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kvorak wrote: Finally... somebody agrees. The reason people can't answer this question objectively is because it's the WRONG QUESTION, lol. Well said.
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First Commonwealth Announces Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results
Core Net Income Increases 24.3%; Growth in Loans and Net Interest Income/Margin Expansion Continues

INDIANA, Pa., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF), the holding company for First Commonwealth Bank, announced today financial results for the third quarter of 2008.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030416/FIRSTLOGO )

Third Quarter Results

First Commonwealth reported third quarter 2008 core net income, or net income excluding securities gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairment charges, of $15.2 million or $0.21 per diluted share, a 24.3% increase as compared to the same period in 2007. When compared to the second quarter of 2008, core net income increased $2.0 million or 14.9%.

GAAP net income for the third quarter 2008 was $10.2 million or $0.14 per diluted share compared to $12.2 million or $0.17 per diluted share in the same period last year and $12.9 million or $0.18 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2008.

Third quarter 2008 net income was impacted by non-cash charges of $8.6 million, $5.6 million after tax, or $0.08 per share, for other-than-temporary impairment charges. The charges included $7.7 million, $5.0 million after tax, for one trust preferred collateralized debt obligation and $947 thousand, $615 thousand after tax, for equity securities issued by two Pennsylvania-based financial institutions. Partially offsetting these charges were gains of $910 thousand, $592 thousand after tax, from the sale of equity securities.

Third quarter 2008 return on average equity and average assets was 7.38% and 0.65%, respectively, compared to 8.59% and 0.85% for the prior year period and 9.03% and 0.84% for the second quarter of 2008.

   Developments during the third quarter included:

    -- Total loans increased 14.3% and commercial loans increased 29.0% year
       over year.
    -- Net interest income increased 19.4% year over year.
    -- Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, improved 22 basis
       points year over year.
    -- First Commonwealth Bank opened a new community banking office
       (McCandless Township), which was the second de novo office opened in
       the Pittsburgh market during 2008.
    -- Credit quality improved over second quarter.

"Our core operating results were solid across all lines of business despite challenging conditions, and I am pleased with the loan growth as well as the improvement in credit quality over the second quarter," said John J. Dolan, President and CEO. "We remain a well-capitalized institution with significant liquidity and we are making loans in the communities we serve at a time when credit markets have seized up and the balance sheets of many of our larger competitors are shrinking."

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income increased $1.0 million, or 2.1% from the second quarter of 2008, representing five consecutive quarters of growth. Additionally, net interest income increased $7.8 million, or 19.4% compared to the third quarter of 2007. This improvement is primarily due to increased levels of interest earning assets, particularly in commercial loans. Total loans increased $524.5 million, or 14.3% year over year and increased $71.2 million, or 1.7% compared to the prior quarter. Investment securities decreased $74.6 million, or 4.9% year over year and decreased $123.9 million, or 7.8% compared to the prior quarter.

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis for the third quarter 2008 increased 22 basis points to 3.58% compared with 3.36% in the corresponding period last year and increased four basis points from the second quarter of 2008. In the second quarter, net loan prepayment fees of $1.6 million contributed 12 basis points to the net interest margin. The increase in our net interest margin for both periods can be attributed to increased loan volume and declines in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities exceeding the decrease in yields on total interest-earning assets. The decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities can be attributed to lower interest rates as well as a change in the mix of our deposits. In the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year, average noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased $36.4 million, or 7.0%, average interest-bearing demand deposits increased $25.1 million, or 4.2%, and average savings deposits increased $68.2 million, or 6.2%. Average higher costing time deposits decreased $182.6 million or 8.6%.

Average interest-earning assets were $505.7 million, or 9.8%, higher in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007 driven by an increase in average loans of $496.0 million. Average interest-earning assets remained stable from the second quarter of 2008 as the average loans increased $101.0 million but was offset by the $108.8 million decrease in average investment securities. Average borrowings increased $592.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 and increased $57.4 million compared to the second quarter of 2008 primarily to fund the loan growth.

Non-Interest Income

Core non-interest income, or non-interest income excluding net securities gains (losses), in the third quarter of 2008 increased $1.8 million, or 14.6%, from the same period last year and $443 thousand, or 3.3%, from the second quarter of 2008. The increase in the year to year comparison was primarily due to higher insurance commissions, increased card related interchange income and greater letter of credit fees. Higher sales, additional producers and an enhanced calling program resulted in increased insurance commissions. Card related interchange income increased primarily due to growth in usage of debit cards and larger dollar transactions. The increase in core non-interest income for the third quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2008 can be attributed to higher letter of credit fees. GAAP non-interest income for the third quarter of 2008 decreased $5.9 million, or 48.6%, from the third quarter of 2007 and decreased $6.8 million, or 52.1%, from the second quarter of 2008.

During the third quarter of 2008, the company recorded other-than- temporary impairment charges of $7.7 million on a trust preferred collateralized debt obligation and $947 thousand on equity securities issued by two Pennsylvania-based financial institutions. These were partially offset by the $910 thousand in net securities gains recorded in the third quarter of 2008. In the second quarter of 2008, $541 thousand in other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded on equity securities issued by two other local financial institutions.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2008 increased $2.5 million, or 6.9%, compared to the third quarter of 2007 and remained relatively stable from the second quarter of 2008. This increase can be largely attributed to the rise in incentive compensation expense related to the growth in loans, insurance sales and core net income, as well as annual merit increases.

Income Tax

The provision for income taxes decreased $225 thousand for the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. First Commonwealth's effective tax rate was 10.0% in both the third quarter of 2008 and 2007 and 18.1% in the second quarter of 2008. Nontaxable income and tax credits had a greater impact on the effective tax rate during both the third quarter of 2008 and 2007 due to lower pretax income in those periods compared to the second quarter of 2008.

Credit Quality and Provision for Credit Losses

Credit quality has remained stable despite worsening economic conditions. Total nonperforming loans and the ratio of nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans have declined in the third quarter of 2008 from both the comparable period last year and from the second quarter of 2008. First Commonwealth is not a participant or underwriter in the sub-prime mortgage loan or sub-prime collateralized debt marketplace and therefore does not have any direct exposure to risks associated with these activities. All mortgage backed securities in First Commonwealth's portfolio are AAA-rated and backed by U.S. Government agencies.

For the quarter ending September 30, 2008, non-accrual loans decreased $1.2 million from the second quarter of 2008 due primarily to the successful settlement of the Equipment Finance, LLC loan portfolio. Non-accrual loans decreased slightly from the comparable period last year. Non-accrual loans at September 30, 2008 include a $31.2 million commercial credit relationship that has been monitored since the second quarter of 2006 and was placed on non- accrual during the second quarter of 2007. This credit is collateralized by real estate and equipment and a reserve has been allocated, primarily during 2006, to cover the expected losses. The payment of principal and interest on this credit has been deferred pursuant to a loan forbearance agreement that was extended to December 31, 2008. Management continues to monitor the borrower closely and is presently evaluating options with respect to the collection or resolution of this credit.

Loans past due in excess of 90 days and still accruing at September 30, 2008 were flat compared to September 30, 2007 and decreased $491 thousand from June 30, 2008. The provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2008 increased $1.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2007 and decreased $1.4 million from the second quarter of 2008. The increase from the third quarter of 2007 was primarily attributable to growth in the portfolio as well as an additional provision for a $5.0 million construction loan collateralized with real estate that was placed on non-accrual during the second quarter of 2008.

Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at September 30, 2008.

Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations

First Commonwealth's portfolio of trust preferred collateralized debt obligations and subordinated notes consists of 15 pooled issues and 21 single- issue securities. The single issues are primarily from money center and large regional banks. The pooled instruments consist of securities issued by 376 banks and other financial institutions. Two of our pooled securities are senior tranches and the remainder are mezzanine tranches. The senior and mezzanine tranches of trust preferred collateralized debt obligations generally are protected from defaults by over-collateralization and cash flow default protection provided by subordinated tranches, with senior tranches having the greatest protection and mezzanine tranches subordinated to the senior tranches. At the time of initial issue, the tranches subordinated to our senior and mezzanine tranches ranged in size from approximately 7.3% to 35.4% of the total principal amount of the respective securities and no single issuer comprised more than 5% of the principal of the total principal of the pool.

As of September 30, 2008, our single issue securities had a book value of $24.0 million and an estimated fair value of $19.1 million, while the book value of the pooled securities totaled $98.7 million with an estimated fair value of $56.3 million. In the third quarter of 2008, a $7.7 million other-than-temporary impairment charge was recorded on a $13.0 million investment in one trust preferred collateralized debt obligation. This obligation, which includes 20 issuers, one of which is in default and two of which have deferred interest payments, is expected to experience a principal shortfall at maturity. Based on management's analysis as of September 30, 2008, all of the single issues and the remainder of the trust preferred collateralized debt obligations are expected to return 100% of their principal and interest.

Year-to-Date Results

First Commonwealth recorded core net income year to date September 30, 2008 of $39.2 million, or $0.54 per diluted share. Return on average equity and average assets was 9.22% and 0.85%. Core net income year to date September 30, 2008 increased 14.9% from the comparable period in 2007.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, GAAP net income was $34.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared to the $34.6 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, reported for the same period of 2007. Year to date results for 2008 were unfavorably impacted by other-than-temporary impairment charges of $5.9 million after tax, or $0.08 per share, as described above. Return on average equity and average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 8.05% and 0.74%, respectively, compared to 8.08% and 0.80% for the first nine months of 2007.

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 12.1% higher than the comparable period last year, reflecting growth in average loans of 8.6%. The net interest margin for the first nine months of 2008 increased to 3.47% from 3.35% for the same period in 2007 as the cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined faster than the yield on total interest- earning assets. Net loan prepayment fees of $1.6 million recorded in 2008 had a positive effect on the net interest margin of four basis points.

The provision for credit losses increased $4.8 million for the year to date ending September 30, 2008 compared to the same period last year primarily from the $524 million increase in loans as well as the addition of the aforementioned $5.0 million commercial construction loan to non-accrual

Core non-interest income for the nine months ending September 30, 2008 increased $5.2 million, or 14.8%, from the same period last year due to a $712 thousand increase in service charges on deposit accounts, $1.4 million rise in insurance commissions, $880 thousand increase in card related interchange income, $1.3 million rise in letter of credit fees and the $1.0 million increase in other income. Service charges on deposit accounts increased as a result of increased activity and growth in accounts. The increase in insurance commissions was the result of higher sales driven by additional producers and an enhanced calling program. The increase in card related interchange income was due to more usage in debit cards. Other income increased due to higher interest rate swap fees.

Non-interest expense year-to-date September 30, 2008 increased $5.6 million, or 5.0%, from the comparable period in 2007 due to the $4.6 million increase in salaries and employee benefits and the $1.0 million increase in net occupancy expense. Salaries and employee benefits increased primarily as a result of higher incentive compensation expense related to the loan growth, greater insurance sales and higher core net income, as well as annual merit increases. The increase in net occupancy expense was the result of higher rental expense, utilities and building repairs and maintenance.

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased $1.5 million, to $5.4 million, from the same period last year due to the $1.1 million rise in income before income taxes and a decrease in tax-free income and tax credits. First Commonwealth's effective tax rate was 13.6% for the first nine months of 2008 compared to 10.0% for the same period in 2007.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure

This release includes core net income, which is a non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measure that is calculated by excluding securities gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairment charges from GAAP net income. Management believes that core net income is useful to the investment community in analyzing financial results and trends of First Commonwealth. This information facilitates comparisons with prior periods and reflects the principal basis on which our management internally monitors financial performance. The table in the financial section reconciles GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures for the periods presented.

About First Commonwealth Financial Corporation

First Commonwealth Financial Corporation is a $6.2 billion bank holding company headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania. It operates 113 retail branch offices in 15 counties in western and central Pennsylvania through First Commonwealth Bank, a Pennsylvania chartered bank and trust company. Financial services and insurance products are also provided through First Commonwealth Insurance Agency and First Commonwealth Financial Advisors, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the adequacy of First Commonwealth's allowance for credit losses, expectations of continued growth and the impact of recent organizational changes and strategic initiatives on future results. Forward-looking statements describe First Commonwealth's future plans, strategies and expectations and are based on assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of First Commonwealth and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, performance or achievements contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Such risks and uncertainties include among other things:

-- adverse changes in the economy or business conditions, either nationally or in First Commonwealth's market areas, which could increase credit-related losses and expenses and/or limit growth;

-- further declines in market value of investment securities that are considered to be other-than-temporary, which would negatively impact our earnings and capital levels;

-- increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies, which could result in an increased provision for credit losses on loans and related expenses;

-- fluctuations in interest rates and market prices, which could reduce net interest margin and asset valuations and increase expenses;

-- changes in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to First Commonwealth and its subsidiaries, which could increase costs, limit certain operations and adversely affect results of operations;

-- the inability to successfully execute First Commonwealth's strategic growth initiatives, which could limit future revenue and earnings growth; and

-- other risks and uncertainties described in First Commonwealth's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.


    FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
    (dollars in thousands, except share data)

                                                   For the Quarter Ended
                                            September 30, June 30,  March 31,
                                               2008         2008        2008
    Interest Income
      Interest and fees on loans              $62,285     $62,614     $62,067
      Interest and dividends on investments:
        Taxable interest                       15,013      15,578      15,531
        Interest exempt from Federal income
         taxes                                  3,176       3,347       3,595
        Dividends                                 663         678         609
      Interest on Federal funds sold                0           2           0
      Interest on bank deposits                     2           2           5
        Total interest income                  81,139      82,221      81,807

    Interest Expense
      Interest on deposits                     23,069      25,370      31,033
      Interest on short-term borrowings         4,634       4,251       3,705

      Interest on subordinated debentures       1,870       1,878       1,911
      Interest on other long-term debt          3,639       3,791       4,074
        Total interest on long-term debt        5,509       5,669       5,985

          Total interest expense               33,212      35,290      40,723

    Net Interest Income                        47,927      46,931      41,084
      Provision for credit losses               3,913       5,361       3,179
    Net Interest Income after provision
     for credit losses                         44,014      41,570      37,905

    Non-Interest Income
      Net securities (losses) gains            (7,709)       (451)        501
      Trust income                              1,444       1,538       1,532
      Service charges on deposit accounts       4,792       4,786       4,425
      Insurance commissions                     1,390       1,394       1,277
      Income from bank owned life insurance     1,435       1,446       1,487
      Card related interchange income           1,950       1,950       1,753
      Letter of credit fees                       982         337         230
      Other income                              1,990       2,089       2,251
        Total non-interest income               6,274      13,089      13,456

    Non-Interest Expense
      Salaries and employee benefits           21,091      20,428      20,330
      Net occupancy expense                     3,613       3,728       3,907
      Furniture and equipment expense           2,995       3,058       3,078
      Advertising expense                         550         401         628
      Data processing expense                   1,075         996       1,051
      Pennsylvania shares tax expense           1,342       1,339       1,271
      Intangible amortization                     802         832         831
      Other expenses                            7,529       8,103       7,760
        Total non-interest expense             38,997      38,885      38,856

    Income before income taxes                 11,291      15,774      12,505
      Provision for income taxes                1,127       2,861       1,384
    Net Income                                $10,164     $12,913     $11,121

    Average Shares Outstanding             72,715,709  72,624,053  72,452,875
    Average Shares Outstanding Assuming
     Dilution                              72,817,216  72,734,711  72,559,668
    Per Share Data:
      Basic Earnings Per Share                  $0.14       $0.18       $0.15
      Diluted Earnings Per Share                $0.14       $0.18       $0.15
    Cash Dividends Declared per Common
     Share                                      $0.17       $0.17       $0.17


                                                     For the Quarter Ended
                                                 December 31,    September 30,
                                                    2007              2007
    Interest Income
      Interest and fees on loans                   $63,488           $63,737
      Interest and dividends on
       investments:
        Taxable interest                            14,967            14,259
        Interest exempt from Federal income
         taxes                                       3,510             3,424
        Dividends                                      752               753
      Interest on Federal funds sold                    74                57
      Interest on bank deposits                          8                 8
        Total interest income                       82,799            82,238

    Interest Expense
      Interest on deposits                          34,527            33,786
      Interest on short-term borrowings              1,819             1,977

      Interest on subordinated debentures            2,156             2,130
      Interest on other long-term debt               4,139             4,211
        Total interest on long-term debt             6,295             6,341

          Total interest expense                    42,641            42,104

    Net Interest Income                             40,158            40,134
      Provision for credit losses                    2,352             2,296
    Net Interest Income after provision
     for credit losses                              37,806            37,838

    Non-Interest Income
      Net securities (losses) gains                    403                16
      Trust income                                   1,428             1,517
      Service charges on deposit accounts            4,690             4,609
      Insurance commissions                            909             1,064
      Income from bank owned life insurance          1,557             1,534
      Card related interchange income                1,791             1,654
      Letter of credit fees                            207               149
      Other income                                   1,845             1,670
        Total non-interest income                   12,830            12,213

    Non-Interest Expense
      Salaries and employee benefits                18,859            18,401
      Net occupancy expense                          3,484             3,475
      Furniture and equipment expense                3,126             3,243
      Advertising expense                              957               475
      Data processing expense                          987               942
      Pennsylvania shares tax expense                1,446             1,439
      Intangible amortization                          831               857
      Other expenses                                 7,185             7,648
        Total non-interest expense                  36,875            36,480

    Income before income taxes                      13,761            13,571
      Provision for income taxes                     2,113             1,352
    Net Income                                     $11,648           $12,219

    Average Shares Outstanding                  72,391,577        72,589,329
    Average Shares Outstanding Assuming
     Dilution                                   72,513,962        72,705,753
    Per Share Data:
      Basic Earnings Per Share                       $0.16             $0.17
      Diluted Earnings Per Share                     $0.16             $0.17
    Cash Dividends Declared per Common
     Share                                           $0.17             $0.17


                                                   For the Nine Months Ended
                                                 September 30,   September 30,
                                                     2008             2007
    Interest Income
      Interest and fees on loans                  $186,966          $190,463
      Interest and dividends on
       investments:
        Taxable interest                            46,122            45,293
        Interest exempt from Federal income
         taxes                                      10,118            10,222
        Dividends                                    1,950             2,206
      Interest on Federal funds sold                     2                83
      Interest on bank deposits                          9                29
        Total interest income                      245,167           248,296

    Interest Expense
      Interest on deposits                          79,472            98,243
      Interest on short-term borrowings             12,590             9,623

      Interest on subordinated debentures            5,659             6,370
      Interest on other long-term debt              11,504            12,836
        Total interest on long-term debt            17,163            19,206

          Total interest expense                   109,225           127,072

    Net Interest Income                            135,942           121,224
      Provision for credit losses                   12,453             7,690
    Net Interest Income after provision
     for credit losses                             123,489           113,534

    Non-Interest Income
      Net securities (losses) gains                 (7,659)              771
      Trust income                                   4,514             4,453
      Service charges on deposit accounts           14,003            13,291
      Insurance commissions                          4,061             2,651
      Income from bank owned life insurance          4,368             4,544
      Card related interchange income                5,653             4,773
      Letter of credit fees                          1,549               260
      Other income                                   6,330             5,297
      Total non-interest income                     32,819            36,040

    Non-Interest Expense
      Salaries and employee benefits                61,849            57,273
      Net occupancy expense                         11,248            10,226
      Furniture and equipment expense                9,131             8,874
      Advertising expense                            1,579             1,910
      Data processing expense                        3,122             2,821
      Pennsylvania shares tax expense                3,952             4,323
      Intangible amortization                        2,465             2,597
      Other expenses                                23,392            23,108
        Total non-interest expense                 116,738           111,132

    Income before income taxes                      39,570            38,442
      Provision for income taxes                     5,372             3,840
    Net Income                                     $34,198           $34,602

    Average Shares Outstanding                  72,597,977        72,959,307
    Average Shares Outstanding Assuming
     Dilution                                   72,704,279        73,128,040
    Per Share Data:
      Basic Earnings Per Share                       $0.47             $0.47
      Diluted Earnings Per Share                     $0.47             $0.47
    Cash Dividends Declared per Common
     Share                                           $0.51             $0.51



    FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
    (dollars in thousands, except share data)

                                           September 30,  June 30,   March 31,
                                               2008         2008       2008
    Assets
      Cash and due from banks                 $93,327    $101,860     $92,554
      Interest-bearing bank deposits              267         347         219
      Securities available for sale, at
       market value                         1,402,528   1,524,106   1,623,788
      Securities held to maturity, at
       amortized cost,(Market value
       $55,775 at September 30, 2008
       and $72,928 at December 31, 2007)       56,839      59,200      65,935
      Loans:
        Portfolio loans, net of unearned
         income                             4,184,600   4,113,423   3,893,183
        Allowance for credit losses           (45,482)    (44,505)    (41,613)
          Net loans                         4,139,118   4,068,918   3,851,570

      Premises and equipment, net              71,141      69,890      69,191
      Other real estate owned                   3,718       3,271       3,280
      Goodwill                                159,956     159,956     159,956
      Amortizing intangibles, net              10,976      11,778      12,609
      Other assets                            265,920     252,086     239,877

        Total assets                       $6,203,790  $6,251,412  $6,118,979

    Liabilities
      Deposits (all domestic):
        Noninterest-bearing                  $564,443    $568,158    $542,331
        Interest-bearing                    3,696,687   3,744,311   3,778,337
          Total deposits                    4,261,130   4,312,469   4,320,668

      Short-term borrowings                   875,424     834,226     642,869
      Other liabilities                        43,385      47,805      48,259

      Subordinated debentures                 105,750     105,750     105,750
      Other long-term debt                    386,288     404,464     426,955
      Total long-term debt                    492,038     510,214     532,705

        Total liabilities                   5,671,977   5,704,714   5,544,501

    Shareholders' Equity
      Preferred stock, $1 par value per
       share, 3,000,000 shares authorized,
       none issued                                  0           0           0
      Common stock, $1 par value per share,
       200,000,000 shares authorized,
       75,100,431 shares issued and
       73,509,724 shares outstanding
       at September 30, 2008;
       100,000,000 shares authorized,
       75,100,431 shares issued and
       73,128,612 shares outstanding at
       December 31, 2007                       75,100      75,100      75,100
      Additional paid-in capital              205,953     206,245     206,498
      Retained earnings                       315,404     317,611     317,058
      Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
       income, net                            (38,133)    (22,604)      7,215
      Treasury stock (1,590,707 and
       1,971,819 shares at September 30,
       2008 and December 31, 2007,
       respectively, at cost)                 (18,411)    (21,054)    (22,293)
      Unearned ESOP shares                     (8,100)     (8,600)     (9,100)
        Total shareholders' equity            531,813     546,698     574,478

          Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity            $6,203,790  $6,251,412  $6,118,979

    Book value per share                        $7.23       $7.46       $7.85
    Market value per share                     $13.47       $9.33      $11.59


                                                 December 31,    September 30,
                                                    2007             2007
    Assets
      Cash and due from banks                     $100,791           $86,499
      Interest-bearing bank deposits                 1,719             1,060
      Securities available for sale, at
       market value                              1,574,217         1,460,909
      Securities held to maturity, at
       amortized cost,(Market value
       $55,775 at September 30, 2008 and
       $72,928 at December 31, 2007)                71,497            73,024
    Loans:
      Portfolio loans, net of unearned
       income                                    3,697,819         3,660,123
      Allowance for credit losses                  (42,396)          (43,210)
        Net loans                                3,655,423         3,616,913

      Premises and equipment, net                   69,487            70,133
      Other real estate owned                        2,172             1,803
      Goodwill                                     159,956           159,956
      Amortizing intangibles, net                   13,441            14,272
      Other assets                                 234,915           237,527

        Total assets                            $5,883,618        $5,722,096

    Liabilities
      Deposits (all domestic):
        Noninterest-bearing                       $523,203          $522,810
        Interest-bearing                         3,824,016         3,811,133
          Total deposits                         4,347,219         4,333,943

      Short-term borrowings                        354,201           237,734
      Other liabilities                             65,464            44,156

      Subordinated debentures                      105,750           108,250
      Other long-term debt                         442,196           435,781
        Total long-term debt                       547,946           544,031

          Total liabilities                      5,314,830         5,159,864

    Shareholders' Equity
      Preferred stock, $1 par value per
       share, 3,000,000 shares authorized,
       none issued                                       0                 0
      Common stock, $1 par value per share,
       200,000,000 shares authorized,
       75,100,431 shares issued and
       73,509,724 shares outstanding
       at September 30, 2008;
       100,000,000 shares authorized,
       75,100,431 shares issued and
       73,128,612 shares outstanding at
       December 31, 2007                            75,100            75,100
      Additional paid-in capital                   206,889           207,310
      Retained earnings                            319,246           319,472
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       (loss) income, net                             (147)           (6,736)
      Treasury stock (1,590,707 and
       1,971,819 shares at September 30,
       2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively,
       at cost)                                    (22,700)          (22,814)
      Unearned ESOP shares                          (9,600)          (10,100)
        Total shareholders' equity                 568,788           562,232

          Total liabilities and shareholders'
           equity                               $5,883,618        $5,722,096

    Book value per share                             $7.78             $7.69
    Market value per share                          $10.65            $11.06



    FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                                               Loans by Categories
                                             (dollars in thousands)


                                           September 30,  June 30,   March 31,
                                              2008          2008        2008
    Commercial, financial, agricultural
     and other                             $1,148,666  $1,115,536  $1,052,971
    Real estate - construction                338,303     307,278     241,114
    Real estate - residential               1,227,225   1,235,334   1,230,928
    Real estate - commercial                  978,287     988,186     909,613
    Loans to individuals                      492,119     467,089     458,557
    Leases, net of unearned income                  0           0           0
      Total loans and leases, net of
       unearned income                     $4,184,600  $4,113,423  $3,893,183

                                                 December 31,    September 30,
                                                     2007             2007
    Commercial, financial, agricultural
     and other                                    $926,904          $901,679
    Real estate - construction                     207,708           143,680
    Real estate - residential                    1,237,986         1,268,313
    Real estate - commercial                       861,077           865,389
    Loans to individuals                           464,082           480,926
    Leases, net of unearned income                      62               136
      Total loans and leases, net of
       unearned income                          $3,697,819        $3,660,123



    FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


                                 Quarter To Date Average Balance Sheets and
                                   Net Interest Analysis at September 30,
                                           (dollars in thousands)

                                                              2008
                                                  Average   Income/  Yield or
                                                  Balance   Expense   Rate (a)
    Assets
    Interest-earning assets:
      Interest-bearing deposits with banks           $355         $2     1.94%
      Tax-free investment securities              279,792      3,176     6.95%
      Taxable investment securities             1,246,144     15,676     5.01%
      Federal funds sold                               48          0     1.90%
      Loans, net of unearned income (b)( c )    4,149,186     62,285     6.11%
        Total interest-earning assets           5,675,525     81,139     5.91%

    Noninterest-earning assets:
      Cash                                         80,393
      Allowance for credit losses                 (44,621)
      Other assets                                512,996
        Total noninterest-earning assets          548,768
          Total Assets                         $6,224,293

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Interest-bearing liabilities:
      Interest-bearing demand deposits (d)       $623,686     $1,225     0.78%
      Savings deposits (d)                      1,165,568      4,348     1.48%
      Time deposits                             1,938,709     17,496     3.59%
      Short-term borrowings                       858,165      4,634     2.15%
      Long-term debt                              495,170      5,509     4.43%
        Total interest-bearing liabilities      5,081,298     33,212     2.60%

    Noninterest-bearing liabilities and
     capital:
      Noninterest-bearing demand deposits(d)      558,373
      Other liabilities                            36,527
      Shareholders' equity                        548,095
        Total noninterest-bearing funding
         sources                                1,142,995
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
           Equity                              $6,224,293

    Net Interest Income and Net Yield on
     Interest-Earning Assets                                 $47,927    3.58%


                                                            2007
                                                Average    Income/   Yield or
                                                Balance    Expense    Rate (a)
    Assets
    Interest-earning assets:
      Interest-bearing deposits with banks          $526        $8     5.62%
      Tax-free investment securities             301,648     3,424     6.93%
      Taxable investment securities            1,210,048    15,012     4.92%
      Federal funds sold                           4,412        57     5.20%
      Loans, net of unearned income (b)( c )   3,653,196    63,737     7.12%
        Total interest-earning assets          5,169,830    82,238     6.59%

    Noninterest-earning assets:
      Cash                                        79,514
      Allowance for credit losses                (44,248)
      Other assets                               492,612
        Total noninterest-earning assets         527,878
          Total Assets                        $5,697,708

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Interest-bearing liabilities:
      Interest-bearing demand deposits (d)      $598,571    $2,705     1.79%
      Savings deposits (d)                     1,097,321     6,459     2.34%
      Time deposits                            2,121,318    24,622     4.61%
      Short-term borrowings                      208,046     1,977     3.77%
      Long-term debt                             553,158     6,341     4.55%
        Total interest-bearing liabilities     4,578,414    42,104     3.65%

    Noninterest-bearing liabilities and
     capital:
      Noninterest-bearing demand deposits(d)     521,935
      Other liabilities                           32,763
      Shareholders' equity                       564,596
        Total noninterest-bearing funding
         sources                               1,119,294
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
           Equity                             $5,697,708

    Net Interest Income and Net Yield on
     Interest-Earning Assets                               $40,134     3.36%

    (a)   Yields on interest-earning assets have been computed on a tax
          equivalent basis using the 35% Federal income tax statutory rate.
    (b)   Income on nonaccrual loans is accounted for on the cash basis, and
          the loan balances are included in interest-earning assets.
    ( c ) Loan income includes loan fees.
    (d)   Average balances do not include reallocations from noninterest-
          bearing demand deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits into
          savings deposits which were made for regulatory purposes.



    FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                                Year To Date Average Balance Sheets and Net
                                     Interest Analysis at September 30,
                                           (dollars in thousands)
                                                           2008
                                                 Average     Income/  Yield or
                                                 Balance     Expense  Rate (a)
    Assets
    Interest-earning assets:
      Interest-bearing deposits with banks          $416          $9     2.74%
      Tax-free investment securities             300,125      10,118     6.93%
      Taxable investment securities            1,300,267      48,072     4.94%
      Federal funds sold                             125           2     2.49%
      Loans, net of unearned income (b)( c )   4,011,476     186,966     6.37%
        Total interest-earning assets          5,612,409     245,167     6.07%

    Noninterest-earning assets:
      Cash                                        76,386
      Allowance for credit losses                (43,003)
      Other assets                               499,632
        Total noninterest-earning assets         533,015
          Total Assets                        $6,145,424

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Interest-bearing liabilities:
      Interest-bearing demand deposits (d)      $602,340      $4,213     0.93%
      Savings deposits (d)                     1,128,539      13,845     1.64%
      Time deposits                            2,043,109      61,414     4.02%
      Short-term borrowings                      709,586      12,590     2.37%
      Long-term debt                             521,543      17,163     4.40%
        Total interest-bearing liabilities     5,005,117     109,225     2.91%

    Noninterest-bearing liabilities and
     capital:
      Noninterest-bearing demand deposits(d)     536,837
      Other liabilities                           36,201
      Shareholders' equity                       567,269
        Total noninterest-bearing funding
         sources                               1,140,307
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
           Equity                             $6,145,424

    Net Interest Income and Net Yield on
     Interest-Earning Assets                                $135,942     3.47%

                                                                2007
                                                 Average    Income/   Yield or
                                                 Balance    Expense   Rate (a)
    Assets
    Interest-earning assets:
      Interest-bearing deposits with banks          $568         $29     6.68%
      Tax-free investment securities             302,037      10,222     6.96%
      Taxable investment securities            1,289,083      47,499     4.93%
      Federal funds sold                           2,128          83     5.23%
      Loans, net of unearned income (b)(c)     3,694,124     190,463     7.10%
        Total interest-earning assets          5,287,940     248,296     6.56%

    Noninterest-earning assets:
      Cash                                        82,229
      Allowance for credit losses                (43,882)
      Other assets                               490,087
        Total noninterest-earning assets         528,434
          Total Assets                        $5,816,374

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Interest-bearing liabilities:
      Interest-bearing demand deposits (d)      $594,752      $7,980    1.79%
      Savings deposits (d)                     1,117,308      19,013    2.28%
      Time deposits                            2,112,628      71,250    4.51%
      Short-term borrowings                      302,405       9,623    4.25%
      Long-term debt                             570,439      19,206    4.50%
        Total interest-bearing liabilities     4,697,532     127,072    3.62%

    Noninterest-bearing liabilities and
     capital:
      Noninterest-bearing demand deposits(d)     514,242
      Other liabilities                           31,719
      Shareholders' equity                       572,881
        Total noninterest-bearing funding
         sources                               1,118,842
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
           Equity                             $5,816,374

    Net Interest Income and Net Yield on
     Interest-Earning Assets                                $121,224    3.35%

    (a) Yields on interest-earning assets have been computed on a tax
        equivalent basis using the 35% Federal income tax statutory rate.
    (b) Income on nonaccrual loans is accounted for on the cash basis, and the
        loan balances are included in interest-earning assets.
    (c) Loan income includes loan fees.
    (d) Average balances do not include reallocations from noninterest-bearing
        demand deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits into savings
        deposits which were made for regulatory purposes.



    FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                                                    Asset Quality Data
                                                  (dollars in thousands)

                                            September 30,  June 30,  March 31,
                                                2008        2008        2008

    Loans on non-accrual basis                $49,692     $50,910     $48,799
    Troubled debt restructured loans              135         139         143
      Total nonperforming loans               $49,827     $51,049     $48,942
    Loans past due in excess of 90 days
     and still accruing                       $13,719     $14,210     $20,066
    Loans outstanding at end of period     $4,184,600  $4,113,423  $3,893,183
    Average loans outstanding              $4,011,476  $3,941,864  $3,835,587
    Allowance for credit losses               $45,482     $44,505     $41,613
    Nonperforming loans as a percentage of
     total loans                                1.19%       1.24%       1.26%
    Provision for credit losses               $12,453      $8,540      $3,179
    Net credit losses                          $9,367      $6,431      $3,962
    Net credit losses as a percentage of
     average loans
    outstanding (annualized)                    0.31%       0.33%       0.42%
    Allowance for credit losses as a
     percentage of average loans
    outstanding                                 1.13%       1.13%       1.08%
    Allowance for credit losses as a
     percentage of nonperforming
    loans                                      91.28%      87.18%      85.03%
    Other real estate owned                    $3,718      $3,271      $3,280


                                                Asset Quality Data
                                              (dollars in thousands)

                                                 December 31,    September 30,
                                                    2007             2007

    Loans on non-accrual basis                     $54,119           $50,161
    Troubled debt restructured loans                   147               150
      Total nonperforming loans                    $54,266           $50,311
    Loans past due in excess of 90 days
     and still accruing                            $12,853           $13,677
    Loans outstanding at end of period          $3,697,819        $3,660,123
    Average loans outstanding                   $3,687,037        $3,694,124
    Allowance for credit losses                    $42,396           $43,210
    Nonperforming loans as a percentage
     of total loans                                  1.47%             1.37%
    Provision for credit losses                    $10,042            $7,690
    Net credit losses                              $10,294            $7,128
    Net credit losses as a percentage of
     average loans
    outstanding (annualized)                         0.28%             0.26%
    Allowance for credit losses as a
     percentage of average loans
    outstanding                                      1.15%             1.17%
    Allowance for credit losses as a
     percentage of nonperforming
    loans                                           78.13%            85.89%
    Other real estate owned                         $2,172            $1,803



                                            Profitability Ratios
                                           (dollars in thousands)

                                               For the Quarter Ended
                                      September June  March December September
                                         30,     30,    31,     31,     30,
                                        2008    2008   2008    2007    2007

    Return on average assets            0.65%   0.84%   0.75%   0.80%   0.85%
    Return on average equity            7.38%   9.03%   7.73%   8.08%   8.59%
    Net interest margin (a)             3.58%   3.54%   3.28%   3.32%   3.36%
    Efficiency ratio (b)               67.94%  61.63%  66.78%  65.15%  65.17%
    Fully tax equivalent adjustment    $3,202  $3,078  $3,648  $3,614  $3,633


                                                   For the Nine Months Ended
                                                  September 30,  September 30,
                                                      2008           2007

    Return on average assets                         0.74%           0.80%
    Return on average equity                         8.05%           8.08%
    Net interest margin (a)                          3.47%           3.35%
    Efficiency ratio (b)                            65.33%          66.01%
    Fully tax equivalent adjustment                 $9,928         $11,093

    (a) Net interest margin has been computed on a tax equivalent basis using
        the 35% Federal income tax statutory rate.
    (b) Efficiency ratio is "total non-interest expense" as a percentage of
        total revenue.
        Total revenue consists of "net interest income, on a fully tax-
        equivalent basis," plus "total non-interest income."



    FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP (a)
                  (dollars in thousands, except share data)

                                                              For the Nine
                                    For the Quarter Ended      Months Ended
                                 September  June September September September
                                    30,      30,     30,       30,      30,
                                   2008     2008    2007      2008     2007
    GAAP non-interest income       $6,274  $13,089  $12,213  $32,819  $36,040
    Less: net securities (losses)
     gains                         (7,709)    (451)      16   (7,659)     771
    Core non-interst income       $13,983  $13,540  $12,197  $40,478  $35,269

    GAAP net income               $10,164  $12,913  $12,219  $34,198  $34,602
    Less: net securities (losses)
     gains, net of tax             (5,011)    (293)      10   (4,978)     501
    Core net income               $15,175  $13,206  $12,209  $39,176  $34,101

    GAAP diluted earnings per
     share                          $0.14    $0.18    $0.17    $0.47    $0.47
    Less: net securities (losses)
     gains per diluted share       ($0.07)   $0.00    $0.00   ($0.07)   $0.00
    Core diluted earnings per
     share                          $0.21    $0.18    $0.17    $0.54    $0.47

    GAAP return on average assets   0.65%    0.84%    0.85%    0.74%    0.80%
    Less: net securities (losses)
     gains as a percentage of
     average assets                -0.32%   -0.01%    0.00%   -0.11%    0.02%
    Core return on average assets   0.97%    0.85%    0.85%    0.85%    0.78%

    GAAP return on average equity   7.38%    9.03%    8.59%    8.05%    8.08%
    Less: net securities (losses)
     gains as a percentage of
     average equity                -3.63%   -0.21%    0.01%   -1.17%    0.12%
    Core return on average equity  11.01%    9.24%    8.58%    9.22%    7.96%

    (a) This release includes core net income, which is a non-GAAP (Generally
        Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measure that is calculated
        by excluding securities gains and losses and other-than-temporary
        impairment charges from GAAP net income. Management believes that core
        net income is useful to the investment community in analyzing
        financial results and trends of First Commonwealth. This information
        facilitates comparisons with prior periods and reflects the principal
        basis on which our management internally monitors financial
        performance. The table in the financial section reconciles GAAP
        financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures for the periods
        presented.


    Pooled Trust Preferred Security Detail
    (dollars in thousands)

                                 Book     Fair   Unrealized   Moody's/Fitch
    Deal           Class        Value     Value     Loss         Ratings
    Pre TSL I      Senior       $3,841    $2,350   $(1,491)     Aaa(n)/AAA
    Pre TSL IV     Mezzanine     1,830     1,092      (738)      A3/A+(n)
    Pre TSL V      Mezzanine       620       349      (271)       Aa3/A
    Pre TSL VI     Mezzanine       418       290      (128)       A1/A+
    Pre TSL VII    Mezzanine     5,327     5,327         -    Baa3(n)/A+(n)
    Pre TSL VIII   Mezzanine     5,978     2,886    (3,092)    Baa3(n)/A(n)
    Pre TSL IX     Mezzanine     3,000     1,544    (1,456)    A2(n)/A(n)
    Pre TSL X      Mezzanine     4,000     2,026    (1,974)    A2(n)/A(n)
    Pre TSL XII    Mezzanine    10,000     5,004    (4,996)    A2(n)/A(n)
    Pre TSL XIII   Mezzanine    17,582     8,983    (8,599)     A2(n)/A(n)
    Pre TSL XIV    Mezzanine    16,072     7,926    (8,146)     A2(n)/A(n)
    MMCap I        Senior        8,939     7,604    (1,335)     Aaa(n)/AAA
    MMCap I        Mezzanine     1,068       598      (470)   Baa2(n)/BBB(n)
    MM Cap IX      Mezzanine    20,000    10,354    (9,646)    A2(n)/A-(n)
    Total                      $98,675   $56,333  $(42,342)

SOURCE First Commonwealth Financial Corporation

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