First Guaranty Bancshares (NASDAQ:FGBI), Inc., a Louisiana-based financial institution, has entered into a material definitive agreement involving the sale and leaseback of three properties, according to a recent SEC filing.
On Monday, the company disclosed that its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Guaranty Bank, sold two stand-alone branches and a portion of its headquarters, which includes a branch, for a total of $15 million in cash. The properties are all located in Louisiana.
The purchaser, FGB Partners, L.L.C., is owned by three directors and significant shareholders of First Guaranty: Chairman Marshall T. Reynolds, Edgar Ray Smith III, and William K. Hood. Following the sale, the bank has signed absolute net lease agreements with the purchaser, ensuring a 15-year leaseback period with options for renewal.
This transaction has resulted in a pre-tax gain of approximately $13.2 million, translating to about $10.4 million after taxes. The company has clarified that there will be no branch closures or market exits due to this deal. The expected rent expense for the first full year post-transaction is estimated at $1.3 million before taxes, or $1.0 million after taxes.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of the recent strategic real estate transactions by First Guaranty Bancshares (NYSE:GNTY), Inc., current and potential investors may find the following metrics and tips from InvestingPro valuable. With a market capitalization of $112.54 million and a P/E ratio of 18.46, the company shows a solid valuation in the market. Notably, First Guaranty has demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns, maintaining dividend payments for 19 consecutive years, and currently offers a robust dividend yield of 7.11%. This commitment is further underscored by the fact that the company has been profitable over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024.
An InvestingPro Tip highlights that First Guaranty suffers from weak gross profit margins, which is an important consideration for investors focusing on the company's profitability. On a more positive note, analysts predict that the company will remain profitable this year, which could reassure investors looking for steady performance amidst a challenging economic landscape. For those interested in further analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available that provide deeper insights into First Guaranty's financial health and future prospects.
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