EPD Activity Report
First Security Bank 1st Quarter 2015
First Security Inc. Announces First Quarter 2015 Results
Owensboro, Kentucky – First Security Inc., the bank holding company for First Security Bank, Inc., announced today another record performance for the first quarter at First Security.
Highlights of the quarter included:
- Cash Dividend – A dividend was declared of $.17 per share, an increase of .01 per share or 6.25%, payable to shareholders of record May 15, 2015, the company’s 47th consecutive dividend.
- Earnings – First quarter earnings were up $452,000 or 113% as compared to the first quarter of 2014.
- New Office – Another new office, the 11th was opened in January in Lexington, KY in the Wellington area approximately one half mile off of Nicholasville Road in the Southern part of the city.
- Mobile Banking – The bank recently released their latest innovation in technology through their mobile banking app. Customers can deposit their check and conduct nearly all banking transaction through their smart phone. It’s easy, convenient and most importantly it’s free. Go to the bank’s website for easy to follow instructions.
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2014 and the first quarter of 2015 illustrated a strengthening in the economic indicators in the markets served. The bank is now located in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th largest cities in Kentucky and the third largest city in Indiana. Those regions have seen solid, even growth and market penetration in the markets served. The decentralized leadership structure in those markets has proven to be the most appropriate given that many banks centralize most decision-making. First Security’s strength is their ability to be nimble and flexible given situations that call for a different approach to customer needs.
2013 was a year of investment in the bank’s existing and new markets as three new locations were opened. 2014 was a year for developing and growing the existing markets as well as new markets. The company was able to grow loans over $60 million from March 2014 to March 2015, which was spread pretty evenly across all markets. Additionally, the bank was able to focus much of its energies on providing excellent demand deposit products over the last year, which has helped reduce the reliance on certificate of deposit customers. This helped contribute to the boost in the company’s net interest margin on a year over year basis.
The first quarter 2015 financial report of First Security is included. Financial highlights for the first quarter are compared to the prior year, first quarter follow.
- Assets at quarter end total $548 million, representing an increase of 10%
- Loans and Deposits – Loans increased 15%, while deposits increased 1%
- Tangible Book Value increased $1.51 or 7%
- Net Income increased $452,000 or 113%
- Provision for Loan Losses increased $10,000 or 3%
- Net Interest Income increased $927,000 or 25%
- Net interest margin increased from 3.39% to 3.70%, an increase of 0.31 points
- Non-Interest Income increased $183,000 or 23%
- Non-Interest Expense increased $418,000 or 12%
- Non-Performing Assets to total assets were 0.68% at the end of March 2015, an
improvement of 0.29% from the prior year’s ratio of 0.97%.
- Return on Assets improved from 0.34% to 0.63%
- Basic Earnings-Per-Share was $0.36 per share as compared to $0.49 per share, down
$0.13 per share as the Company’s total shares increased more than 191% when comparing the 1st quarter of 2014 to the 1st quarter of 2015. The impact of the higher shares on basic earnings per share was offset by the 113% increase in net income year over year.
M. Lynn Cooper, President and CEO stated, “First Security remains steadfast in its commitment to build a franchise of quality people, products, services and customers.â€
Governor Allows Two Gaming Bills to Become Law Without Signature, Vetoes Third
Governor vetoes measure that would have allowed online gaming
Indianapolis – Today, Governor Mike Pence announced he will allow two gaming bills to become law without his signature and vetoed a third gaming bill.
The Governor will allow HEA 1540 to become law without his signature. This legislation allows riverboat casinos to move on land within their current footprint, outlines procedures for legislative ratification of a tribal gaming compact negotiated between the Governor and the Pokagaon Band of the Potawatomi Indians, as well as establishing caps for casinos and racinos.
He also will allow SEA 252 to become law without his signature. This law will increase per diem for Horse Racing Commission members, allows the Horse Racing Commission to use breed development funds to promote the horse racing industry, and codifies the current standards regarding days of racing as previously established by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.
“Most Hoosiers know that I oppose an expansion of gaming in Indiana, but I recognize that gaming has become an important part of the economy of many communities in our state and is an important part of our state budget,†said Governor Pence. “From early in the legislative process, I made it clear that I would not stand in the way of reforms that would allow these businesses to remain competitive with surrounding states so long as it did not constitute an expansion of gaming in Indiana. HEA 1540 and SEA 252 meet this standard and, as such, I will permit them to become law without signature.â€
The Governor vetoed HEA 1270, which allows Advance Deposit Wagering, expanding gambling on horse races to include not only in-person bets, but also those made by electronic means.
“This legislation is contrary to my long-time position against online gaming,†said Governor Pence. “Advance Deposit Wagering, not currently permitted in Indiana, would also violate my position on expanding gaming here in Indiana.â€
The Governor did sign SEA 327, which applies to charity gaming at schools, churches, veterans organizations and police and fire departments.
Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records
EPD Activity Report
COMING SOON: LETTERS TO THE GENE EDITOR?
Rick McKee / Augusta Chronicle
Tyrades! By Danny Tyree
Get ready for the return of all the cooing and wailing about “designer babies.â€
According to Vox.com, geneticists at Sun Yat-sen University in China recently achieved a breakthrough by modifying the DNA of a nonviable human embryo. Results were published in the journal “Protein & Cell.â€
The technique, known as CRISPR, is faster and cheaper than other gene-editing practices; but it has stirred a firestorm of controversy. The prestigious journals “Science†and “Nature†refused to print the study, on ethical grounds. The director of the National Institutes of Health announced on April 29 that he will not pay for scientists meddling with DNA in a human zygote.
Even the Chinese government is squeamish. An official said that embryos should not be kept in a laboratory and subjected to these manipulations. Instead, the embryos should be in Chinese factories cranking out cheap, junky products for Americans.
Supporters of CRISPR see it as the medical breakthrough of the century, a potential way to eradicate AIDS, leukemia, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease and more. Skeptics fear that doctors curing one ailment might accidentally cause another; such mutations would be passed down generation after generation.
CRISPR is being touted as a way for practically any scientist to change practically any cell. I shudder to think of the impact on school science fairs. Instead of displaying the tried and true baking-soda-and-vinegar volcano, a first-grader will declare, “‘Watch me create a unibrow for Mrs. Smith’s unborn baby.â€
Some people are tickled pink at the advances, but others are disappointed with the way science fiction has evolved into science fact. CRISPR can be used to cure, say, scoliosis. All the people who dreamed of the world of 2015 having cool stuff such as personal jet packs and robots like the one on “Lost In Space†now find science being used to HELP YOU STAND UP STRAIGHT. Move over, Stephen Hawking; science has been taken over by everybody’s grandmother!
Maybe Uncle Sam won’t contribute to CRISPR research, but he’ll profit from it. If you think estate taxes on property and bank accounts are high, just think about putting a tax on inherited attributes. (“Hmm…cleft chin, wavy hair, blue eyes to die for…it’s bonus time at the IRS!â€)
Many people are worried about therapeutic genetic procedures giving way to unthinkable eugenics experiments aimed at creating a master race. (“Heil — er, I mean, I’ll—not dignify that with an answer.â€)
Coincidentally, people fear a new wave of “haves†and “have nots,†with a Seinfeld-esque Gene Nazi picking winners and losers. (“No washboard abs for you!â€)
Many people automatically think “mad scientist†when gene editing is mentioned. Of course they also go into “pitchforks and torches†mode when someone suggests they cover their mouth while sneezing or refrain from letting their dog French kiss them. Never mind.
Some people just have misgivings about editors in general. (“My qualifications for the grant? I prevented a family from having sickle cell anemia, I blocked the development of hemophilia and I, uh, rejected the manuscript for ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ 12 times.â€)
Given all the unknowns, I hope many years of study and debate precede further steps with CRISPR. If nothing else, maybe perfectionism will slow progress. (“We gave him incredible stamina, superhuman vision and a computer-like mind — but we can’t get that funky Six-Million-Dollar-Man-jumping sound effect! Back to the drawing board!â€)
University of Evansville Announces Outstanding Teacher of the Year
University of Evansville associate psychology professor Margaret Stevenson was named the 2015 Outstanding Teacher at the University during UE’s 157th Commencement Exercises May 9.
Stevenson has been a professor at UE since 2008, teaching courses in such areas as social psychology, research methods in psychology, and psychology and the law. She serves as advisor to many psychology majors, advising and directing some in their research projects. Stevenson is a senior thesis mentor for many students, and co-faculty advisor for two UE student groups, Psi Chi and the Psychology Club.
She was honored with the Sydney and Sadelle Berger Award for Research in 2012, and the Association for Psychological Science RISE Research Award in 2011. In 2014, Stevenson was presented with the United Methodist Exemplary Teacher Award by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Stevenson is a past recipient of the American Psychological Association Division 37’s Section on Child Maltreatment Early Career Award. She is a member of such professional organizations as the American Psychological Association, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and Society for Personality and Social Psychology. She serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Forensic Psychology and the International Journal of Psychological Studies.
At UE, Stevenson has been Honors Faculty Scholar in Residence, and has served on the Institutional Diversity Council, Honors Program committee, and General Education Subcommittee She has been the social sciences representative for UE Faculty Senate, as well as corresponding secretary and parliamentarian.
Stevenson earned her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in social psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her Bachelor Science degree in psychology and her Bachelor of Science in French from Ohio State University.
For more information, please contact University Relations at 812-488-2236 or 812-488-2241.