U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission file no. 000-22507

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

________________________________________

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Mississippi	64-0862173
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
6480 U.S. Hwy. 98 West, Suite A
Hattiesburg, Mississippi	39402
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Issuer’s telephone number: (601) 268-8998

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value	FBMS	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.

Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. x

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. o

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

Based on the price at which the registrant’s Common Stock was last sold on June 30, 2023, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $776.6 million.

On February 21, 2024, the registrant had outstanding 31,227,881 shares of common stock.

Auditor Firm PCAOB ID: 686 Auditor Name: FORVIS, LLP Auditor Location: Jackson, MS

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement to be filed for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 23, 2024 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other than those portions of the proxy statement specifically incorporated by reference pursuant to Items 10-14 of Part III hereof, no other portions of the proxy statement shall be deemed so incorporated.

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
	PART I
ITEM 1.	BUSINESS	7
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	20
ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	29
ITEM 1C.	CYBERSECURITY	29
ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES	31
ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	32
ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	32
	PART II
ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	33
ITEM 6.	RESERVED	34
ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	35
ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	58
ITEM 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	61
ITEM 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	128
ITEM 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	128
ITEM 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION	130
	PART III
ITEM 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	131
ITEM 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	131
ITEM 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	131
ITEM 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	131
ITEM 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	131
	PART IV
ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	132
ITEM 16.	FORM 10-K SUMMARY	135
SIGNATURES		136

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

FORM 10-K

PART I

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including information incorporated by reference herein, contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, predictions, expectations, or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact, and may include statements relating to our projected growth, anticipated future financial performance, financial condition, credit quality and management’s long-term performance goals, as well as statements relating to the anticipated effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations from expected developments or events, our business, growth and strategies. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words (and their derivatives) such as “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “project,” ”seek,” “potential,” “aim,” “continue,” “assume,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “forecast,” “goal,” “estimate,” or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of the Company, the Bank, and management about possible future events or outcomes.

These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. The inclusion of these forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that such expectations, estimates and projections will be achieved. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and that are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date of this Annual Report, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following:

Factors that could influence the accuracy of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, competitive pressures among financial institutions increasing significantly; economic conditions, either nationally or locally, in areas in which the Company conducts operations being less favorable than expected; interest rate risk; legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the ability of the consolidated Company to conduct business combinations or new operations; financial success or changing strategies of the Bank’s customers or vendors; actions of government regulators; and the risk that anticipated benefits from the recent acquisitions are not realized in the time frame anticipated or at all as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions.

Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

•negative impacts on our business, profitability and our stock price that could result from prolonged periods of inflation;

•risks and uncertainties relating to recent, pending or potential future mergers or acquisitions, including risks related to the completion of such acquisitions within expected timeframes and the successful integration of the business that we acquire into our operations;

•the risks that a future economic downturn and contraction, including a recession, could have a material adverse effect on our capital, financial condition, credit quality, results of operations and future growth, including the risk that the strength of the current economic environment could be weakened by the continued impact of rising interest rates, and inflation;

•disruptions to the financial markets as a result of the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, including Russia's military action in Ukraine, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, terrorism or other geopolitical events;

•governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve;

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•the costs and effects of litigation, investigations, inquiries or similar matters, or adverse facts and developments related thereto, including the costs and effects of litigation related to our participation in government stimulus programs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic;

•reduced earnings due to higher credit losses generally and specifically because losses in the sectors of our loan portfolio secured by real estate are greater than expected due to economic factors, including declining real estate values, increasing interest rates, increasing unemployment, or changes in payment behavior or other factors occurring in those areas;

•general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally and especially in our primary service areas, becoming less favorable than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality;

•adverse changes in asset quality and resulting credit risk-related losses and expenses;

•ability of borrowers to repay loans, which can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including changes in economic conditions, adverse trends or events affecting business industry groups, reductions in real estate values or markets, business closings or layoffs, natural disasters, public health emergencies and international instability;

•changes in laws and regulations affecting our businesses, including governmental monetary and fiscal policies, legislation and regulations relating to bank products and services, as well as changes in the enforcement and interpretation of such laws and regulations by applicable governmental and self-regulatory agencies, which could require us to change certain business practices, increase compliance risk, reduce our revenue, impose additional costs on us, or otherwise negatively affect our businesses;

•the financial impact of future tax legislation;

•changes in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment, including the possibility that the U.S. could default on its debt obligations;

•the adequacy of the level of our allowance for credit losses and the amount of credit loss provision required to replenish the allowance in future periods;

•reduced earnings due to higher credit losses because our loans are concentrated by loan type, industry segment, borrower type, or location of the borrower or collateral;

•changes in the interest rate environment which could reduce anticipated or actual margins;

•increased funding costs due to market illiquidity, increased competition for funding, higher interest rates, and increased regulatory requirements with regard to funding;

•results of examinations by our regulatory authorities, including the possibility that the regulatory authorities may, among other things, require us to increase our allowance for credit losses through additional credit loss provisions or write-down of our assets;

•the rate of delinquencies and amount of loans charged-off;

•the impact of our efforts to raise capital on our financial position, liquidity, capital, and profitability;

•significant increases in competition in the banking and financial services industries;

•changes in the securities markets;

•significant turbulence or a disruption in the capital or financial markets and the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our investment securities;

•loss of consumer confidence and economic disruptions resulting from national disasters or terrorist activities;

•our ability to retain our existing customers, including our deposit relationships;

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•changes occurring in business conditions and inflation;

•changes in technology or risks related to cybersecurity;

•changes in deposit flows;

•changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines;

•our ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting;

•risks related to the continued use, availability and reliability of "benchmark" rates and the discontinuation of quotation of London Inter Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"); and

•other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations about future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in and the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that these expectations will be achieved or the assumptions will be accurate. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments. Additional information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in Item 1A. Risk Factors and in our future filings with the SEC. Further information on The First Bancshares, Inc. is available in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov.

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS

BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

Overview and History

The First Bancshares, Inc. (“Company”) was incorporated on June 23, 1995 to serve as a bank holding company for The First Bank (“The First”), formerly known as The First, A National Banking Association, headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Company is a Mississippi corporation and is a registered bank holding company. The First began operations on August 5, 1996 from our main office in the Oak Grove community, which is now incorporated within the city of Hattiesburg. As of December 31, 2023, The First operated 116 locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. Our principal executive offices are located at 6480 U.S. Highway 98 West, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39402, and our telephone number is (601) 268-8998.

The Company is a community-focused financial institution that offers a full range of financial services to individuals, businesses, municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations in the communities that it serves. These services include consumer and commercial loans, deposit accounts and safe deposit services.

We have benefited from historically strong asset quality metrics compared to most of our peers, which we believe illustrates our historically disciplined underwriting and credit culture. As such, we benefited from our strength by taking advantage of growth opportunities when many of our peers were unable to do so. We have also focused on growing earnings per share and increasing our tangible common equity and tangible book value per share.

In recent years, we have developed and executed a regional expansion strategy to take advantage of growth opportunities through several acquisitions, which has allowed us to expand our footprint to Alabama, Florida Louisiana and Georgia. We believe the conversion and integration of these acquisitions have been successful to date, and we are optimistic that these markets will continue to contribute to our future growth and success. In addition, we continue to experience organic loan growth by continuing to strengthen our relationships with existing clients and creating new relationships.

On January 15, 2022, The First, then named The First, A National Banking Association, converted from a national banking association to a Mississippi state-chartered bank and changed its name to The First Bank. The First Bank is now a member of the Federal Reserve System through the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this report to “the Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”, or similar references, mean The First Bancshares, Inc. and our subsidiaries, including our banking subsidiary, The First, on a consolidated basis. References to “The First” or the “Bank” mean our wholly owned banking subsidiary, The First Bank.

Human Capital Resources

At December 31, 2023, The First employed 1,078 full-time employees spanning five states and 116 locations. In 2023 alone, our team members donated over 3,500 volunteer hours to more than 700 organizations including delivering financial education to over 52,000 community members and students.

The First is dedicated to providing competitive compensation and benefits programs to help attract and maintain highly skilled and experienced employees. Our compensation and benefits programs include a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, a Loan Incentive Plan for our lending officers, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, healthcare and dental insurance benefits, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, as well as paid time off. The Company offers a Continuing Education Program for our employees to support and help them attain personal goals and professional achievements by encouraging and supporting those who pursue and participate in continuing their education.

The First endeavors to ensure that the composition of our employees, management team and board of directors are reflective of the diversity of the communities we serve. As a company, we believe in the importance of diversity, value the benefits that diversity affords our organization, and are dedicated to fostering and maintaining an inclusive culture that solicits multiple perspectives and views and is free of conscious or unconscious bias and discrimination.

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In addition to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, The First provides our employees with access to a Grief Counseling and Confidential Assistance Program, which provides counseling services to employees on a confidential basis to ensure our employees get the help they need when they need it. The First also has an Employee Support Program funded by our Heritage Community Foundation for bank employees who suffer a loss of loved ones, emergency medical procedures and other issues that affect employees. In 2023, our employees contributed over $76 thousand to the Heritage Community Foundation, which benefited employees in need, nonprofit organizations and local disaster relief efforts.

Market Areas

As of December 31, 2023, The First had 116 locations across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

Recent Developments

On January 1, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc. ("HSBI"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated July 7, 2022, by and between the Company and HSBI. Upon completion of the merger of HSBI with and into the Company, Heritage Southeast Bank ("Heritage Bank"), HSBI's wholly-owned subsidiary, merged with and into The First Bank. The Company paid a total consideration of approximately $221.5 million to the former HSBI shareholders as consideration in the acquisition, which included approximately 6,920,909 shares of the Company's common stock, and approximately $16 thousand in cash in lieu of fractional shares.

Banking Services

We strive to provide our customers with the breadth of products and services offered by large regional banks, while maintaining the timely response and personal service of a locally owned and managed bank. In addition to offering a full range of deposit services and loan products, we have a mortgage and private banking division. The following is a description of the products and services we offer.

Deposit Services. We offer a full range of deposit services that are typically available in most banks and savings institutions, including checking accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, and other time deposits of various types, ranging from daily money market accounts to longer-term certificates of deposit. The transaction accounts and time certificates are tailored to our principal market areas at rates competitive to those offered by other banks in these areas. All deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to the maximum amount allowed by law. We solicit these accounts from individuals, businesses, associations, organizations, and governmental authorities. In addition, we offer certain retirement account services, such as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and health savings accounts.

Loan Products. We offer a full range of commercial and personal loans. Commercial loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital (including loans secured by inventory and accounts receivable), business expansion (including acquisition of real estate and improvements), purchase of equipment and machinery, and interest rate swap agreements to facilitate the risk management strategies of certain commercial customers. Consumer loans include equity lines of credit, secured and unsecured loans for financing automobiles, home improvements, education, and personal investments. We also make real estate construction and acquisition loans. Our lending activities are subject to a variety of lending limits imposed by federal law. While differing limits apply in certain circumstances based on the type of loan or the nature of the borrower (including the borrower’s relationship to the bank), in general we are subject to an aggregate loans-to-one-borrower limit of 15% of our unimpaired capital and surplus.

Mortgage Loan Division. We have a residential mortgage loan division which originates conventional, or government agency insured loans to purchase existing residential homes, construct new homes or refinance existing mortgages.

Private Banking Division. We have a private banking division, which offers financial and wealth management services to individuals who meet certain criteria.

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Other Services. Other bank services we offer include online internet banking services, automated teller machines, voice response telephone inquiry services, commercial sweep accounts, cash management services, safe deposit boxes, merchant services, mobile deposit, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks, and automatic drafts for various accounts. We network with other automated teller machines that may be used by our customers throughout our market area and other regions. The First also offers credit card services through a correspondent bank.

Competition

The First generally competes with other financial institutions through the selection of banking products and services offered, the pricing of services, the level of service provided, the convenience and availability of services, and the degree of expertise and the personal manner in which services are offered. State law permits statewide branching by banks and savings institutions, and many financial institutions in our market area have branch networks. Consequently, commercial banking in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia is highly competitive. Many large banking organizations currently operate in our market area, several of which are controlled by out-of-state ownership. In addition, competition between commercial banks and thrift institutions (savings institutions and credit unions) has been intensified significantly by the elimination of many previous distinctions between the various types of financial institutions and the expanded powers and increased activity of thrift institutions in areas of banking which previously had been the sole domain of commercial banks. Federal legislation, together with other regulatory changes by the primary regulators of the various financial institutions, has resulted in the almost total elimination of practical distinctions between a commercial bank and a thrift institution. Consequently, competition among financial institutions of all types is largely unlimited with respect to legal ability and authority to provide most financial services. Currently there are numerous other commercial banks, savings institutions, and credit unions operating in The First’s primary service area.

We face increased competition from both federally-chartered and state-chartered financial and thrift institutions, as well as credit unions, consumer finance companies, insurance companies, and other institutions in the Company’s market area. Some of these competitors are not subject to the same degree of regulation and restriction imposed upon the Company. Many of these competitors also have broader geographic markets and substantially greater resources and lending limits than the Company and offer certain services such as trust banking that the Company does not currently provide. In addition, many of these competitors have numerous branch offices located throughout the extended market areas of the Company that may provide these competitors with an advantage in geographic convenience that the Company does not have at present.

We also compete with numerous financial and quasi-financial institutions for deposits and loans, including providers of financial services over the internet, and financial technology, or fintech companies. Recent technology advances and other changes have allowed parties to effect financial transactions that previously required the involvement of banks. For example, consumers can maintain funds in brokerage accounts or mutual funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. These nontraditional financial service providers have been successful in developing digital and other products and services that effectively compete with traditional banking services, but are in some cases subject to fewer regulatory restrictions than banks and bank holding companies, allowing them to operate with greater flexibility and lower cost structures. Although digital products and services have been important competitive features of financial institutions for some time, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the move toward digital financial services products and we expect that trend to continue.

Available Information

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) we are required to file Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and other filings pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and amendments to such filings. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains the reports, proxy statements, and other filings we electronically file with the SEC. Such information is also available free of charge on or through our website www.thefirstbank.com as soon as reasonably practicable after each is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information appearing on the Company’s website is not part of any report that it files with the SEC.

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SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

We are extensively regulated under federal and state law. The following is a brief summary that does not purport to be a complete description of all regulations that affect us or all aspects of those regulations. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provisions described below and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of the statutes or regulations applicable to the Company’s and The First’s business. In addition, proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the banking industry are frequently raised at both the state and federal levels. The likelihood and timing of any changes in these laws and regulations, and the impact such changes may have on us and The First, are difficult to predict. In addition, bank regulatory agencies may issue enforcement actions, policy statements, interpretive letters and similar written guidance applicable to us or to The First. Changes in applicable laws, regulations or regulatory guidance, or their interpretation by regulatory agencies or courts may have a material adverse effect on our and The First’s business, operations, and earnings.

We, The First, and our nonbank affiliates must undergo regular on-site examinations by the appropriate regulatory agency, which will examine for adherence to a range of legal and regulatory compliance responsibilities. A bank regulator conducting an examination has complete access to the books and records of the examined institution. The results of the examination are confidential. Supervision and regulation of banks, their holding companies and affiliates is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and customers, the Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF") of the FDIC, and the U.S. banking and financial system rather than holders of our capital stock.

Bank Holding Company Regulation

We are registered as a bank holding company with the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act, as amended ("BHC Act"). As such, we are subject to comprehensive supervision, and regulation by the Federal Reserve and are subject to its regulatory reporting requirements. Federal law subjects bank holding companies, such as the Company, to particular restrictions on the types of activities in which they may engage, and to a range of supervisory requirements and activities, including regulatory enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations.

Violations of laws and regulations, or other unsafe and unsound practices, may result in regulatory agencies imposing fines or penalties, cease and desist orders, or taking other enforcement actions. Under certain circumstances, these agencies may enforce these remedies directly against officers, directors, employees, and other parties participating in the affairs of a bank or bank holding company. Like all bank holding companies, we are regulated extensively under federal and state law. Under federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the safety and soundness of insured depository institutions, state banking regulators, the Federal Reserve, and separately the FDIC as the insurer of bank deposits, have the authority to compel or restrict certain actions on our part if they determine that we have insufficient capital or other resources, or are otherwise operating in a manner that may be deemed to be inconsistent with safe and sound banking practices. Under this authority, our bank regulators can require us or our subsidiaries to enter into informal or formal supervisory agreements, including board resolutions, memoranda of understanding, written agreements and consent or cease and desist orders, pursuant to which we would be required to take identified corrective actions to address cited concerns and to refrain from taking certain actions.

If we become subject to and are unable to comply with the terms of any future regulatory actions or directives, supervisory agreements, or orders, then we could become subject to additional, heightened supervisory actions and orders, possibly including consent orders, prompt corrective action restrictions and/or other regulatory actions, including prohibitions on the payment of dividends on our common stock. If our regulators were to take such additional supervisory actions, then we could, among other things, become subject to significant restrictions on our ability to develop any new business, as well as restrictions on our existing business, and we could be required to raise additional capital, dispose of certain assets and liabilities within a prescribed period of time, or both. The terms of any such supervisory action could have a material negative effect on our business, reputation, operating flexibility, financial condition, and the value of our common stock.

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Activity Limitations

Bank holding companies are generally restricted to engaging in the business of banking, managing or controlling banks; and certain other activities determined by the Federal Reserve to be closely related to banking. In addition, the Federal Reserve has the power to order a bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any nonbanking activity or terminate its ownership or control of any nonbank subsidiary, when it has reasonable cause to believe that continuation of such activity or such ownership or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of any bank subsidiary of that bank holding company.

Source of Strength Obligations

A bank holding company, such as us, is required to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank. The term "source of financial strength" means the ability of a company, such as us, that directly or indirectly owns or controls an insured depository institution, such as The First, to provide financial assistance to such insured depository institution in the event of financial distress. The appropriate federal banking agency for the depository institution (in the case of The First, this agency is the Federal Reserve) may require reports from us to assess our ability to serve as a source of strength and to enforce compliance with the source of strength requirements by requiring us to provide financial assistance to The First in the event of financial distress. If we were to enter bankruptcy or become subject to the orderly liquidation process established by the Dodd-Frank Act, any commitment by us to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of The First would be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee or the FDIC, as appropriate, and entitled to a priority of payment. In addition, the FDIC provides that any insured depository institution generally will be liable for any loss incurred by the FDIC in connection with the default of, or any assistance provided by the FDIC to, a commonly controlled insured depository institution. The First is an FDIC-insured depository institution and thus subject to these requirements.

Acquisitions

The BHC Act permits acquisitions of banks by bank holding companies, such that we and any other bank holding company, whether located in Mississippi or elsewhere, may acquire a bank located in any other state, subject to certain deposit-percentage, age of bank charter requirements, and other restrictions. The BHC Act requires that a bank holding company obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before (i) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any additional bank or bank holding company, (ii) taking any action that causes an additional bank or bank holding company to become a subsidiary of the bank holding company, or (iii) merging or consolidating with any other bank holding company. The Federal Reserve may not approve any such transaction that would result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any section of the United States, or the effect of which may be substantially to lessen competition or to tend to create a monopoly in any section of the country, or that in any other manner would be in restraint of trade, unless the anticompetitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider: (1) the financial and managerial resources of the companies involved, including pro forma capital ratios; (2) the risk to the stability of the United States banking or financial system; (3) the convenience and needs of the communities to be served, including performance under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"); and (4) the effectiveness of the companies in combating money laundering.

Change in Control

Federal law restricts the amount of voting stock of a bank holding company or a bank that a person may acquire without the prior approval of banking regulators. Under the federal Change in Bank Control Act and the regulations thereunder, a person or group must give advance notice to the Federal Reserve before acquiring control of any bank holding company, such as the Company, or before acquiring control of any state member bank, such as The First. Upon receipt of such notice, the Federal Reserve may approve or disapprove the acquisition. The Change in Bank Control Act creates a rebuttable presumption of control if a member or group acquires a certain percentage or more of a bank holding company’s or bank’s voting stock. As a result, a person or entity generally must provide prior notice to the Federal Reserve before acquiring the power to vote 10% or more of our outstanding common stock. The overall effect of such laws is to make it more difficult to acquire a bank holding company and a bank by tender offer or similar means than it might be to acquire control of another type of corporation. Consequently, shareholders of the Company may be less likely to benefit from the rapid increases in stock prices that may result from tender offers or similar efforts to acquire control of other companies. Investors should be aware of these requirements when acquiring shares of our stock.

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Governance and Financial Reporting Obligations

We are required to comply with various corporate governance and financial reporting requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules and regulations adopted by the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"), and NASDAQ. In particular, we are required to include management and independent registered public accounting firm reports on internal controls as part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K in order to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We have evaluated our controls, including compliance with the SEC rules on internal controls, and have and expect to continue to spend significant amounts of time and money on compliance with these rules. Our failure to comply with these internal control rules may materially adversely affect our reputation, ability to obtain the necessary certifications to financial statements, and the values of our securities.

Corporate Governance

The Dodd-Frank Act addresses many investor protections, corporate governance, and executive compensation matters that will affect most U.S. publicly traded companies. The Dodd-Frank Act (1) grants shareholders of U.S. publicly traded companies an advisory vote on executive compensation; (2) enhances independence requirements for Compensation Committee members; and (3) requires companies listed on national securities exchanges to adopt incentive-based compensation claw-back policies for executive officers.

Volcker Rule

Section 13 of the BHC Act, common referred to as the "Volcker Rule," generally prohibits banking organizations from (i) engaging in certain proprietary trading, and (ii) acquiring or retaining an ownership interest in or sponsoring a "covered fund," all subject to certain exceptions. The Volcker Rule also specifies certain limited activities in which banking organizations may continue to engage and requires us to maintain a compliance program. Banking, organizations, such as us, with $10 billion or less in total consolidated assets and with total trading assets and liabilities of less than 5% of total consolidated assets are exempt from the Volcker Rule.

Incentive Compensation

The Dodd-Frank Act required the banking agencies and the SEC to establish joint rules or guidelines for financial institutions with more than $1 billion in assets, such as us and The First, which prohibit incentive compensation arrangements that the agencies determine to encourage inappropriate risks by the institution. The banking agencies issued proposed rules in 2011 and previously issued guidance on sound incentive compensation policies. In 2016, the banking agencies also proposed rules that would, depending upon the assets of the institution, directly regulate incentive compensation arrangements and would require enhanced oversight and recordkeeping. As of December 31, 2023, these rules have not been implemented. We have undertaken efforts to ensure that our incentive compensation plans do not encourage inappropriate risks, consistent with three key principles-that incentive compensation arrangements should appropriately balance risk and financial rewards, be compatible with effective controls and risk management, and be supported by strong corporate governance.

In October 2022, the SEC adopted a final rule directing national securities exchanges and associations, including Nasdaq, to implement listing standards that require listed companies to adopt policies mandating the recovery or "clawback" of excess incentive-based compensation earned by a current or former executive officer during the three fiscal years preceding the date the listed company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, including to correct an error that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period. Nasdaq's listing standards pursuant to the SEC's rule became effective on October 2, 2023. We adopted a compensation recovery policy pursuant to the Nasdaq listing standards effective as of October 2, 2023. The policy is included as Exhibit 97.1 to this Form 10-K.

Shareholder Say-On-Pay Votes

The Dodd-Frank Act requires public companies to take shareholders’ votes on proposals addressing compensation (known as say-on-pay), the frequency of a say-on-pay vote, and the golden parachutes available to executives in connection with change-in-control transactions. Public companies must give shareholders the opportunity to vote on the compensation at least every three years and the opportunity to vote on frequency at least every six years, indicating whether the say-on-pay vote should be held annually, biennially, or triennially. The say-on-pay, the say-on-parachute and the say-on-frequency votes are explicitly nonbinding and cannot override a decision of our Board of Directors.

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Other Regulatory Matters

We are subject to oversight by the SEC, the PCAOB, NASDAQ and various state securities and insurance regulators. We and our subsidiaries have from time to time received requests for information from regulatory authorities in various states, including state attorneys general, securities regulators and other regulatory authorities, concerning our business practices. Such requests are considered incidental to the normal conduct of business.

Capital Requirements

We and The First are each required under federal law to maintain certain minimum capital levels based on ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. The required capital ratios are minimums, and the Federal Reserve may determine that a banking organization, based on its size, complexity or risk profile, must maintain a higher level of capital in order to operate in a safe and sound manner. Risks such as concentration of credit risks and the risk arising from non-traditional activities, as well as the institution’s exposure to a decline in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates, and an institution’s ability to manage those risks, are important factors that are to be taken into account by the federal banking agencies in assessing an institution’s overall capital adequacy. The following is a brief description of the relevant provisions of these capital rules and their potential impact on our and The First’s capital levels.

We and The First are each subject to the following risk-based capital ratios: a CET1 risk-based capital ratio, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, which includes CET1 and additional Tier 1 capital and a total capital ratio, which includes Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital. CET1 is primarily comprised of the sum of common stock instruments and related surplus net of treasury stock and retained earnings less certain adjustments and deductions, including with respect to goodwill, intangible assets, mortgage servicing assets and deferred tax assets subject to temporary timing differences. Additional Tier 1 capital is primarily comprised of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock. Tier 2 capital consists of instruments disqualified from Tier 1 capital, including qualifying subordinated debt and a limited amount of loan loss reserves up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, subject to certain eligibility criteria. The capital rules also define the risk-weights assigned to assets and off-balance sheet items to determine the risk-weighted asset components of the risk-based capital rules, including, for example, certain "high volatility" commercial real estate, past due assets, structured securities and equity holdings.

The leverage capital ratio, which serves as a minimum capital standard, is the ratio of Tier 1 capital to quarterly average assets net of goodwill, certain other intangible assets, and certain required deduction items. The required minimum leverage ratio for all banks and bank holding companies (unless exempt) is 4%.

In addition, effective January 1, 2019, the capital rules required a capital conservation buffer of CET1 of 2.5% above each of the minimum capital ratio requirements (CET1, Tier 1, and total risk-based capital), which is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. These buffer requirements must be met for a bank or bank holding company to be able to pay dividends, engage in share buybacks or make discretionary bonus payments to executive management without restriction.

Failure to be well-capitalized or to meet minimum capital requirements could result in certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have an adverse material effect on our operations or financial condition. Failure to be well-capitalized or to meet minimum capital requirements could also result in restrictions on the Company’s or The First’s ability to pay dividends or otherwise distribute capital or to receive regulatory approval of applications or other restrictions on its growth.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), among other things, requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to take "prompt corrective action" regarding depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. FDICIA establishes five regulatory capital tiers: "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized," and "critically undercapitalized." A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare to various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. FDICIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. The FDICIA imposes progressively more restrictive restraints on operations, management and capital distributions, depending on the category in which an institution is classified. Undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to restrictions on borrowing from the Federal Reserve System. In addition, undercapitalized depository institutions may not accept brokered deposits absent a waiver from the FDIC, are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit capital restoration plans for regulatory approval. A depository

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institution’s holding company must guarantee any required capital restoration plan, up to an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the depository institution’s assets at the time it becomes undercapitalized or the amount of the capital deficiency when the institution fails to comply with the plan. Federal banking agencies may not accept a capital plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is significantly undercapitalized. All of the federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted regulations establishing relevant capital measures and relevant capital levels for federally insured depository institutions.

To be well-capitalized, The First must maintain at least the following capital ratios:

•6.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets;

•8.0% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets;

•10.0% Total capital to risk-weighted assets; and

•5.0% leverage ratio.

The First was well capitalized at December 31, 2023, and brokered deposits are not restricted.

The Federal Reserve has not yet revised the well-capitalized standard for bank holding companies to reflect the higher capital requirements imposed under the current capital rules applicable to banks. For purposes of the Federal Reserve’s Regulation Y, bank holding companies, such as the Company, must maintain a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater and a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater to be well-capitalized. If the Federal Reserve were to apply the same or a very similar well-capitalized standard to bank holding companies as that applicable to The First, the Company’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2023 would exceed such revised well-capitalized standard. Also, the Federal Reserve may require bank holding companies, including the Company, to maintain capital ratios substantially in excess of mandated minimum levels, depending upon general economic conditions and a bank holding company’s particular condition, risk profile and growth plans.

On October 29, 2019, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule to simplify the regulatory capital requirements for eligible banks and holding companies with less than $10 billion in consolidated assets that opt into the Community Bank Leverage Ratio ("CBLR") framework, as required by Section 201 of the Economic Growth, Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the "Regulatory Relief Act"). A qualifying community banking organization that exceeds the CBLR threshold would be exempt from the agencies’ current capital framework, including the risk-based capital requirements and capital conservation buffer described above, and would be deemed well-capitalized under the agencies’ prompt corrective action regulations. The Regulatory Relief Act defines a "qualifying community banking organization" as a depository institution or depository institution holding company with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion. Under the final rule, if a qualifying community banking organization elects to use the CBLR framework, it will be considered "well-capitalized" so long as its CBLR is greater than 9%. The First has chosen not to opt into the CBLR at this time.

In 2023, our and The First’s regulatory capital ratios were above the applicable well-capitalized standards and met the capital conservation buffer. Based on current estimates, we believe that we and The First will continue to exceed all applicable well-capitalized regulatory capital requirements and the capital conservation buffer in 2024. Certain regulatory capital ratios of the Company and The First, as of December 31, 2023, are shown in the following table:

	Capital Adequacy Ratios
	Regulatory Minimums		Regulatory Minimums to be Well Capitalized		Minimum Capital Required Basel III Fully Phased-In		The First Bancshares, Inc.		The First
Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio	4.5	%	6.5	%	7.0	%	12.1	%	13.8	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio	6.0	%	8.0	%	8.5	%	12.5	%	13.8	%
Total risk-based capital ratio	8.0	%	10.0	%	10.5	%	15.0	%	14.8	%
Leverage ratio	4.0	%	5.0	%	4.0	%	9.7	%	10.7	%

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Payment of Dividends

We are a legal entity separate and distinct from The First and our other subsidiaries. The primary sources of funds for our payment of dividends to our shareholders are cash on hand and dividends from The First. Various federal and state statutory provisions and regulations limit the amount of dividends that The First may pay.

In addition, in deciding whether or not to declare a dividend of any particular size, the Company’s board of directors must consider its and the Bank’s current and prospective capital, liquidity, and other needs. In addition to state law limitations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends, the Federal Reserve imposes limitations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends. Federal Reserve regulations limit dividends, stock repurchases and discretionary bonuses to executive officers if the Company’s regulatory capital is below the level of regulatory minimums plus the applicable capital conservation buffer.

In addition, we and The First are subject to various general regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums. The appropriate federal bank regulatory authority may prohibit the payment of dividends where it has determined that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice. The Federal Reserve has indicated that paying dividends that deplete a bank’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsound and unsafe banking practice. The Federal Reserve has indicated that depository institutions and their holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. Further, under Mississippi law, The First must obtain the non-objection of the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance prior to paying any dividend to the Company.

Under a Federal Reserve policy adopted in 2009, the board of directors of a bank holding company must consider different factors to ensure that its dividend level is prudent relative to maintaining a strong financial position, and is not based on overly optimistic earnings scenarios, such as potential events that could affect its ability to pay, while still maintaining a strong financial position. As a general matter, the Federal Reserve has indicated that the board of directors of a bank holding company should consult with the Federal Reserve and eliminate, defer or significantly reduce the bank holding company’s dividends if:

•its net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends;

•its prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with its capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or

•it will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios.

Regulation of the Bank

The First, which is a member of the Federal Reserve System, is subject to comprehensive supervision and regulation by the Federal Reserve, and is subject to its regulatory reporting requirements, as well as supervision and regulation by the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. As a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, The First is required to hold stock in its district Federal Reserve Bank in an amount equal to 6% of its capital stock and surplus (half paid to acquire stock with the remainder held as a cash reserve). Member banks do not have any control over the Federal Reserve System as a result of owning the stock and the stock cannot be sold or traded.

The deposits of The First are insured by the FDIC up to applicable limits, and, accordingly, The First is also subject to certain FDIC regulations and the FDIC has backup examination authority and some enforcement powers over The First.

In addition, as discussed in more detail below, The First and any other of our subsidiaries that offer consumer financial products and services are subject to regulation and potential supervision by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"). In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and regulations that are stricter than those regulations promulgated by the CFPB, and state attorneys general are permitted to enforce certain federal consumer financial protection law.

Broadly, regulations applicable to The First include limitations on loans to a single borrower and to its directors, officers and employees; restrictions on the opening and closing of branch offices; the maintenance of required capital

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ratios; the granting of credit under equal and fair conditions; the disclosure of the costs and terms of such credit; requirements to maintain reserves against deposits and loans; limitations on the types of investment that may be made by The First; requirements governing risk management practices; restrictions on the ability of institutions to guarantee its debt; and certain specific accounting requirements on the Company that may be more restrictive and may result in greater or earlier charges to earnings or reductions in its capital than generally accepted accounting principles.

Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders

The First is subject to restrictions on extensions of credit and certain other transactions between The First and the Company or any nonbank affiliate. Generally, these covered transactions with either the Company or any affiliate are limited to 10% of The First’s capital and surplus, and all such transactions between The First Bank and the Company and all of its nonbank affiliates combined are limited to 20% of The First’s capital and surplus. Loans and other extensions of credit from The First to the Company or any affiliate generally are required to be secured by eligible collateral in specified amounts. In addition, any transaction between The First and the Company or any affiliate are required to be on an arm’s length basis.

Federal banking laws also place similar restrictions on certain extensions of credit by insured banks, such as The First, to their directors, executive officers and principal shareholders.

Reserves

Federal Reserve rules require depository institutions, such as The First, to maintain reserves against their transaction accounts, primarily NOW and regular checking accounts. Effective March 26, 2020, the Federal Reserve eliminated reserve requirements for all depository institutions. These reserve requirements are subject to annual adjustment by the Federal Reserve.

FDIC Insurance Assessments and Depositor Preference

The First’s deposits are insured by the FDIC’s DIF up to the limits under applicable law, which currently are set at $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. The First is subject to FDIC assessments for its deposit insurance. The FDIC calculates quarterly deposit insurance assessments based on an institution’s average total consolidated assets less its average tangible equity, and applies one of four risk categories determined by reference to its capital levels, supervisory ratings, and certain other factors. The assessment rate schedule can change from time to time, at the discretion of the FDIC, subject to certain limits.

As of June 30, 2020, the DIF reserve ratio fell to 1.30%, below the statutory minimum of 1.35%. The FDIC, as required under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, established a plan on September 15, 2020 to restore the DIF reserve ration to meet or exceed the statutory minimum of 1.35% within eight years. On October 18, 2022, the FDIC adopted an amended restoration plan to increase the likelihood that the reserve ratio would be restored to at least 1.35% by September 30, 2028. The FDIC's amended restoration plan increases the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate schedules uniformly by 2 basis points, beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. The FDIC could further increase the deposit insurance assessments for certain insured depository institutions, including The First, if the DIF reserve ratio is not restored as projected.

In November 2023, the FDIC approved a final rule to implement a special assessment to recover the loss to DIF associated with several bank failures that occurred during early 2023. The assessment base for the special assessment is equal to estimated uninsured deposits reported as of December 31, 2022, adjusted to exclude the first $5 billion, to be collected at an annual rate of approximately 13.4 basis points for an anticipated total of eight quarterly assessment periods, beginning the first quarterly assessment period of 2024. The First did not have uninsured deposits in excess of $5 billion, and so is not subject to this special assessment.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by a bank’s federal regulatory agency. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that, in the event of the liquidation or other resolution of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors, and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution, including those of the parent bank holding company.

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Standards for Safety and Soundness

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to prescribe, by regulation or guideline, operational and managerial standards for all insured depository institutions relating to: (1) internal controls; (2) information systems and audit systems; (3) loan documentation; (4) credit underwriting; (5) interest rate risk exposure; and (6) asset quality. The federal banking agencies have adopted regulations and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness to implement these required standards. These guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards used to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. Under the regulations, if a regulator determines that a bank fails to meet any standards prescribed by the guidelines, the regulator may require the bank to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance, consistent with deadlines for the submission and review of such safety and soundness compliance plans.

Anti-Money Laundering

Under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (“USA PATRIOT”) Act of 2001, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with foreign financial institutions and foreign customers. The USA PATRIOT Act, and its implementing regulations adopted by the FinCEN, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, requires financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs with minimum standards that include:

•the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls;

•the designation of a compliance officer;

•an ongoing employee training program;

•an independent audit function to test the programs; and

•identify and verify the identity of beneficial owners of legal entity customers.

Banking regulators will consider compliance with the Act’s money laundering provisions in acting upon acquisition and merger proposals. Bank regulators routinely examine institutions for compliance with these obligations and have been active in imposing cease and desist and other regulatory orders and money penalty sanctions against institutions found to be violating these obligations. Sanctions for violations of the Act can be imposed in an amount equal to twice the sum involved in the violating transaction, up to $1 million. On January 1, 2021, Congress passed federal legislation that made sweeping changes to federal anti-money laundering laws, including changes that will be implemented in subsequent years.

Economic Sanctions

The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") is responsible for helping to ensure that U.S. entities do not engage in transactions with certain prohibited parties, as defined by various Executive Orders and acts of Congress. OFAC publishes, and routinely updates, lists of names of persons and organizations suspected of aiding, harboring or engaging in terrorist acts, including the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. If we find a name on any transaction, account or wire transfer that is on an OFAC list, we must undertake certain specified activities, which could include blocking or freezing the account or transaction requested, and we must notify the appropriate authorities.

Concentrations in Lending

During 2006, the federal bank regulatory agencies released guidance on “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending” (the “Guidance”) and advised financial institutions of the risks posed by CRE lending concentrations. The Guidance requires that appropriate processes be in place to identify, monitor and control risks associated with real estate lending concentrations. Higher allowances for loan losses and capital levels may also be required. The Guidance is triggered when CRE loan concentrations exceed either:

•Total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land of 100% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital; or

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•Total reported loans secured by multifamily and nonfarm nonresidential properties and loans for construction, land development, and other land of 300% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital.

The Guidance also applies when a bank has a sharp increase in CRE loans or has significant concentrations of CRE secured by a particular property type. We have always had exposures to loans secured by CRE due to the nature of our markets and the loan needs of both retail and commercial customers. We believe our long term experience in CRE lending, underwriting policies, internal controls, and other policies currently in place, as well as our loan and credit monitoring and administration procedures, are generally appropriate to managing our concentrations as required under the Guidance.

Community Reinvestment Act

The First is subject to the provisions of the CRA, which imposes a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with their safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of entire communities where the bank accepts deposits, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The Federal Reserve’s assessment of The First’s CRA record is made available to the public. Further, a less than satisfactory CRA rating will slow, if not preclude, expansion of banking activities and prevent a company from becoming or remaining a financial holding company. Following the enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLB”), CRA agreements with private parties must be disclosed and annual CRA reports must be made to a bank’s primary federal regulator. A bank holding company will not be permitted to become or remain a financial holding company and no new activities authorized under GLB may be commenced by a holding company or by a bank financial subsidiary if any of its bank subsidiaries received less than a “satisfactory” CRA rating in its latest CRA examination. Federal CRA regulations require, among other things, that evidence of discrimination against applicants on a prohibited basis, and illegal or abusive lending practices be considered in the CRA evaluation. The First has a rating of “Satisfactory” in its most recent CRA evaluation.

On October 24, 2023, the OCC, the FRB, and FDIC issued a final rule to modernize their respective CRA regulations. The revised rules substantially alter the methodology for assessing compliance with the CRA, with material aspects taking effect January 1, 2026 and revised data reporting requirements taking effect January 1, 2027. Among other things, the revised rules evaluate lending outside traditional assessment areas generated by the growth of non-branch delivery systems, such as online and mobile banking, apply a metrics-based benchmarking approach to assessment, and clarify eligible CRA activities. The final rules may make it more challenging and/or costly for the Bank to receive a rating of at least "satisfactory" on its CRA exam.

Privacy, Credit Reporting, and Data Security

The GLB generally prohibits disclosure of consumer information to non-affiliated third parties unless the consumer has been given the opportunity to object and has not objected to such disclosure. Financial institutions are further required to disclose their privacy policies to customers annually. Financial institutions, however, will be required to comply with state law if it is more protective of consumer privacy than the GLB. The GLB also directed federal regulators to prescribe standards for the security of consumer information. The First is subject to such standards, as well as standards for notifying customers in the event of a security breach. The First utilizes credit bureau data in underwriting activities. Use of such data is regulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Regulation V on a uniform, nationwide basis, including credit reporting, prescreening, and sharing of information between affiliates and the use of credit data. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, which amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act, permits states to enact identity theft laws that are not inconsistent with the conduct required by the provisions of that Act. We are also required to have an information security program to safeguard the confidentiality and security of customer information and to ensure proper disposal. Customers must be notified when unauthorized disclosure involves sensitive customer information that may be misused. The federal banking agencies also require banks to notify their regulators within 36 hours of a “computer-security incident” that rises to the level of a “notification incident.”

Anti-Tying Restrictions

In general, a bank may not extend credit, lease, sell property, or furnish any services or fix or vary the consideration for them on the condition that (1) the customer obtain or provide some additional credit, property, or services from or to the bank or bank holding company or their subsidiaries or (2) the customer not obtain some other credit, property, or services from a competitor, except to the extent reasonable conditions are imposed to assure the soundness of the credit extended. A bank may, however, offer combined-balance products and may otherwise offer more favorable terms if a customer obtains two or more traditional bank products. The law also expressly permits banks to engage in other forms

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of tying and authorizes the Federal Reserve to grant additional exceptions by regulation or order. Also, certain foreign transactions are exempt from the general rule.

Consumer Regulation

Activities of The First are subject to a variety of statutes and regulations designed to protect consumers. These laws and regulations include, among numerous other things, provisions that:

•limit the interest and other charges collected or contracted for by The First, including rules respecting the terms of credit cards and of debit card overdrafts;

•govern The First’s disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;

•require The First to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether it is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the communities it serves;

•prohibit The First from discriminating on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors when it makes decisions to extend credit;

•govern the manner in which The First may collect consumer debts; and

•prohibit unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices in the provision of consumer financial products and services.

Mortgage Regulation

The CFPB has issued rules to implement requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act pertaining to mortgage loan origination (including with respect to loan originator compensation and loan originator qualifications) as well as integrated mortgage disclosure rules. In addition, the CFPB has issued rules that require servicers to comply with new standards and practices with regard to: error correction; information disclosure; force-placement of insurance; information management policies and procedures; requiring information about mortgage loss mitigation options be provided to delinquent borrowers; providing delinquent borrowers access to servicer personnel with continuity of contact about the borrower’s mortgage loan account; and evaluating borrowers’ applications for available loss mitigation options. These rules also address initial rate adjustment notices for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), periodic statements for residential mortgage loans, and prompt crediting of mortgage payments and response to requests for payoff amounts.

Non-Discrimination Policies

The First is also subject to, among other things, the provisions of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (the “ECOA”) and the Fair Housing Act (the “FHA”), both of which prohibit discrimination based on race or color, religion, national origin, sex, and familial status in any aspect of a consumer or commercial credit or residential real estate transaction. The Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), and the federal bank regulatory agencies have issued an Interagency Policy Statement on Discrimination in Lending that provides guidance to financial institutions in determining whether discrimination exists, how the agencies will respond to lending discrimination, and what steps lenders might take to prevent discriminatory lending practices. The DOJ has increased its efforts to prosecute what it regards as violations of the ECOA and FHA.

Effect of Governmental Monetary and Fiscal Policies

The difference between the interest rate paid on deposits and other borrowings and the interest rate received on loans and securities comprises most of a bank’s earnings. In order to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in the industry, the banking business is becoming increasingly dependent on the generation of fee and service charge revenue.

The earnings and growth of a bank are affected by both general economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policy of the U.S. government and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve sets national monetary policy such as seeking to curb inflation and combat recession. This is accomplished by its open-market operations in U.S. government securities, adjustments in the amount of reserves that financial institutions are required to maintain and adjustments to the discount rates on borrowings and target rates for federal funds transactions. The actions of the Federal Reserve in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest

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rates on loans and deposits. The nature and timing of any future changes in monetary policies and their potential impact on the Company cannot be predicted.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to risk. The following discussion, along with management’s discussion and analysis and our financial statements and footnotes, sets forth the most significant risks and uncertainties that we believe could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is not aware of or that management currently deems immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. There is no assurance that this discussion covers all potential risks that we face. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made herein.

Risk Factors Associated with Our Business

General economic conditions in the areas where our operations or loans are concentrated may adversely affect our financial results or liquidity.

A sudden or severe downturn in the economy in the geographic markets we serve in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida or Georgia may affect the ability of our customers to meet loan payment obligations on a timely basis. The local economic conditions in these areas have a significant impact on our commercial, real estate, and construction loans, the ability of borrowers to repay these loans and the value of the collateral securing such loans. Any deterioration in the economic conditions of these market areas could negatively impact the financial results of the Company’s banking operations, earnings, and profitability.

Our Bank requires liquidity in the form of available funds to meet its deposit, debt and other obligations as they come due, borrower requests to draw on committed credit facilities as well as unexpected demands for cash payments. Adverse economic changes may cause customers to withdraw deposit balances, thereby causing a strain on our liquidity. Moreover, customers with larger uninsured deposit account balances often are small-and mid-sized businesses that rely upon deposit funds for payment of operational expenses and, as a result, are more likely to closely monitor for financial condition and performance of their depository institutions. As a result, in the event of financial distress, uninsured depositors historically have been more likely to withdraw their deposits. If a significant portion of our deposits were to be withdrawn within a short period of time, additional sources of liquidity may be required to meet withdrawal demands. We have historically had access to a number of alternative sources of liquidity, but if there is an increase in volatility in the credit and liquidity markets there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain such liquidity on terms that are favorable to us, or at all.

We may be vulnerable to certain sectors of the economy, including real estate.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate. Real estate values in our markets have experienced periods of fluctuation over the last several years, and the market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a relatively short period of time. If the economy deteriorates and real estate values decline materially in one or more of our markets, the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio could increase, a significant part of our loan portfolio could become under-collateralized and losses incurred upon borrower defaults would increase. This could result in additional credit loss accruals which would negatively impact our earnings. Our ability to dispose of foreclosed real estate at prices above the respective carrying values could also be impacted, which could cause our results of operations to be adversely affected.

Unpredictable market conditions may adversely affect the industry in which we operate.

The capital and credit markets are subject to volatility and disruption. Dramatic declines in the housing market in years past caused home prices to fall and increased foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment. These events, if they were to happen again, could negatively impact the credit performance of mortgage loans and result in significant write-downs of asset values, including government-sponsored entities as well as major commercial and investment banks. Market turmoil and tightening of credit could lead to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence and widespread reduction of business activity. Generally, a worsening of these conditions would have

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an adverse effect on us and others in the financial institution industry, particularly in our real estate markets, as lower home prices and increased foreclosures would result in higher charge-offs and delinquencies.

The state of the economy and various economic factors, including inflation, recession, unemployment, interest rates and the level of U.S. debt, as well as governmental action and uncertainty resulting from U.S. and global political trends, may directly and indirectly, have a destabilizing effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the U.S. government's decisions regarding its debt ceiling and the possibility that the U.S. could default on its debt obligations could cause further interest rate increases, disrupt access to capital markets and deepen recessionary conditions. An unfavorable or uncertain national or regional political or economic environment could drive losses beyond those which are provided for in our allowance for credit losses and could negatively impact our results of operations.

We must maintain an appropriate allowance for credit losses.

The First, as lender, is exposed to the risk that its customers will be unable to repay their loans in accordance with their terms and that any collateral securing the payment of their loans may not be sufficient to assure repayment. Credit losses are inherent in the business of making loans and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Credit risk with respect to our real estate and construction loan portfolio relates principally to the creditworthiness of the borrower corporations and the value of the real estate serving as security for the repayment of loans. Credit risk with respect to our commercial and consumer loan portfolio will relate principally to the general creditworthiness of the borrower businesses and individuals within our local markets.

On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ("ASC 326"). The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASC 326 to replace the incurred loss model for loans and other financial assets with an expected loss model and requires consideration of a wider range of reasonable and supportable information to determine credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, the Company has developed an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) methodology effective January 1, 2021, which replaces its previous allowance for loan losses methodology. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged-off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environment conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors. Management may selectively apply external market data to subjectively adjust the Company’s own loss history including index or peer data. Management evaluates the adequacy of the ACL quarterly and makes provisions for credit losses based on this evaluation. See Note B – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to consolidated financial statements. Changes in economic conditions or individual business or personal circumstances affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the ACL. Further, if actual charge-offs in future periods exceed our estimation of charge-offs, we may need additional provision for loan losses to restore the adequacy of our ACL. If we are required to materially increase our level of ACL for any reason, such increases could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We are subject to risks related to changes in market interest rates.

Our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature, and as a result we are subject to significant risks resulting from changes in interest rates. Our profitability is largely dependent upon net interest income. Unexpected movement in interest rates markedly changing the slope of the current yield curve could cause net interest margins to decrease, subsequently decreasing net interest income. In addition, such changes could adversely affect the valuation of our assets and liabilities.

The fair market value of the securities portfolio and the investment income from these securities also fluctuates depending on general economic and market conditions. In addition, actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk, such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, may differ from those anticipated at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations.

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Beginning in early 2022, in response to growing signs of inflation, the FRB increased interest rates rapidly. Further, the FRB has increased the benchmark rapidly and has announced an intention to take further actions to mitigate rising inflationary pressures. Rising interest rates can have a negative impact on our business by reducing the amount of money our clients borrow or by adversely affecting their ability to repay outstanding loan balances that may increase due to adjustments in their variable rates. In addition, as interest rates rise, so have competitive pressures on the deposit cost of funds. We may have to offer more attractive interest rates to depositors to compete for deposits, or pursue other sources of liquidity, such as wholesale funds, which could result in negative pressure on our net interest income. It is not possible to predict the pace and magnitude of changes in interest rates, or the impact rate changes will have on the Company’s results of operations.

Certain changes in interest rates, inflation, or the financial markets could affect demand for our products and our ability to deliver products efficiently.

Loan originations, and therefore loan revenues, could be adversely impacted by rising interest rates. Increases in market interest rates can have negative impacts on our business, including reducing our customers’ desire to borrow money from us or adversely affecting their ability to repay their outstanding loans by increasing their debt service obligations through the periodic reset of adjustable interest rate loans. If our borrowers’ ability to repay their loans is impaired by increasing interest payment obligations, our level of non-performing assets would increase, producing an adverse effect on operating results. Asset values, especially commercial real estate as collateral, securities or other fixed rate earning assets, can decline significantly with relatively minor changes in interest rates. If interest rates were to decrease, our yield on our variable rate loans and on our new loans would decrease, reducing our net interest income. In addition, lower interest rates may reduce our realized yields on investment securities, which would reduce our net interest income and cause downward pressure on net interest margin in future periods. A significant reduction in our net interest income could have a material adverse impact on our capital, financial condition and results of operations.

Continued increases in inflation could cause operating costs related to salaries and benefits, technology, and supplies to increase at a faster pace than revenues.

Evaluation of investment securities for impairment involves subjective determinations and could materially impact our results of operations and financial condition.

The evaluation of impairments is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties, and is intended to determine whether declines in the fair value of investments should be recognized in current period earnings. The risks and uncertainties include changes in general economic conditions, the issuers’ financial condition or future recovery prospects, the effects of changes in interest rates or credit spreads and the expected recovery period. Estimating future cash flows involves incorporating information received from third-party sources and making internal assumptions and judgments regarding the future performance of the underlying collateral and assessing the probability that an adverse change in future cash flows has occurred. The determination of the amount of impairments is based upon the Company’s quarterly evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.

Additionally, our management considers a wide range of factors about the security issuer and uses its reasonable judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for recovery. Inherent in management’s evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. Impairments to the carrying value of our investment securities may need to be taken in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in the policies of monetary authorities and other government action could adversely affect profitability.

The results of operations of the Company are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which we refer to as the Federal Reserve Board. The instruments of monetary policy employed by the Federal Reserve Board include open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate or the federal funds rate on bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against bank deposits. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and monetary policy, we cannot predict the impact of future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or the Company’s business and earnings. Furthermore, the actions of the United States government and other governments in responding to developing situations or implementing new fiscal or trade policies may result in currency fluctuations, exchange controls, market disruption and other unanticipated economic effects. Such actions could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and profitability.

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We are subject to regulation by various Federal and State entities.

The Company and The First are subject to extensive regulation by various regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance and the CFPB. See Supervision and Regulation above for more information. New regulations issued by these agencies may adversely affect our ability to carry on our business activities. The Company is subject to various Federal and state laws and certain changes in these laws and regulations may adversely affect operations.

The Company and The First are also subject to the accounting rules and regulations of the SEC and the FASB. Changes in accounting rules could adversely affect the reported financial statements or results of operations of the Company and may also require extraordinary efforts or additional costs to implement. Any of these laws or regulations may be modified or changed from time to time, and we cannot be assured that such modifications or changes will not adversely affect the Company.

Tax law and regulatory changes could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Changes to tax laws, including a repeal of all or part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 ("IRA"), could significantly impact our business in the form of greater than expected income tax expense and taxes payable. Such changes may also negatively impact the financial condition of our customers and/or overall economic conditions. Further, future regulatory reforms that could include a heightened focus and scrutiny on BSA/AML related compliance, expansion of consumer protections, the regulation of loan portfolios and credit concentrations to borrows impacted by climate changes, increased capital and liquidity requirements and limitations or additional taxes on share repurchases and dividends, could increase our costs and impact our business.

On August 16, 2022, the IRA was signed into law in the United States. The IRA includes various tax provisions, including an excise tax on stock repurchases and a corporate alternative minimum tax that generally applies to U.S. corporations with average adjusted financial statement income over a three-year period in excess of $1 billion. We do not currently expect the IRA to have a material impact on our financial results, including on our annual estimated effective tax rate or on our liquidity, the effects of the measures are unknown at this time.

We may be required to pay additional insurance premiums to the FDIC, which could negatively impact earnings.

The deposits of The First are insured by the FDIC up to legal limits and, accordingly, subject it to the payment of FDIC deposit insurance assessments. The First's regular assessments are determined by the level of its assessment base and its risk classification, which is based on its regulatory capital levels and the level of supervisory concern that is poses. Moreover, the FDIC has the unilateral power to change deposit insurance assessment rates and the manner in which deposit insurance is calculated and also to charge special assessments to FDIC-insured institutions. The FDIC utilized these powers during the financial crisis for the purpose of restoring the reserve ratios of the Deposit Insurance Fund. Beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023, the FDIC deposit insurance premiums were increased by two basis points. Any future special assessments, increases in assessment rates or premiums, or required prepayments in FDIC insurance premiums could reduce our profitability or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We are subject to industry competition which may have an adverse impact upon our success.

The profitability of the Company depends on its ability to compete successfully with other financial services companies. We operate in a highly competitive financial services environment. Certain competitors are larger and may have more resources than we do. We face competition in our regional market areas from other commercial banks, savings institutions, credit unions, internet banks, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokerage and investment banking firms, and other financial intermediaries that offer similar services. Some of the nonbank competitors are not subject to the same extensive regulations that govern the Company or The First and may have greater flexibility in competing for business.

Many of these competitors also have broader geographic markets and substantially greater resources and lending limits than The First and offer certain services such as trust banking that The First does not currently provide. In addition, many of these competitors have numerous branch offices located throughout the extended market areas of The First that may provide these competitors with an advantage in geographic convenience that The First does not have at present.

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Currently there are numerous other commercial banks, savings institutions, and credit unions operating in The First’s primary service area.

We also compete with numerous financial and quasi-financial institutions for deposits and loans, including providers of financial services over the internet. Recent technology advances and other changes have allowed parties to effectuate financial transactions that previously required the involvement of banks. For example, consumers can maintain funds in brokerage accounts or mutual funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and access to lower cost deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Some of our competitors have reduced or eliminated certain service charges on deposit accounts, including overdraft fees, and additional competitors may be willing to reduce or eliminate service or other fees in order to attract additional customers. If the Company chooses to reduce or eliminate certain categories of fees, including those related to deposit accounts, fee income related to these products and services would be reduced. If the Company chooses not to take such actions, we may be at a competitive disadvantage in attracting customers for certain fee producing products.

Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

We necessarily collect, use and hold personal and financial information concerning individuals and businesses with which we have a banking relationship. This information includes non-public, personally identifiable information that is protected under applicable federal and state laws and regulations. As such, we rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, deposit, loan and other systems. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that we can prevent any such failures, interruptions, cyber security breaches or other security breaches or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. We have been, and likely will continue to be, subject to various forms of external security breaches, which may include computer hacking, acts of vandalism or theft, malware, computer viruses or other malicious codes, phishing, employee error or malfeasance, catastrophes, unforeseen events or other cyber-attacks. To date, we have seen no material impact on our business or operations from these attacks or events. Any future significant compromise or breach of our data security, whether external or internal, or misuse of customer, associate, supplier or Company data could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, as the regulatory environment related to information security, data collection and use, and privacy becomes increasingly rigorous, with new and constantly changing requirements applicable to our business, compliance with those requirements could also result in additional costs.

It is difficult or impossible to defend against every risk being posed by changing technologies or criminals intent on committing cyber-crime. In the last few years, there have been an increasing number of cyber incidents and cyber criminals continue to increase their sophistication, including several well-publicized cyber-attacks that targeted other companies in the United States, including financial services companies much larger than us. These cyber incidents have been initiated from a variety of sources, including terrorist organizations and hostile foreign governments. As technology advances, the ability to initiate transactions and access data has also become more widely distributed amount mobile devices, personal computers, automated teller machines, remote deposit capture sites and similar access points, some of which are not controlled or secured by us. It is possible that we could have exposure to liability and suffer losses as a result of a security breach or cyber-attack that occurred through no fault of our own. Further, the probability of a successful cyber-attack against us or one of our third-party services providers cannot be predicted, and in some cases, prevented.

Natural disasters, public health emergencies, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could affect our ability to operate.

Our market areas are susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornados. Natural disasters can disrupt operations, result in damage to properties that may be serving as collateral for our loan assets and negatively affect the local economies in which we operate. Climate change may be increasing the nature, severity and frequency of adverse weather conditions, making the impact from these types of natural disasters on our customers or us worse. We cannot

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predict whether or to what extent damage caused by future hurricanes, tornados or other natural disasters will affect operations or the economies in our market areas, but such weather events could cause a decline in loan originations, a decline in the value or destruction of properties serving as collateral for our loans and an increase in the risk of delinquencies, foreclosures or loan losses.

In addition, health emergencies, disease pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, trade policies and sanctions, including the repercussions of the ongoing military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and other external events could cause disruption in our operations. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is susceptible to fraud.

Our business exposes us to fraud risk from our loan and deposit customers, the parties they do business with, as well as from our employees, contractors and vendors. We rely on financial and other data from new and existing customers which could turn out to be fraudulent when accepting such customers, executing their financial transactions and making and purchasing loans and other financial assets. In times of increased economic stress, we are at increased risk of fraud losses. We believe we have underwriting and operational controls in place to prevent or detect such fraud, but we cannot provide assurance that these controls will be effective in detecting fraud or that we will not experience fraud losses or incur costs or other damage related to such fraud, at levels that adversely affect our financial results or reputation. Our lending customers may also experience fraud in their businesses which could adversely affect their ability to repay their loans or make use of our services. Our exposure and the exposure of our customers to fraud may increase our financial risk and reputation risk as it may result in unexpected loan losses that exceed those that have been provided for in our allowance for credit losses.

We may not be able to attract and retain skilled personnel.

Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to attract and retain key personnel. Competition for the best personnel in most activities we engage in can be intense, and we may not be able to hire personnel or to retain them. The unexpected loss of services of one or more of our key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel with comparable skills, knowledge of our market, relationships in the communities we serve, and years of industry experience. Although we have employment agreements with certain of our executive officers, there is no guarantee that these officers and other key personnel will remain employed with the Company.

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect the Company.

Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. We have exposure to different industries and counterparties, and through transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including broker-dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, and other financial intermediaries. As a result, defaults by, declines in the financial condition of, or even rumors or concerns about, one or more financial institutions or the financial services industry generally could negatively impact market-wide liquidity and could lead to losses or defaults by the Company or by other institutions.

Recent negative developments affecting the banking industry, and resulting media coverage, have eroded customer confidence in the banking system.

The closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March 2023 and First Republic Bank in May 2023, and concerns about similar future events, have generated significant market volatility among publicly traded bank holding companies and, in particular, regional banks like the Company. These market developments have negatively impacted customer confidence in the safety and soundness of regional banks. As a result, customers may choose to maintain deposits with larger financial institutions or invest in higher yielding short-term fixed income securities, all of which could materially adversely impact the Company's liquidity, loan funding capacity, net interest margin, capital and results of operations. While the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the FDIC took action to ensure that depositors of these failed banks had access to their deposits, including uninsured deposit accounts, there is no guarantee that such actions will be successful in restoring customer confidence in regional banks and the banking system more broadly.

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Merger-Related Risks

We may engage in acquisitions of other businesses from time to time, which may adversely impact our results.

From time to time, we may engage in acquisitions of other businesses. Difficulty in integrating an acquired business or company may cause us not to realize expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, or other anticipated benefits from any acquisition. The integration could result in higher than expected deposit attrition (run-off), loss of key employees, disruption of the Company’s business or the business of the acquired company, or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. The acquired companies may also have legal contingencies, beyond those that we are aware of, that could result in unexpected costs. The Company may need to make additional investment in equipment and personnel to manage higher asset levels and loan balances as a result of any significant acquisition, which may adversely impact earnings.

We may fail to realize the anticipated cost savings and other financial benefits of recent acquisitions in the timeframe we expect, or at all.

The Company completed the Beach Bancorp, Inc. ("BBI") acquisition on August 1, 2022, and the acquisition of HSBI on January 1, 2023. Achieving the anticipated cost savings and financial benefits of the mergers will depend, in part, on whether we can successfully integrate these businesses with and into the business of The First. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of each company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors, and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the mergers. In addition, the integration of certain operations following the mergers has required and will continue to require the dedication of significant management resources, which may temporarily distract management’s attention from the day-to-day business of the combined company. Any inability to realize the full extent of, or any of, the anticipated cost savings and financial benefits of the mergers, as well as any delays encountered in the integration process, could have an adverse effect on the business and results of operations of the combined company.

We have incurred and may continue to incur significant transaction and merger-related costs in connection with our recent acquisitions.

We have incurred and may continue to incur a number of non-recurring costs associated with our recent acquisitions. These costs and expenses include fees paid to financial, legal and accounting advisors, severance, retention bonus and other potential employment-related costs, filing fees, printing expenses and other related charges. There are also a large number of processes, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and systems that must be integrated in connection with the integration of these companies’ businesses. While we have assumed that a certain level of expenses would be incurred in connection with the acquisitions, there are many factors beyond our control that could affect the total amount or the timing of the integration and implementation expenses.

There may also be additional unanticipated significant costs in connection with the acquisitions that we may not recoup. These costs and expenses could reduce the realization of efficiencies, strategic benefits and additional income we expect to achieve from the acquisitions. Although we expect that these benefits will offset the transaction expenses and implementation costs over time, the net benefit may not be achieved in the near term or at all, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

We may incur impairment to goodwill.

We review our goodwill at least annually. Significant negative industry or economic trends, reduced estimates of future cash flows or disruptions to our business, could indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Our valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgements and assumptions based on historical experience and to rely on projections of future operating performance. We operate in a competitive environment and projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from actual results. In addition, if our analysis results in an impairment to our goodwill, we would be required to record a non-cash charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which such impairment is determined to exist. Any such charge could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

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Risks Relating to Our Securities

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, which may make it difficult for investors to resell shares of common stock at a time or price they find attractive.

Our stock price may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition to those described in “Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” these factors include, among others:

•actual or anticipated quarterly fluctuations in our operating results, financial condition or asset quality;

•changes in financial estimates or the publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts or actions taken by rating agencies with respect to us or other financial institutions;

•failure to declare dividends on our common stock from time to time;

•failure to meet analysts’ revenue or earnings estimates;

•failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions;

•strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, restructurings, dispositions or financings;

•fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of our competitors or other companies that investors deem comparable to us;

•future sales of our common stock or other securities;

•proposed or final regulatory changes or developments;

•anticipated or pending regulatory investigations, proceedings, or litigation that may involve or affect us;

•reports in the press or investment community generally relating to our reputation or the financial services industry;

•domestic and international economic and political factors unrelated to our performance;

•general market conditions and, in particular, developments related to market conditions for the financial services industry;

•adverse weather conditions, including floods, tornadoes and hurricanes;

•public health emergencies, including disease pandemics; and

•disruptions to the financial markets as a result of the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, including the ongoing military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, terrorism or other geopolitical events.

In addition, in recent years, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect our stock price, notwithstanding our operating results. We expect that the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate and there can be no assurances about the levels of the market prices for our common stock.

General market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of operating results.

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We may need to rely on the financial markets to provide needed capital.

Our common stock is listed and traded on the Nasdaq stock market. Although we anticipate that our capital resources will be adequate for the foreseeable future to meet our capital requirements, at times we may depend on the liquidity of the capital markets to raise additional capital. Our historical ability to raise capital through the sale of capital stock and debt securities may be affected by economic and market conditions or regulatory changes that are beyond our control. Adverse changes in our operating performance or financial condition could make raising additional capital difficult or more expensive or limit our access to customary sources of funding. If the market should fail to operate, or if conditions in the capital markets are adverse, our efforts to raise capital could require the issuance of securities at times and with maturities, conditions and rates that are disadvantageous, and which could have a dilutive impact on our current stockholders. Should these risks materialize, the ability to further expand our operations through organic or acquisitive growth may be limited.

Securities issued by the Company, including the Company’s common stock, are not FDIC insured.

Securities issued by the Company, including the Company’s common stock, are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of any bank and are not insured by the FDIC, the DIF, or any other governmental agency or instrumentality, or any private insurer, and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Anti-takeover laws and certain agreements and charter provisions may adversely affect the price of our common stock.

Certain provisions of state and federal law and our articles of incorporation may make it more difficult for someone to acquire control of the Company. Under federal law, subject to certain exemptions, a person, entity, or group must notify the federal banking agencies before acquiring 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a bank holding company, including the Company’s shares. Banking agencies review the acquisition to determine if it will result in a change of control. The banking agencies have 60 days to act on the notice, and take into account several factors, including the resources of the acquiror and the antitrust effects of the acquisition. There also are Mississippi statutory provisions and provisions in our articles of incorporation that may be used to delay or block a takeover attempt. As a result, these statutory provisions and provisions in our articles of incorporation could result in the Company being less attractive to a potential acquiror.

The trading volume in our common stock is less than that of other larger financial services companies.

Although our common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Market, the trading volume for our common stock is low relative to other larger financial services companies, and you are not assured liquidity with respect to transactions in our common stock. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of our common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which we have no control. Given the lower trading volume of our common stock, significant sales of our common stock, or the expectation of these sales, could cause our stock price to fall.

You may not receive dividends on our common stock.

Although we have historically declared quarterly cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so and may reduce or cease to pay common stock dividends in the future. If we reduce or cease to pay common stock dividends, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected.

The principal source of funds from which we pay cash dividends are the dividends received from The First. Federal and state banking laws and regulations and state corporate laws restrict the amount of dividends we may declare and pay from The First. See “Item 1. Business – Regulation and Supervision” included herein for more information.

If we fail to pay dividends, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock may be the sole opportunity for gains on an investment in our common stock. In addition, in the event The First becomes unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to service our debt or pay our other obligations or pay dividends on our common stock and preferred stock. Accordingly, our inability to receive dividends from The First could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and the value of your investment in our common stock.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

The Company’s information security program is designed to protect the security of our computer systems, networks, software and information assets, including customer information. The program is comprised of technical controls, policies, guidelines, and procedures. These technical controls, policies, guidelines, and procedures are intended to align with regulatory guidance, and common industry standard security practices.

The board of directors and our executives appreciate the severity of cybersecurity-related risks and support the continuous development of and investment in the information security program.

Commitment to Security and Confidentiality

At the Company, we expect each associate to be responsible for the security and confidentiality of customer information. We communicate this responsibility to associates during on-boarding and throughout their employment. Annually, training courses are assigned to each associate to complete on how to protect the confidentiality of customer information at the time of hire and during each year of employment.

We regularly provide associates with information security awareness training, including the recognition and appropriate handling of potential phishing emails, which can introduce malware to a bank’s network, result in the theft of user credentials and, ultimately, place customer information at risk. We regularly use phishing campaigns to train associates to determine their ability to recognize phishing emails. For associates who fail a phishing campaign, the associates are assigned additional training courses.

Associates must also follow established procedures for the safe storage and handling and secure disposal of customer information. Old or obsolete computer assets are subject to defined procedures and processes to ensure safe destruction of information contained on those devices. For paper-based information or documents, we dispose of paper using shred bins for destruction.

Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan

As part of our information security program, we have adopted an Information Security Incident Response Plan (Incident Response Plan), which is administered by the Company’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The Incident Response Plan describes the Company’s processes, procedures, and responsibilities for responding to incidents including security and cybersecurity. The Incident Response Plan is intended to be followed in the event of a cybersecurity incident, including implementation of (i) forensic and containment, eradication, and remediation actions by information technology and security personnel and (ii) operational response actions by business units, communications, legal, and risk personnel. The Incident Response Plan includes an annual tabletop exercise to simulate responses to cybersecurity events. If applicable, each exercise may result in postmortem and discuss lessons learned to evaluate any improvements to the Incident Response Plan.

The Incident Response Plan includes processes for escalation and reporting of cybersecurity incidents to the Incident Response Team.

Network and Device Security

The Company employs a constantly evolving, defense-in-depth methodology to cybersecurity. Robust high-availability firewalls are in place at the perimeter. Remote workers are supported through the Company’s secure VPN and uses multifactor authentication. The Company has a vulnerability management program in place that includes a managed detect and response platform to ensure monitoring of the Company’s network, ensures the timely installation of software patches, and provides a risk-based approach to addresses vulnerabilities across the network. Network security controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access to the network or the Company’s IT resources. The Company employs controls over its managed workstations, servers, and other endpoints to prevent inappropriate access or damage to physical, virtual, or data assets. Data loss prevention programs are in place to prevent the inappropriate transmission or exposure of sensitive data assets or customer information.

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Cybersecurity training is provided to all employees as part of the overall cybersecurity program. The Company contracts with third party vendors to conduct internal and external penetration tests against the Company’s networks and IT assets to ensure controls are operating in an appropriate manner.

Impacts of Cybersecurity Incidents

To date, the Company has not experienced a cybersecurity incident that has materially impacted our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. Addressing cybersecurity risks is a priority for the Company, and the Company is committed to enhancing its systems of internal controls and business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

Third-Party Vendor Controls

Before engaging third-party service providers, the Company carries out a due diligence process. This process is led by the Enterprise Risk Management team and Information Security performs due diligence through the process. Risk assessments are reviewed using Service Organization Controls (SOC) reports, self- attestation questionnaires, and other tools.

Any third-party service provider or vendor utilized as part of the Company’s cybersecurity framework is required to comply with the Company’s policies regarding non-public personal information and information security. Third parties processing sensitive customer data are contractually required to meet all legal and regulatory obligations to protect customer data against security threats or unauthorized access. After contract executions, vendors undergo ongoing monitoring to ensure they continue to meet their security obligations.

Our Board of Directors’ Role in Oversight of Cybersecurity Threats

Our Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Company’s business and affairs, including risks associated with cybersecurity threats. The Board oversees the Company’s corporate risk governance processes primarily through its committees, and oversight of cybersecurity threats is delegated primarily to our Board Risk Committee.

The Board Risk Committee has primary responsibility for overseeing the Company’s comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management program. The Enterprise Risk Management program assists senior management in identifying, assessing, monitoring, and managing risk, including cybersecurity risk, in a rapidly changing environment. Cybersecurity matters and assessments are regularly included in Board Risk Committee meetings.

The Board’s oversight of cybersecurity risk is supported by our CISO and Cybersecurity Manager. The CISO and the Cybersecurity Manager attend Board Risk Committee meetings, periodically provides cybersecurity and other information security updates to the Board Risk Committee. The CISO also provides an annual information security program summary report to the Board, outlining the overall status of our information security program and the Company’s compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Our Management’s Role in Assessing and Managing Cybersecurity Matters

The Company’s CISO directs the Company’s information security program and our information technology risk management. The CISO and Cybersecurity Manager along with a team of dedicated security personnel examines risks to the Company’s information systems and assets, designs and implements security solutions, monitors the environment, and provides immediate responses to threats.

Role of the Chief Information Security Officer and Cybersecurity Manager

Our CISO is responsible for the Company’s information security program. In this role, the CISO manages the Company’s information security Program.

The CISO has experience with FDIC regulated financial institutions and holds the certification as a Certified Banking Chief Information Security Officer (CBISO) and participates in various Information Security peer groups and serves on the Mississippi Bankers Associations - Information Security Committee.

The Company’s Cybersecurity Manager oversees the day-to-day cybersecurity operations.

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The CISO and Cybersecurity Manager support the information security risk oversight responsibilities of the Board and its committees. The CISO reports to our Chief Information Officer, who in turn reports to our Chief Executive Officer and President. The Cybersecurity Manager reports to the Information Technology Director, who in turn reports to the Chief Information Officer.

Our Cybersecurity Manager has experience spanning multiple OCC and FDIC regulated financial institutions across the nation. He holds various cybersecurity related certifications and is currently registered with the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) member in good standing.

Role of the Enterprise Risk Manager

Our Enterprise Risk Manager is responsible for oversight of the Company’s information technology governance and risk program. In this role, the Enterprise Risk Manager provides independent oversight of information technology risk, promotes effective challenge to the Company’s information technology systems, and ensures that high level risks receive appropriate attention. The Enterprise Risk Manager is a member of the Company’s Risk Management Group and reports to the Chief Risk Officer, who in turn reports to the Board Risk Committee.

Role of the IT Risk Governance Subcommittee

Governance of the information security program begins with the IT Risk Governance Subcommittee, a management level subcommittee, whose objective is to protect the integrity, security, safety and resiliency of corporate information systems and assets. Together, our CISO leads the Company’s IT Risk Governance Committee. The IT Risk Governance Committee meets regularly to review the development of the program and develop recommendations and provides regular reports to management, and, ultimately, the Board Risk Committee through the CISO.

Role of Enterprise Risk Management

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is a holistic process to identify, assess/measure, mitigate/control, and aggregate/escalate/report organizational risks, both internal and external, in order to make decisions aimed at maximizing shareholder value and achieving strategic goals. The overarching ERM program shapes information security strategy and development. ERM works with information security management to facilitate performance of Risk Assessments, the results of which are used to identify opportunities to strengthen the program.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our Company’s main office, which is the holding company headquarters, is located at 6480 U.S. Highway 98 West in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. As of year-end, we had 110 full service banking and financial service offices, one motor bank facility and five loan production offices across Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. Management ensures that all properties, whether owned or leased, are maintained in suitable condition.

The following table sets forth banking office locations that are leased by the Company.

Alabama	Georgia
•Theodore - Bayley’s Corner	•Eagles Landing
•Dauphin Island	•Jonesboro
•Fairhope	Mississippi
•Spanish Fort	•Columbus - Loan Production Office
Florida	•Gulfport - Hardy Court
•Pensacola - Garden Street	•Pascagoula
•St. Petersburg - Loan Production Office	•Petal
•Tallahassee – Apalachee Parkway
•Tallahassee – Thomasville Road
•Tampa - Westshore

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time the Company and/or The First may be named as defendants in various lawsuits arising out of the normal course of business. At present, with the exception of the matter described below, the Company is not aware of any legal proceedings that it anticipates may materially adversely affect its business.

Nancy Hall, et al. v. The First Bancshares, Inc., Case No. 2:23-cv-192, United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi.

On December 7, 2023, Nancy Hall, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated ("Plaintiff"), sued The First Bancshares, Inc., as successor in interest to Heritage Southeast Bank, in a putative class action complaint in federal district court for the Southern District of Mississippi. Plaintiff asserts claims based on the alleged improper assessment and collection of overdraft fees. Specifically, Plaintiff's claims relate to overdraft fees resulting from alleged "authorized positive, settle negative" or APSN debit card transactions. The complaint asserts causes of action of breach of contract, including the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment. The complaint also asserts a claim for alleged violations of Regulation E of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, restitution, costs, attorney's fees, and interest, as well as injunctive relief.

On February 1, 2024, the Company filed its Answer and Affirmative Defenses, and the proceedings remain ongoing. At this stage of the proceedings, it is not feasible to predict the outcome or a range of loss, should a loss occur, from this proceeding. Accordingly, no accrual has been made and no estimated range of potential loss can be determined at this time.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Shares of our common stock are traded on the Nasdaq global market under the symbol “FBMS.”

There were approximately 4,618 record holders of the Company’s common stock at February 21, 2024 and 31,227,881 shares outstanding.

Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and applicable regulatory requirements, the Company expects to continue its policy of paying regular cash dividends on a quarterly basis. A discussion of certain limitations on the ability of The Firsts to pay dividends to the Company and the ability of the Company to pay dividends on its common stock is set forth in Part 1 – Item 1. Business – Supervision and Regulation of this report.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table sets forth shares of our common stock we repurchased during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in thousands) (a)
October	—		$	—	—	$	50,000
November	—		—		—	50,000
December	856		26.91		—	50,000
Total	856	(b)	$	26.91	—

______________________________________

(a)On February 28, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program (the "2023 Repurchase Program"), pursuant to which the Company may purchase up to an aggregate of $50.0 million in shares of the Company's issued and outstanding common stock. The 2023 Repurchase Program expired on December 31, 2023.

(b)The 856 shares purchased in the fourth quarter were withheld by the Company in order to satisfy employee tax obligations for vesting of restricted stock awards.

Stock Performance Graph

The following performance graph and related information are neither “soliciting material” nor “filed’ with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference to such filing.

The performance graph compares the cumulative five-year shareholder return on the Company’s common stock, assuming an investment of $100 on December 31, 2018 and the reinvestment of dividends thereafter, to that of the common stocks of United States companies reported in the Nasdaq Composite-Total Returns Index and the common stocks of the Nasdaq OMX Banks Index. The Nasdaq OMX Banks Index contains securities of Nasdaq-listed companies classified according to the Industry Classification Benchmark as banks. They include banks providing a broad range of financial services, including retail banking, loans and money transmissions.

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Legend
	Symbol	Total Returns Index For:	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
		First Bancshares, Inc.	100.00	118.55	104.82	133.07	112.80	106.66
		NASDAQ Composite-Total Returns	100.00	136.69	198.10	242.03	163.28	236.17
		NASDAQ OMX Banks Index	100.00	124.38	115.04	164.41	137.65	132.91
	Notes:
	A.	The lines represent monthly index levels derived from compounded daily returns that include all dividends.
	B.	The indexes are reweighted daily, using the market capitalization on the previous trading day.
	C.	If the monthly interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading day, the preceding trading day is used.
	D.	The index level for all series was set to $100.00 on 12/31/2018.

ITEM 6. RESERVED

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following provides a narrative discussion and analysis of The First Bancshares’ financial condition as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the supplemental financial data included in Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data included elsewhere in this report.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. While we base estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates. Accounting policies considered critical to our financial results include the allowance for credit losses and related provision, business combinations and goodwill. The most critical of these is the accounting policy related to the allowance for credit losses.

The allowance is based in large measure upon management's evaluation of borrowers' abilities to make loan payments, local and national economic conditions, and other subjective factors. If any of these factors were to deteriorate, management would update its estimates and judgments which may require additional loss provisions. Effective January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Measurement of Current Expected Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”), which modified the accounting for the allowance for loan losses from an incurred loss model to an expected loss model, as discussed more fully under Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note B – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of this report.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of a business combination are generally recorded at their fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair value of identifiable assets, particularly intangibles, and liabilities acquired also require management to make estimates, which are based on all available information and in some cases assumptions with respect to the timing and amount of future revenues and expenses associated with an asset. Business combinations are discussed more fully under Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note C Business Combinations of this report.

Goodwill is assessed for impairment both annually and when events or circumstances occur that make it more likely than not that impairment has occurred. As part of its testing, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount using these qualitative factors, the Company compares the fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount, and then measures impaired loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Other intangibles are also assessed for impairment, both annually and when events or circumstances occur, that make it more likely than not that impairment has occurred. Goodwill is discussed more fully under Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of this report.

Overview

The Company was incorporated on June 23, 1995, and serves as a bank holding company for The First, formerly known as The First, A National Banking Association, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The First began operations on August 5, 1996, from its main office in the Oak Grove community, which is now incorporated within the city of Hattiesburg. Currently, the First has 116 locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. The Company and The First engage in a general commercial and retail banking business characterized by personalized service and local decision-making, emphasizing the banking needs of small to medium-sized businesses, professional concerns, and individuals.

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The Company’s primary source of revenue is interest income and fees, which it earns by lending and investing the funds which are held on deposit. Because loans generally earn higher rates of interest than investments, the Company seeks to employ as much of its deposit funds as possible in the form of loans to individuals, businesses, and other organizations. To ensure sufficient liquidity, the Company also maintains a portion of its deposits in cash, government securities, deposits with other financial institutions, and overnight loans of excess reserves (known as “Federal Funds Sold”) to correspondent banks. The revenue which the Company earns (prior to deducting its overhead expenses) is essentially a function of the amount of the Company’s loans and deposits, as well as the profit margin (“interest spread”) and fee income which can be generated on these amounts.

Highlights for the year:

•In the year-over-year comparison, net income available to common shareholders increased $12.5 million, or 19.9%, from $62.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $75.5 million for the same period ended December 31, 2023.

•Excluding the loans acquired from the Heritage Bank acquisition of $1.159 billion, total loans increased $236.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing net growth of 6.3%, as compared to the same period ended December 31, 2022.

•Past due loans of $11.7 million to total loans was 0.23% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $6.1 million, or 0.16% for the same period ended December 31, 2022.

•Cost of deposits averaged 109 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 26 basis points for the same period ended December 31, 2022.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $7.999 billion in total assets, an increase of $1.538 billion compared to $6.462 billion at December 31, 2022. Loans, including mortgage loans held for sale and net of the allowance for credit losses, increased to $5.119 billion at December 31, 2023 from $3.740 billion at December 31, 2022. Deposits increased to $6.463 billion at December 31, 2023 from $5.494 billion at December 31, 2022. Stockholders’ equity increased to $949.0 million at December 31, 2023 from $646.7 million at December 31, 2022. The acquisition of Heritage Bank during 2023 contributed, at acquisition, $1.565 billion, $1.159 billion, net of purchase accounting adjustments, and $1.392 billion, net of purchase accounting adjustments, in assets, loans, and deposits, respectively.

The First (Bank only) reported net income of $81.8 million, $72.6 million and $73.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company reported consolidated net income available to common stockholders of $75.5 million, $62.9 million and $64.2 million, respectively. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and the Notes thereto and the other financial data included elsewhere.

Results of Operations

The following is a summary of the results of operations for The First (Bank only) the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

($ in thousands)	2023		2022		2021
Interest income	$	340,897	$	200,375	$	176,735
Interest expense	83,638		15,085		12,306
Net interest income	257,259		185,290		164,429
Provision for credit losses	14,500		5,605		(1,104)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	242,759		179,685		165,533
Non-interest income	39,722		34,288		37,362
Non-interest expense	177,324		122,373		108,791
Income tax expense	23,352		19,033		20,210
Net income	$	81,805	$	72,567	$	73,894

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The following reconciles the above table to the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company at December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

($ in thousands)	2023		2022		2021
Net interest income:
Net interest income of The First	$	257,259	$	185,290	$	164,429
Interest expense	7,934		7,474		7,365
	$	249,325	$	177,816	$	157,064
Net income available to common shareholders:
Net income of The First	$	81,805	$	72,567	$	73,894
Net loss of the Company	(6,348)		(9,648)		(9,727)
	$	75,457	$	62,919	$	64,167

Consolidated Net Income

The Company reported consolidated net income available to common stockholders of $75.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a consolidated net income of $62.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Net interest income was $249.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $71.5 million in year-over-year comparison, primarily due to interest income earned on a higher volume of loans (including loans acquired from Heritage Bank and Beach Bank).

Non-interest income was $46.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $9.7 million as compared to the same period ended December 31, 2022. Service charges on deposit accounts and interchange fee income accounted for $11.7 million of the increase.

Non-interest expense was $184.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $54.2 million as compared to the same period ended December 31, 2022. The increase was partially attributable to $2.7 million in acquisition and charter conversion charges and $32.1 million in increased operating expenses related to the acquisitions of Beach Bank and Heritage Bank as well as $5.2 million in expenses associated with the U.S. Treasury awards and increases in FDIC premiums of $1.7 million and a $4.9 million increase in core deposit amortization for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The Company reported consolidated net income available to common stockholders of $62.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a consolidated net income of $64.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. In the year-over-year comparison, Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans fee income decreased $9.8 million.

Net interest income increased $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the same time period in 2021, primarily due to interest income earned on a higher volume of securities and loans and increased interest rates.

Non-interest income decreased $512 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the same time period in 2021. Increased service charges on deposit accounts and interchange fee income of $2.5 million was offset by a decrease in mortgage income of $4.5 million.

Non-interest expense was $130.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $15.9 million as compared to the same period ended December 31, 2021. An increase of $4.8 million in acquisition and charter conversion charges and $3.3 million related to the ongoing operations of the Cadence Bank branches and $5.1 million related to the Beach Bank branch operations accounted for the increase in non-interest expense.

See Note C – Business Combinations in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for more information on how the Company accounts for business combinations.

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Consolidated Net Interest Income

The largest component of net income for the Company is net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on assets and interest paid on deposits and borrowings used to support such assets. Net interest income is determined by the rates earned on the Company’s interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its interest-bearing liabilities, the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the degree of mismatch and the maturity and repricing characteristics of its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Consolidated net interest income was approximately $249.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $177.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to interest income earned on a higher volume of loans (including loans acquired from Heritage Bank and Beach Bank). Average interest-bearing liabilities for the year 2023 were $4.935 billion compared to $3.944 billion for the year 2022. Net interest margin, which is net interest income divided by average earning assets, was 3.59% for the year 2023 compared to 3.19% for the year 2022. Rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities increased to 1.86% for the year 2023 compared to 0.57% for the year 2022. Interest earned on assets and interest accrued on liabilities is significantly influenced by market factors, specifically interest rates as set by federal agencies. Average loans comprised 71.4% of average earnings assets for the year 2023 compared to 58.0% for the year 2022.

Consolidated net interest income was approximately $177.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $157.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was the direct result of higher volume of securities and loans and increased interest rates during 2022 as compared to 2021. Average interest-bearing liabilities for the year 2022 were $3.944 billion compared to $3.435 billion for the year 2021. Net interest margin, which is net interest income divided by average earning assets, was 3.19% for the year 2022 compared to 3.21% for the year 2021. Rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities was 0.57% for the year 2022 and remained unchanged for the year ended 2021. Interest earned on assets and interest accrued on liabilities is significantly influenced by market factors, specifically interest rates as set by federal agencies. Average loans comprised 58.0% of average earnings assets for the year 2022 compared to 60.8% for the year 2021.

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Average Balances, Income and Expenses, and Rates. The following tables depict, for the periods indicated, certain information related to the average balance sheet and average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Such yields are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. Average balances have been derived from daily averages.

Average Balances, Income and Expenses, and Rates

	Years Ended December 31,
	2023						2022						2021
($ in thousands)	Average Balance		Income/ Expenses		Yield/ Rate		Average Balance		Income/ Expenses		Yield/ Rate		Average Balance		Income/ Expenses		Yield/ Rate
Assets
Earning Assets
Loans (1)(2)	$	5,036,021	$	294,541	5.85	%	$	3,302,265	$	157,761	4.78	%	$	3,019,605	$	151,203	5.01	%
Securities (4)	1,918,575		47,913		2.50	%	2,023,214		46,305		2.29	%	1,305,262		28,035		2.15	%
Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits with other banks (3)	97,183		2,453		2.52	%	366,465		50		0.01	%	642,042		121		0.02	%
Total earning assets	7,051,779		344,907		4.89	%	5,691,944		204,116		3.59	%	4,966,909		179,359		3.61	%
Other	866,869						584,164						526,877
Total assets	$	7,918,648					$	6,276,108					$	5,493,786
Liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities	$	4,934,875	$	91,608	1.86	%	$	3,943,531	$	22,577	0.57	%	$	3,434,964	$	19,681	0.57	%
Demand deposits	2,012,129						1,660,696						1,366,529
Other liabilities	77,252						45,065						34,827
Stockholders’ equity	894,392						626,816						657,466
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,918,648					$	6,276,108					$	5,493,786
Net interest spread					3.03	%					3.02	%					3.04	%
Net yield on interest-earning assets			$	253,299	3.59	%			$	181,539	3.19	%			$	159,678	3.21	%

______________________________________

(1)Includes nonaccrual loans of $10,690, $12,591, and $28,013 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Loans include held for sale loans.

(2)Includes loan fees of $7,665, $7,453, and $17,138 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

(3)Includes Excess Balance Account-First National Banker’s Bank.

(4)Fully tax equivalent yield assuming a 25.3% tax rate.

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Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income. The following table presents the consolidated dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in volume and to changes in rate. The combined effect in both volume and rate which cannot be separately identified has been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and due to rate.

Analysis of Changes in Consolidated Net Interest Income

	Year Ended December 31, 2023 versus 2022 Increase (decrease) due to						Year Ended December 31, 2022 versus 2021 Increase (decrease) due to
($ in thousands)	Volume		Rate		Net		Volume		Rate		Net
Earning Assets
Loans	$	82,887	$	53,893	$	136,780	$	14,176	$	(7,595)	$	6,581
Securities (1)	(2,405)		4,013		1,608		15,436		2,832		18,268
Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits with other banks	(28)		2,431		2,403		(55)		(37)		(92)
Total interest income	80,454		60,337		140,791		29,557		(4,800)		24,757
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Interest-bearing transaction accounts	903		19,659		20,562		1,278		(745)		533
Money market accounts and savings	491		16,071		16,562		226		819		1,045
Time deposits	2,078		18,160		20,238		294		(52)		242
Borrowed funds	10,642		1,027		11,669		241		835		1,076
Total interest expense	14,114		54,917		69,031		2,039		857		2,896
Net interest income	$	66,340	$	5,420	$	71,760	$	27,518	$	(5,657)	$	21,861

______________________________________

(1)Fully tax equivalent yield assuming a 25.3% tax rate.

Interest Sensitivity. The Company monitors and manages the pricing and maturity of its assets and liabilities in order to diminish the potential adverse impact that changes in interest rates could have on its net interest income. A monitoring technique employed by the Company is the measurement of the Company’s interest sensitivity "gap," which is the positive or negative dollar difference between assets and liabilities that are subject to interest rate repricing within a given period of time. The Company also performs asset/liability modeling to assess the impact varying interest rates and balance sheet mix assumptions will have on net interest income. Interest rate sensitivity can be managed by repricing assets or liabilities, selling securities available-for-sale, replacing an asset or liability at maturity, or adjusting the interest rate during the life of an asset or liability. Managing the amount of assets and liabilities repricing in the same time interval helps to hedge the risk and minimize the impact on net interest income of rising or falling interest rates. The Company evaluates interest sensitivity risk and then formulates guidelines regarding asset generation and repricing, funding sources and pricing, and off-balance sheet commitments in order to decrease interest rate sensitivity risk.

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In the third quarter of 2022, the Company ceased the Deposit Reclassification program it implemented at the beginning of 2020. The program reclassified non-interest bearing and NOW deposit balances to money market accounts. The following tables illustrate the Company’s consolidated interest rate sensitivity and consolidated cumulative gap position by maturity at December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. Deposits at December 31, 2021 are shown without reclassification for consistency with the current period presentation.

$ in thousands	December 31, 2023
	Within Three Months			After Three Through Twelve Months			Within One Year			Greater Than One Year or Nonsensitive			Total
Assets
Earning assets:
Loans	$	262,916		$	406,261		$	669,177		$	4,503,779		$	5,172,956
Securities (2)	51,735			35,679			87,414			1,609,490			1,696,904
Funds sold and other	—			130,948			130,948			—			130,948
Total earning assets	$	314,651		$	572,888		$	887,539		$	6,113,269		$	7,000,808
Liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW accounts (1)	$	—		$	1,914,792		$	1,914,792		$	—		$	1,914,792
Money market accounts	1,090,484			—			1,090,484			—			1,090,484
Savings deposits (1)	—			532,827			532,827			—			532,827
Time deposits	361,342			618,134			979,476			96,280			1,075,756
Total interest-bearing deposits	1,451,826			3,065,753			4,517,579			96,280			$	4,613,859
Borrowed funds (3)	250,000			140,000			390,000			—			390,000
Total interest-bearing liabilities	1,701,826			3,205,753			4,907,579			96,280			5,003,859
Interest-sensitivity gap per period	$	(1,387,175)		$	(2,492,865)		$	(4,020,040)		$	6,016,989		$	1,996,949
Cumulative gap at December 31, 2023	$	(1,387,175)		$	(3,880,040)		$	(4,020,040)		$	1,996,949		$	1,996,949
Ratio of cumulative gap to total earning assets at December 31, 2023	(19.8)		%	(55.4)		%	(57.4)		%	28.5		%

41

$ in thousands	December 31, 2022
	Within Three Months			After Three Through Twelve Months			Within One Year			Greater Than One Year or Nonsensitive			Total
Assets
Earning assets:
Loans	$	180,128		$	247,781		$	427,909		$	3,350,693		$	3,778,602
Securities (2)	13,565			58,431			71,996			1,876,589			1,948,585
Funds sold and other	—			78,139			78,139			—			78,139
Total earning assets	$	193,693		$	384,351		$	578,044		$	5,227,282		$	5,805,326
Liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW accounts (1)	$	—		$	1,769,699		$	1,769,699		$	—		$	1,769,699
Money market accounts	825,813			—			825,813			—			825,813
Savings deposits (1)	—			542,296			542,296			—			542,296
Time deposits	118,108			440,087			558,195			168,200			726,395
Total interest-bearing deposits	943,921			2,752,082			3,696,003			168,200			$	3,864,203
Borrowed funds (3)	130,100			—			130,100			—			130,100
Total interest-bearing liabilities	1,074,021			2,752,082			3,826,103			168,200			3,994,303
Interest-sensitivity gap per period	$	(880,328)		$	(2,367,731)		$	(3,248,059)		$	5,059,082		$	1,811,023
Cumulative gap at December 31, 2022	$	(880,328)		$	(3,248,059)		$	(3,248,059)		$	1,811,023		$	1,811,023
Ratio of cumulative gap to total earning assets at December 31, 2022	(15.2)		%	(55.9)		%	(55.9)		%	31.2		%

$ in thousand	December 31, 2021
	Within Three Months			After Three Through Twelve Months			Within One Year			Greater Than One Year or Nonsensitive			Total
Assets
Earning assets:
Loans	$	147,728		$	256,450		$	404,178		$	2,563,053		$	2,967,231
Securities (2)	8,959			51,457			60,416			1,713,642			1,774,058
Funds sold and other	—			804,481			804,481			—			804,481
Total earning assets	$	156,687		$	1,112,388		$	1,269,075		$	4,276,695		$	5,545,770
Liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW accounts (1)	$	—		$	1,771,510		$	1,771,510		$	—		$	1,771,510
Money market accounts	817,476			—			817,476			—			817,476
Savings deposits (1)	—			502,808			502,808			—			502,808
Time deposits	132,025			312,958			444,983			139,626			584,609
Total interest-bearing deposits	949,501			2,587,276			3,536,777			139,626			3,676,403
Total interest-bearing liabilities	949,501			2,587,276			3,536,777			139,626			3,676,403
Interest-sensitivity gap per period	$	(792,814)		$	(1,474,888)		$	(2,267,702)		$	4,137,069		$	1,869,367
Cumulative gap at December 31, 2021	$	(792,814)		$	(2,267,702)		$	(2,267,702)		$	1,869,367		$	1,869,367
Ratio of cumulative gap to total earning assets at December 31, 2021	(14.3)		%	(40.9)		%	(40.9)		%	33.7		%

42

______________________________________

(1)NOW and savings accounts are subject to immediate withdrawal and repricing. These deposits do not tend to immediately react to changes in interest rates and the Company believes these deposits are fairly stable. Therefore, these deposits are included in the repricing period that management believes most closely matches the periods in which they are likely to reprice rather than the period in which the funds can be withdrawn contractually.

(2)Securities include mortgage backed and other installment paying obligations based upon stated maturity dates.

(3)Does not include subordinated debentures of $123,386, $145,027, $144,592 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

The Company generally would benefit from increasing market rates of interest when it has an asset-sensitive gap and generally from decreasing market rates of interest when it is liability sensitive. The Company currently is asset sensitive within the one-year time frame based on effective GAP which uses behavioral assumptions that model the rate sensitivity of non-maturity deposits by looking at the deposits’ behavior rather than their contractual ability to reprice. The cash flows used in the analysis are the projected dollars of assets and liabilities that “reprice” (including maturities, repricing, likely calls, prepayments, etc.). However, the Company's gap analysis is not a precise indicator of its interest sensitivity position. The analysis presents only a static view of the timing of maturities and repricing opportunities, without taking into consideration that changes in interest rates do not affect all assets and liabilities equally. For example, rates paid on a substantial portion of core deposits may change contractually within a relatively short time frame, but those rates are viewed by management as significantly less interest-sensitive than market-based rates such as those paid on non-core deposits. Accordingly, management believes an asset sensitive-position within one year would not be as indicative of the Company’s true interest sensitivity as it would be for an organization which depends to a greater extent on purchased funds to support earning assets. Net interest income is also affected by other significant factors, including changes in the volume and mix of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

The following tables depict, for the periods indicated, certain information related to interest rate sensitivity in net interest income and market value of equity:

December 31, 2023
	Net Interest Income at Risk				Market Value of Equity
Change in Interest Rates	% Change from Base		Bank Policy Limit		% Change from Base		Bank Policy Limit
Up 400 bps	(19.0)	%	(20.0)	%	(12.4)	%	(40.0)	%
Up 300 bps	(9.1)	%	(15.0)	%	(6.7)	%	(30.0)	%
Up 200 bps	(2.3)	%	(10.0)	%	(2.0)	%	(20.0)	%
Up 100 bps	0.7	%	(5.0)	%	0.6	%	(10.0)	%
Down 100 bps	0.5	%	(5.0)	%	(2.4)	%	(10.0)	%
Down 200 bps	2.3	%	(10.0)	%	(5.0)	%	(20.0)	%

December 31, 2022
	Net Interest Income at Risk				Market Value of Equity
Change in Interest Rates	% Change from Base		Bank Policy Limit		% Change from Base		Bank Policy Limit
Up 400 bps	(11.3)	%	(20.0)	%	(16.6)	%	(40.0)	%
Up 300 bps	(6.4)	%	(15.0)	%	(10.6)	%	(30.0)	%
Up 200 bps	(2.9)	%	(10.0)	%	(5.8)	%	(20.0)	%
Up 100 bps	(0.9)	%	(5.0)	%	(2.2)	%	(10.0)	%
Down 100 bps	1.1	%	(5.0)	%	0.9	%	(10.0)	%
Down 200 bps	(0.7)	%	(10.0)	%	(2.2)	%	(20.0)	%

43

December 31, 2021
	Net Interest Income at Risk				Market Value of Equity
Change in Interest Rates	% Change from Base		Bank Policy Limit		% Change from Base		Bank Policy Limit
Up 400 bps	11.3%		(20.0)	%	20.0%		(40.0)	%
Up 300 bps	10.2%		(15.0)	%	18.9%		(30.0)	%
Up 200 bps	8.1%		(10.0)	%	15.5%		(20.0)	%
Up 100 bps	4.7%		(5.0)	%	9.4%		(10.0)	%
Down 100 bps	(3.3)	%	(5.0)	%	(15.0)	%	(10.0)	%
Down 200 bps	(4.6)	%	(10.0)	%	(34.2)	%	(20.0)	%

Allowance and Provision for Credit Losses

The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. It is comprised of a general allowance for loans that are collectively assessed in pools with similar risk characteristics and a specific allowance for individually assessed loans. Loans are charged-off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. The allowance is continuously monitored by management to maintain a level adequate to absorb expected credit losses in the loan portfolio.

Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environment conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors. Management may selectively apply external market data to subjectively adjust the Company’s own loss history including index or peer data. Management evaluates the adequacy of the ACL quarterly and makes provisions for credit losses based on this evaluation. See Note B – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for a complete description of the Company’s methodology and the quantitative and qualitative factors included in the calculation.

At December 31, 2023, the ACL was $54.0 million, or 1.1% of LHFI, an increase of $15.1 million, or 38.8% when compared to December 31, 2022. The 2023 increase is attributable to loan growth and the acquisition of HSBI in January 2023. The Bank acquired loans totaling $1.159 billion, net of purchase accounting adjustments, and recorded initial ACL on PCD loans of $3.2 million related to the HSBI acquisition. In addition, the 2023 provision for credit losses includes $10.7 million associated with day one post-merger accounting provision recorded for non-PCD loans and unfunded commitments acquired in the HSBI acquisition. At December 31, 2022, the allowance for credit losses was approximately $38.9 million, which was 1.0% of LHFI. The Company maintains the allowance at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb expected credit losses in the loan portfolio. The 2022 provision for credit losses includes $3.9 million associated with a day one post-merger accounting provision recorded for non-PCD loans, unfunded commitments. A $1.3 million initial allowance was recorded on PCD loans acquired in the BBI merger. Specifically, identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged-off against the allowance; recoveries are generally recorded only when sufficient cash payments are received subsequent to the charge-off.

The provision for credit losses is a charge to earnings to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level consistent with management’s assessment of the collectability of the loan portfolio in light of current economic conditions and market trends. The Company’s provision for credit losses was a $13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and a negative $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. A majority of the 2023 and 2022 increase in the Company's provision for credit losses is attributed to the HSBI and BBI acquisitions detailed herein. The negative provision for 2021 is attributed to the improved macroeconomic outlook and the Company’s ACL calculation under ASC 326.

At December 31, 2023, management believes the allowance is appropriate and has been derived from consistent application of our methodology. Should any of the factors considered by management in evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses change, management’s estimate of expected credit losses in the portfolio could also change, which would affect the level of future provisions for credit losses.

44

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off Balance Sheet Credit Exposures

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit (“OBSC”) exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The Company maintains a separate ACL on OBSC exposures, including unfunded commitments and letters of credit, which is included on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company's provision for credit losses on OBSC exposures was $750 thousand for the year end December 31, 2023, $255 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022, and $352 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in the ACL on OBSC exposures for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was due to the day one provision for unfunded commitments related to the HSBI acquisition and an increase in unfunded commitments.

Non-Performing Assets

A loan is placed on nonaccrual and the accrual of interest discontinued, when based on all available information and events, it displays characteristics causing management to determine that the collection of all principal, interest, and other related fees due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement is not probable. Also identified along with these loans in nonaccrual status, as well as loans 90 days or greater past due and still accruing interest.

Once these loans are identified, they are evaluated to determine whether the ultimate repayment source will be liquidation of collateral or some future source of cash flow. If the only source of repayment will come from the liquidation of collateral, they are analyzed and documented as to whether any impairment exists. This method considers collateral exposure, as well as all expected expenses related to the disposal of the collateral. If there is any impairment, specific allowances for these loans are then accounted for on a per loan basis. Loans that are identified as criticized or classified based on unsatisfactory repayment performance, or other evidence of deteriorating credit quality, are not reviewed until they meet one of the three criteria described above.

Total nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2023, were $10.7 million, a decrease of $1.9 million compared to $12.6 million at December 31, 2022. Management believes these relationships were adequately reserved at December 31, 2023. See Note E – Loans in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for a description of modified loans.

A potential problem loan is one in which management has serious doubts about the borrower’s future performance under the terms of the loan contract and does not meet the standard of a non-performing asset as outlined by regulatory guidance. These loans may or may not be current as to principal and interest repayment, but they still possess some asset quality characteristics that give management a reason to believe that repayment in full under the contractual terms of the agreement are possible. The level of potential problem loans is one factor used in the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, The First had potential problem loans of $107.1 million and $108.1 million, respectively.

45

Summary of Credit Loss Experience

Consolidated Allowance for Credit Losses

	Years Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)	2023		2022		2021 (1)
Average LHFI outstanding	$	5,036,021	$	3,302,265	$	3,019,605
Loans outstanding at year end, including LHFS	$	5,172,956	$	3,778,630	$	2,967,231
Total nonaccrual loans	$	10,690	$	12,591	$	28,013
Beginning balance of allowance	$	38,917	$	30,742	$	35,820
Impact of ASC 326 adoption on non-PCD loans	—		—		(718)
Impact of ASC 326 adoption on PCD loans	—		—		1,115
Initial allowance on acquired PCD loans	3,176		1,303		—
Loans charged-off	(3,092)		(1,218)		(6,213)
Total recoveries	1,281		2,740		2,194
Net loans (charged-off) recoveries	(1,811)		1,522		(4,019)
Provision for credit losses (2)	13,750		5,350		(1,456)
Balance at year end	$	54,032	$	38,917	$	30,742
Net charge-offs to average loans	(0.04)%		0.05%		0.13%
Allowance as percent of total loans	1.04%		1.03%		1.04%
Nonaccrual loans as a percentage of total loans	0.21%		0.33%		0.94%
Allowance as a multiple of nonaccrual loans	5.05X		3.10X		1.10 X

______________________________________

(1)Effective January 1, 2021, The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective approach.

(2)The negative provision of $1.5 million for credit losses on the consolidated statements of income is net of a $370 thousand provision for credit marks in the Cadence Bank Branches loans acquired for the year ended December 31, 2022.

At December 31, 2023, allowance as of percent of total loans increased 0.01% to 1.04% when compared to 1.03% at December 31, 2022. The increase is attributed to the increase in loan volume related to the HSBI acquisition and organic loan growth in 2023. At December 31, 2023, nonaccrual loans as a percentage of total loans decreased 0.12% to 0.21% when compared to 0.33% at December 31, 2022. The decrease is attributed to a $1.9 million decrease in nonaccrual loans mentioned above.

At December 31, 2022, allowance as of percent of total loans decreased 0.01% to 1.03% when compared to 1.04% at December 31, 2021. The decrease is attributed to the increase in loan volume related to the BBI acquisition and organic loan growth in 2022. At December 31, 2022, nonaccrual loans as a percentage of total loans decreased 0.61% to 0.33% when compared to 0.94% at December 31, 2021. The decrease is attributed to a $15.4 million decrease in nonaccrual loans mentioned above.

The following table represents the components of the ACL for the years 2023, 2022, and 2021.

($ in thousands)	Allowance for Credit Losses
Allocated:	2023		2022		2021
Collateral dependent loans	$	408	$	5	$	6
Loans collectively evaluated	53,624		38,912		30,736
Total	$	54,032	$	38,917	$	30,742

Loans collectively evaluated are those loans or pools of loans assigned a grade by internal loan review.

46

The following table represents the activity of the allowance for credit losses for the years 2023, 2022, and 2021.

($ in thousands)	Analysis of the Allowance for Credit Losses
	2023		2022		2021 (1)
Balance at beginning of period	$	38,917	$	30,742	$	35,820
Impact of ASC 326 adoption on non-PCD loans	—		—		(718)
Impact of ASC 326 adoption on PCD loans	—		—		1,115
Initial allowance on acquired PCD loans	3,176		1,303		—
Loans charged-off:
Commercial, financial and agriculture	(745)		(259)		(1,662)
Commercial real estate	(250)		(72)		(3,523)
Consumer real estate	(49)		(204)		(473)
Consumer installment	(2,048)		(683)		(555)
Total	(3,092)		(1,218)		(6,213)
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off:
Commercial, financial and agriculture	349		433		433
Commercial real estate	116		591		888
Consumer real estate	249		1,015		311
Consumer installment	567		701		562
Total	1,281		2,740		2,194
Net (charge-offs) recoveries	(1,811)		1,522		(4,019)
Provision:
Initial provision for acquired non-PCD loans	10,719		3,855		—
Provision for credit losses charged to expense (2)	3,031		1,495		(1,456)
Balance at end of period	$	54,032	$	38,917	$	30,742

______________________________________

(1)Effective January 1, 2021, The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective approach.

(2)The negative provision of $1.5 million for credit losses on the consolidated statements of income is net of a $370 thousand provision for credit marks in the Cadence Bank Branches loans acquired for the year ended December 31, 2022.

47

The following tables represents how the ACL is allocated to a particular loan type as well as the percentage of the category to total gross loans at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses

($ in thousands)	December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
	Amount		% of loans in each category to total gross loans		Amount		% of loans in each category to total gross loans		Amount		% of loans in each category to total gross loans
Commercial, financial and agriculture	$	8,844	15.5	%	$	6,349	14.2	%	$	4,873	13.4	%
Commercial real estate	29,125		59.2	%	20,389		56.5	%	17,552		57.0	%
Consumer real estate	15,260		24.2	%	11,599		28.1	%	7,889		28.3	%
Consumer installment	803		1.1	%	580		1.2	%	428		1.3	%
Total loans	$	54,032	100	%	$	38,917	100	%	$	30,742	100	%

Non-interest Income

The Company's primary sources of non-interest income are mortgage banking operations and service charges on deposit accounts. Other sources of non-interest income include bankcard fees, commissions on check sales, safe deposit box rent, wire transfer fees, official check fees and bank owned life insurance income.

Non-interest income was $46.7 million at December 31, 2023, an increase of $9.7 million or 26.4% compared to December 31, 2022. This increase was partially attributable to $11.7 million in service charges on deposit accounts and interchange fee income, a $5.3 million increase associated with the U.S. Treasury awards, offset by a $9.8 million loss on the sale of available-for-sale securities. Non-interest income was $37.0 million at December 31, 2022, a decrease of $512 thousand or 1.4% compared to December 31, 2021. Increased service charges on deposit accounts and interchange fee income of $2.5 million was offset by a decrease in mortgage income of $4.5 million.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense was $184.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $54.2 million, or 41.6% in year-over-year comparison. The increase was partially attributable to $2.7 million in acquisition and charter conversion charges and $32.1 million in increased operating expenses related to the acquisitions of Beach Bank and Heritage Bank as well as $5.2 million in expenses associated with the U.S. Treasury awards and increases in FDIC premiums of $1.7 million and a $4.9 million increase in core deposit amortization for the year ended December 31, 2023. Non-interest expense was $130.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $15.9 million compared to December 31, 2021. An increase of $4.8 million in acquisition and charter conversion charges and $3.3 million related to the ongoing operations of the Cadence Bank branches and $5.1 million related to the Beach Bank branch operations accounted for the increase in non-interest expense.

48

The following table sets forth the primary components of non-interest expense for the periods indicated.

Non-interest Expense

($ in thousands)	Years ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
Salaries and employee benefits	$	93,412	$	73,077	$