SouthState Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2020 Results and Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

WINTER HAVEN, Fla., Jan. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ: SSB) today released its unaudited results of operations and other financial information for the three-month and twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020.

The Company reported consolidated net income of $1.21 per diluted common share for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $1.34 per diluted common share for the three months ended September 30, 2020, and compared to $1.45 per diluted common share one year ago.  During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company incurred $38.8 million in swap termination expense (pre-tax) and $19.8 million in merger-related and branch closure expense (pre-tax).  These charges were partially offset by an income tax benefit of $31.5 million related to the ability to carryback tax losses under the CARES Act.

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) totaled $1.44 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $1.58 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2020, and compared to $1.48 per diluted share one year ago.  Adjusted net income in the fourth quarter of 2020 excludes $16.3 million of merger-related and branch closure costs (after-tax), $31.8 million in swap termination expense (after-tax), and $31.5 million of income tax benefit referenced above.  In the third quarter of 2020, adjusted net income excludes $17.4 million in merger-related costs (after-tax).

Highlights of the fourth quarter of 2020 include:

Returns

  • Reported & adjusted diluted Earnings per Share ("EPS") of $1.21 and $1.44 (Non-GAAP), respectively.
  • Reported & adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity of 13.1% (Non-GAAP) and 15.4% (Non-GAAP), respectively.
  • Pre-Provision Net Revenue ("PPNR") of $144 million, or 1.50% PPNR ROAA (Non-GAAP).
  • Book value per share of $65.49 increased by $1.15 per share compared to the prior quarter.
  • Tangible book value ("TBV") per share of $41.16, up $1.33 from prior quarter (Non-GAAP).

Performance

  • Net interest margin ("NIM", tax equivalent) of 3.14% down 8 basis points from prior quarter.
  • Recognized $12.7 million in loan accretion compared to $22.4 million in the prior quarter.
  • Recognized $16.6 million in PPP net deferred loan fees compared to $8.5 million in the prior quarter.
  • Total deposit cost of 0.17% down 3 basis points from prior quarter.
  • Noninterest income of $98 million.
    • Mortgage revenue declined $22.9 million compared to the prior quarter, caused by fair value accounting on lower mortgage pipeline and loans held for sale.
    • Production and cash gain on sale margins remained strong.

Balance Sheet / Credit

  • Loans declined by $573.7 million, or 9.0% annualized, centered in $418.3 million in Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loan reductions.
  • Loans, excluding PPP loans, decreased $155.4 million, or 2.7% annualized, including a $203 million decline in residential mortgage loans.
  • Total deposits increased $723.9 million with core deposit growth totaling $826.1 million, or 12.6% annualized.
  • Net charge-offs of $816,000, or 0.01% annualized, bringing the full year net charge-offs to $2.8 million, or 0.01% annualized.
  • Loan deferrals totaled $255.2 million, or 1.12% of the total loan portfolio, excluding PPP loans and held for sale loans as of December 31, 2020.

Other Events

  • Consolidated 20 branch locations in the fourth quarter with 4 scheduled to be consolidated in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Paid off $700.0 million in FHLB advances in early December.
  • Recognized income tax benefit of $31.5 million related to the ability to carryback tax losses from CARES Act.
  • Declared a cash dividend on common stock of $0.47 per share, payable on February 19, 2021 to shareholders of record as of February 12, 2021.
  • On January 27, 2021, the Board approved the authorization of a new 3.5 million share Company stock repurchase plan which expires in two years.

"We are pleased to close 2020 with another solid quarter", said John C. Corbett, Chief Executive Officer.  "Our diverse revenue streams continue to help offset the pressures of the historically low interest rate environment, and our longstanding strategic focus on soundness as a core value continues to help us report good credit quality metrics.  We look forward to 2021 and our system conversion in the second quarter."

"A year to the day after announcing our merger of equals, I am pleased to see the results of our partnership continue to pay off for our shareholders," said Robert R. Hill, Jr., Executive Chairman.  "We have achieved solid results in Soundness, Profitability and Growth this year.  I could not be more pleased with our merger and how SouthState is positioned for the future."

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Performance


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Dec. 31,


Sept. 30,


June 30,


Mar. 31,


Dec. 31,


Dec. 31,

INCOME STATEMENT

2020


2020


2020


2020


2019


2020


2019

Interest income














   Loans, including fees (6)

$             269,632


$              280,825


$              167,707


$             133,034


$              132,615


$              851,198


$           534,790

   Investment securities, federal funds sold and securities














      purchased under agreements to resell

16,738


14,469


12,857


14,766


14,839


58,830


56,037

Total interest income

286,370


295,294


180,564


147,800


147,454


910,028


590,827

Interest expense














   Deposits

13,227


15,154


12,624


14,437


15,227


55,442


65,920

   Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements














      to repurchase, and other borrowings

7,596


9,792


5,383


5,350


5,771


28,121


20,632

Total interest expense

20,823


24,946


18,007


19,787


20,998


83,563


86,552

Net interest income

265,547


270,348


162,557


128,013


126,456


826,465


504,275

   Provision for credit losses ("PCL")

18,185


29,797


151,474


36,533


3,557


235,989


12,777

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

247,362


240,551


11,083


91,480


122,899


590,476


491,498

Noninterest income

97,871


114,790


54,347


44,132


36,307


311,140


143,565

Noninterest expense














Pre-tax operating expense

219,719


215,225


134,634


103,118


99,134


672,696


390,426

   Merger and/or branch consolid. expense

19,836


21,662


40,279


4,129


1,494


85,906


4,552

   SWAP termination expense

38,787


--


--


--


--


38,787


--

   Federal Home Loan Bank advances prepayment fee

56


--


199


--


--


255


134

  Pension plan termination expense

--


--


--


--


--


--


9,526

Total noninterest expense

278,398


236,887


175,112


107,247


100,628


797,644


404,638

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

66,835


118,454


(109,682)


28,365


58,578


103,972


230,425

   Income taxes (benefit) provision

(19,401)


23,233


(24,747)


4,255


9,487


(16,660)


43,942

Net income (loss)

$               86,236


$               95,221


$              (84,935)


$               24,110


$               49,091


$              120,632


$           186,483















Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) (3)














Net income (loss) (GAAP)

$               86,236


$               95,221


$              (84,935)


$               24,110


$               49,091


$              120,632


$           186,483

Securities gains, net of tax

(29)


(12)


--


--


(20)


(41)


(2,173)

Income taxes benefit - carryback tax loss

(31,468)


--


--


--


--


(31,468)


--

FHLB prepayment penalty, net of tax

46


--


154


--


--


200


107

Pension plan termination expense, net of tax

--


--


--


--


--


--


7,641

   SWAP termination expense, net of tax

31,784


--


--


--


--


31,784



Initial provision for credit losses - NonPCD loans and UFC

--


--


92,212


--


--


92,212


--

   Merger and/or branch consolid. expense

16,255


17,413


31,191


3,510


1,252


68,369


3,701

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)

$             102,824


$              112,622


$               38,622


$               27,620


$               50,323


$              281,688


$           195,759















   Basic earnings (loss) per common share

$                   1.22


$                   1.34


$                 (1.96)


$                  0.72


$                   1.46


$                    2.20


$                5.40

   Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

$                   1.21


$                   1.34


$                 (1.96)


$                  0.71


$                   1.45


$                    2.19


$                5.36

   Adjusted net income per common share - Basic (non-GAAP) (3)

$                   1.45


$                   1.59


$                   0.89


$                  0.82


$                   1.49


$                    5.14


$                5.36

   Adjusted net income per common share - Diluted (non-GAAP) (3)

$                   1.44


$                   1.58


$                   0.89


$                  0.82


$                   1.48


$                    5.12


$                5.66

   Dividends per common share

$                   0.47


$                   0.47


$                   0.47


$                  0.47


$                   0.46


$                    1.88


$                5.63

   Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding

70,941,200


70,905,027


43,317,736


33,566,051


33,677,851


54,755,518


34,560,544

   Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding

71,294,864


71,075,866


43,317,736


33,804,908


33,964,216


55,062,748


34,797,444

  Adjusted diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding *

71,294,864


71,075,866


43,606,333


33,804,908


33,964,216


55,062,748


34,797,444

   Effective tax rate

-29.03%


19.61%


22.56%


15.00%


16.20%


-16.02%


19.07%

   Adjusted effective tax rate

18.05%


19.61%


22.56%


15.00%


16.20%


14.24%


19.07%

*Adjusted diluted weighted average common shares was calculated with the result of adjusted net income (non-GAAP).

As compared with 3Q 2020:

  • Income taxes declined by $42.6 million due primarily to the recognition of a one-time benefit of $31.5 million related to the ability to carryback tax losses under the CARES Act, and lower income tax provision totaling $11.2 million on lower pretax income of $51.6 million.
  • For further discussion, please refer to the sections below titled "Net Interest Income and Margin", "Non-interest Income and Expense", and "Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL")".      

Performance and Capital Ratios


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended


Dec. 31,


Sept. 30,


June 30,


Mar. 31,


Dec. 31,


Dec. 31,


Dec. 31,

PERFORMANCE RATIOS

2020


2020


2020


2020


2019


2020


2019

Return on average assets (annualized)

0.90%


1.00%


-1.49%


0.60%


1.23%


0.42%


1.21%

Adjusted return on average assets (annualized) (non-GAAP) (3)

1.08%


1.18%


0.68%


0.69%


1.26%


0.98%


1.27%

Return on average equity (annualized)

7.45%


8.31%


-11.78%


4.15%


8.26%


3.35%


7.89%

Adjusted return on average equity (annualized) (non-GAAP) (3)

8.88%


9.83%


5.36%


4.75%


8.47%


7.81%


8.28%

Return on average tangible common equity (annualized) (non-GAAP) (5)

13.05%


14.66%


-19.71%


8.35%


15.79%


6.67%


15.11%

Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (annualized) (non-GAAP) (3) (5)

15.35%


17.14%


10.23%


9.45%


16.17%


14.14%


15.82%

Efficiency ratio (tax equivalent) 

76.26%


61.39%


80.52%


62.11%


61.64%


69.84%


62.52%

Adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) (7)

60.19%


55.78%


61.91%


59.72%


60.73%


58.90%


61.80%

Dividend payout ratio (2)

38.67%


35.01%


N/A


65.70%


31.62%


81.45%


30.94%

Book value per common share

$        65.49


$         64.34


$         63.35


$         69.40


$         70.32





Tangible common equity per common share (non-GAAP) (5)

$        41.16


$         39.83


$         38.33


$         38.01


$         39.13



















CAPITAL RATIOS














Equity-to-assets 

12.30%


12.07%


11.91%


13.95%


14.90%





Tangible equity-to-tangible assets (non-GAAP) (5)

8.10%


7.83%


7.56%


8.15%


8.88%





Tier 1 common equity (4) *

11.8%


11.5%


10.7%


11.0%


11.3%





Tier 1 leverage (4) *

8.3%


8.1%


13.3%


9.5%


9.7%





Tier 1 risk-based capital (4) *

11.8%


11.5%


10.7%


12.0%


12.3%





Total risk-based capital (4) *

14.2%


13.9%


12.9%


12.7%


12.8%



















OTHER DATA














Number of branches

285


305


305


155


155





Number of employees (full-time equivalent basis)

5,184


5,266


5,369


2,583


2,547



















*The regulatory capital ratios presented above include the assumption of the transitional method relative to the CAREs Act in relief of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and financial institutions in the United States.  The referenced relief allows a total five-year "phase in" of the CECL impact on capital and relief over the next two years for the impact on the allowance for credit losses resulting from COVID-19.

Balance Sheet and Capital

(dollars in thousands, except per share and share data)

Ending Balance


Dec. 31,


Sept. 30,


June 30,


Mar. 31,


Dec. 31,

BALANCE SHEET

2020


2020


2020


2020


2019

Assets










Cash and cash equivalents

$    4,609,255


$      4,471,639


$      4,363,708


$      1,262,836


$        688,704

Investment securities:










   Securities held to maturity 

955,542


-


-


-


-

   Securities available for sale, at fair value

3,330,672


3,561,929


3,137,718


1,971,195


1,956,047

   Trading securities

10,674


-


494


-


-

   Other investments

160,443


185,199


133,430


62,994


49,124

               Total investment securities

4,457,331


3,747,128


3,271,642


2,034,189


2,005,171

Loans held for sale

290,467


456,141


603,275


71,719


59,363

Loans:










Acquired - PCD

2,915,809


3,143,761


3,323,754


311,271


356,782

Acquired - NonPCD

9,458,869


10,557,968


11,577,833


1,632,700


1,760,427

Non-acquired

12,289,456


11,536,086


10,597,560


9,562,919


9,252,831

    Less allowance for credit losses

(457,309)


(440,159)


(434,608)


(144,785)


(56,927)

               Loans, net

24,206,825


24,797,656


25,064,539


11,362,105


11,313,113

Bank property held for sale

36,006


24,504


25,541


5,412


5,425

Other real estate owned ("OREO")

11,914


13,480


18,016


7,432


6,539

Premises and equipment, net

579,239


626,259


627,943


312,151


317,321

Bank owned life insurance

559,368


556,475


556,807


233,849


234,567

Deferred tax asset

63,222


107,500


107,532


46,365


31,316

Mortgage servicing rights

43,820


34,578


25,441


26,365


30,525

Core deposit and other intangibles

162,592


171,637


170,911


46,809


49,816

Goodwill

1,563,942


1,566,524


1,603,383


1,002,900


1,002,900

Other assets

1,205,892


1,245,845


1,286,618


230,779


176,332

                Total assets

$  37,789,873


$    37,819,366


$     37,725,356


$    16,642,911


$    15,921,092











Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity










Deposits:










   Noninterest-bearing

$    9,711,338


$      9,681,095


$      9,915,700


$      3,367,422


$      3,245,306

   Interest-bearing

20,982,544


20,288,859


20,041,585


8,977,125


8,931,790

               Total deposits

30,693,882


29,969,954


29,957,285


12,344,547


12,177,096

Federal funds purchased and securities










   sold under agreements to repurchase

779,666


706,723


720,479


325,723


298,741

Other borrowings

390,179


1,089,637


1,089,279


1,316,100


815,936

Reserve for unfunded commitments

43,380


43,161


21,051


8,555


335

Other liabilities

1,234,886


1,446,478


1,445,411


326,943


255,971

               Total liabilities

33,141,993


33,255,953


33,233,506


14,321,868


13,548,079











Shareholders' equity:










   Preferred stock - $.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares

--


--


--


--


--

   Common stock - $2.50 par value; authorized 160,000,000 shares

177,434


177,321


177,268


83,611


84,361

   Surplus

3,765,406


3,764,482


3,759,166


1,584,322


1,607,740

   Retained earnings

657,451


604,564


542,677


643,345


679,895

   Accumulated other comprehensive income

47,589


17,046


12,739


9,765


1,017

               Total shareholders' equity

4,647,880


4,563,413


4,491,850


2,321,043


2,373,013

               Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$  37,789,873


$    37,819,366


$     37,725,356


$    16,642,911


$    15,921,092











Common shares issued and outstanding

70,973,477


70,928,304


70,907,119


33,444,236


33,744,385

 

Net Interest Income and Margin


Three Months Ended


December 31, 2020


September 30, 2020


December 31, 2019

(Dollars in thousands)

Average


Income/


Yield/


Average


Income/


Yield/


Average


Income/


Yield/

YIELD ANALYSIS

Balance


Expense


Rate


Balance


Expense


Rate


Balance


Expense


Rate

Interest-Earning Assets:


















Federal funds sold, reverse repo, and time deposits

$            4,509,137


$             1,098


0.10%


$         4,406,376


$       1,215


0.11%


$        573,957


$      2,337


1.62%

Investment securities

4,070,218


15,641


1.53%


3,227,988


13,254


1.63%


1,889,311


12,502


2.63%

Loans held for sale

382,115


2,328


2.42%


556,670


4,151


2.97%


73,541


664


3.58%

Total loans, excluding PPP

22,701,841


245,273


4.30%


23,021,395


260,527


4.50%


11,297,402


131,951


4.63%

Total PPP loans

2,189,696


22,031


4.00%


2,291,238


16,147


2.80%







Total loans

24,891,536


267,304


4.27%


25,312,632


276,674


4.35%


11,297,401


131,951


4.63%

     Total interest-earning assets

33,853,006


286,371


3.37%


33,503,666


295,294


3.51%


13,834,210


147,454


4.23%

Noninterest-earning assets

4,174,105






4,361,551






2,024,648





     Total Assets

$          38,027,111






$       37,865,217






$    15,858,858























Interest-Bearing Liabilities:


















Transaction and money market accounts

$          14,038,057


$             6,675


0.19%


$       13,671,430


$       7,853


0.23%


$      5,768,724


$      8,010


0.55%

Savings deposits

2,667,211


505


0.08%


2,570,500


584


0.09%


1,313,991


769


0.23%

Certificates and other time deposits

3,805,708


6,047


0.63%


4,007,542


6,717


0.67%


1,684,633


6,448


1.52%

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

754,457


435


0.23%


710,369


509


0.29%


290,287


590


0.81%

Other borrowings

876,781


7,161


3.25%


1,089,399


9,283


3.39%


815,847


5,181


2.52%

     Total interest-bearing liabilities

22,142,214


20,823


0.37%


22,049,240


24,946


0.45%


9,873,482


20,998


0.84%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

11,277,541






11,259,916






3,628,741





Shareholders' equity

4,607,356






4,556,061






2,356,636





     Total Non-IBL and shareholders' equity

15,884,897






15,815,977






5,985,377





     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$          38,027,111






$       37,865,217






$    15,858,859





Net interest income and margin (NON-TAX EQUIV.)



$         265,548


3.12%




$   270,348


3.21%




$  126,456


3.63%

Net interest margin (TAX EQUIVALENT)





3.14%






3.22%






3.64%

Total Deposit Cost of Funds





0.17%






0.20%






0.50%

Overall Cost of Funds (including demand deposits)





0.26%






0.31%






0.63%



















Total Accretion on acquired loans (6)



$           12,686






$     22,445






$      7,416



TEFRA (included in NIM, tax equivalent)



$             1,663






$          734






$         521



The remaining loan discount on acquired loans which will be accreted into loan interest income totals $97.7 million and the remaining net deferred fees on PPP loans totals $36.7 million as of December 31, 2020.

 

Noninterest Income and Expense


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended


Dec. 31,


Sept. 30,


June 30,


Mar. 31,


Dec. 31,


Dec. 31,


Dec. 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2020


2020


2020


2020


2019


2020


2019

Noninterest income:














   Fees on deposit accounts 

$    25,153


$      24,346


$      16,679


$      18,141


$      19,161


$   84,319


$     75,435

   Mortgage banking income

25,162


48,022


18,371


14,647


3,757


106,202


17,564

   Trust and investment services income

7,506


7,404


7,138


7,389


6,935


29,437


29,244

   Securities gains, net

35


15


--


--


24


50


2,711

   Correspondent banking and capital market income

27,751


26,432


10,067


493


1,357


64,743


2,892

   Bank owned life insurance income

3,341


4,127


1,381


2,530


1,361


11,379


6,005

   Recoveries of fully charged off acquired loans

--


--


--


--


2,232


--


6,847

   Other

8,923


4,444


711


932


1,480


15,010


2,867

         Total noninterest income

$    97,871


$    114,790


$      54,347


$      44,132


$      36,307


$ 311,140


$   143,565















Noninterest expense:














   Salaries and employee benefits

$  138,982


$    134,919


$      81,720


$      60,978


$      58,218


$ 416,599


$   234,747

   Pension plan termination expense

-


-


-


-


--


-


9,526

   SWAP termination expense

38,787


-


-


-


--


38,787


--

   Occupancy expense

23,496


23,845


15,959


12,287


12,113


75,587


47,457

   Information services expense

19,527


18,855


12,155


9,306


8,919


59,843


35,477

   FHLB prepayment penalty

56


--


199


--


--


255


134

   OREO expense and loan related

728


1,146


1,107


587


1,013


3,568


3,242

   Business development and staff related

3,835


2,599


1,447


2,244


2,905


10,125


9,382

   Amortization of intangibles

9,760


9,560


4,665


3,007


3,267


26,992


13,084

   Professional fees

4,306


4,385


2,848


2,494


2,862


14,033


10,325

   Supplies, printing and postage expense

2,809


2,755


1,610


1,505


1,464


8,679


5,881

   FDIC assessment and other regulatory charges

3,403


2,849


2,403


2,058


1,327


10,713


4,545

   Advertising and marketing

1,544


1,203


531


814


1,491


4,092


4,309

   Other operating expenses

11,329


13,109


10,189


7,838


5,555


42,465


21,977

   Branch consolid. or merger / convers related exp.

19,836


21,662


40,279


4,129


1,494


85,906


4,552

         Total noninterest expense

$  278,398


$    236,887


$    175,112


$    107,247


$    100,628


$ 797,644


$   404,638

As compared with 3Q 2020:

  • Noninterest income declined by $16.9 million due to lower mortgage banking income of $22.9 million, primarily caused by fair value accounting on lower balances in the mortgage pipeline and loans held for sale.
  • This decline was partially offset by higher correspondent banking and capital markets income, fees on deposit accounts, and other income.
  • Noninterest expense increased by $41.5 million due primarily to $38.8 million swap termination cost. This was incurred on three cash flow hedges, which were terminated in early December.
  • Salaries and employee benefits were higher by $4.1 million due primarily to payroll taxes and additional incentives.
  • Merger-related and branch consolidation cost declined by $1.8 million.

Loans and Deposits

The following table presents a summary of the loan portfolio by type (dollars in thousands):



Ending Balance



Dec. 31,


Sept. 30,


June 30,


March 31,


Dec. 31,


LOAN PORTFOLIO 


2020


2020


2020


2020


2019














Construction and land development


$   1,899,066


$      1,840,111


$       1,999,062


$    1,105,308


$    1,016,692


Commercial non-owner occupied real estate


5,931,323


5,936,372


6,021,317


2,371,371


2,322,590


  Commercial owner occupied real estate


4,842,092


4,846,020


4,762,520


2,177,738


2,158,701


Consumer owner occupied real estate


4,108,042


4,311,186


4,421,247


2,665,405


2,704,405


Home equity loans


1,336,689


1,347,798


1,378,406


758,482


758,020


  Commercial and industrial


3,113,685


3,067,399


3,005,030


1,418,421


1,386,303


  Other income producing property


587,448


629,497


650,237


327,696


346,554


  Consumer non real estate


894,334


900,171


916,623


674,791


662,883


  Other


17,993


7,540


8,372


7,678


13,892


Subtotal


22,730,672


22,886,094


23,162,814


11,506,890


11,370,040


  PPP loans


1,933,462


2,351,721


2,336,333


-


-


Total loans


$ 24,664,134


$    25,237,815


$     25,499,147


$  11,506,890


$  11,370,040


 

The following table presents a summary of the deposit types (dollars in thousands):



Ending Balance



Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

June 30,

March 31,

Dec. 31,

DEPOSITS


2020

2020

2020

2020

2019








Type







Demand deposits


$     9,711,338

$        9,681,095

$        9,915,700

$        3,367,422

$        3,245,306

Interest bearing deposits


6,955,575

6,414,905

6,192,915

2,963,679

2,989,467

Savings


2,694,010

2,618,877

2,503,514

1,337,730

1,309,896

Money market


7,584,353

7,404,299

7,196,456

3,029,769

2,977,029

Time deposits


3,748,605

3,850,778

4,148,700

1,645,947

1,655,398








Total deposits


$   30,693,881

$      29,969,954

$      29,957,285

$      12,344,547

$      12,177,096








Core deposits (excludes CDs)


26,945,276

26,119,176

25,808,585

10,698,600

10,521,698

 

Asset Quality


Ending Balance


Dec. 31,


Sept. 30,


June 30,


Mar. 31,


Dec. 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2020


2020


2020


2020


2019

NONPERFORMING ASSETS:










Non-acquired










Non-acquired nonperforming loans

$       29,171


$        22,463


$        22,883


$        23,912


$        22,816

Non-acquired OREO and other nonperforming assets

688


825


1,689


941


1,011

Total non-acquired nonperforming assets 

29,859


23,288


24,572


24,853


23,827

Acquired










Acquired nonperforming loans (2019 periods acquired non-credit impaired loans only) *

77,668


89,974


100,399


32,791


11,114

Acquired OREO and other nonperforming assets

11,568


12,904


16,987


6,802


5,848

Total acquired nonperforming assets

89,236


102,878


117,386


39,593


16,962

Total nonperforming assets *

$     119,095


$       126,166


$       141,958


$        64,446


$        40,789












Three Months Ended


Dec. 31,


Sept. 30,


June 30,


Mar. 31,


Dec. 31,


2020


2020


2020


2020


2019

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:










Allowance for non-acquired loan losses as a 










  percentage of non-acquired loans (1)

N/A


N/A


N/A


N/A


0.62%

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans

1.85%


1.74%


1.70%


1.26%


N/A

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans, excluding PPP loans

2.01%


1.92%


1.88%


N/A


N/A

Allowance for non-acquired loan losses as a 










  percentage of non-acquired nonperforming loans

N/A


N/A


N/A


N/A


249.50%

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans *

428.04%


391.47%


352.53%


255.34%


N/A

Net charge-offs on non-acquired loans as a percentage of average (annualized) (1)

N/A


N/A


N/A


N/A


0.06%

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (annualized)

0.01%


0.01%


0.00%


0.05%


N/A

Net charge-offs on acquired loans as a percentage










  of average acquired loans (annualized) (1)

N/A


N/A


N/A


N/A


-0.01%

Total nonperforming assets as a percentage










  of total assets *

0.32%


0.33%


0.38%


0.39%


0.26%

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of period end loans *

0.43%


0.45%


0.48%


0.49%


0.30%

*Total nonperforming assets now include nonaccrual loans that are purchase credit deteriorated ("PCD loans").  Prior to January 1, 2020, these loans, which were called acquired credit impaired ("ACI") loans, were excluded from nonperforming assets.  The adoption of CECL resulted in the discontinuation of the pool-level accounting for ACI loans and replaced it with loan-level evaluation for PCD nonaccrual status.  The Company's nonperforming loans increased by $21.0 million in the first quarter of 2020 from these loans.  The Company has not assumed or taken on any additional risk relative to these assets.  With the merger with CSFL on June 7, 2020, the amount of acquired nonaccruals loans increased by approximately $69.9 million during the second quarter of 2020. 

As compared with 3Q 2020:

  • Total OREO decreased by $1.6 million to $11.9 million.
  • Net charge-offs totaled $816,000, or 0.01% annualized, as a percentage of average loans, compared to $594,000, or 0.01% annualized.
  • Total allowance for credit losses ("ACL") was $457.3 million, or 1.85% of period end loans compared to $440.2 million, or 1.74%.
  • ACL for unfunded commitments was $43.4 million, or 0.93% of the unfunded commitments (off balance sheet) compared to $43.2 million, or 0.94%.
  • The provision for credit losses declined $11.6 million.
  • Total nonperforming assets decreased $7.1 million to $119.1 million, representing 0.32% of total assets, a decline of 1 basis point. The decrease was $5.6 million in nonperforming loans and $1.5 million in other nonperforming assets. 

Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL")

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 ("CECL"), which affects the allowance for credit losses and the liability for unfunded commitments ("UFC").  Below is a table showing the roll forward of the ACL and UFC for the fourth quarter of 2020:



Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL & UFC")



NonPCD ACL

PCD ACL

Total


UFC

Ending balance 9/30/2020


$          286,506

$        153,653

$          440,159


$           43,161

Charge offs


(2,031)


(2,031)



Acquired charge offs


(203)

(2,072)

(2,275)



Recoveries


939


939



Acquired recoveries


1,086

1,465

2,551



Provision for credit losses


29,173

(11,207)

17,966


219

Ending balance 12/31/2020


$          315,470

$        141,839

$          457,309


$           43,380








Period end loans (includes PPP Loans)


$     21,748,325

$     2,915,809

$     24,664,134


 N/A 

Reserve to Loans (includes PPP Loans)


1.45%

4.86%

1.85%


 N/A 

Period end loans (excludes PPP Loans)


$     19,814,863

$     2,915,809

$     22,730,672


 N/A 

Reserve to Loans (excludes PPP Loans)


1.59%

4.86%

2.01%


 N/A 

Unfunded commitments (off balance sheet) *






$      4,670,868

Reserve to unfunded commitments (off balance sheet)






0.93%

* Unfunded commitments excludes unconditionally cancelable commitments and letters of credit.

  • Net charge offs of NonPCD loans totaled $209,000 for the quarter and for PCD loans totaled $607,000.
  • The provision for credit losses recorded during the fourth quarter reflects an $11.2 million decline in the ACL related to PCD loans primarily from $226 million in loan payments.
  • The provision for credit losses recorded during the fourth quarter reflects a $29.2 million increase in the ACL related to NonPCD loans primarily from the blending of two forecasted economic scenarios. The use of two forecast scenarios allowed for the consideration of the uncertainty around the rising cases of the COVID19 pandemic and resultant additional expected credit losses in the NonPCD loan portfolio.
  • The ACL for unfunded commitments totals $43.4 million, or 0.93% of the unfunded commitment balance compared to 0.94% at September 30, 2020.

Merger with CSFL

The merger with CSFL closed on June 7, 2020.  The Company issued 37,271,069 shares using an exchange ratio of 0.3001.  The total purchase price was $2.257 billion.  The initial (preliminary) allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired was completed as of June 30, 2020.  Below is a table that reflects that initial allocation of the purchase price and additional measurement period adjustments recorded during the third and fourth quarter of 2020:

South State Corporation










Fair Value of 

CenterState Bank Corporation






3Q 2020


4Q 2020


Net Assets 

Merger Date of June 7, 2020




Initial


Measurement


Measurement


Acquired at



As Recorded


Fair Value


Period


Period


Date of 

(Dollars in thousands)


by CSFL


Adjustments


Adjustments


Adjustments


Acquisition

Assets











Cash and cash equivalents


$        2,566,450


$                   --






$             2,566,450

Investment securities


1,188,403


5,507


--


--


1,193,910

Loans held for sale


453,578


--






453,578

Loans


12,969,091


(48,342)


29,834


--


12,950,583

Premises and equipment


324,396


2,392


5,999


(2,490)


330,297

Intangible assets


1,294,211


(1,163,349)


10,000


--


140,862

Other real estate owned and repossessed assets


10,849


(791)


(49)


--


10,009

Bank owned life insurance


333,053


--






333,053

Deferred tax asset


54,122


(8,681)


(8,952)


750


37,239

Other assets


950,813


(604)


26


--


950,235

Total assets


$      20,144,966


$    (1,213,868)


$          36,858


$          (1,740)


$           18,966,216












Liabilities











Deposits:











Noninterest-bearing


$        5,291,443


$                   --


$                   --


$                  --


$             5,291,443

Interest-bearing


10,312,370


19,702


--


--


10,332,072

Total deposits


15,603,813


19,702


--


--


15,623,515

Federal funds purchased and securities










sold under agreements to repurchase


401,546


--


--


--


401,546

Other borrowings


278,900


(7,401)


--


--


271,499

Other liabilities


977,725


(4,592)


--


857


973,990

Total liabilities


17,261,984


7,709


--


857


17,270,550

Net identifiable assets acquired over liabilities assumed


2,882,982


(1,221,577)


36,858


(2,597)


1,695,666

Goodwill




600,483


(36,858)


(2,583)


561,042

Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed


$        2,882,982


$       (621,094)


$                   --


$          (5,180)


$             2,256,708












Consideration:











South State Corporation common shares issued








37,271,069

Purchase price per share of the Company's common stock






$                    60.27

Company common stock issued and cash









exchanged for fractional shares










$             2,246,401

Stock Option Conversion










2,900

Restricted Stock Conversion










7,407

Fair value of total consideration transferred








$             2,256,708

The measurement period adjustments during the fourth quarter of 2020 related to the merger between the Company and CSFL include the following:

  • Goodwill was reduced by $2.6 million with the measurement period adjustments recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020, and resulted in total goodwill from the merger with CSFL of $561.0 million.
  • Adjusted the discount rate applied to the bank owned life insurance split dollar liability, which increased the liability, by $857,000.
  • Adjusted the fair value of certain premises where updated information was received, which totaled $2.5 million.
  • Adjusted deferred tax asset by $750,000 for these adjustments noted above.
  • The purchase price (consideration transferred) decreased by $5.2 million to $2.9 million for stock options assumed and converted in the merger. The stock options assumed reflect their intrinsic value based upon a Black Scholes valuation.

In addition, with respect to the merger and conversion:

  • Merger-related and branch closure cost incurred during the fourth quarter totaled $19.8 million, pre-tax; and included contract terminations, professional fees, branch closure cost, and severance and support incentives to personnel.
  • The merger integration, conversion, and cost savings identification process remains on schedule.

Conference Call

The Company will announce its fourth quarter 2020 earnings results in a news release after the market closes on January 27, 2021.  At 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on January 28, 2021, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter results.  Callers wishing to participate may call toll-free by dialing 877-506-9272.  The number for international participants is (412) 680-2004.  The conference ID number is 10151303.  Alternatively, individuals may listen to the live webcast of the presentation by visiting SouthStateBank.com.  An audio replay of the live webcast is expected to be available by the evening of January 28, 2021 on the Investor Relations section of SouthStateBank.com.

South State Corporation is a financial services company headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida. South State Bank, N.A., the company's nationally chartered bank subsidiary, provides consumer, commercial, mortgage and wealth management solutions to more than one million customers throughout Florida, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. The bank also serves clients coast to coast through its correspondent banking division. Additional information is available at SouthStateBank.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

Statements included in this press release include non-GAAP measures and should be read along with the accompanying tables that provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures.  Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide additional useful information, which allows readers to evaluate the ongoing performance of the Company.  Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider the company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the company.   Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company's results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

Pre-provision net revenue (in thousands)


Dec. 31, 2020

Sept. 30, 2020

June 30, 2020








Netincome (loss) (GAAP)


$             86,236

$             95,221

$        (84,935)


PCL legacy SSB


18,185

29,797

31,259


PCL legacy CSB NonPCD and UFC - Day 1


-

-

119,079


PCL legacy CSB for June


-

-

1,136


Tax provision (benefit)


(19,401)

23,233

(24,747)


Merger-related costs


19,836

21,662

40,279


Securities gain


(35)

(15)

-


FHLB advance prepayment cost


56

-

199


Swap termination cost


38,787




CSB pre-merger PPNR 


-

-

74,791








Pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) Non-GAAP


$           143,664

$           169,898

$        157,061








SSB average asset balance (GAAP)


$      38,027,111

$      37,865,217

$   22,898,925


CSB average asset balance pre-merger




14,604,081


Total average balance June 30, 2020 (Non-GAAP) 




$   37,503,006








ROAA PPNR


1.50%

1.79%

1.68%


 


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Dec. 31


Sept. 30,


June 30,


Mar. 31,


Dec. 31,


Dec. 31


Dec. 31,

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO Non-GAAP 

2020


2020


2020


2020


2019


2020


2019

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) (3)














Net income (loss) (GAAP)

$           86,236


$           95,221


$          (84,935)


$           24,110


$           49,091


$          120,632


$         186,483

Securities gains, net of tax

(29)


(12)


--


--


(20)


(41)


(2,173)

PCL - NonPCD loans & unfunded commitments

--


--


92,212


--


--


92,212


--

Pension plan termination expense, net of tax

--


--


--


--


--


--


7,641

Swap termination expense, net of tax

31,784










31,784



Provision (Benefit) for income taxes - carryback tax loss

(31,468)










(31,468)



FHLB prepayment penalty, net of tax

46


--


154


--


--


200


107

Merger and branch consolidation/acq. expense, net of tax

16,255


17,413


31,191


3,510


1,252


68,369


3,701

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)

$        102,824


$         112,622


$           38,622


$           27,620


$           50,323


$          281,688


$         195,759















Adjusted net income per common share - Basic (3)














   Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic (GAAP)

$               1.22


$               1.34


$              (1.96)


$               0.72


$               1.46


$                 2.20


5.40

Effect to adjust for securities gains

(0.00)


(0.00)


--


--


(0.01)


(0.00)


(0.06)

    Effect to adjust for PCL - NonPCD loans & unfunded commitments

--


--


2.13


--


-


1.68


-

Effect to adjust for pension plan termination expense, net of tax

--


--


--


--


-


--


0.22

Effect to adjust for swap termination expense, net of tax

0.45










0.58



Effect to adjust for benefit for income taxes - carryback tax loss

(0.44)










(0.57)



Effect to adjust for FHLB prepayment penalty, net of tax

0.00


--


0.00


--


-


0.00


0.00

Effect to adjust for merger & branch consol./acq expenses, net of tax

0.23


0.25


0.72


0.10


0.04


1.25


0.11

Adjusted net income per common share - Basic (non-GAAP)

$               1.45


$               1.59


$               0.89


$               0.82


$               1.49


$                 5.14


$               5.66















Adjusted net income per common share - Diluted (3)














   Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted (GAAP)

$               1.21


$               1.34


$              (1.96)


$               0.71


$               1.45


$                 2.19


$               5.36

Effect to adjust for securities gains

(0.00)


(0.00)


--


--


(0.01)


(0.00)


(0.06)

Effect to adjust for swap termination expense, net of tax

0.45










0.58



Effect to adjust for benefit for income taxes - carryback tax loss

(0.44)










(0.57)



    Effect to adjust for PCL - NonPCD loans & unfunded commitments

--


--


2.11


--


-


1.67


--

Effect to adjust for pension plan termination expense, net of tax

--


--


--


--


-


--


0.22

Effect to adjust for FHLB prepayment penalty, net of tax

--


--


0.00


--


-


0.00


0.00

Effect to adjust for merger & branch consol./acq expenses, net of tax

0.23


0.24


0.72


0.11


0.04


1.24


0.11

Effect of adjusted weighted ave shares due to adjusted net income

-


-


0.02






-


-

Adjusted net income per common share - Diluted (non-GAAP)

$               1.44


$               1.58


$               0.89


$               0.82


$               1.48


$                 5.12


$               5.63















Adjusted Return of Average Assets (3)














   Return on average assets (GAAP)

0.90%


1.00%


-1.49%


0.60%


1.23%


0.42%


1.21%

   Effect to adjust for swap termination expense

0.33%










0.12%



Effect to adjust for benefit for income taxes - carryback tax loss

-0.33%










-0.11%



Effect to adjust for securities gains

0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


-0.01%

    Effect to adjust for PCL - NonPCD loans & unfunded commitments

0.00%


0.00%


1.62%


0.00%


0.00%


0.32%


0.00%

Effect to adjust for pension plan termination expense, net of tax

0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.05%

Effect to adjust for FHLB prepayment penalty, net of tax

0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%

Effect to adjust for merger & branch consol./acq expenses, net of tax

0.18%


0.18%


0.55%


0.09%


0.03%


0.23%


0.02%

Adjusted return on average assets (non-GAAP)

1.08%


1.18%


0.68%


0.69%


1.26%


0.98%


1.27%















Adjusted Return of Average Equity (3)














   Return on average equity (GAAP)

7.45%


8.31%


-11.78%


4.15%


8.26%


3.35%


7.89%

Effect to adjust for securities gains

0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


-0.09%

   Effect to adjust for swap termination expense

2.74%










0.88%



Effect to adjust for benefit for income taxes - carryback tax loss

-2.72%










-0.87%



    Effect to adjust for PCL - NonPCD loans & unfunded commitments

0.00%


0.00%


12.79%


0.00%


0.00%


2.56%


0.00%

Effect to adjust for pension plan termination expense, net of tax

0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.32%

Effect to adjust for FHLB prepayment penalty, net of tax

0.00%


0.00%


0.02%


0.00%


0.00%


0.01%


0.01%

Effect to adjust for merger & branch consol./acq expenses, net of tax

1.41%


1.52%


4.33%


0.60%


0.21%


1.88%


0.15%

Adjusted return on average equity (non-GAAP)

8.88%


9.83%


5.36%


4.75%


8.47%


7.81%


8.28%















Adjusted Return on Average Common Tangible Equity (3) (5)














   Return on average common equity (GAAP)

7.45%


8.31%


-11.78%


4.15%


8.26%


3.35%


7.89%

Effect to adjust for securities gains

0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


-0.09%

   Effect to adjust for swap termination expense

2.74%










3.51%



Effect to adjust for benefit for income taxes - carryback tax loss

-2.72%










-0.87%



    Effect to adjust for PCL - NonPCD loans & unfunded commitments

0.00%


0.00%


12.79%


0.00%


0.00%


2.56%


0.00%

Effect to adjust for pension plan termination expense, net of tax

0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.00%


0.32%

Effect to adjust for FHLB prepayment penalty, net of tax

0.00%


0.00%


0.02%


0.00%


0.00%


0.01%


0.00%

Effect to adjust for merger & branch consol./acq expenses, net of tax

1.40%


1.52%


4.32%


0.60%


0.21%


1.90%


0.16%

Effect to adjust for intangible assets

6.48%


7.31%


4.88%


4.70%


7.70%


3.68%


7.54%

Adjusted return on average common tangible equity (non-GAAP)

15.35%


17.14%


10.23%


9.45%


16.17%


14.14%


15.82%

 


Three Months Ended


(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Dec. 31


Sept. 30,


June 30,


Mar. 31,


Dec. 31,


RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO Non-GAAP 

2020


2020


2020


2020


2019













Adjusted efficiency ratio (5)











  Efficiency ratio 

76.26%


61.39%


80.52%


62.11%


61.64%


Effect to adjust for one-time related costs and benefits

-16.07%


-5.61%


-18.61%


-2.39%


-0.91%


Adjusted efficiency ratio 

60.19%


55.78%


61.91%


59.72%


60.73%













Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (5)











   Book value per common share (GAAP)

$             65.49


$             64.34


$             63.35


$             69.40


$             70.32


Effect to adjust for intangible assets

(24.33)


(24.51)


(25.02)


(31.39)


(31.19)


Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)

$             41.16


$             39.83


$             38.33


$             38.01


$             39.13













Tangible Equity-to-Tangible Assets (5)











   Equity-to-assets (GAAP)

12.30%


12.07%


11.91%


13.95%


14.90%


Effect to adjust for intangible assets

-4.20%


-4.24%


-4.35%


-5.80%


-6.02%


Tangible equity-to-tangible assets (non-GAAP)

8.10%


7.83%


7.56%


8.15%


8.88%



 

Footnotes to tables:

(1)   Loan data excludes mortgage loans held for sale.

(2)   The dividend payout ratio is calculated by dividing total dividends paid during the period by the total net income for the same period.

(3)   Adjusted earnings, adjusted return on average assets, and adjusted return on average equity are non-GAAP measures and exclude the after-tax effect of gains on acquisitions, gains or losses on sales of securities, income tax benefit related to the carryback of tax losses under the CARES Act, swap termination expense, and merger and branch consolidation related expense.  Management believes that non-GAAP adjusted measures provide additional useful information that allows readers to evaluate the ongoing performance of the company.  Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider the company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the company.   Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company's results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.  Adjusted earnings and the related adjusted return measures (non-GAAP) exclude the following from net income (GAAP) on an after-tax basis:  (a) pre-tax merger and branch consolidation related expense of  $19.8 million, $21.7 million, $40.3 million, $4.1 million, and $1.5 million, for the quarters ended December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively; (b) securities (losses) gains, net of $35,000, $15,000, and $24,000, for the quarters ended December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively; (c) FHLB prepayment penalty of $56,000 and $199,000 for the quarters ended December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020; (d) swap termination expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, of $38.8 million; and (e) $31.5 million of tax carryback losses under the CARES Act for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. 

(4)   December 31, 2020 ratios are estimated and may be subject to change pending the final filing of the FR Y-9C; all other periods are presented as filed.

(5)   The tangible measures are non-GAAP measures and exclude the effect of period end or average balance of intangible assets.  The tangible returns on equity and common equity measures also add back the after-tax amortization of intangibles to GAAP basis net income.  Management believes that these non-GAAP tangible measures provide additional useful information, particularly since these measures are widely used by industry analysts for companies with prior merger and acquisition activities.  Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider the company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the company.   Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company's results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.  The sections titled "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP" provide tables that reconcile non-GAAP measures to GAAP.

(6)   Includes loan accretion (interest) income related to the discount on acquired loans of $12.7 million, $22.4 million, $10.1 million $10.9 million, and $7.4 million, respectively, during the five quarters above.

(7)   Adjusted efficiency ratio is calculated by taking the noninterest expense excluding swap termination expense, branch consolidation cost and merger cost, pension plan termination and the FHLB prepayment penalty divided by net interest income and noninterest income excluding securities gains (losses).

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Statements included in this communication, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are based on, among other things, management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy and SouthState. Words and phrases such as "may," "approximately," "continue," "should," "expects," "projects," "anticipates," "is likely," "look ahead," "look forward," "believes," "will," "intends," "estimates," "strategy," "plan," "could," "potential," "possible" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SouthState cautions readers that forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to, among other things, timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, include, among others, the following:  (1) economic downturn risk, potentially resulting in deterioration in the credit markets, greater than expected noninterest expenses, excessive loan losses and other negative consequences, which risks could be exacerbated by potential negative economic developments resulting from the Covid19 pandemic, or from federal spending cuts and/or one or more federal budget-related impasses or actions; (2) interest rate risk primarily resulting from the low interest rate environment and historically low yield curve primarily due to government programs in place under the CARES Act and otherwise in response to the Covid19 pandemic, and their impact on the Bank's earnings, including from the correspondent and mortgage divisions, housing demand, the market value of the bank's loan and securities portfolios, and the market value of SouthState's equity; (3)  risks related to the merger and integration of SouthState and CSFL including, among others, (i) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, (ii) the risk that the integration of each party's operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the parties are otherwise unable to successfully integrate each party's businesses into the other's businesses, (iii) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger, (iv) reputational risk and the reaction of each company's customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the merger, (4) the impact of increasing digitization of the banking industry and movement of customers to on-line platforms, and the possible impact on the Bank's results of operations, customer base, expenses, suppliers and operations,  (5) controls and procedures risk, including the potential failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures; (6) potential deterioration in real estate values; (7) the impact of competition with other financial institutions, including pricing pressures (including those resulting from the CARES Act) and the resulting impact, including as a result of compression to net interest margin;  (8) credit risks associated with an obligor's failure to meet the terms of any contract with the bank or otherwise fail to perform as agreed under the terms of any loan-related document; (9) liquidity risk affecting the Bank's ability to meet its obligations when they come due; (10) risks associated with an anticipated increase in SouthState's investment securities portfolio, including risks associated with acquiring and holding investment securities or potentially determining that the amount of investment securities SouthState desires to acquire are not available on terms acceptable to SouthState; (11) price risk focusing on changes in market factors that may affect the value of traded instruments in "mark-to-market" portfolios; (12) transaction risk arising from problems with service or product delivery; (13) compliance risk involving risk to earnings or capital resulting from violations of or nonconformance with laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, or ethical standards; (14) regulatory change risk resulting from new laws, rules, regulations, accounting principles, proscribed practices or ethical standards, including, without limitation, the possibility that regulatory agencies may require higher levels of capital above the current regulatory-mandated minimums and including the impact of the recently enacted CARES Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules and regulations, and the possibility of changes in accounting standards, policies, principles and practices, including changes in accounting principles relating to loan loss recognition (CECL); (15) strategic risk resulting from adverse business decisions or improper implementation of business decisions; (16) reputation risk that adversely affects earnings or capital arising from negative public opinion; (17) terrorist activities risk that results in loss of consumer confidence and economic disruptions; (18) cybersecurity risk related to the dependence of SouthState on internal computer systems and the technology of outside service providers, as well as the potential impacts of internal or external security breaches, which may subject the company to potential business disruptions or financial losses resulting from deliberate attacks or unintentional events; (19) greater than expected noninterest expenses; ; (20) excessive loan losses; ((21) potential deposit attrition, higher than expected costs, customer loss and business disruption associated with the CSFL integration, and potential difficulties in maintaining relationships with key personnel; (22) the risks of fluctuations in market prices for SouthState common stock that may or may not reflect economic condition or performance of SouthState; (23) the payment of dividends on SouthState common stock, which is subject to legal and regulatory limitations as well as the discretion of the board of directors of SouthState, SouthState's performance and other factors; (24) ownership dilution risk associated with potential acquisitions in which SouthState's stock may be issued as consideration for an acquired company; (25) ;operational, technological, cultural, regulatory, legal, credit and other risks associated with the exploration, consummation and integration of potential future acquisition, whether involving stock or cash consideration; (26) major catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods or other natural or human disasters, including infectious disease outbreaks, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the related disruption to local, regional and global economic activity and financial markets, and the impact that any of the foregoing may have on SouthState and its customers and other constituencies; and  (27) other factors that may affect future results of SouthState and CenterState, as disclosed in SouthState's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and CenterState's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, in each case filed by SouthState or CenterState, as applicable, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, implied or otherwise anticipated by such forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. SouthState does not undertake any obligation to update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

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SOURCE SouthState Corporation