The First Bancshares, Inc. announced that its board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.07 per share, an increase of $0.02 per share, or 40.0% to be paid on its common stock on February 26, 2019 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 11, 2019.

The company announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018. For the quarter, the company reported net interest income of $25,270,000 compared to $15,221,000 a year ago. Net income available to common shareholders was $6,861,000 compared to $2,414,000 a year ago. Diluted earnings per common share was $0.48 compared to $0.23 a year ago. Diluted earnings per common share, operating was $0.64 compared to $0.45 a year ago.

For the full year, the company reported net interest income of $84,887,000 compared to $59,160,000 a year ago. Net income available to common shareholders was $21,225,000 compared to $10,616,000 a year ago. Diluted earnings per common share was $1.62 compared to $1.11 a year ago. Diluted earnings per common share, operating was $2.29 compared to $1.76 a year ago.