First Financial Holdings, Inc. Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results


CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 27, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Financial Holdings, Inc. ("First Financial" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:FFCH), the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston ("First Federal" or the "Association"), today reported results for the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. The net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $4.5 million compared to a $6.5 million loss from the comparative quarter ended December 31, 2008. Basic and diluted loss per share was $0.28 for the current quarter, compared to $0.56 per basic and diluted loss per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Including the preferred stock dividend and related accretion, the net loss to common shareholders was $5.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the first quarter, compared to a net loss of $6.8 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, for the first quarter one year ago.

President and Chief Executive Officer A. Thomas Hood commented, "Our core operating results remain strong. We have added several very talented bankers to our team. As we navigate through this difficult environment, they will make important contributions. We are devoting significant resources to the monitoring and early recognition of potential problems in our loan portfolio and to the development of new customer relationships."

The Company recognized a provision for loan losses of $25.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 compared to $21.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and $20.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. As President and CEO Hood explained in our January 8, 2010 press release, "This higher than historical provision results from asset quality downgrades to land loans and acquisition and development loans. This deterioration is the result of weakness in the economy and further decline in real estate values." The Company increased its allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans from 257 basis points during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 to 278 basis points during the quarter ended December 31, 2009. Problem assets, which include non-accrual loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due and real estate owned, as a percentage of total assets were 3.73% at December 31, 2009 compared with 2.92% at September 30, 2009 and 1.33% at December 31, 2008. The Company's loan loss reserve coverage of non-performing loans, defined as total reserves for loan losses divided by non-accrual loans and accruing loans 90 days or more past due was 67.6% at December 31, 2009 compared to 85.0% at September 30, 2009 and 118.0% at December 31, 2008. Hood continued, "Our Loss Mitigation Team remains very committed to working with borrowers searching for alternatives to mortgage foreclosure. In fact, our latest Foreclosure Prevention Clinic was held this past Saturday, January 23, 2010."

Compared with the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the net interest margin decreased by five basis points from a net interest margin of 3.99% to 3.94% for the quarter ended December 31, 2009. Net interest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $32.9 million, decreasing from $34.1 million or 3.4% for the linked quarter ended September 30, 2009. Hood commented, "Our net interest margin decreased due to a slightly more competitive deposit rate market and due to increased balances in non-accruing loans. We remain very focused on increasing our core deposits and developing long-term customer relationships across our entire footprint."

Mortgage banking income was $2.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, a decrease of $261 thousand or 9.8% for the linked quarter ended September 30, 2009 and an increase of $651 thousand or 37.0% for the comparative quarter ended December 31, 2008. The Company continues its strategy of having certain economic hedging strategies in place to protect the value of our capitalized mortgage servicing asset from interest rate risk.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2009, there was further deterioration in our bank trust preferred collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs") portfolio. As a result, the Company recognized a credit-related other than temporary impairment (OTTI) charge totaling $235 thousand on six CDOs comprised of bank trust preferred securities and $259 thousand on one private label collateralized mortgage obligation ("CMO"). Total CDOs, comprised of bank trust preferred securities, was $4.9 million or less than 1.0% of our total investment portfolio at December 31, 2009.

On December 10, 2009, First Federal announced the donation of our building, located on Coit Street in Florence, South Carolina, to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Hood commented, "The Chamber needs a new space to better accommodate its staff while maintaining a downtown presence. At the same time, First Federal intends to occupy a smaller, more efficient space and no longer needs the amount of square footage this office contains." The accounting treatment of this donation increased both our gains on disposition of assets and other expenses. The net tax benefit of this donation for fiscal 2010 is $636 thousand.

Total other income was $15.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to $15.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and $11.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Total revenues, defined as net interest income plus total other income, excluding gains on sales of investments and gains on disposition of assets, increased to $46.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $10.4 million, or 28.5%, from $36.3 million during the comparable quarter ended December 31, 2008.

Total other expense increased by $4.0 million, or 14.9%, to $30.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 compared to $26.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Salary and employee benefits costs and occupancy costs increased year over year as a result of additional staff due to the acquisition of the operations of Cape Fear Bank and American Pensions, Inc.

Hood continued, "While current economic conditions continue to present varied challenges for our markets and for all financial institutions, our Board of Directors, officers and employees remain committed to finding the best financial solutions for our customers and the best results for our shareholders."

As of December 31, 2009, First Financial's total assets were $3.5 billion, loans receivable totaled $2.6 billion and deposits were $2.3 billion. Stockholders' equity was $354.5 million and book value per common share totaled $17.52 at December 31, 2009. First Federal's capital ratio (i.e., equity divided by assets) was 7.9% at December 31, 2009, compared to 7.9% and 5.9% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Tangible equity to assets was 7.7% at December 31, 2009, compared to 7.7% and 6.9% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, First Federal remained categorized "well capitalized" under regulatory standards.

As a participant in the Treasury's Capital Purchase Program, the Company continues to use this capital to help borrowers avoid foreclosures in our markets, and to expand our loan and investment portfolios. The Company paid a dividend of $813 thousand to the U.S. Treasury for its investment during the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

On September 29, 2009, the Company raised $65.0 million through a public offering by issuing 4,193,550 shares of common stock at a price of $15.50 per share. Subsequently, on October 9, 2009 the Company announced that the underwriters fully exercised their over-allotment option, resulting in the issuance of an additional 629,032 shares. Including the over-allotment option, the net proceeds to the Company after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses were approximately $69.8 million.

First Financial is the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston, which operates 65 offices located in the Charleston metropolitan area, Horry, Georgetown, Florence and Beaufort counties in South Carolina and Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties in coastal North Carolina offering banking, trust and pension administration services. The Company also provides insurance and brokerage services through First Southeast Insurance Services, The Kimbrell Insurance Group and First Southeast Investor Services.

NOTE: A. Thomas Hood, President and CEO of the Company, and R. Wayne Hall, Executive Vice President and CFO, will discuss these results in a conference call at 2:00 PM (EST), January 27, 2010. The call can be accessed via a webcast available on First Financial's website at www.firstfinancialholdings.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain matters in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among others, expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates, projections of future performance, including operating efficiencies, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, and statements regarding the Company's mission and vision. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management expectations, and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. Management's ability to predict results or the effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. The Company's actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, the general business environment, general economic conditions nationally and in the States of North and South Carolina, interest rates, the North and South Carolina real estate markets, the demand for mortgage loans, the credit risk of lending activities, including changes in the level of and trend of loan delinquencies and charge-offs, results of examinations by our banking regulators, our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel we have acquired or may in the future acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto, competitive conditions between banks and non-bank financial services providers, regulatory changes and other risks detailed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Accordingly, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.

Such forward-looking statements may include projections. Such projections were not prepared in accordance with published guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or the SEC regarding projections and forecasts nor have such projections been audited, examined or otherwise reviewed by independent auditors of the Company. In addition, such projections are based upon many estimates and inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of management of the Company. Accordingly, actual results may be materially higher or lower than those projected. The inclusion of such projections herein should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the projections will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made on behalf of the Company.

For additional information about First Financial, please visit our web site at www.firstfinancialholdings.com or contact Dorothy B. Wright, Vice President-Investor Relations and Corporate Secretary, (843) 529-5931.



                     FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
        Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Highlights
                   (in thousands, except share data)

                                               Three Months Ended
                                          ----------------------------
 Statements of Income                     12/31/09  12/31/08  09/30/09
                                          --------  --------  --------

 Interest income                          $ 48,100  $ 43,984  $ 49,815
 Interest expense                           15,212    18,853    15,764
                                          --------  --------  --------
   Net interest income                      32,888    25,131    34,051
 Provision for loan losses                 (25,327)  (20,471)  (21,280)
                                          --------  --------  --------
   Net interest income after provision       7,561     4,660    12,771
 Other income
  Brokerage fees                               496       480       532
  Insurance revenues                         5,423     5,245     5,918
  Impairment on investment securities         (494)   (2,144)     (614)
  Service charges and fees on
   deposit accounts                          5,817     5,669     5,865
  Mortgage banking income                    2,411     1,760     2,672
  Gains on disposition of assets             1,275        52        37
  Other                                        166       197       981
                                          --------  --------  --------
   Total other income                       15,094    11,259    15,391
 Other expenses
  Salaries and employee benefits            17,878    17,162    18,227
  Occupancy costs                            2,444     2,145     2,446
  Marketing                                    568       650       586
  Furniture and equipment expense            2,139     1,495     2,277
  Other                                      7,522     5,144     7,089
                                          --------  --------  --------
   Total other expenses                     30,551    26,596    30,625
                                          --------  --------  --------

 Income (loss) before income taxes          (7,896)  (10,677)   (2,463)
  Provision for income taxes                (3,364)   (4,130)   (1,199)
                                          --------  --------  --------
   Net income (loss)                        (4,532)   (6,547)   (1,264)

 Preferred stock dividend                      813       235       802
 Accretion on preferred stock discount         136        42       127
                                          --------  --------  --------
   Net income (loss) available to common
    shareholders                          $ (5,481) $ (6,824) $ (2,193)
                                          ========  ========  ========

 Earnings (loss) per share net income:
  Basic                                   $  (0.28) $  (0.56) $  (0.11)
  Diluted                                 $  (0.28) $  (0.56) $  (0.11)
 Earnings (loss) per share available
  to common shareholders:
  Basic                                   $  (0.33) $  (0.58) $  (0.19)
  Diluted                                 $  (0.33) $  (0.58) $  (0.19)

 Average number shares outstanding          16,464    11,694    11,791
 Average number diluted shares outstanding  16,464    11,694    11,791

 Ratios:
  Return on average equity                  -5.14%   -12.98%    -1.57%
  Return on average assets                  -0.52%    -0.87%    -0.14%
  Net interest margin                        3.94%     3.48%     3.99%
  Total other expense / average assets       3.50%     3.54%     3.44%
  Efficiency ratio (1)                      60.20%    68.20%    60.46%
  Net charge-offs / average loans,
   annualized                                3.04%     0.49%     1.10%

 (1) Excludes from income: gains / (losses) on sales of securities,
     net real estate operations, gains on disposition of assets,
     realized impairment on investments, VISA litigation, and
     non-recurring donation expense.

 Please Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to
 conform to current period presentation.


                       FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
            Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Highlights
                     (in thousands, except share data)


 Statements of Financial Condition   12/31/09    12/31/08    09/30/09
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------

 Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents         $   66,429  $   62,334  $   78,070
  Investments                           81,407      57,585      82,298
  Mortgage-backed securities           465,983     403,797     478,980
  Loans receivable, net              2,570,668   2,334,254   2,593,269
  Loan held for sale                    22,903      11,804      25,603
  Office properties, net                80,113      82,322      81,021
  Real estate owned                     20,864       5,346      22,002
  Intangible assets                     38,495      36,156      37,961
  Mortgage servicing rights             12,411       8,225      11,166
  FDIC indemnification
   receivable, net                      64,130          --      62,754
  Other assets                          52,745      35,470      37,163
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------

 Total Assets                       $3,476,148  $3,037,293  $3,510,287
                                    ==========  ==========  ==========

 Liabilities and Stockholders'
  Equity
  Deposits                          $2,277,439  $1,926,624  $2,303,611
  Advances from FHLB                   565,622     746,000     492,751
  Other borrowings                     228,204     125,204     305,205
  Other liabilities                     50,429      19,387      57,071
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------

 Total Liabilities                   3,121,694   2,817,215   3,158,638
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------

 Stockholders' equity
  Stockholders' equity                 454,380     358,508     451,279
  Treasury stock                      (103,563)   (103,563)   (103,563)
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   income (loss)                         3,637     (34,867)      3,933
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------

 Total stockholders' equity            354,454     220,078     351,649
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------

 Total liabilities and
  stockholders' equity              $3,476,148  $3,037,293  $3,510,287
                                    ==========  ==========  ==========

 Stockholders' equity to
  total assets                          10.20%       7.25%      10.02%

 Common shares outstanding              16,526      11,697      15,897

 Book value per common share        $    17.52  $    13.26  $    18.03
 Tangible book value per
  common share                      $    15.19  $    10.17  $    15.64

 Credit quality - quarterly results
  Total reserves for loan losses    $   73,534  $   41,528  $   68,473
  Loan loss reserves / loans             2.78%       1.74%       2.57%
  Reserves / non-performing loans       67.55%     118.02%      85.00%
  Provision for losses              $   25,327  $   20,471  $   21,280
  Net loan charge-offs              $   20,266  $    2,933  $    7,307

 Problem assets
  Non-accrual loans                 $  108,742  $   35,070  $   80,432
  Accruing loans 90 days or more
   past due                                124         116         121
  REO through foreclosure               20,864       5,346      22,002
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total                            $  129,730  $   40,532  $  102,555
  As a percent of total assets           3.73%       1.33%       2.92%


                          First Financial Holdings, Inc.
                       As of the Quarter Ended (Unaudited)
                             (dollars in thousands)

                ------------------------------------------------------
 BALANCE SHEET   12/31/09   09/30/09   06/30/09   03/31/09   12/31/08
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
 Assets
  Cash and
   investments  $  147,836 $  160,368 $  177,121 $  118,555 $  119,919
  Loans
   receivable,
   net           2,570,668  2,593,269  2,609,498  2,333,846  2,334,254
  Loans held
   for sale         22,903     25,603     63,311     48,319     11,804
  Mortgage
   -backed
   securities      465,983    478,980    522,355    538,402    403,797
  Office
   properties
   and equip.       80,113     81,021     81,136     81,751     82,322
  Real estate
   owned            20,864     22,002     12,927      6,312      5,346
  FDIC
   indemnif
   -ication, net    64,130     62,754     61,541         --         --
  Other assets     103,651     86,290     79,177     79,354     79,851
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   Total assets $3,476,148 $3,510,287 $3,607,066 $3,206,539 $3,037,293
                ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
 Liabilities
  Deposits      $2,277,439 $2,303,611 $2,341,055 $1,995,057 $1,926,624
  Advances-FHLB    565,622    492,751    492,880    609,000    746,000
  Other borrowed
   money           228,204    305,205    420,204    310,204    125,204
  Other
   liabilities      50,429     57,071     59,898     38,043     19,387
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   Total
    liabilities  3,121,694  3,158,638  3,314,037  2,952,304  2,817,215
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   Total
    stock
    -holders'
    equity         354,454    351,649    293,029    254,235    220,078
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
 Total
  liabilities
  and stock
  -holders'
  equity        $3,476,148 $3,510,287 $3,607,066 $3,206,539 $3,037,293
                ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========

 Total shares
  o/s               16,526     15,897     11,699     11,699     11,697
 Book value
  per share     $    17.52 $    18.03 $    19.49 $    16.18 $    13.26
 Equity/assets      10.20%     10.02%      8.12%      7.93%      7.25%

 AVERAGE
  BALANCES
  Total assets  $3,493,218 $3,558,677 $3,613,406 $3,121,916 $3,005,644
  Earning assets 3,311,040  3,382,326  3,427,813  3,004,582  2,867,614
  Gross Loans    2,652,972  2,662,870  2,661,990  2,418,595  2,368,767
  Costing
   liabilities   3,057,530  3,262,178  3,232,640  2,950,628  2,807,944
  Deposits       2,293,892  2,419,451  2,168,056  2,031,280  1,931,978
  Equity           353,052    322,339    288,061    237,157    201,778


                           -------------------------------------------
 BALANCE SHEET              09/30/08   06/30/08   03/31/08   12/31/07
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
 Assets
  Cash and investments     $  123,918 $  134,495 $  142,360 $  137,844
  Loans receivable, net     2,324,537  2,263,965  2,218,027  2,184,611
  Loans held for sale           8,731      4,519     14,031     10,361
  Mortgage-backed
   securities                 351,110    353,257    370,848    345,397
  Office properties
   and equip.                  78,796     77,732     76,766     74,850
  Real estate owned             4,286      5,442      4,310      2,748
  FDIC indemnification, net        --         --         --         --
  Other assets                 82,616     84,618     62,162     61,896
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   Total assets            $2,973,994 $2,924,028 $2,888,504 $2,817,707
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========
 Liabilities
  Deposits                 $1,851,102 $1,865,261 $1,875,099 $1,806,585
  Advances-FHLB               818,000    747,000    719,000    708,000
  Other borrowed money         75,205     69,204     52,204     52,206
  Other liabilities            46,209     54,585     55,609     63,650
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   Total liabilities        2,790,516  2,736,050  2,701,912  2,630,441
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   Total stockholders'
    equity                    183,478    187,978    186,592    187,266
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
 Total liabilities and
  stockholders' equity     $2,973,994 $2,924,028 $2,888,504 $2,817,707
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

 Total shares o/s              11,692     11,674     11,663     11,657
 Book value per share      $    15.69 $    16.10 $    16.00 $    16.07
 Equity/assets                  6.17%      6.43%      6.46%      6.65%

 AVERAGE BALANCES
  Total assets             $2,949,011 $2,906,266 $2,853,106 $2,764,539
  Earning assets            2,763,247  2,714,252  2,655,387  2,584,426
  Gross Loans               2,314,352  2,269,463  2,227,139  2,189,044
  Costing liabilities       2,730,439  2,671,260  2,612,019  2,523,927
  Deposits                  1,875,748  1,884,688  1,841,855  1,841,414
  Equity                      185,728    187,302    186,961    186,506


                           First Financial Holdings, Inc.
                              (dollars in thousands)

                              Quarter Ended (Unaudited)
                 -----------------------------------------------------
                 12/31/09 09/30/09 06/30/09 03/31/09 12/31/08 09/30/08
                 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
 STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS
 Total interest
  income          $48,100  $49,815  $51,266  $43,731  $43,984  $43,398
 Total interest
  expense          15,212   15,764   15,727   16,770   18,853   19,243
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net interest
   income          32,888   34,051   35,539   26,961   25,131   24,155
  Provision for
   loan losses    (25,327) (21,280) (12,367) (12,765) (20,471)  (5,218)
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net int. inc.
   after provision  7,561   12,771   23,172   14,196    4,660   18,937
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Other income
  Gain on
   investment
   securities
  Brokerage fees      496      532      383      632      480      672
  Insurance
   revenues         5,423    5,918    6,535    6,966    5,245    6,352
  Impairment on
   investment
   securities        (494)    (614)    (377)    (857)  (2,144)    (486)
  Svc. chgs/
   fees-dep. accts  5,817    5,865    5,688    5,280    5,669    6,133
  Mortgage banking
   income           2,411    2,672      986    2,652    1,760      821
  Gains (losses)
   on disposition
   of properties    1,275       37       37       36       52      913
  Other               166      981     (281)     (69)     197      663
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total other
  income           15,094   15,391   12,971   14,640   11,259   15,068
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Other expenses
  Salaries &
   employee
   benefits        17,878   18,227   15,640   13,636   17,162   14,697
  Occupancy costs   2,444    2,446    2,215    2,129    2,145    2,120
  Marketing           568      586      479      422      650      460
  Furniture and
   equipment
   expense          2,139    2,277    2,202    1,572    1,495    1,629
  Other             7,522    7,089    7,609    6,086    5,144    5,002
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total other
  expenses         30,551   30,625   28,145   23,845   26,596   23,908
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Income (loss)
  before taxes     (7,896)  (2,463)   7,998    4,991  (10,677)  10,097
 Provision for
  income taxes     (3,364)  (1,199)   2,842    1,872   (4,130)   3,789
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Income before
  extraordinary
  items            (4,532)  (1,264)   5,156    3,119   (6,547) $ 6,308
                  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
 Extraordinary
  items
  Gain on
   acquisition,
   less income tax
   of $18,833                        28,857
 Net Income        (4,532)  (1,264)  34,013    3,119   (6,547)   6,308
  Preferred stock
   dividend           813      802      813      813      235
  Accretion on
   preferred stock
   discount           136      127      132      130       42
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Net Income (loss)
  available to
  common
  shareholders    $(5,481) $(2,193) $33,068  $ 2,176  $(6,824) $ 6,308
                  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======

 Pre-tax, pre
  -provision
  earnings        $17,431  $18,817  $20,365  $17,756  $ 9,794  $15,315


 Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform
       to current period presentation.

 Average shares
  o/s, basic       16,464   11,791   11,699   11,699   11,694   11,683
 Average shares
  o/s, diluted     16,464   11,791   11,699   11,699   11,694   11,688
 Earnings per
  share before
  extraordinary
  items -basic    $ (0.28) $ (0.11) $  0.44  $  0.27  $ (0.56) $  0.54
 Earnings per
  share before
  extraordinary
  items -diluted  $ (0.28) $ (0.11) $  0.44  $  0.27  $ (0.56) $  0.54
 Earnings per
  share Net
  Income -basic   $ (0.28) $ (0.11) $  2.91  $  0.27  $ (0.56) $  0.54
 Earnings per
  share Net
  Income -diluted $ (0.28) $ (0.11) $  2.91  $  0.27  $ (0.56) $  0.54
 Earnings per
  share Available
  to common
  shareholders
  - basic         $ (0.33) $ (0.19) $  2.83  $  0.19  $ (0.58) $  0.54
 Earnings per
  share Available
  to common
  shareholders
  - diluted       $ (0.33) $ (0.19) $  2.83  $  0.19  $ (0.58) $  0.54
 Dividends paid
  per share,
  authorized      $  0.05  $  0.05  $  0.05  $  0.05  $ 0.255  $ 0.255


                           Quarter Ended (Unaudited)    Fiscal Year
                           -------------------------  ----------------
                          06/30/08 03/31/08 12/31/07 09/30/09 09/30/08
                          -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 Total interest income     $43,219  $43,801  $44,355 $188,796 $174,772
 Total interest expense     19,209   21,660   23,295   67,114   83,408
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net interest income       24,010   22,141   21,060  121,682   91,364
  Provision for loan losses (4,907)  (3,567)  (3,248) (66,883) (16,939)
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net int. inc. after
   provision                19,103   18,574   17,812   54,799   74,425
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Other income
  Gain on investment
   securities                    4      645      100       --      750
  Brokerage fees               665      906      680    2,028    2,923
  Insurance revenues         7,420    6,771    4,287   24,667   24,830
  Impairment on investment
   securities                                          (3,993)    (486)
  Svc. chgs/fees-dep. accts  5,911    5,780    6,077   22,501   23,901
  Mortgage banking income    1,826    2,961    1,849    8,070    7,456
  Gains (losses) on
   disposition of
   properties                   43       59       36      162    1,052
  Other                        375      738      700      826    2,475
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total other income         16,244   17,860   13,729   54,261   62,901
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Other expenses
  Salaries & employee
   benefits                 16,603   15,965   18,007   64,666   65,271
  Occupancy costs            2,037    2,001    2,053    8,935    8,210
  Marketing                    685      570      694    2,137    2,408
  Furniture and equipment
   expense                   1,438    1,374    1,426    7,546    5,867
  Other                      4,809    4,211    4,549   25,928   18,573
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total other expenses       25,572   24,121   26,729  109,212  100,329
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Income (loss) before taxes  9,775   12,313    4,812     (152)  36,997
 Provision for income taxes  3,873    4,783    1,915     (615)  14,359
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Income before
  extraordinary items      $ 5,902  $ 7,530  $ 2,897  $   463  $22,638
                           =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
 Extraordinary items

  Gain on acquisition, less
   income tax of $18,833                               28,857
 Net Income                  5,902    7,530    2,897   29,320   22,638
  Preferred stock dividend                              2,663
  Accretion on preferred
   stock discount                                         431
                           -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Net Income (loss)
  available to common
  shareholders             $ 5,902  $ 7,530  $ 2,897  $26,226  $22,638
                           =======  =======  =======  =======  =======

 Pre-tax, pre-provision
  earnings                 $14,682  $15,880  $ 8,060  $66,731  $53,936


 Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform
       to current period presentation.

 Average shares o/s, basic  11,668   11,659   11,646   11,721   11,664
 Average shares o/s,
  diluted                   11,679   11,675   11,727   11,721   11,692
 Earnings per share before
  extraordinary items
  -basic                   $  0.51  $  0.65  $  0.25  $  0.04  $  1.94
 Earnings per share before
  extraordinary items
  -diluted                 $  0.51  $  0.64  $  0.25  $  0.04  $  1.94
 Earnings per share Net
  Income -basic            $  0.51  $  0.65  $  0.25  $  2.50  $  1.94
 Earnings per share Net
  Income -diluted          $  0.51  $  0.64  $  0.25  $  2.50  $  1.94
 Earnings per share
  Available to common
  shareholders - basic     $  0.51  $  0.65  $  0.25  $  2.24  $  1.94
 Earnings per share
  Available to common
  shareholders - diluted   $  0.51  $  0.64  $  0.25  $  2.24  $  1.94
 Dividends paid per share,
  authorized               $ 0.255  $ 0.255  $ 0.255  $  0.41  $  1.02


                      First Financial Holdings, Inc.
                          (dollars in thousands)

                                     Quarter Ended (unaudited)
                           -------------------------------------------
                            12/31/09   09/30/09   06/30/09   03/31/09
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
 OTHER RATIOS
  Return on Average Assets     -0.52%     -0.14%      0.61%      0.40%
  Return on Average Equity     -5.14%     -1.57%      7.54%      5.26%
  Average yield on earning
   assets                       5.76%      5.84%      6.00%      5.90%
  Average cost of paying
   liabilities                  1.97%      1.90%      1.94%      2.29%
  Gross spread                  3.79%      3.94%      4.06%      3.61%
  Net interest margin           3.94%      3.99%      4.16%      3.64%
  Operating exp./avg.
   assets                       3.50%      3.44%      3.30%      3.06%
  Efficiency ratio             60.20%     60.46%     56.42%     55.74%

 Note: Average yields, costs and margins for prior periods adjusted
       to actual days

 COMPOSITION OF GROSS
  LOAN PORTFOLIO
  Mortgage Loans
   (1-4 Family)            $  966,211 $  949,518 $  927,296 $  882,511
  Construction Loans
   (1-4 Family)                32,804     41,133     56,683     56,438
  Commercial Real Estate      436,842    435,298    435,923    322,663
  Commercial Construction      48,439     53,219     47,397     41,490
  Commercial Business Loans    88,728     96,559    106,053     93,024
  Land - Residential          105,902    169,367    171,412    143,329
  Land - Commercial           173,080    130,763    135,398    107,774
  Home Equity Lines
   of Credit                  400,803    394,075    394,794    356,281
  Mobile Home Loans           250,124    244,214    239,043    232,515
  Credit Cards                 18,471     17,483     16,949     16,128
  Marine                       73,799     76,748     77,819     77,836
  Other Consumer Loans         48,999     53,365     55,230     51,347
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                            2,644,202  2,661,742  2,663,997  2,381,336
  Less:
   Allowance for
    Loan Losses                73,534     68,473     54,499     47,490
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

    Total                  $2,570,668 $2,593,269 $2,609,498 $2,333,846
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

  Loans Held for Sale      $   22,903 $   25,603 $   63,311 $   48,319
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

 Note: The Composition of Gross Loans has been changed to collateral
       type consistent with 10Qs as filed with the SEC.

 COMPOSITION OF DEPOSITS
  Checking                 $  562,060 $  527,795 $  543,232 $  500,750
  Passbook                    153,674    154,342    145,541    137,853
  Money Market                338,930    344,220    341,209    296,427
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
  Core Deposits             1,054,664  1,026,357  1,029,982    935,030
  Time Deposits             1,222,775  1,277,254  1,311,073  1,060,027
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
  TOTAL DEPOSITS           $2,277,439 $2,303,611 $2,341,055 $1,995,057
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

 ASSET QUALITY
  Non-accrual loans        $  108,742 $   80,432 $   66,300 $   54,769
  Loans 90 days or more
   past due                       124        121        153         86
  REO through foreclosure      20,864     22,002     12,927      6,312
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                           $  129,730 $  102,555 $   79,380 $   61,167
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========
 LOAN AND REO LOSS RESERVES
  Total reserves for
   loan losses             $   73,534 $   68,473 $   54,499 $   47,490
  Loan loss reserves/ loans     2.78%      2.57%      2.05%      1.99%
  Provision for losses         25,327     21,280     12,367     12,765
  Net loan charge-offs         20,266      7,307      9,490      6,803
  Net charge-offs/avg
   gross loans                  0.76%      0.27%      0.36%      0.28%
  Annualized net
   charge-offs/avg
   gross loans                  3.04%      1.10%      1.43%      1.13%


                               Quarter Ended (unaudited)
                ------------------------------------------------------
                 12/31/08   09/30/08   06/30/08   03/31/08   12/31/07
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
 OTHER RATIOS
  Return on
   Average
   Assets           -0.87%      0.86%      0.81%      1.06%      0.42%
  Return on
   Average
   Equity          -12.98%     13.59%     12.60%     16.11%      6.21%
  Average yield
   on earning
   assets            6.08%      6.24%      6.40%      6.63%      6.81%
  Average cost
   of paying
   liabilities       2.64%      2.80%      2.89%      3.34%      3.67%
  Gross spread       3.44%      3.44%      3.51%      3.29%      3.14%
  Net interest
   margin            3.48%      3.48%      3.56%      3.35%      3.23%
  Operating
   exp./avg.
   assets            3.54%      3.24%      3.54%      3.37%      3.86%
  Efficiency
   ratio            68.20%     61.36%     63.47%     61.39%     71.10%

 Note: Average yields, costs and margins for prior periods adjusted to
       actual days

 COMPOSITION OF
  GROSS LOAN
  PORTFOLIO
  Mortgage Loans
   (1-4 Family) $  882,857 $  886,488 $  874,216 $  871,774 $  870,122
  Construction
    Loans
    (1-4 Family)    67,980     70,396     73,064     75,590     76,169
  Commercial
   Real Estate     314,516    307,903    291,712    286,316    278,948
  Commercial
   Construction     39,380     40,827     36,791     31,142     27,274
  Commercial
   Business
   Loans            95,638     89,764     90,070     85,797     83,831
  Land -
   Residential     145,757    146,694    145,213    141,355    137,270
  Land -
   Commercial      106,956    101,168     98,182     94,241     91,964
  Home Equity
   Lines of
   Credit          344,526    325,354    301,184    284,696    273,399
  Mobile Home
   Loans           227,698    223,476    218,312    211,657    206,909
  Credit Cards      16,790     16,125     15,824     15,638     16,198
  Marine            79,901     83,464     83,964     81,170     81,466
  Other Consumer
   Loans            53,783     56,868     56,499     56,561     57,753
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                 2,375,782  2,348,527  2,285,031  2,235,937  2,201,303
  Less:
   Allowance for
    Loan Losses     41,528     23,990     21,066     17,910     16,692
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

    Total       $2,334,254 $2,324,537 $2,263,965 $2,218,027 $2,184,611
                ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========

  Loans Held
   for Sale     $   11,804 $    8,731 $    4,519 $   14,031 $   10,361
                ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========

 Note: The Composition of Gross Loans has been changed to collateral
       type consistent with 10Qs as filed with the SEC.

 COMPOSITION OF
  DEPOSITS
  Checking      $  461,179 $  474,301 $  488,595 $  483,472 $  459,457
  Passbook         126,261    129,466    133,414    130,863    127,694
  Money Market     303,866    345,327    372,617    379,380    364,639
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
  Core Deposits    891,306    949,094    994,626    993,715    951,790
  Time Deposits  1,035,318    902,008    870,635    881,384    854,795
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
  TOTAL
   DEPOSITS     $1,926,624 $1,851,102 $1,865,261 $1,875,099 $1,806,585
                ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========

 ASSET QUALITY
  Non-accrual
   loans        $   35,070 $   20,557 $   16,562 $   12,800 $   10,133
  Loans 90 days
   or more
   past due            116         76         79         99         68
  REO through
   foreclosure       5,346      4,286      5,442      4,310      2,748
                ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                $   40,532 $   24,919 $   22,083 $   17,209 $   12,949
                ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
 LOAN AND REO
  LOSS RESERVES
  Total reserves
   for loan
   losses       $   41,528 $   23,990 $   21,066 $   17,910 $   16,692
  Loan loss
   reserves/
   loans             1.74%      1.02%      0.92%      0.80%      0.76%
  Provision
   for losses       20,471      5,218      4,907      3,567      3,248
  Net loan
   charge-offs       2,933      2,251      1,785      2,358      1,983
  Net charge
   -offs/avg
   gross loans       0.12%      0.10%      0.08%      0.11%      0.09%
  Annualized net
   charge-offs/
   avg gross
   loans             0.49%      0.39%      0.32%      0.43%      0.36%


                                                      Fiscal Year
                                                 ---------------------
                                                  09/30/09   09/30/08
                                                 ---------- ----------
 OTHER RATIOS
  Return on Average Assets                            0.01%      0.79%
  Return on Average Equity                            0.17%     12.16%
  Average yield on earning assets                     5.90%      6.53%
  Average cost of paying liabilities                  2.18%      3.17%
  Gross spread                                        3.72%      3.36%
  Net interest margin                                 3.79%      3.41%
  Operating exp./avg. assets                          3.26%      3.50%
  Efficiency ratio                                   59.62%     64.33%

 Note: Average yields, costs and margins for prior periods adjusted
       to actual days


                     First Financial Holdings, Inc.
                         (dollars in thousands)

                                                      Quarter Ended
                                                        (unaudited)
                                                    ------------------
                                                    12/31/09  09/30/09
                                                    --------  --------

 COMPOSITION OF LOAN LOSSES (NET CHARGE OFFS)
  Mortgage Loans (1-4 Family)                       $  1,328  $    943
  Construction Loans (1-4 Family)                        807       569
  Commercial Real Estate                               1,022       166
  Commercial Construction                                953        --
  Commercial Business Loans                              652       654
  Land - Residential                                   4,395       955
  Land - Commercial                                    6,262       546
  Home Equity Lines of Credit                          2,618     1,549
  Mobile Home Loans                                      745       866
  Credit Cards                                           254       228
  Marine Loans                                           612       377
  Other Consumer Loans                                   618       454
                                                    --------  --------
                                                    $ 20,266  $  7,307
                                                    ========  ========

                                                    --------  --------
                                                    12/31/09  09/30/09
                                                    --------  --------

 COMPOSITION OF DELINQUENT AND NONACCRUAL LOANS
  Mortgage Loans (1-4 Family)                       $ 38,485  $ 33,423
  Construction Loans (1-4 Family)                      4,988     5,110
  Commercial Real Estate                              25,794    11,045
  Commercial Construction                                 --     2,284
  Commercial Business Loans                            6,093     1,264
  Land - Residential                                  19,339    24,830
  Land - Commercial                                   34,449    22,850
  Home Equity Lines of Credit                         12,717     7,697
  Mobile Home Loans                                    6,412     5,411
  Credit Cards                                           239       224
  Marine Loans                                         2,000       892
  Other Consumer Loans                                 1,225       935
                                                    --------  --------
                                                    $151,741  $115,965
                                                    ========  ========

                                                    --------  --------
                                                    12/31/09  09/30/09
                                                    --------  --------

 % OF DELINQUENT LOANS TO GROSS LOAN BALANCE
  Mortgage Loans (1-4 Family)                          3.98%     3.52%
  Construction Loans (1-4 Family)                     15.21%    12.42%
  Commercial Real Estate                               5.90%     2.54%
  Commercial Construction                              0.00%     4.29%
  Commercial Business Loans                            6.87%     1.31%
  Land - Residential                                  18.26%    14.66%
  Land - Commercial                                   19.90%    17.47%
  Home Equity Lines of Credit                          3.17%     1.95%
  Mobile Home Loans                                    2.56%     2.22%
  Credit Cards                                         1.29%     1.28%
  Marine Loans                                         2.71%     1.16%
  Other Consumer Loans                                 2.50%     1.75%
                                                    --------  --------
                                                       5.74%     4.36%
                                                    ========  ========


            

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