, net income reached $13.955 million, translating to an EPS of $1.81, compared to $11.843 million and $1.55 the year before. Trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.4x, this positive performance has led analysts to revise their earnings forecasts upward.

Deposit and Loan Growth Insights

Total deposits surged by $164.9 million, reflecting a 10.9% growth rate year-over-year, with a quarterly increase of $31.8 million, or 1.9%. When excluding brokered certificates of deposit, the annual growth rate was even more impressive, reaching 13.8%.

Loan growth has also thrived with an uptick of $86.5 million, or 7.6%, recorded throughout 2024, complemented by a quarterly growth of $23.9 million, corresponding to a 2.0% increase. The quality of assets for the bank remained robust, showcasing minimal net charge-offs of $65 thousand and non-performing assets at a mere 0.04% as of year-end.

Investment Advisory Performance

For the fourth quarter, the bank's investment advisory services generated revenues of $1.720 million, accumulating to $6.181 million for the full year. By the end of December 2024, assets under management rose to $926 million, up from $755.4 million the year before.

Consistent Dividend Payments

The corporation declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per common share for the fourth quarter, reflecting a commendable record of 92 consecutive quarters of cash dividends. Moreover, there is a share repurchase program authorized, although no shares have been repurchased under the plan as of now. The company is recognized for its reliability in dividend payments, having consistently done so for 23 years, currently yielding a dividend of 2.48% with a noteworthy 7.14% growth in dividends over the last year.

Regulatory Capital and Services

The regulatory capital ratios of First Community Corporation remain well above the required minimums, with tangible book value per share rising to $16.93 as of December 31, 2024. The bank is committed to serving customers by providing a comprehensive suite of services, including commercial banking, residential mortgage lending, and financial planning, with an emphasis on high-quality advisory services.

Commitment to Financial Health

With an overall Financial Health score rated as 'FAIR', First Community Corporation is poised for continued growth. Subscribers can access valuable insights concerning the company’s financial strength and future potential through in-depth analytics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What financial results did First Community Corporation report?

First Community Corporation reported a net income of $4.232 million for Q4 and $13.955 million for the full year 2024.

How has the stock performed recently?

The company’s stock has shown a 34% increase over the past year, trading near its 52-week high of $26.48.

What is the growth in deposits?

Total deposits increased by $164.9 million year-over-year, marking a 10.9% growth.

What was the dividend declared for the fourth quarter?

A cash dividend of $0.15 per common share was declared, which is consistent with the company's long-standing dividend strategy.

What services does First Community Corporation offer?

The corporation provides commercial banking, residential mortgage lending, and investment advisory services among its comprehensive offerings.

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