SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report January 19, 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Date of earliest event reported)
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Arkansas 0-6253 71-0407808
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other (Commission (I.R.S. employer
jurisdiction of file number) identification No.)
incorporation
or organization)
501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(501) 541-1000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
The following is the text of a press release issued by the
registrant at 3:05 Central Standard Time on January 19, 1995:
SIMMONS FIRST ANNOUNCES RECORD EARNINGS OF $9.9 MILLION FOR 1994
PINE BLUFF--For the fifth consecutive year, Simmons First
National Corporation today announced record earnings. Earnings for
the year ended December 31, 1994, reached a record level of $9.9
million, an increase of 4.9% over the 1993 earnings of $9.4
million. Corporate earnings for the three-month period ended
December 31, 1994, were $2.2 million, compared to fourth quarter
1993 earnings of $2.4 million.
The Corporation issued 805,000 shares of common stock during
the second quarter of 1993, and current earnings per share figures
have been computed to reflect these additional shares of stock.
After giving consideration for the additional shares of stock, the
earnings per share were $2.68 and $0.60 for the twelve month and
three month periods ended December 31, 1994, respectively.
Earnings per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 1993,
were $2.78, and $0.65 for the three month period ended December 31,
1993.
The Corporation's return on average assets reflected a record
level of 1.39% for the year ended December 31, 1994, up from 1.33%
for the same period in 1993.
According to W. E. Ayres, Simmons First's Chairman, "The
improvement in earnings can be attributed to several factors: (1)
an increase in the net interest margin (net interest income divided
by average earning assets) for the twelve-month period, (2) a $9.9
million increase in average earning assets, (3) decreases in non-
interest expense items and (4) a reduction in the provision for
loan losses for year in 1994, compared to 1993."
Net interest income was $7.4 million for the fourth quarter in
1994, up slightly from $7.3 million in 1993. In 1994, net interest
income was $29.3 million, up 2.84% from $28.5 million in 1993. The
1994 net interest margin, stated on a fully taxable equivalent
basis, was 4.80%, compared to 4.75% in 1993.
Non-interest income was $5.7 million in the fourth quarter of
1994, down from 1993's $6.9 million level; twelve-month figures
were $24.8 million for 1994 and $26.1 million for 1993. This
reduction in non-interest income during 1994, as compared to 1993
figures, is primarily attributable to a mortgage marketing loss of
$1.0 million and reduced profits in the dealer bank operation. The
resulting reduced level of operating income for these two
operations for 1994, can be directly attributed to the negative
impact of rising interest rates on the nation's mortgage and
securities markets. The overall reduction in mortgage income was
partially offset by the previously scheduled third quarter sale of
a portion of the Corporation's servicing rights, which resulted in
a profit of $733,000.
Non-interest expenses for 1994 decreased slightly, compared to
1993, decreasing to $38.4 million from $38.7 million, reflecting
primarily the effects of continued emphasis on expense control
measures.
The balance sheet also reflects the positive changes that have
come as a result of improved earnings and improved asset quality.
The allowance for possible loan and lease losses increased to a
level of $7.8 million at December 31, 1994, from $7.4 million at
December 31, 1993, providing improved coverage for total loans and
non-performing loans. At December 31, 1994, the allowance
represented 1.86% of total loans, compared to 1.88% at December 31,
1993. The coverage ratio for non-performing loans (90 days past-
due and non-accrual loans) was 248.73% at December 31, 1994,
compared to 177.92% at December 31, 1993. Non-performing loans
were reduced to a level of $3.1 million at December 31, 1994,
compared to $4.2 million at December 31, 1993. During that same
period, foreclosed assets declined from $2.9 million to $1.7
million.
Total assets of the Corporation at December 31, 1994, were
$713.3 million compared to $738.8 million at December 31, 1993.
The stockholders' equity has grown from $75.3 million at December
31, 1993, to $83.7 million at December 31, 1994, which represents
an increase of 11.1% since December 31, 1993. Regulatory
requirements for capital levels are measured in several ways, and
the Corporation's capital exceeds all regulatory levels for well-
capitalized banks by significant margins.
Simmons First National Corporation is a multi-bank holding
company, with banks in Pine Bluff, Jonesboro, and Lake Village.
The flagship bank, Simmons First National Bank of Pine Bluff, has
loan production offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville, a mortgage
company in Little Rock, and branches in Fort Smith, Springdale,
Rogers, Bella Vista and Sherrill.
In addition, on November 15, 1994, Simmons First National
Corporation entered into a definitive agreement with Dumas
Bancshares, Inc., under the terms of which Dumas Bancshares, Inc.
will be merged into Simmons First National Corporation during the
first half of 1995. This agreement is subject to the approval of
the regulatory agencies and shareholders of Dumas Bancshares,
Inc..
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
J. Thomas May
President & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First National Corporation
(501) 541-1103
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
Date: January 19, 1995 By /s/ J. Thomas May
------------------- -----------------------------------
J. Thomas May, President &
Chief Executive Officer
