On December 31, First Guaranty Bancshares director Marshall Reynolds acquired 46,297 additional shares of the company’s common stock in an insider transaction disclosed to the SEC. The purchase, valued at $250,003.80, boosts Reynolds’s direct ownership to 1,993,821 shares, representing a 2.38% increase in his position and bringing his total holding to approximately $10.77 million. This move underscores confidence from a long-standing board member who has overseen the bank’s growth since 2018.

On the same date, fellow director Bruce Mcanally executed a separate insider purchase of 92,600 shares, valued at $500,040, elevating his stake by 44.57%. Post-transaction, Mcanally holds 300,360 shares, equivalent to roughly $1.62 million in equity. His sizable increase reflects the board’s collective belief in the bank’s strategic initiatives, particularly its focus on rebalancing the loan portfolio and managing credit costs effectively.

In the third quarter, First Guaranty Bancshares reported revenue of $24.1 million and an EPS loss of $3.01, translating into a negative net margin of 25.11% and a return on equity of –20.76%. The bank’s nonperforming assets ratio stabilized near 2.8%, down from 3.2% a year ago, as management continued efforts to shore up reserves. Analysts forecast a modest turnaround, projecting full-year EPS of $0.89, driven by anticipated loan growth in Louisiana and Texas markets and improved fee income from wealth management services.

First Guaranty Bancshares declared a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share, paid December 31 to shareholders of record as of December 26, yielding 0.7% annually. While the current payout ratio sits at –97%, management has stated its intention to maintain a consistent nominal distribution while retaining capital flexibility. Analyst coverage remains cautious: one firm rates the shares as a hold and another as a sell, with the consensus “Reduce” opinion reflecting concerns over asset quality and profitability recovery.